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Sacrifices

/SAK-rih-fy-sez/

Summary

Offerings presented to God involving the slaying of animals or presentation of produce, pointing forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice.

☩Origin and Purpose

Sacrifice appears universally in human religion, traceable to Noah and ultimately to Abel's acceptable offering. The question whether sacrifice was divinely instituted or humanly invented centers on Abel, whose offering 'by faith' presupposes divine revelation. If uncommanded, sacrifice would be mere superstition, yet God accepted it—implying divine institution.

Key verses:Genesis 4:3-5Genesis 8:20Hebrews 11:4

☩The Mosaic System

Mosaic sacrifices were inaugurated by a covenant sealed with blood. Two great classes existed: sin-offerings (for atonement of sin) and peace-offerings (expressions of fellowship with God). Sin-offerings atoned for inadvertent sins—for wilful disobedience there was no sacrifice. The yearly Day of Atonement represented their most characteristic form.

Key verses:Exodus 24:5-8Leviticus 4:27Leviticus 16:1-34Hebrews 9:20

☩Fulfilled in Christ

OT sacrifices pointed to Christ's perfect sacrifice, once for all. He is both priest and offering—the Lamb of God whose blood brings not yearly atonement but eternal redemption. Christians now offer spiritual sacrifices: their bodies as living sacrifices, praise as 'the fruit of lips,' and doing good and sharing.

Key verses:Romans 12:1Hebrews 13:15-16Philippians 2:17Philippians 4:181 Peter 2:5

Related Verses88 mentions

Hebrews· 10 verses

5:18:39:99:2310:1

Psalms· 9 verses

4:527:650:851:1751:19

Isaiah· 6 verses

1:1129:134:643:2343:24

Leviticus· 6 verses

7:327:3410:1310:1417:5

See Also

Fleshhook
Fleshhook
Offerings
Offerings

References

  1. 1.John Kitto, "Sacrifices," in A Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, vol. II (Mark H. Newman, 1845).
  2. 2.John Kitto, "Sacrifices," in A Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, vol. II (Mark H. Newman, 1845).
  3. 3.John Kitto, "Sacrifices," in A Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, vol. II (Mark H. Newman, 1845).
  4. 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Sacrifices," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  5. 5.James Hastings (ed.), "Sacrifices," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  6. 6.James Hastings (ed.), "Sacrifices," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  7. 7.John Kitto, "Sacrifices," in A Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, vol. II (Mark H. Newman, 1845).
  8. 8.James Hastings (ed.), "Sacrifices," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).