Redemption and the Holy Spirit are topics, today. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Alex” (Level 2 with 460 points, a member since October 19, 2012) posted the following:
Christians, why does the Bible say God 'bought' the church with his own 'blood'?
Acts 20:28 tells us, “Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
Who bought the church—the church of God—with His own blood?
THE BATTLE AXE: The Dove (12/28/2012)—The standard of the dove signifying peace is lifted up for the kingdom of heaven in contrast to the ensign of the Roman eagle, a bird of prey, that signals conquest, destruction and war. Like John the Baptist, mature Christian believers proclaim the kingdom, and are endowed with the Holy Spirit (also called the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, and the Spirit of Prophecy). As one continually nourished by holy offerings, sacrifices and tithes, and who continued upon holy ground until carried to serve as a herald and witness in the wilderness, the Prophet John acknowledged the consecration of Jesus as High Priest, his anointing as king (Messiah), public recognition of his claim as heir to Adam, Abraham, and David (the Son of man) as well as divine confirmation that Jesus is the Son of GOD. The appearance of the dove as the voice sounded from heaven was in the nature of jubilation, proclamation, revelation, and testimony in judgment. All the spirit-persons of the GODhead are present in the scene; and each affirms the authority and fullness of the others. These things were exposed to the Prophet allowing him to identify Jesus as “the Lamb of GOD” to those who had been prepared to become the first followers of Christ. (See John 5: 33-38, John 1: 29-37 and 1st John 5: 6-12, KJV.)
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And it shall be, when Jehovah shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanite, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee, that thou shalt set apart unto Jehovah all that openeth the womb, and every firstling which thou hast that cometh of a beast; the males shall be Jehovah’s. And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break its neck: and all the first-born of man among thy sons shalt thou redeem. And it shall be, when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand Jehovah brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: and it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that Jehovah slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both the first-born of man, and the first-born of beast: therefore I sacrifice to Jehovah all that openeth the womb, being males; but all the first-born of my sons I redeem. (Exodus 13: 11-15, American Standard Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Price of Humanity? (12/13/2012); Remembering the Holocaust (12/14/2012); More Than Salvation (11/27/2012); The Slave to Law and Sin Made Free (11/16/2012); Lawful Divorce (11/17/2012); Divine Self-Sacrifice? (09/30/2012); Jesus Our “Advocate” (08/16/2012); Girdle 14: Reasonable Service (11/29/2011); Why Sacrifice? (10/13/2010); Appetite (10/14/2010)
More than merely saving believers in judgment from their sentence of damnation, the birth, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ establishes eternal life through redemption. Redemption is the provision of divine covenant that allows things dedicated, offered in prayer, and promised to GOD (e.g., oneself, ones firstborn, donkeys, goats, sheep, oxen) to be recovered from the altar of GOD. All living things delivered to the altar (a holy table that serves as a point where heaven and earth are joined) must be sanctified, sacrificed, and salted (i.e., washed, set apart, slain, and transferred to GOD through holy fire that accomplishes cleansing, judgment and lifting). The redeemed are recovered from the altar to continue in service as living sacrifices. Those that cannot be used in sacred service and worship, that would defile and profane the altar when offered, and where no redemption price has been paid (say a mule), the neck is broken, and it is destroyed.
That Jesus Christ may bestow eternal life to those that are his by their “saving purchase” is a fulfillment of divine law, promise, and prophecy, and constitutes lawful redemption. The provision of redemption again displays the law as righteous, and in agreement with the mercy found in judgment.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, less mature Christian believers tend to oversimplify the truths of redemption and salvation, ignore them altogether, or lump them together as though one is no greater than another. It remains, the devotion, gratitude, obedience, thoroughness and zeal of believers will vary according to their right knowledge and understanding.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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