Exclusivity By Mark Mayberry 10/23/2016 INTRODUCTION In this lesson, we focus upon the concept of exclusivity, as set forth in Hebrews 13:10 14. Hebrews 13:10 14 (NASB95) 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. What is meant by exclusivity? The noun exclusivity refers to the quality or state of being exclusive (Webster). According to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, the adjective exclusive is defined as excluding or not admitting other things (such as terms that exclude all but what is specified) or restricted to the person, group, or area concerned (such as a program that is not published or broadcast elsewhere). Used negatively, it signifies having power to exclude; used positively, it signifies single, sole (such as exclusive jurisdiction), or whole, undivided (such as his exclusive attention). The Hebrew writer the superiority of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant, i.e., the Gospel. The present context also affirms that disciples of Christ enjoy greater privileges than those who served under the Mosaic tabernacle/temple. Moreover, blessings and benefits belong to believers, which are not accessible to those who are disobedient. VERSE 10 Hebrews 13:10 (NASB95) 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. The Greek word thusiastērion, translated altar, refers to a structure on which cultic observances are carried out, including especially sacrifices, altar (BDAG). Depending upon the context, it may refer to one of the many altars erected by the Patriarchs (James 2:21), the altar of burnt offering in the inner forecourt of the temple at Jerusalem (Matt. 5:23 24), or the incense altar located inside the holy place (Luke 1:8 11).
James 2:21 (NASB95) 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the *altar? Matthew 5:23 24 (NASB95) 23 Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the *altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the *altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Luke 1:8 11 (NASB95) 8 Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. 11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the *altar of incense. Followers of Jesus Christ have a better High Priest, who serves in a better Tabernacle and offers a better sacrifice. Those who continue to cling to the Mosaic system, a manifestly inferior system of worship, are excluded from these blessings. By saying, We have an altar the writer of Hebrews distinguishes between followers of Jesus Christ and those who demonstrate continued adherence to the Mosaic sacrificial system. The New Covenant has replaced the Old Covenant. The Gospel supersedes the Law; Mt. Zion overshadows Mt. Sinai; Christianity is superior in every way. Our altar differs from their altar. Our High Priest, Jesus Christ, and the heavenly tabernacle in which He serves, is superior to all that came before (Heb. 8:1 6). Hebrews 8:1 6 (NASB95) 1 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, See, He says, that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain. 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. He is better than the angels, having a better Name and Nature (Heb. 1:3 4). Hebrews 1:3 4 (NASB95) 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 2
having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. His priesthood, ordered after that of Melchizedek, is better than the Aaronic/Levitical order (). Hebrews 7:1 10 (NASB95) 1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. 4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. 9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. Christ s system of salvation provides a better hope (Heb. 7:19). He has established a better covenant (Heb. 7:22) that is enacted on better promises (Heb. 8:6). Hebrews 7:19 (NASB95) 19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. Hebrews 7:22 (NASB95) 22 so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. Hebrews 8:6 (NASB95) 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. Moreover, His heavenly tabernacle is cleansed with better sacrifices (Heb. 9:23 28). Hebrews 9:23 28 (NASB95) 23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And 3
inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. So, the act of rejecting Christ carries dire consequences. The way of Christ is exclusive: Jesus said, I am the bread of life, I am the light of the world, I am the door of the sheep, I am the good shepherd, I am the resurrection and the life, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me, I am the true vine, etc. (John 6:48; 8:12; 10:7, 9, 11; 11:25 26; 14:6; 15:1). John 6:48 (NASB95) 48 I am the bread of life. John 8:12 (NASB95) 12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life. John 10:7 (NASB95) 7 So Jesus said to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. John 10:9 (NASB95) 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:11 (NASB95) 11 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 11:25 26 (NASB95) 25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? John 14:6 (NASB95) 6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 15:1 (NASB95) 1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Paul emphasized a similar theme, affirming uniqueness and singularity of God s scheme of redemption (Eph. 2:13 18; 4:1 6). Ephesians 2:13 18 (NASB95) 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you 4
who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 4:1 6 (NASB95) 1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. VERSE 11 Hebrews 13:11 (NASB95) 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. VERSE 12 Hebrews 13:12 (NASB95) 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Nelson s Illustrated Bible Dictionary offers the following information regarding the Day of Atonement: The tenth day of the seventh month was set aside as a day of public fasting and humiliation. On this day the nation of Israel sought atonement for its sins (Lev. 23:27; 16:29; Num. 29:7). Leviticus 23:27 (NASB95) 27 On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the Lord. Leviticus 16:29 (NASB95) 29 This shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble your souls and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you; Numbers 29:7 (NASB95) 7 Then on the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall humble yourselves; you shall not do any work. This day fell in the month equivalent to our August, and it was preceded by special Sabbaths (Lev. 23:24). Leviticus 23:24 (NASB95) 24 Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 5
The only fasting period required by the Law (Lev. 16:29; 23:31), the Day of Atonement was a recognition of people s inability to make any atonement for their sins. It was a solemn, holy day accompanied by elaborate ritual (Lev. 16; Heb. 10:1 10). Leviticus 16:29 (NASB95) 29 This shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble your souls and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you; Leviticus 23:31 (NASB95) 31 You shall do no work at all. It is to be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places. Leviticus 16 (NASB95) 1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they had approached the presence of the Lord and died. 2 The Lord said to Moses: Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, or he will die; for I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. 3 Aaron shall enter the holy place with this: with a bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. 4 He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and the linen undergarments shall be next to his body, and he shall be girded with the linen sash and attired with the linen turban (these are holy garments). Then he shall bathe his body in water and put them on. 5 He shall take from the congregation of the sons of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering. 6 Then Aaron shall offer the bull for the sin offering which is for himself, that he may make atonement for himself and for his household. 