Sin Offering - A Hertic Doctrine Of Russelites

Reasoning the Scriptures

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering By M.S.Mariadas and Y.R.Dinakaran Bible Students, M.B.S.A

We agree on Practicalities!

B

efore any examination of differing viewpoints of the sin offering we

would like to state that there exists total agreement about the church's role in the Kingdom. There is no basis for concluding that because one doesn't agree that the church is represented in the animals that the church can not be Priests and Kings in the Millennial age. We want to make this point clearly. The church's role always has been and always will be vital in the administration of the anti-typical offerings. We generally agree that the church is represented in the sons of Aaron. It can be easily verified that the bulk of the offerings of the people were taken not by Aaron but by his sons. In other words it can be stated "The church's role in the sin offering (process)" instead of "The church is represented in the animals." Without the church, the ministry of reconciliation is void of meaning both in the gospel age as well as the millennial age. The other commonly misconstrued idea is if you don't believe that the church is represented in the animals "then the church has no sufferings." I'm not even sure how this conclusion is drawn. Every Christian believes that suffering will come upon those who follow Jesus. I personally use the phrase "priestly training experience" instead of "a sin offering experience." I hope this helps clarify what is and isn't meant by those who believe similarly.

I. How do Bible Students conclude that the church is represented in the animals? Laying on of hands One of the ways to draw a conclusion on what/who the animals in the tabernacle types represent is the act of laying on of hands. This concept is so meaningful and yet it's significance is buried today. Even more surprising is that in biblical times it was such a simple and elemental concept that the writer to the Hebrews said that it should be understood by those on the milk of the word. HEB 6:1 - Therefore, leaving the first principles of the doctrine of the Anointed one, we should progress towards maturity: not again laying down a foundation for reformation from works causing death, and of faith in God: for the doctrines of immersions, and of the imposition (laying on) of hands...

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

1

Reasoning the Scriptures One reason why laying on of hands is not understood by Bible Students is that no explanation is given in the tabernacle shadows, where it really needs to have been. "Other features of the same consecration were shown by the two rams mentioned in verses 18 and 22. The first mentioned was the ram for the burntoffering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon its head, thus indicating that it represented them..." Tabernacle Shadows, Pg. 42 However, no rationale is offered as to it's logic nor are any scriptures given to support it, so we should have biblically investigated this conclusion ourselves. One of the first instances for laying on of hands can be found in Genesis 48:14. In this case Jacob is imparting the blessing to Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh. He crossed his hands and knowingly blesses the younger brother Ephraim. When Joseph objects, Jacob responds, "I know it my son, I know." No doubt that Jacob had learned well the principle of God choosing the younger over the older as God had with Isaac over his older brother Ishmael as well as his choosing Jacob over Esau. As he blessed Joseph's sons he acknowledged the choice of God over the natural choice. Another instance is the passing on of power from Moses to Joshua (NUM 27:19). The Lord commands Moses to take Joshua before the priest and the congregation (in the sight of all) to put him in charge. Joshua was the choice of the Lord, and the people needed to see Moses acknowledge this not just mentally but physically with the imposition of hands. Notice that in most instances of this act, the Lord spoke directly, indicating his decision on the matter at hand. Again, he acknowledged the choice of God by laying on of hands. The strongest case however against "this represents me/us" is in LEV 24:10-23. And the son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelite woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; And the Israelite woman's son blasphemed the name of the Lord, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)...Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him....And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses. Once again this can only mean that those who laid hands upon his head were acknowledging the choice of God that had been told to them. If this act truly

