So far we have studied the Old and the New Covenant to gain an understanding of what God has called us to today. Our aim is to reveal whether or not traditions or ordinances have a place for us today now that we are living under the New Covenant.

Let’s begin today by looking at how Jesus viewed the man made traditions that arose during the time of the Old Covenant.

Mark 7:1-8
¹ Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
² And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
³ For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
⁴ And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
⁵ Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
⁶ He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
⁷ Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
⁸ For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

In these verses we find the Pharisees bringing accusations against God’s people, the disciples, because they did not wash their hands before eating. The religious people were offended at their failure to adhere to the tradition or ordinance.

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So far we have been able to see from God’s Word that the disciples, who were living under the Old Testament while Christ was upon the earth, had to be converted to the New Testament or the New Covenant. This they did on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon them. As God’s presence filled them they effectively entered into the Holy of Holies.

At Christ’s death the veil which represented the body of Christ, was rent or removed. Two rooms in the tabernacle, or the temple, became one room filled with the presence of God.

Today we will go one step further and study what the tabernacle represented. We must understand that it was for the purpose of teaching us a spiritual truth, or as the writer of Hebrews said…

Hebrews 9:8-9
⁸ The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
⁹ Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

The tabernacle was a symbol given for the time then present to show us something that was to come later. The book of Revelation gives us further insight into this tabernacle.

Revelation 21:2-3
² And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
³ And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

John saw the new city of Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven. It was then that a great voice announced “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men…” So the Holy City (the new Jerusalem) is the tabernacle of God.

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Last week we addressed the fact that when the disciples were walking with Christ while He was upon the earth, they were walking in the salvation of the Old Testament. On the day of Pentecost when they received the Holy Spirit, they were born again and converted to the salvation of the New Testament.

It was then that the disciples entered into the REAL city of God which is the HEAVENLY Jerusalem as the writer of Hebrews said…

Hebrews 12:22
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

The Heavenly Jerusalem is the spiritual Jerusalem. Anything that is heavenly, or from above, is spiritual. Paul tells us about the heavenly Jerusalem in his letter to the Galatians.

Galatians 4:26
 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

The spiritual Jerusalem, which is the real Jerusalem, is our spiritual mother. Just as we have a natural mother and a natural father, so we also have spiritual parents. In the spiritual reality, it also requires a mother and a father to bring forth a child.

 We know that God is our Father and that we are not illegitimate children spiritually. Therefore our mother can be identified as the bride of Christ. Ephesians 5 gives us a clear picture of the spiritual union that Christ has with His bride, the Church. We also find this in Revelation 21…

Revelation 21:2
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

While there are many looking to the future to bring the new Jerusalem, we can clearly see that the new Jerusalem came from God out of Heaven about 2000 years ago when the Church came forth. Hebrews 12 also affirms that the heavenly Jerusalem, our mother, is the Church of God.

Hebrews 12:23
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

The heavenly Jerusalem, is the Church of the firstborn. Our mother is the Church of God, the general assembly. Christ and His bride, the Church, were joined together on the day of Pentecost and you and I, the children of God, are the offspring of that union.

You may have also noticed that the Church of God is described as the general assembly. When the Holy Spirit entered into the hearts of believers on the day of Pentecost, two houses were made into one general assembly. What were the two houses?

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Today we will begin a series of studies on the subject of ordinances and their relevance to us in the dispensation of the New Testament. This study will also require us to understand the purpose of the Old Covenant and the reality of the New Covenant.

Ordinances are outward traditions or ceremonies. Every religion in the world practises ordinances. The ordinances that we would be most familiar with include water baptism, communion and feet washing. The question that we are going to study over the coming weeks is “are ordinances to be practised in the Church of God?”

There is much confusion surrounding the subject of ordinances in regards to which ones should be practised, how often we should do them and how they should be carried out. If you look at water baptism for example, you will notice there are so many different methods that people follow; some practise full immersion, some sprinkle with water, some practise it privately in a backyard swimming pool or baptistery, while some believe it should be done in public. This is only the beginning of the confusion!

Where there is confusion on a topic, there is always division. It is confusion that has resulted in thousands of different denominations within Christendom. If we all understood the Word of God as we should, we all should be in agreement and therefore in one body. God’s people have been separated because of confusion.

This is why it is so important that we study to show ourselves approved unto God. More than simply using our mental faculties (which are given to us by God for use in study of His Word), we must also allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to us and lead us into the revelation of the truth.

Where we see confusion around a particular subject we ought to realise that there has been too much of man’s influence on it and not enough submission to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The Bible clearly tells us that God is NOT the author of confusion but of peace (1Cor 14:33). It is man’s thoughts, ideas and words that lead to confusion. As we study this subject we must submit ourselves to Word of God with the Holy Spirit as our teacher.

