Q. What is the general meaning of 1 Peter 1:1,21Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:1‑2); and why is obedience mentioned before blood?-E. C.
A. James, in his Epistle, addresses the scattered twelve tribes, as Israel had still the character of God's people in his eye: and he recognizes both the synagogue (ch. 2:2) and the assembly (ch. 5:14), as before the final separation of the believing remnant from the nation in general had taken place. It was a transitional moment, and he has the nation as a nation, although scattered, before him. Peter, on the other hand, takes up only the elect strangers of the dispersion, who were anywhere but in the land of Israel-Pontus, Galatia, &c.-and sets their eye upon a heavenly hope. Consequently, verse 2 is a complete reversal of the whole hopes of Israel, to this remnant of faithful ones. As to Israel of old, we might read it thus, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of Jehovah, through sanctification of ordinances, unto obedience of the law, and sprinkling of the blood of the old covenant" (Ex. 24), which sealed their condemnation. Now, he can write of the believing ones that they were "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father (the name He reveals Himself to Christians in the Son of His love, as Jehovah was His revealed name to his elect nation-see Ex. 6), through sanctification of the Spirit, (not ordinances)-who separates us from man, unto the obedience... of Jesus Christ"-i.e., to obey according to His order and pattern, who never did even His own perfect will, but the Father's; "unto obedience (of Jesus Christ) and (unto) sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." The Spirit separates us unto both. Thus separated or sanctified by the Holy Ghost unto His obedience-i.e, unto that end-we come under the efficacy of the blood of sprinkling of the new covenant, which purges the conscience, instead of sealing our condemnation.
Q. Does Heb. 13:1313Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 13:13)-" Without the camp"-refer to Ex. 3313Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. (Exodus 33:13), when Moses pitched the tent " Without the camp, afar off"? or, rather, is there an allusion to it; for I suppose there is no doubt the reference is to Lev. 1613And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not: (Leviticus 16:13)?
A. In the Gospel narratives we learn that Israel had refused their Messiah-" We have no king but Caesar," is their word. (John 19) Jesus said on His cross, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23) The answer to this intercession was the offer by the Holy Ghost, who came down at Pentecost (Acts 2), by Peter in Acts 3, " I wot that through ignorance ye did it," he says, and that if they would now repent, Jesus, whom they slew, would return, and the times of refreshing would come. Their full answer to this offer of grace was at the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7), in which act the citizens who hated the nobleman, who had gone into the far country to receive a kingdom and return, sent a messenger (Stephen),, after him, saying, "We will not have this man to reign over us." (See Luke 19) Stephen sees the Lord Jesus-the Son of man-standing at the right baud of God, till then ready to bring in the "sure mercies of David." They had now refused these "sure mercies," and the whole earthly order of things is broken up. at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad, except the apostles. Hebrews now come in, and in it we find Jesus seated and expecting, till His enemies be made His footstool. (Chapter 10:12,13.) Till the day when He says, "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me." (Luke 19:2727But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. (Luke 19:27).) In each Scripture it is a characteristic attitude in which He is seen. It characterizes very preciously these Scriptures, to the renewed soul, who is free to learn the beauties of _the word of God. In consequence, the Jewish believers are called upon to "go forth therefore unto Him outside the camp." They must come outside the earthly order of things, and everything of a religious character which recognized man in the flesh, and connected itself with the world. (Believers were now "in the Spirit," with a heavenly sanctuary and High Priest.) This was most distinctly Judaism at all times. This word of the Lord holds good with regard to every religion which connects itself with the world, and recognizes and provides for man in the flesh, or unrenewed. An earthly formulary, which takes in all the nation, or country, or, district, is the "camp" now, and the distinct call of God to the believer is uncompromisingly to disconnect himself with Such, and take his true place with Jesus-" bearing His reproach "-" outside the camp," or such an order of things.
Thus acting, he recognizes what God requires-separation from evil-in order to walk in fellowship with Him. Moses was quick in apprehension in the mind of. God, when he pitched the tent without the camp. (Ex. 33) He knew that God could not now dwell amid a rebellious and revolted people. Every one that sought the Lord went out to this place of separation to God; and God's presence was found there; and there He spoke to His faithful ones. ' There is no doubt, as far as the offering went, that Lev. 16 is alluded to. It was the type.