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

2

Reasoning the Scriptures means that "this represents us" then the witnesses must be considered as stoning themselves. The last example is in the thirteenth chapter of Acts, where Paul, Barnabas, and the leading members from Antioch had gathered to pray, fast, and minister unto the Lord. ACT 13:1-4 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. The Holy Spirit chooses Barnabas and Saul to execute a specific work. Those who gathered laid on hands to confirm the certain choice of the Holy Spirit. In this and other cases, laying on of hands is the act of acknowledging or corroborating the choice that God had previously made. This action shows complete conformity rather than just simply making a mental agreement as would normally be required. Having investigated this we can accurately reexamine these actions in the tabernacle. When the High Priest, the son of the High Priest, or an Israelite laid their hands on an animal it should take on a different meaning. These people brought sin offering (or other animal offerings) and agreed with God that the animal bore and took away their sin. They were physically and mentally confirming before God, the priest, and any other onlookers, that this animal is God's choice to placate their sin. Finally let us try to use the analogy of "this represents us" in different tabernacle settings regarding laying on of hands. The following chart helps illustrate the inconsistency "this represents us" as taught in the Tabernacle Shadows of the Better Sacrifices.

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

3

Reasoning the Scriptures Table A. Looking at Consistency in Definitions Example found in...

Person Laying on Hands

Definitions of Laying on of Hands

Who does Person represent?

What object was hands laid on Bullock

LEV 8

Aaron

Acknowledging God's Choice

Jesus

LEV 8

Aaron

Jesus (See Tab. Shad.)

Bullock

LEV 16

Aaron

This Represents us Acknowledging God's Choice

Jesus

Scapegoat

LEV 16

Aaron

This Represents us

Scapegoat

LEV 24

Israelites

LEV 24

Israelites

Acknowledging God's Choice This Represents us

Jesus & Church (See Tab. Shad.) Israelites

Undefined by Br. Russell

Implied Definition of object Can not tell without New Test. Help Jesus & Church Can not tell without New Test. Help Great Company

Definition Consistent ? Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Young Man who cursed

Not Applicable

Yes

Young Man who cursed

Unknown

No

In other words, if Aaron represents Jesus in Leviticus 16; and laying on of hands means "this represents us/me"; then the scapegoat can not represent the Great Company. The definition is not consistent with other passages where laying on of hands was used. Questions that need addressing? 1. How can Aaron represent Jesus Alone in Leviticus 8 and the represent Jesus and the Church in Leviticus 16? 2. How can the Church be represented in the Sons in Leviticus 8 and then be represented in Aaron in Leviticus 16? 3. If Laying on of hands means this “represents us”, then how can Aaron represent the Great Company? 4. If Laying on of hands means this “represents us”, then how can Israel be represented in the young man who was stoned?

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

4

Reasoning the Scriptures Can we conclude that Jesus is represented in the animals? Perhaps the most forceful writing against Jesus being represented in all the animals appears in the Reprint article "For This He Did Once." There the author contrasts Leviticus 16 with dispersed scriptures from Hebrews. Here a few logical questions are posed: "...The first sacrifice was a bullock. The second was a goat. These St. Paul refers to as the typical 'better sacrifices.' (Heb 9:23) Let us meet this question squarely. What is the significance of these two sacrifices the bullock and the goat? Our opponents, and indeed everyone else, say that the death of our Lord Jesus is the anti type of both--the slain bullock represents him and the slain goat represents him. They tell us that both sacrifices took place at the same time, being finished at Calvary. We request them to explain why two animals should be killed to represent the one death of Jesus, but they cannot answer (italics supplied). They merely repeat that they believe that the two sacrifices were one and simultaneous--that they merely represented two aspects of the same sacrifice. We ask if that this be so, why did the apostle state the matter so differently--"First for his own sins and then for the sins of the people." Why was this same order distinctly marked in the day of Atonement type? (Leviticus 16) They have no answer. We ask them further how they understand the statement that the High Priest offered sacrifice first for his own sins? Did our Lord Jesus have sins of his which needed a sacrifice? Was he not holy, harmless and undefiled? Again they have no answer. The answer to this question presented twentynine years ago, when the pamphlet, "Tabernacle Shadows of Better Sacrifices." was first published is the only answer consistent with the facts and the testimonies of scripture. Those who are now opposing once believed the presentations of "Tabernacle Shadows" or claimed that they did. Now their blindness is so sudden that they hesitate to admit that they ever believed our presentations..." Reprint Article "For This He Did Once."

