Introduction
People, especially religious people, like to learn some way to do things and codify it into a custom, a tradition, a law of “That’s how things are.” When someone comes along and does something different – even contrary to traditions, these people oppose the change, no matter that it is for the better. They don’t realize that God has said, “Behold, I am doing something new.” (Isaiah 43:19) (See my post on Progressive Truths.)
Temple Worship
Yahweh Sabaoth delivered the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt and made them a new nation under His suzerainty rule. The new King established ways for coming to His throne through sacrifices of blood to cover their rebellion against Him and harm to others. He set apart the tribe of Levi to administer those sacrifices and He raised them above the other tribes as His particular servants. Yahweh described in detail a special tent where He could live among His people though remain apart from their corrupt fleshly existence.
This tent and methods of sacrificial worship continued with the people in the land promised to their ancestors. The Israelites destroyed or threw out the wicked Canaanites and established boundaries of this set-apart nation. Then King David did something new. He acted contrary to the laws that allowed only the Levites and priests access to Yahweh’s presence. He came close to the Presence himself. David also set up groups of priests and Levites to continually give thanks to Yahweh and praise His name.
David’s son, Solomon, built a huge Temple and transferred Yahweh’s earthly throne and the furniture of access into it. It became the center of Israel’s worship, their focus of identity. Because of their rebellion against Yahweh and His laws, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed this Temple. Decades later, the Israelites – Jews – built the second Temple. It became the center of Israel’s worship, their focus of identity.
Then Yahweh did something new, contrary to the laws and strict customs of Judaism. He sent His Son to live in a body so He could dwell among His people in corrupt flesh. Yeshua lived the life all people were supposed to live. He told the Good News that the Kingdom was within reach. He also made the bloody sacrifice that allowed all people access to Yahweh’s presence.
Along the way, Yeshua predicted the destruction of the second Temple because of the Jews’ continued rebellion against Yahweh. He also said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19) Yahweh accomplished this when the Jews engineered Yeshua’s death on a Roman cross. Three days later, Yeshua rose from the dead and appeared to hundreds of people. Then He returned to His heavenly throne. Fifty days later, Yahweh and Yeshua poured out Holy Spirit upon His followers and those Jews who believed and lived by His story. God could live among His new people by the Spirit, making them into a new temple.
Inclusion of the Nations
Yahweh told the Israelites to welcome foreigners and to teach them His ways, all the laws He placed upon His nation. With the second Temple, the Jews built an outer court that foreigners could enter for worship. They required those aliens to become Jews and live under their laws and customs if they wanted to approach Yahweh’s throne. Otherwise, Jewish customs forbade friendly interaction with such unclean peoples.
Soon after the outpouring of Holy Spirit upon many Jews, God did a new thing contrary to their laws and customs. He sent His story to a family of foreigners and opened the way for all nations to hear the Good News of the Kingdom. Many Jewish leaders opposed this inclusion of unclean Gentiles. However, a council of leaders among the believers accepted that God was doing something new. (Acts 15:1-29)
In fulfillment of Yeshua’s prediction, the Romans destroyed the second Temple and scattered the Jewish people among all the nation, believers included. Christianity grew among the nations and was established in much of the world. In 1948, God again did something unprecedented. He brought Jews out of the nations and back to the land of Judea. They reestablished the nation of Israel.
Today’s Renewed Things
During the first century when believers met together, five leadership offices emerged to train and guide the believers in their efforts to serve the world. Paul listed these as colony leaders, speakers of God’s now-words, bringers of the Good News to unbelievers, shepherds, and educators. (Ephesians 4:11) Each of these had an important role in the body of believers.
Except for the work of individuals, these offices were lost when Constantine legalized Christianity and it organized into an institution. The leaders among Christians were priests, abbots, monsignors, bishops, cardinals, and popes.
Leaders among the protesting reformers, took on the label of “pastor” when shepherding groups of believers. Centuries later, evangelists went out to preach the Good News of the Kingdom, some bringing healing and using other tools of the Spirit. Over the past decades, God has been doing something new by restoring those five offices of the first century leaders.
These are not the capitalized labels applied to leaders in many Pentecostal denominations. These are men and women that Holy Spirit has anointed for special leadership among God’s people. These people are teaching what it means to be God’s governing assemblies in society. Colony leaders are working with now-word speakers to hear and share what God is saying today. Bringers of Good News are more and more using Spirit’s tools to show the love and power of God to unbelievers. Thousands of people are surrendering to the King during tent crusades. Shepherding continues to comfort and guide believers through the hardships of life while educators explain the new things God is doing.
Questions
Can you see that God is doing something new or are you stuck in the traditions of religion?
What is God doing new in your life, contrary to your expectations or strong beliefs?