The Levitical priest system was imperfect and needed to be changed, but Jesus Christ became the perfect priest who would never change, ushering in a priesthood so perfect and infallible that nothing would ever be the same. [... more]

The story of 1 Samuel begins with the birth of a prophet, Samuel, and his family's struggles with infertility. Elkanah, Samuel's father, is a godly man who loves his wives, Hannah and Penina, and honors God's law by worshiping at the tabernacle in Shiloh. Hannah's inability to bear children is seen as a family tragedy in ancient Israelite culture, where children were essential for farm work and inheritance. The story highlights God's sovereignty and the importance of following His laws, including the prohibition on polygamy for pastors. [... more]

The Levites, under the Old Covenant, were set apart to minister in the name of the Lord, receiving their inheritance and sustenance through the offerings of God's people. This concept is echoed in the New Covenant, where believers are called to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, and are considered a royal priesthood, with God as their inheritance. [... more]

The tithe, a long-standing practice in Christian stewardship, is often misunderstood and tied to guilt or division. John Cortinez, Director of Grantmaking at the McClellan Foundation, takes a fresh look at the ancient practice, examining the Old and New Testament references to the tithe and identifying five key principles that can inform giving today. He emphasizes the importance of giving to Christ as priest and king, giving faithfully to the local church, celebrating God's goodness, caring for the poor, and recognizing 10% as an ancient benchmark. [... more]

The Levitical priesthood's daily sacrifices in the Old Testament theocracy of Israel have been replaced by Jesus Christ's one sacrifice for sins forever. A new spiritual priesthood offers spiritual sacrifices, including presenting one's body as a living sacrifice, offering praise to God, doing good works, and communicating with others. [... more]

The purpose of animal sacrifices in the Old Testament is to demonstrate intelligent cooperation with God, acknowledging guilt and sin. The blood of the sacrifices represents the life of the animal and the guilt of humanity. The Levitical laws outline the rules for offering sacrifices, including the prohibition on eating blood and fat. The sacrifices were not an end in themselves, but rather a means to demonstrate faith and a sincere heart. [... more]

God's acceptance of imperfect offerings and prayers is a key theme in the book of Leviticus, as Pastor Rick Gaston explores the peace offering, sin offering, and trespass offering, highlighting the importance of faith and the rejection of sinless perfection. [... more]

The trespass offering is a most holy act that purifies the penitent sinner, making them acceptable before God. This offering is connected to the sin offering and is fulfilled in Christ, who became sin for us. The fat in the offering symbolizes blessings from God, and the worshipper's best and deepest emotions are expressed through their offerings. The priesthood plays a significant role in the offering, and God's character is revealed through the protocols and rituals of the offering. [... more]

The sin offering is a crucial aspect of the Old Testament sacrificial system, providing atonement and purification from sin. The blood of Jesus Christ is the ultimate sacrifice, making forgiveness of sins possible. Understanding the sin offering helps us grasp the significance of Christ's sacrifice and the importance of forgiveness in our lives. [... more]

The sin offering in the book of Leviticus is a sacrifice made for unintentional sins, where the priest brings a young bull to the tabernacle, dips his finger in the blood, and sprinkles it seven times before the veil of the sanctuary. This act represents the atonement for sin and the importance of acknowledging and dealing with sin in one's life. The sin offering is also seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate atonement for sin and the only way to heaven. [... more]

The story of Nadab and Abihu, two sons of Aaron, who were struck down by God for offering strange fire unto the Lord, raises questions about divine judgment and the sanctity of God's presence. The Bible teaches that God demands to be regarded as holy by those who draw near to Him, and that disobedience to His laws can result in severe consequences. [... more]

Matt Slick discusses the biblical support for Catholics going to hell, the Roman Catholic Church's false gospel, and the importance of salvation by faith alone. He also addresses questions about the Old Testament law, Levitical sacrifices, and the sovereignty of God. [... more]

The doctrine of transubstantiation is examined in the context of Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, with a focus on its biblical and logical implications. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding Scripture and the covenant, as well as the distinction between the sign and the reality of the Eucharist. [... more]

Biblical hypocrisy and false religion are exposed in the book of Isaiah, where people use their faith as a means to gain personal benefits and exploit others. The prophet Isaiah highlights the importance of agape love and true fasting, which involves a contrite heart and humility, rather than external observances and selfish motivations. [... more]

As Christians, our service to the Lord never ends, and our view of retirement should be different from the world's view. We should save for the day when we can no longer work as diligently as we do now, but continue to serve the Lord in some capacity. It's prudent and entirely biblical to save for the future, and we should look to God's word for guidance on managing our finances. [... more]

The Bible records both good and bad, including failures of its heroes, and it's essential to understand this when studying scripture. The concept of God's omniscience is also explored, with discussions on propositions, counterfactuals, and the nature of truth. Additionally, the Trinity is explained, and the importance of understanding the Bible's teaching on this subject is emphasized. [... more]

The book of Joshua describes the separation of 48 Levitical cities, where priests and Levites could reside and serve as an influence on the people. These cities were established as places of refuge for those who had accidentally killed someone, and they played a significant role in maintaining the spiritual well-being of the nation. The Levites were tasked with carrying the articles of the temple and serving as a reminder of God's presence among the people. [... more]

The inadequacy of the Old Covenant is expressed in the fact that access to God was restricted. Ordinary priests were restricted from the most holy place, and people began to look at those individuals as the key to their access to God. However, the new covenant offers a radical change, providing a new and living way for access to God through the blood of Jesus Christ. This is crucial for understanding the nature of salvation and the identity of Jesus Christ as the Creator and Savior. [... more]

The book of Hebrews explores the concept of a high priest who brings redemption once for all, with Jesus becoming the ultimate mediator who pleads with God on our behalf. The Levitical priesthood is inadequate to achieve this, and the writer of Hebrews explains how Jesus' priesthood is superior, with a permanent and eternal nature that allows us to draw near to God. [... more]

The writer of Hebrews explores the significance of Melchizedek, a royal priest who foreshadows the superiority of Jesus Christ's priesthood. Unlike the Levitical priests, Melchizedek's priesthood is eternal and not based on genealogy or ancestry. The writer argues that the priesthood of Jesus Christ is a far more significant priesthood than that of the Aaronic Levitical priesthood, and that it is a priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. [... more]