John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

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As we look upon what the world calls Christendom today, we find many religious leaders imposing outward, rules, standards and even manifestations to govern and separate their people unto their own sect or denomination. This is not a new thing to the religious world as Jesus Christ also encountered people of the same mind in His ministry upon the earth.

Mark 7:1-8 1
Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

In these scriptures we find the scribes and the Pharisees were ridiculing the disciples for not washing their hands before they ate. When the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus on this He answered by labelling their practices as the tradition and commandments of men.

Jesus’ judgement upon them was “For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…” He also described them as being a people who honoured God with their lips but their hearts were far from Him.

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In the thirteenth chapter of John, we may read of how Christ washed the feet of His disciples as a demonstration of what they ought to do. On the surface it may appear to simply mean that we ought to regularly wash each other’s feet in a foot washing service with humility. I believe that here Christ was not simply demonstrating something we should do on the outward, but was teaching us of the relationship the brethren must have toward each other; He was teaching the principle of servant-hood.

As Christ said to them “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet”, He was essentially commanding them to be servants one to another.

At the same time it is also equally important that all believers allow themselves to be served by the brethren as Peter was warned by Jesus “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

This is how the body of Christ operates. Each believer must make themselves a servant to the brethren and each believer must partake of the servant-hood offered by the brethren.

Here we see the dependence every born again person has upon the body. No one can function at their best while being independent of their brothers and sisters in the Kingdom. It is no wonder the writer of Hebrews urged us …

Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

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There are many who have made themselves a very comfortable living from selling books, videos and tapes on their own interpretation of the book of Revelation. In their publications they will always be very detailed about events that stimulate imaginations and emotion and thereby make good entertainment, and it’s always the same events.

However, there is one verse in the very first chapter, which although it is so full of spiritual truth, is so seldom given attention to.

Revelation 1:9
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The first thing that is evident here is John’s humility.

I have met some who will not fail to introduce themselves without using their title of reverend, pastor, bishop or apostle. To them, it is important that when people meet them, they understand their “superior” position and standing within their denomination.

Yet here in Revelation 1:9 we are introduced to John who is an apostle and was the beloved of Christ because of his closeness to Christ. In introducing himself, he did not feel it needful to remind us, the readers, of his position or prominence but rather introduced himself to us as our “…brother, and companion…”

If only there were more believers who were so aware of their unworthiness before God that they dare not feel deserving of any glory of their own by their perceived position and prominence.

God’s people need a heart that seeks to glorify one only, the Lord Himself. This was the heart of John. John could have referenced himself as one of the original twelve apostles, the beloved of Christ or a performer of miracles, but he would only identify Himself as our brother.

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Time and time again man has tried to formulate his own method of entering into the Kingdom of God.

In Genesis 11 we observe men building a tower that might reach into the heavens, however this resulted in nothing but confusion.

In the book of Acts we find Simon the sorcerer offering money to purchase the gift of the Holy Ghost, however his attempt was met with Peter announcing his state of spiritual death when he said “thy money perish with thee”.

A study into the history and current state of what is considered Christendom reveals groups who have attributed entry into the church with practices such as christening, water baptism, sacraments, ordinances and adherence to manmade creeds and doctrines all to put your name on a membership role. The result of this has been a scattering and division of God’s people.

All of man’s attempts to pave his own way into the Kingdom of God have resulted in confusion, division and death.

For the soul that is seeking a genuine and true salvation experience, there is much that could leave them confused and even deceived. Praise be to God who has given us the answers in His Word which is more certain than man’s words as we read in…

2 Peter 1:19-21
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

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Many people are confused about the death that came from eating from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. Therefore they have little understanding of the life provided by the “tree of life”.

If we are confused we know with certainty that “God is not the author of confusion”. Confusion then can only be as a result of either being unsaved or the thoughts and imaginations of man have muddied the pure crystal clear water that comes from the throne of God and flows through the Church of God.

Consider the point that God created Adam both physically and spiritually with the power of choice as we read in…

Genesis 2:17
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

God told Adam that in the day he ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil he would “surely” die.

We know that Adam did eat from the tree by his own confession in…

Genesis 3:12
And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

The question then is, what kind of death was God speaking of? Was it physical death, spiritual death or both?

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Almost everybody teaches and believes that when Adam was created he was to live forever. They say that his sinning frustrated God’s plan and caused physical death to come upon mankind.

It is important that when statements are made like this that we think and meditate upon what is truly being said.

If we are to believe that Adam was created to live forever physically then also we would need to accept that the world, the universe; the whole and physical creation was intended to remain forever.

I have said many times that we must not add to or take away from the Word of God. We must not attempt to read between the lines or allow our imaginations to run riot. We must simply accept what the Bible says.

Jesus Himself said this in….

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

The earthy was always going back to the void of nothingness from where it came from, but the spiritual is to remain forever.

If the earth was initially created to last forever then Heaven as our home is no more than an afterthought. Rather than singing songs and longing for Heaven we ought to mourn at the loss of the Earth!

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