THE PENTATEUCH, THE GOSPEL AND THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

In summary of the WORD CRUISE, the reading of the PENTATEUCH which are the first 5 books of Moses and the GOSPEL which are the first 4 books of the New Testament was not an exercise in futility but purposed by God for us to bring fresh to heart the history of man and it’s evolution, How and Where it started and How we arrived at where we are now. From Adam and the fall to Moses the most popular deliverer cum Savior whose acts did not truly redeem man but got us to a point where the absolute Redeemer will take over in a once and for all redemption hence man will not be needing series of blood sacrifices to be purified/delivered. All man has to do is to BELIEVE and RECEIVE that which was done for him and align fully with it.

The first four books is a fulfillment of all that we found in the first five books. The Pentateuch is a shadow of the Gospel while the Gospel is the fulfillment of the hope held in the Pentateuch. The building of the Temple, the ark in it, the sacrifices, all pointed to one thing GOD in man. The sacrifices highlighted the one time blood sacrifice of Jesus that brought us to Redemption. The temple personifies us the New creation and the Ark is the presence of God. Beloved we, the New creation and the Temple of God as His presence indwells us we were made pure and made perfect by His blood.

The Pentateuch mirrored the inception of the Law and the punishment that goes with not meeting it’s requirements while the Gospel showcased the fulfillment of the Law in that Jesus didn’t come to set aside/do away with the Law rather He came to fulfill all requirements; to set us free from the curse and yoke of sin as seen in;

Matthew 5:17-20 BSB

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

This simply means that living right by the law is no righteousness but that we are made righteous by the righteousness of Christ.

In The Pentateuch we will find The Aaronic Priesthood which was also a shadow of what was to come and eternal Priesthood. The Aaronic priesthood couldn’t completely atone for the sin seeing that they too fall short both in nature and duty hence The Priesthood order needed something much more absolute to atone/intercede/advocate/mediate. A bit of this Priesthood dimension was captured when scripture revealed it at the point Abraham paid tithe to this Priest as revealed as The Melchizedek Priesthood. This is the Priesthood order Jesus walked in and we now walk in.

Genesis 14:18-20 NLT

[18] And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. [19] Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. [20] And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.

Moses expounded on the mighty works done by God for His people. During the wilderness era, we saw the mighty miracles that made that the Israelites were fed the right menu and clothed by God such that they needed no clothes nor even the regular food. Their clothes and shoes grew with them as seen in;

Deuteronomy 29:5 NKJV

[5] And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet.

The Manna was an all for one food. These food I do not have to tell you but will still do, mirrors spiritual food which epitomizes the infilling of the Holy Ghost and the Word of GOD.

No one nourishes on the word of God which is the Bread of Life, clothe/mantle with the Holy Spirit that will ever want nor thirst.

Talk about the plagues of Egypt, the terror God rained on them, brought the mighty Egypt to their knees, this in itself is no match for the public display Jesus made of the devil even unto eternity as seen in;

Colossians 2:15 NKJV

[15] Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

And the mighty miracles He worked in His day of which He said greater works than this will those who believe in Him do as seen in;

John 14:12 BSB

[12] Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Which is us right now. Yes you and I, for we are not left out. For this reason, the Acts of the Apostles was added to our reading so you understand that we all have a role in this. Jesus has handed us the baton, not just His disciples that lived in His time but us all who believe as seen in;

John 17:18-21 BSB

[18] As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world. [19] For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth. [20] I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, [21] that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

He included us all in His prayer to the Father hence we are the present day witnesses and though the bible is complete, our Acts are still been written. Beloved what will be written concerning you?.

God will not send you out to the field or ask you to put your hands to work if He has not first equipped you for it. In the building of the Ark in the Temple He endowed Bezalel and Oholiab with His Spirit such that they were skilled for any kind of craftsmanship as seen in;

Exodus 31:1-6 NLT

[1] Then the Lord said to Moses, [2] “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. [3] I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. [4] He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. [5] He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft! [6] “And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make:

Sometimes you don’t even know who or what you have as regards the work of God in your hands until you step out in obedience to begin to do and then it all comes together. Beloved there is nothing to fear because at every step of the way, there’s always a helper assigned by God to assist you on that journey as seen in the lives of the disciples when Jesus sent them out two by two to spread the Gospel  did not only pair them up, He enabled them with His Spirit as seen in;

Mark 6:7 NLT

[7] And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.

The rest of the books of the New Testament are still part of the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, Letters of Paul, Peter etc. including the Revelation of John.

Beloved, those encounters are not all for private consumption. Learn to share for many await you. Yes many are tied to your walk with God. Jesus beckons on you to witness for Him.

 Ifeoma Isobo Jack