How does Exodus 18:12 connect to New Testament teachings on communal worship? Setting the Scene in Exodus 18:12 “Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.” Key Features in the Verse • Sacrifice offered to the Lord • Spiritual leaders and the covenant people present • Shared meal “before God,” indicating fellowship in His presence • Worship that is corporate, not private Shared Worship in the Early Church • Acts 2:42, 46-47—“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… breaking bread from house to house, they ate their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart.” – Like Exodus 18:12, worship includes teaching, corporate praise, and a communal meal. • 1 Corinthians 10:16-17—“Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body.” – The shared meal centers on atonement already achieved in Christ, not on repeated animal sacrifices. • Hebrews 10:24-25—“Let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another.” – Communal gathering remains essential for exhortation and fellowship. From Animal Sacrifice to Christ’s Perfect Offering • Exodus 18:12 highlights a burnt offering; Hebrews 10:12 points to Christ who “offered one sacrifice for sins for all time.” • Physical sacrifices foreshadow the cross; communal meals foreshadow the Lord’s Table until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:26). Priestly Participation of All Believers • 1 Peter 2:5—“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” • While Aaron and the elders once led worship, in Christ every believer now serves as a priest, offering praise, service, and resources (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15-16). Practical Takeaways for Today’s Church • Gather regularly; worship flourishes in community, not isolation. • Center gatherings on Christ’s finished work rather than human performance. • Share meals as tangible expressions of unity and fellowship. • Encourage spiritual leadership while recognizing the priesthood of all believers. • Offer “spiritual sacrifices” through praise, generosity, and obedience, anticipating eternal fellowship “before God.” |
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