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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Galatians introduction, part 2 : 2Corinthians 3 on ‘new covenant,’ ‘old covenant,’ ministries of condemnation and righteousness

The kind of presuppositions we bring to the New Testament can color our view of the Bible as a whole. This is a discussion series on the more difficult passages of the New Testament that anti-nomians often use to try to take us away from Torah and lead us to “freedom.”

Today, we look at 2nd Corinthians 3, which includes an involved discussion on the “new covenant,” “old covenant” and a “veil” over it, “ministry of the spirit,” “ministry of condemnation/death” and “ministry of righteousness.” As this passage is commonly interpreted, Paul taught that Christ abolished the “old covenant,” doing away with the “ceremonial law,” which was anything connected to the tabernacle/temple ministry. That would include Shabbat (Sabbath) and the other “appointed times to the LORD” as well as “clean” and “unclean” foods. This discussion will explore how Paul explained himself in this letter and in other writings on the same topic.

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Discussions Torah

Exodus 29-30 — design for the clothing and ordination of the high priest

Moses was shown many wonderful things on the Mountain, including the ritual to anoint his older brother Aaron and Aaron’s four sons as priests before Him. The overall theme of these two chapters is atonement: atonement for the people and for Aaron and his sons. Even inanimate objects, such as Aaron’s wardrobe, the altar and the Tabernacle itself have to be atoned before they can perform a sacred use.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

2nd Samuel 3 — House of David ascends, House of Saul descends

Saul is dead but David is not yet king over all of Israel. As the chapter begins “Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; and David grew steadily stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker continually” (2nd Sam. 3:1). Most of Saul’s sons are dead but David’s family is growing.

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Discussions Torah

Exodus 27-28 — design for the ark of the Testimony

There is a lot of information in these next two chapters. We are continuing learn more about the template of the Tabernacle that God gave to Moses on Sinai. “… as it was shown to you in the mountain, so they shall make it” (Ex. 27:8).

We will learn about the altar, the utensils of the altar and the architecture of the outer courts. God also calls upon Aaron and his sons to serve Him as High Priests in the Tabernacle. They were called to be the intermediaries between God and the people. The people are commended to their own service for the Tabernacle as well.

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions

Galatians introduction, part 1: ‘New covenant’ according to the Bible

The kind of presuppositions we bring to the New Testament can color our view of the Bible as a whole. This is a discussion series on the more difficult passages of the New Testament that anti-nomians often use to try to take us away from Torah and lead us to “freedom.”

Categories
Discussions Torah

Exodus 25-26 — instructions for making the tabernacle

The LORD gave Moshe very specific instructions for the design of the tabernacle, God’s house in the midst of Israel. These are not just meaningless details. Rather, they are symbols that give us understanding into God’s plan to restore the face-to-face interaction between mankind and Himself.

Categories
Discussions Prophets and Writings

2nd Samuel 2 — ‘gory details’ of how David becomes king

David is anointed king of Yehudah (Judah), but he must now fight the house of Saul for control of all the tribes.