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

5

Reasoning the Scriptures It is unfortunate that any writing must be so demeaning. Notwithstanding, an attempt to address each question that was raised needs to be offered. Question #1 "We request them to explain why two animals should be killed to represent the one death of Jesus? What is signified by these two sacrifices, the bullock and the goat?" The question is a excellent one to consider because it has profound implications as we add more and more scriptures/understanding to the answer we choose. LEV 16:5 And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, LEV 16:6 And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, There are two anti typical choices to make when looking at animal types. The first being that each animal represents the one who lays their hands on the head of the animal, which is put forth in Tabernacle Shadows. The second is that each animal represents a different aspect of the same person, namely Jesus. There is great significance in the fact that there were two different animals used for sin offerings in this chapter and the answer is simple yet eloquent. The church perceives the death of Christ on their behalf in the most mature sense when compared to the rest of the world. Mankind will never have the insight into his death that the church has. That is why a bullock is offered for "his house." The bullock is symbolic of tireless strength of our Lord Jesus, because a bull is well known for the toughest and most demanding work. This is how we know our Lord Jesus, yet the world will know him in the characteristics of a goat. They won't have the maturity of understanding as do the sons of God because their experiences will be different, especially considering their walk in the millennial age. The goat shows the sanctifying effect* that his death has upon them. The subject of animals and the intended meaning is too large to deal with here but the contrast is best appreciated by having two animals show Jesus' death. Question #2 Who is the bullock for? Aspect #1 of Jesus death as a sin offering, “For His House" LEV 16:6 And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.

* Still researching.

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

6

Reasoning the Scriptures There are many plain (and have no need for elaboration) scriptures that speak of the church being the house of God. 1 CO 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? JOH 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 2 CO 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 1JO 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 1 PE 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 PE 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? Question #3 Why have two goats for one sin offering for the people? LEV 16:5-16 And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering... And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD'S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness...Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

7

Reasoning the Scriptures of their uncleanness. And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. LEV 16:20-22 And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. 2 Goats = 1 Sin offering -- There are two facts stated in this passage that are not discussed much by Bible Students. One being that the two goats are offered as one sin offering. The second is that although the Lord's goat is for/because of the people, its main function is to cleanse the sanctuary or holy place(Note:- The sacrifice of the Bullock here did not cleanse the sanctuary but only the Goat). Without a cleansed sanctuary no atonement ministry can be done even if the people are personally atoned for. God's first concern is not for the personal sins of the people but for a way to access his people. It is the blood of Jesus that cleanses the anti typical tabernacle. Without the death of Jesus, God will/cannot dwell amongst his people. This fact seems far more important than the removal of our sins because his sanctuary is not able to receive sinners. The work of the second goat shows the second aspect of Jesus' death on the cross. He died as an offering for the people and for the sanctuary, providing a way for God to reach man and for man to approach God. How beautiful is this picture of man's recovery. Let's further investigate these aspects individually. Aspect #2 of Jesus death as a sin offering, “For God and His Sanctuary* " We have presented to us the greatest dichotomy this universe has ever known! The Lord has outlined for us his satisfaction as well as his utter displeasure in our Lord's death. It is fascinating that God should provide (The goat upon which the LORD'S lot fell) a goat for himself. The Lord's goat (or goat for the Lord) shows Jesus' death as a sin offering, placating God and allowing him to start the atonement process. In other words it shows Christ's death has perfectly glorified God with respect to sin. God has been dishonored ever since Adam fell. His truth has been shunned; his sovereignty condemned; his glory covered up; his holy name trampled upon by our ungodly race. Now we know that Christ's death on the cross has completely exonerated his glory and has allowed * It is interesting that God should start out the scene with mentioning the death of Aaron's two sons. They had defiled the sanctuary with their strange fire. Thus the need for the Lord's goat.

