Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Blog
    • Grace in Focus International Blogs
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Free eBooks
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Email Subscription
    • Bookstore
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
    • One Time Donation
    • Monthly Donation
    • Your Account
  • Search
Home
→
Blog
→
Old Testament Sacrifices Did Not Come as a Package Deal

Old Testament Sacrifices Did Not Come as a Package Deal

May 1, 2019 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - atonement, cross

In trying to rethink the debate between Calvinists and Arminians over the limited or unlimited nature of the atonement, I suggested we should rethink the assumption that the benefits of the cross come as a package deal. Maybe, just maybe, the cross has different benefits for different people, under different conditions.

But is there any Biblical reason to think that?

Before we look at the New Testament evidence in later blogs, think of the Old Testament sacrifices.

Was there only one sacrifice or many?
One benefit or many?
One beneficiary or many?
What do the Mosaic sacrifices show?

As you probably know, there were several different offerings in the Mosaic Law.

First, there were burnt offerings of a bull, ram, or dove. This was a voluntary act. It was made for unintentional sins or as an expression of worship (Leviticus 1).

Second, the grain offerings were in recognition of God’s goodness and provisions (Leviticus 2).

The peace offering of an animal without defect was for thanksgiving and fellowship (Leviticus 3).

The sin offering was a mandatory sacrifice for specific unintentional sins and cleansing from defilement (Leviticus 4).

The trespass offering was for unintentional sins that required restitution (Lev 5:14–6:7).

On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would make a personal sin offering of a bull for himself and his family. Then he would enter the Holy of Holies and sacrifice a goat for the nation of Israel, letting a second scapegoat go free (Leviticus 16).

Here’s the point—

Would it be safe for someone to have assumed the Old Testament sacrifices had one big benefit, for one beneficiary, under one condition, that was either limited or unlimited? No. That assumption would be badly mistaken.

Instead, there were different sacrifices, with different benefits, for different people, under different conditions. Some had individual benefits; others, corporate. Some were for families; others, for the nation. Some were for citizens; others, for priests. Some were for forgiveness; others, for thanksgiving. Some required sacrificing this kind of animal; others, that kind.

That doesn’t prove the same is true of the cross’ benefits. But it does show you should have an open mind about the New Testament evidence, which we’ll begin to explore next.

Subscribe by Email

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Shawn_L

by Shawn Lazar

Shawn Lazar (BTh, McGill; MA, VU Amsterdam) was the Editor of Grace in Focus magazine and Director of Publications for Grace Evangelical Society from May 2012 through June 2022. He and his wife Abby have three children. He has written several books including: Beyond Doubt: How to Be Sure of Your Salvation and Chosen to Serve: Why Divine Election Is to Service, Not to Eternal Life.

If you wish to ask a question about a given blog, email us your question at ges@faithalone.org.

Cart

Recently Added

June 8, 2023

Must Assurance of Salvation Be Based on Jesus’ Promise? 

M. H. asks a great question: I recently viewed a couple of your blogs where you talked about how someone only needs to believe in...
June 7, 2023

If Someone Uses the Term “Implicit Faith,” What Are They Talking About?

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Bob Wilkin and Steve Elkins are answering a question about implicit faith. They will explain what this is...
June 7, 2023

Will Few or Many Be Saved? 

In Luke 13:23, the Lord is asked if few will be saved. In that context, the Lord is talking about salvation as it pertains to...

Grace in Focus Radio

All Episodes

Listen to Stitcher

Listen on Spotify

Grace In Focus Magazine

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Bookstore Specials

  • The Epistle of James $15.00 $10.00
  • Turn and Live: The Power of Repentance $15.00 $10.00
  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Paperback) $6.95 $3.00
  • The Gospel Under Siege: Faith and Works in Tension $16.00 $10.00
  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Hardcover) $13.95 $5.00
Grace Evangelical Society

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube