S3-45 ELDER'S EXHORTATION (4-16-22)

Marking our Passover weekend, Brother Sam broaches the subject of atonement for sin. The concept of a single sacrifice offered to atone for the world's sins was foreign to the Jews. Traditionally under the Old Testament law, an unblemished bird or animal bird had to be sacrificed to cover the sins of an individual. However, under the New Covenant: "But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." (Hebrews 9:11-12) Yet, the onus still rests with the individual. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). The critical aspect of our atonement for sin (salvation) lies in an individual relationship between the redeemed (you and me) and our redeemer, Christ Jesus.