Subject: Does it Really matter? |
Bible Note: Dear Cheri, You wrote, "They were performing sacrifices at that time -- Paul completed a vow..." The vow is referenced in Acts 18:18. Where does it say that a sacrifice was associated with that vow? Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'" When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he added, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He does away with the first in order to establish the second. (Hebrews 10:5-9 ESV) With the infinite superiority of Christ's sacrifice, why would you suppose that an apostle would bother with a sacrifice of the old covenant? Especially the apostle who probably wrote these preceding words, as well as the following words: O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law (Galatians 3:1-5a ESV) To have offered up a Sacrifice would have repudiated to one and all the gospel that Paul preached. In Him, Doc |