Passover Sacrifice
We have been involved in a discussion regarding performing an animal sacrifice according to Exodus 12 at Passover. There are several salient points:
1. It is a sacrifice - these details are clearly outlined in Exodus 12.
A. a lamb, a perfect one, a male, a son of a year
B. kill it between the evenings
C take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat
D. eat the flesh on that night, roasted in fire – with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs
E. Do not eat it raw, or at all boiled in water, but roasted with fire; its head with its legs and with its inward parts.
2. If this sacrifice is performed, it should be performed exactly as instructed - including putting the blood on the doorposts
3. Yahshua, as the lamb of Yah, provided HIMSELF as our Passover. HE stated HIS was the blood of protection and HIS body was the word of salvation. Then purge out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For also Messiah our Passover was sacrificed for us.1 Cor. 5:7.
A. And the day shall be a memorial for you. And you shall celebrate it as a feast to YHWH, for your generations. You shall celebrate it a law forever.
B. We celebrate it as HE instituted the night HE was betrayed...by the washing of feet, by the bread, the wine, and a hymn.
4. We are living under the NEW Covenant which is based on better promises. This does not negate Torah ( YHWH's instruction - all scripture); but we are under a new priesthood based on better sacrifices and better promises. Even though all of the provisions of the Covenant are not YET completed, the Covenant is in effect and we are bound by it provisions and heirs to its promises. But now He has gotten a more excellent ministry, also by so much as He is a Mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. Hebrews 8:6.
A.. If you are NOT under the new covenant, how are your sins forgiven?
5. I am not judging my brothers...that is I do not know their hearts, their motives, their intents, or how YHWH will deal with them. However, I do judge behavior, actions, and fruit as we all are called to do. If we cannot judge the behavior, actions, and fruit of others, how can we correct a brother when he is wrong (Matthew 18:15)? Or how can we discuss the violation of a Baptist having a ham sandwich in church on Sunday? Do you not know that we shall judge messengers? How much more, matters of this life? 1 Cor. 6:3.
6. We have studied the sacrifice question for almost 2 years and have not found cause to change our belief. It causes brethren to strive with one another and promotes vain arguments. (2Tim 2:16 But shun profane, empty babblings (G2757 - fruitless discussions), for they will go on to more ungodliness,). It is tiring and counterproductive and distracts from spending time on weightier matters, when these seem to be basic "milk" issues.
7. We accept that the word goes forth from Jerusalem, and we submit to the judicial order of YHWH. When the overseer of the congregation at Jerusalem makes a proclamation, it is with the authority of YHWH. His proclamation is to be taken very seriously, just as David took the curse of Shemei seriously (2 Samuel 16:10). YHWH in HIS mercy, is providing a warning through one of HIS messengers, as HE did in Numbers 16:24 regarding Korah, to step away from this practice.
We pray that you have ears to hear.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)