GOSPEL ORDINANCES by Merritt C. Wilcox

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 15, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 15.

GOSPEL ORDINANCES.

By Merritt C. Wilcox

It is true that there is "none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" but that of Jesus. Those who lived before his first advent, who will be saved in the kingdom of God, will be saved through the blood of Christ just as much as those who are saved who lived since that time. Abel and Moses will be saved through Christ just as truly as Paul and John. He "is the Saviour of all men." He died not only for the redemption of transgressions in this dispensation, but also "for the redemptions of the transgressions that were under the first testament." Heb. 9:15.

It follows, therefore, that those who lived before the first advent had the gospel. The good tidings of great joy came to them. For them a Saviour was to die, which, based on God's promise, and, later, on his promise and oath, was just as sure to the believer then (because God "cannot deny himself") as it is to the believer now. So Paul says that the gospel was preached unto Abraham (Gal. 3:8), and to Israel according to the flesh. Heb. 4:2. Abel also had faith in the Redeemer to come, as did multitudes more not mentioned. Heb. 11:4.

Why then the offerings of goats and calves, if salvation comes only through Christ? They were the gospel ordinances of the past dispensations. In the Christian dispensation, we have baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the ordinance of humility. The celebration of the Lord's Supper shows faith in the death of our Lord Jesus Christ,—faith in the effectual merits of his broken body and shed blood. Faith is to be manifested in this till Christ comes again. 1 Cor. 11:26. At that time it ceases of necessity to be longer observed.

There were certain laws expressed or implied in connection with this ordinance.

The bread was unleavened; for it was that used in connection with the passover when no leaven was to be found in Jewish dwellings. Ex. 12:8; 34:25. Leaven is corruption, and nothing but the unleavened would fitly symbolize the perfect offering of Christ's sinless body. 1 Cor. 5:7, 8. The wine was unfermented. It was the fruit of the vine, indicating that which was just pressed out. The same principle applies to this as to the leaven. Fermentation

could not symbolize the precious blood of Christ.

The Lord's Supper illustrates the offerings of past dispensations. The sacrifices and offerings were a manifestation of faith in Christ till he came. Heb. 9:8-12. Laws to regulate these offerings were necessary, in order that Christ might be typified by that which would rightly represent his perfect sacrifice. So the beasts must be of the first year without blemish, the very prime of the flock. They must be offered in just such ways that the people might realize how necessary it was to do just right, and how holy was the great antitypical Sacrifice which these offerings symbolized. These offerings were therefore the gospel ordinances of that time. Through the death of the lamb or goat, they saw the death of the Lamb of God. For this reason Christ is called the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Rev. 13:8. Through the blood of the victim, they saw the precious blood of Christ that could cleanse from sin.

Of course, when Christ came, these offerings necessarily ceased. Faith could no longer use them. With them also ceased the laws regulating them. These laws were not repealed; they expired by limitation, just as will the gospel ordinances of this dispensation, when Christ comes the second time. M. C. W.