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210 ♦ BiUeV\frit&5'The<^}gy Chapter Eight
new man Christ (the first bom Son), and putting off the old natme, becomingcompleteinHim. (SeeJohn1:12-13;John3:1-7;Titus3:4-8; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 4:23,24; Colossians 2:10-14.)
• The Bible tells us that He grew up as man to fulfill and receive the levitical priesthood, though His descent was not counted from them. Jesus was bom to fulfill the law and not to destroy it (Matthew 5:17). For this reason. He needed to be bom and grow as a child until He reached 30 years to begin His priesthood ministry, that He might be acceptedlegallybytheJews. TheBiblesays,''Fromthirtyyearsold and upward until fifty years old shcilt thou number them, every one
tftat entereth into the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregatton" (Numbers 4:30). (See also Numbers 4:34,35; Genesis 41:46; n Samuel 5:4;I Chronicles 23:24.)
II - His Death (Sacrifice)
The death of Christ is considered as a work in that it has accomplished our redemption and provided the basis of our salvation. Scripture says,
^ o f him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and rigihteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (I Corinthians 1:30). Paul [vayed that we may understand "what is the exceeding greamess ofhis power to US-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead" (Ephesians 1:19-20). "The weakness of God" which "is stronger than men," is actually manifested inour reconciliation with God...," in one body by the cross, having slain the enemy therebyM.For througji him we both (Jews and GentHes) have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:15-18). According to Revelation 5:9-10, we are "made unto our God kings and priests," becausethe Lamb of God was slain and has "redeemed us to God" by his "blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."
A It Is Foretold In the Old Testament
Christ'sdeathisthesul^ectofmanytypes,shadows,andprophecies. We can find the shadows of the blood of Jesus throughout the Old Testament: thesacrifice ofAbel (Genesis 4:4), the ram onMount Moriah (Genesis 22:13); thesacrifices of the patriarchs in general (Genesis 8:20; 12:8; 26:25; 35:7); the Passover lamb in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-28); the levitical sacrifices (Leviticus 1 to 7); Manoah's offering (Judges 13:16-19); Elkanah's yearly sacrifice (I Samuel 1:21); Samuel's offerings (1 Samuel 7:9; 16:2-5); David's offerings (II Samuel 6:18); Elijah's offering (I Kings 18:38); Hezekiah's offerings (H Chronicles 29:21-24); the offerings in the days of Joshua and Zerubbalwl (Ezra3:3-6);andNehemiah(Nehemiah10:32). Theseallpointtoonegreat offering to be made by Christ.