What New Testament passages connect with the cleansing theme in Numbers 8:7? Setting the Scene: Numbers 8:7 “ ‘In order to purify them, you are to sprinkle them with the water of purification; they are to shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so they will be clean.’ ” (Numbers 8:7) Key New Testament Links to Sprinkling and Washing “ For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, how much more will the blood of Christ… purify our consciences from dead works, so that we may serve the living God!” “ …having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” “…sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood…” “…the blood of Jesus His Son purifies us from all sin.” The Thoroughness of the Levites’ Shaving “…let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” “…our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless…” (The complete removal of hair pictures the total putting off of the “old self.”) Washing with Water: Word and Spirit “ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” “…Christ loved the church… to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word…” “He saved us… through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” “ But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” A Priesthood Prepared for Service “…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.” “…to Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father…” (The Levites’ cleansing anticipated believers’ cleansing that equips us for priestly service today.) Living Out Our Cleansing • Keep short accounts with God: confess and receive ongoing cleansing (1 John 1:9). • Saturate your mind with Scripture; the Word keeps the heart clean (Psalm 119:9; John 17:17). • Walk in the Spirit; He maintains the purity Christ secured (Galatians 5:16). Numbers 8:7’s outward rites find their perfect fulfillment in Christ, whose blood, Word, and Spirit bring the complete inner cleansing that fits His people for lifelong worship and service. |
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