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Covenantal Consistencies. Introduction. In many ways, the Old Covenant foreshadows the New. Parallels can be seen in the Tabernacle/Temple service. Cleansing Rituals. Under the Mosaic Law, priests had to wash before they could offer service (Exodus 30:18-21; 40:30-32).
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Introduction • In many ways, the Old Covenant foreshadows the New. • Parallels can be seen in the Tabernacle/Temple service.
Cleansing Rituals • Under the Mosaic Law, priests had to wash before they could offer service (Exodus 30:18-21; 40:30-32). • In the Gospel dispensation, baptism affords cleansing from past sins, and entrance into spiritual fellowship with Christ (Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Physical Objects • In the Tabernacle/Temple, the various physical objects used in worship prefigure spiritual objects in the Christian age. • Altar of Burnt Offering • Altar of Incense • Golden Lampstand • Table of Shewbread • Ark of the Covenant
Worship Activities • Similarities and distinctions may be observed in the worship activities: • New Testament worship includes five distinct acts: Praying, Singing, Preaching, Giving, and Observing the Lord Supper. • Similarly, worship offered in the Old Testament involved Prayer, Praise, Proclamation of God’s Word, Tithing and Sacrifice.
General Acts of Worship • Prayer can be offered anywhere (1 Timothy 2:8; Acts 12:12; 21:5). • Praise can be offered anywhere (Acts 16:25; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13). • Teaching can occur anywhere: in synagogues (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 13:54), a chariot (Acts 8:27-31), beside a river (Acts 16:13), in a school (Acts 19:9), in rented quarters (Acts 28:30-31), etc.
Exclusive Acts of Worship • Old Testament • Sacrifices Offered at Tabernacle/Temple • Tithing Offered at Tabernacle/Temple • New Testament • Lord’s Supper Observed in the Assembly • Contribution Offered in the Assembly
Old Testament Sacrifices • In the Old Testament, sacrifices were offered at the tabernacle/temple (Exodus 29:10-12, 42-46). • Israel was to seek the Lord at the place of his choosing (Deuteronomy 12:5-6, 10-14; 16:2; 26:1-2). • The Tabernacle the Wilderness (Exodus 40:38; Numbers 9:15-23). • The Tent of Meeting at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1, 31). • The Temple at Jerusalem (1 Kings 9:1-3; Ezra 6:3).
Old Testament Tithing • In the Old Testament, tithing was offered at the Tabernacle/Temple (Exodus 23:19; 34:26; 2 Kings 12:4-9; 2 Chronicles 31:2-14; Mark 12:35; 12:41-44; Luke 20:1; 21:1-4; John 8:20).
New Testament • In the New Testament, the Lord’s Supper is observed in the assembly (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17-32). • In the New Testament, the contribution is offered in the assembly (1 Corinthians 16:1-4).
Conclusion • In contrast with the Old Testament, physical location is no longer a paramount consideration (John 4:19-24; Hebrews 12:22-23). • Nevertheless, certain stipulations still remain in force. Some acts of worship may be performed anywhere, in any grouping, and at any time. • Other acts of worship occur within the context of congregational assembly.