7 He shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the doorway of the tent of meeting. 8 Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. 9 Then Aaron shall offer the goat on which the lot for the Lord fell, and make it a sin offering. 10 But the goat on which the lot for the scapegoat fell shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, to send it into the wilderness as the scapegoat. 11 Then Aaron shall offer the bull of the sin offering which is for himself and make atonement for himself and for his household, and he shall slaughter the bull of the sin offering which is for himself. 12 He shall take a firepan full of coals of fire from upon the altar before the Lord and two handfuls of finely ground sweet incense, and bring it inside the veil. 13 He shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the ark of the testimony, otherwise he will die. 14 Moreover, he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; also in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times. 15 Then he shall slaughter the goat of the sin offering which is for the people, and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. 16 He shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the impurities of the sons of Israel and because of their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and thus he shall do for the tent of meeting which abides with them in the midst of their impurities. 17 When he goes in to make atonement in the holy place, no one shall be in the tent of meeting until he comes out, that he may make atonement for himself and for his household and for all 6
the assembly of Israel. 18 Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and of the blood of the goat and put it on the horns of the altar on all sides. 19 With his finger he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it seven times and cleanse it, and from the impurities of the sons of Israel consecrate it. 20 When he finishes atoning for the holy place and the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall offer the live goat. 21 Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and he shall lay them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who stands in readiness. 22 The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to a solitary land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness. 23 Then Aaron shall come into the tent of meeting and take off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there. 24 He shall bathe his body with water in a holy place and put on his clothes, and come forth and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people and make atonement for himself and for the people. 25 Then he shall offer up in smoke the fat of the sin offering on the altar. 26 The one who released the goat as the scapegoat shall wash his clothes and bathe his body with water; then afterward he shall come into the camp. 27 But the bull of the sin offering and the goat of the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall be taken outside the camp, and they shall burn their hides, their flesh, and their refuse in the fire. 28 Then the one who burns them shall wash his clothes and bathe his body with water, then afterward he shall come into the camp. 29 This shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble your souls and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you; 30 for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord. 31 It is to be a sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute. 32 So the priest who is anointed and ordained to serve as priest in his father s place shall make atonement: he shall thus put on the linen garments, the holy garments, 33 and make atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar. He shall also make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. 34 Now you shall have this as a permanent statute, to make atonement for the sons of Israel for all their sins once every year. And just as the Lord had commanded Moses, so he did. Hebrews 10:1 10 (NASB95) 1 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, But a body You have prepared for Me; 6 In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, Behold, I have 7
come (In the scroll of the book it is written of Me) To do Your will, O God. 8 After saying above, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them (which are offered according to the Law), 9 then He said, Behold, I have come to do Your will. He takes away the first in order to establish the second. 10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. The high priest who officiated on this day first sanctified himself by taking a ceremonial bath and putting on white garments (Lev. 16:4). Leviticus 16:4 (NASB95) 4 He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and the linen undergarments shall be next to his body, and he shall be girded with the linen sash and attired with the linen turban (these are holy garments). Then he shall bathe his body in water and put them on. Then he had to make atonement for himself and other priests by sacrificing a bullock (Num. 29:8). Numbers 29:8 (NASB95) 8 You shall present a burnt offering to the Lord as a soothing aroma: one bull, one ram, seven male lambs one year old, having them without defect; God was enthroned on the Mercy Seat in the sanctuary, but no person could approach it except through the mediation of the high priest, who offered the blood of sacrifice. After sacrificing a bullock, the high priest chose a goat for a sin offering and sacrificed it. Then he sprinkled its blood on and about the mercy seat (Lev. 16:12, 14, 15). Leviticus 16:12 (NASB95) 12 He shall take a firepan full of coals of fire from upon the altar before the Lord and two handfuls of finely ground sweet incense, and bring it inside the veil. Leviticus 16:14 (NASB95) 14 Moreover, he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; also in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times. Leviticus 16:15 (NASB95) 15 Then he shall slaughter the goat of the sin offering which is for the people, and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. Finally the scapegoat bearing the sins of the people was sent into the wilderness (Lev. 16:20 22). Leviticus 16:20 22 (NASB95) 20 When he finishes atoning for the holy place and the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall offer the live goat. 21 Then Aaron shall lay both 8
of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and he shall lay them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who stands in readiness. 22 The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to a solitary land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness. This scapegoat symbolized the pardon for sin brought through the sacrifice (Gal. 3:12; 2 Cor. 5:21). Galatians 3:12 14 (NASB95) 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, He who practices them shall live by them. 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB95) 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. VERSE 13 Hebrews 13:13 (NASB95) 13 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. Sacrifice is part of Christian service; apart from cross bearing, there is no true commitment (Luke 9:23 26; Phil. 3:7 11; Heb. 11:24 25; 12:1 2). Luke 9:23 26 (NASB95) 23 And He was saying to them all, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. 25 For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Philippians 3:7 11 (NASB95) 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 9
Hebrews 11:24 25 (NASB95) 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, Hebrews 12:1 2 (NASB95) 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Sources: Merriam Webster, Inc., Merriam Webster s Collegiate Dictionary (Springfield, MA: Merriam Webster, 1996). Soanes, Catherine and Angus Stevenson, eds., Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004). Youngblood, Ronald F., F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, eds., Nelson s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995). 10