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

8

Reasoning the Scriptures him to bring forth grace, mercy and loving kindness to all men. Far too often this aspect of the death of Christ is overlooked because we never bear in mind the benefits God has received by the obedience of his beloved son. For it is indeed "the grace of God that brings salvation." JOH 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. JOH 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. Aspect #3 of Jesus death as a sin offering, “For the Sins of the People" LEV 16:10,20-22 But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. The second goat removes 3 important stains from the souls of the people: iniquities, transgressions, and sins. Who but Jesus could remove this ugliness from the people? Not another soul could, nor is it necessary for any other death(s) for any reason. He who was sinless was made sin on our behalf. God cursed him in the flesh to save you and me. Who else but Jesus could accomplish all this on God's behalf as well as our behalf? ISA 53:5-6 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ISA 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. ISA 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

9

Reasoning the Scriptures ROM 3:24-25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; DEU 21:22-23 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. Question #3 We ask them further how they understand the statement that the High Priest offered sacrifice first for his own sins? Did our Lord Jesus have sins of his which needed a sacrifice? Was he not holy, harmless and undefiled? Answer #3* An answer to this question can easily be found in the Tabernacle Shadows itself: "Being but a sinful man, like others, Aaron had to be washed in order fitly to represent the purity of the antitype, Jesus..." Tabernacle Shadows page 29 Paragraph 1 ____________________ In summary there are three animals to show what Jesus accomplished as the sin offering: 1. Atonement for the defiled Sanctuary (For God to reach man). 2. Atonement for the Church. 3. Atonement for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 13:10-15 HEB 13:10-15 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the * Although this author does not care for this explanation and is still researching for a better one, this answer at least appeases the question 3.

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

10

Reasoning the Scriptures sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (KJV) Hebrews chapter thirteen is probably most often quoted as proof of the church being represented in the sin offering and no examination of the arguments would be complete without these scriptures. Every Bible Student is familiar with this context and most are fully convinced that (more from 'training experiences for the priesthood' than from critical examination of scriptures concerning the sin offering) the author is speaking of the church being represented by the animals. What are the reasons for drawing this conclusion? Because of the interpretation of verse thirteen; "Let us go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach." Is the verse saying; "Since we are also represented in the sin offering of the tabernacle, let us also be burned outside the camp like Jesus was" or is it another way of expressing "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." When we break down this verse there are 2 items to contemplate: 1. Going to him. 2. Bearing his reproach. Does going to him mean we are to be sacrificed like he was or are we to ponder what he accomplished on the cross? Certainly we can see Jesus' death at Calvary as "outside the camp" or away from the face of God. We need to always go to him at this place (in our mind's eye) to consider the lofty consequences of that scene. Does bearing his reproach mean being destroyed as he was or suffering hardship for naming the name of Christ? It could easily mean that we must suffer persecution for his name's sake. ROM 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. GAL 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. PHI 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 2 TIM 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

11

Reasoning the Scriptures If the arguments are still fuzzy, look at the phrase "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood." Most consider the church as being the goat that is for and sanctifies the people but this phrase contradicts that thought by saying that it is Jesus who sanctifies the people. Prayerfully and honestly look back at chapters nine through thirteen. If you are open to what you are reading, the conclusion will stand out that Jesus alone is needed to sanctify from sin.

Colosians 1:24. COL 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Here is the other scripture that is often used to support that the church is part of the sin offering. Indeed it should be pointed out that we do fill up the afflictions that Christ left behind. Exactly who are these afflictions for? The church. Now the question that should be asked is "are we a sin offering for each other?" I personally don't know of anyone who believes this. This passage may or may not correctly be applied to the millennial age but there is no basis for doing so by the context. This text is certainly a beautiful example of our priestly training but to make conclusions beyond this is speculation. May we all rejoice as did Paul for any suffering we have on behalf of our brethren!

Reasoning on the term "The Christ." The term "Christ ,head and body" is used frequently in Bible Student circles. It is fascinating that this phrase doesn't appear in the New Testament. This doesn't necessarily make it wrong to use this phrase, but great care must be taken when applying it. This author has heard "anytime I see the phrase 'Christ' in the Bible, I also see the church." This obviously is the extreme and minority viewpoint and frankly is wrong. By not scrutinizing the passage in use, this outlook renders it impossible to clearly understand "Christ" in the word of God. "Christ, head and body" shouldn't be used at all because of the implications to other texts that are speaking only about Jesus and have nothing to do with the church. There should be no problem using instead "Christ and his body," as in 1 Corinthians 12. While this may seem petty, there are severe ramifications when applying the principle of 'Christ, head & body' to other biblical texts. For example, we don't consider the church part of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, yet we consider the church part of Aaron, or Melchizedec. Those scriptures don't mention the church being part of the analogies but they are used interchangeably anyway. Let's look at why this happens. The first problem is substantiating the phrase "Head of the Christ company" and the second is the "skirts of his garments" in the Bible. The picture is drawn from Psalm 133.

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

12

Reasoning the Scriptures Psalms 133 - The anointing of Aaron PSA 133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. There has always been controversy over the meaning of "skirts" in this psalm. The disagreement is whether the anointing oil ran down to the skirts around Aaron's feet, or the hem (neckline) of his garment. Many explanations and Hebrew definitions are brought forth to substantiate one position or the other. However searching for a definition is not needed because the psalmist explains by using the analogy of the dew on Mount Hermon. The anointing of Aaron is likened to the dew of Hermon that is created from the snow cap on top of the mountain. This frees us to draw the conclusion: since only the head of Mount Hermon was covered, only the head of Aaron was covered. The focus upon this psalm has been the body of Aaron when it would seem the psalmist is drawing attention to unity of brethren because of the head. The head of Aaron is the focal point of the psalm drawing the unity of brethren to the showering of blessing from Christ himself. "The snow (of Hermon) on the summit of this mountain condenses the vapor that floats during the summer in the higher regions of the atmosphere, causing light clouds to hover around it, and abundant dew to descend on it, while the whole country elsewhere is parched, and the whole heaven elsewhere is cloudless. (Cyclopedia of Biblical Theology and Ecclesiastical Literature, Volume 4, Page 209 "When the whole country is parched with the summer sun, white lines of snow cover the head of Hermon." (Smith's Bible Dictionary, Page 242) There should be much scrutiny leveled when an analogy is freely interchanged into others. In this case, attention should be brought to Christ (who alone was anointed) who sheds his grace and mercy and power on his brethren. Just because we are the body of Christ in one analogy does not allow us the privilege of saying we are his body in other analogies where his personal glory or authority is used.

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

13

Reasoning the Scriptures Conclusion This little paper is far from being comprehensive when considering all possible scriptures, especially in the letter to the Hebrews. The intent was to look at how conclusions can be and are drawn. No doubt there are other scriptures that need to be considered. The intent was to provoke our reasoning on why we draw conclusions and possible incorrect assumptions (which everyone does). My hope is that we may all see our Lord Jesus as clearly as possible and that fellowship will be based on him above all. My prayer is that his body may not be divided by "camps of thought" such as this subject and that we can objectively and unemotionally discuss "controversial" subjects while still loving each other as Jesus does us. ----------"Disagreement is refreshing when two people lovingly desire to compare views to find out the truth" "Controversy is wretched when it is only an attempt to prove another wrong." "religious controversy does only harm. It destroys humble inquiry after truth, and throws all one's energies in an attempt to prove oneself right...a spirit in which no one gets the truth." Author(s) unknown 1 JO 4:18 There is no fear (5401) in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment (2851). He that feareth is not made perfect in love. Strong's Reference Number: 5401 Derivation: Transliteration and Definition: phobos alarm; fright Strong's Reference Number: 2851 Derivation: Derived from 2849 Transliteration and Definition: kolasis penal infliction

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

14

Reasoning the Scriptures Key To Revisions Rev Letter A

B

Changes Added: Table title "A", 1st paragraph on page 4 to clarify Table A, footnote on page 9, quotes at end, 1 Jo 4:18 Changed: Made grammatical corrections, Table reformatted and updated to clarify obvious confusion, Changed: Made spelling corrections, Table given a description and updated to clarify obvious confusion, added questions after Table A.

Jesus, the Church and the Sin Offering

15