I was especially interested in Brother Richard's remark about ceremonial law and the New Testament equivalent, with the specific mention of the Lord's Supper.
The idea seems to converge with mine in terms of ten commandments plus. The plus area may change, perhaps during the times of different prophets (the seat of the temple was changed to Jerusalem in David's time for example), but at least with the coming of Christ.
The questions that come to mind are: 1) Are there other New Testament ceremonies that take the place or function of the Old Testament typical ceremonies? 2) Should such ceremonies, that we seem to find appropriate if not obligatory, be evidenced in the Law, or is it sufficient that they are evidenced in the New Testament? This may seem off subject, but I think it is relevant to how we understand Mosaic Law and its binding character.
In the Anabaptist-Pietist traditions that preceded the rise of Adventism, there was a conscious attempt to identify all such New Testament ceremonies and practice them. As we compare Adventism, Protestantism, and Anabaptist-Pietist traditions, it seems to me that Adventism is at least a partial heir of the Anabaptist-Pietist traditions. Rather than seven sacraments of Catholicism or the two ordinances of Protestantism, there is an Adventist equivalent to the old Anabaptist ordinances.
Among these ordanances found in 18th-century German Seventh Day Baptist practice (a tradition that disappeared before the rise of Adventism, for the most part), there were the following.
1) Baptism of believers by trine immersion; 2) laying on of hands; 3) Love feast; 4) The washing of feet; 5) The Lord’s supper; 6) The greeting with a holy kiss; 7) The anointing and laying hands on the sick; Blessing of children.
The Adventist practice is very similar. Adventists differ in the mode of baptism, single backward immersion rather than triple forward; in laying on of hands only for ordination and not after every baptism; and the rejection of the Love Feast and the holy kiss in greeting. I understand that the holy kiss in greeting was practiced among early Sabbatarian Adventists. The practices are remarkably similar, based as they are on a literal and comprehensive view of the New Testament. In sum, Adventists preserve of these 1) baptism by immersion, 2) laying on of hands, 3) footwashing, 4) the Lord's supper, 5) anointing of the sick, 6) and blessing of children, that is six out of eight.
The second question, whether these are evidenced by the Old Testament or the Books of Moses specifically is hard to answer straight off. 18th-century German Seventh Day Baptists did rely heavily on the Books of Moses, at one point even instituting the high priestly regalia. The most important sources for identifying such Old Testament evidence are missing however, as the writings of the Eckerlins have all been destroyed, and these were the most prominent ones having such interests.
Would it be appropriate in summary to say that the ceremonial law of Moses is replaced by the New Testament ordinances of the church? That is my sentiment.
If this is a proper way of viewing the ceremonial laws of Moses, that accounts for a sizeable chunk of the material on the Excel page. The shadows and types of things to come are replaced by memorials from the life, death and resurrection of Christ. That, in principle, would also account for the neglect of Love Feast and the holy kiss, which do not seem so clearly memorials of Christ, as all of the other ordinances are.
Thomas
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Myers:
It is no wonder there are so many different interpretations. The same thing applies to why there are so many different religions. If we reject light, if we reject Scripture, if we do not surrender to Christ fully, then how is it the Holy Spirit is going to give us discernment of advanced light? He won't. The cutting edge of truth will be given to those who are walking in the light and are where God wants to lead His people. He will not give the Baptists who preach you will burn in hell forever, the advanced light. He will not give the Hindus advanced light on the gospel. He is leading His people into one flock, out of Babylon.