Notes.—“He taketh away the first.” The connection plainly indicates that what Christ took away was ceremonialism as expressed in the typical service of sacrifices and offerings, and that what He established, by giving Himself to do the will of God, was the experience of doing the will of God on the part of the believer. Thus He made possible the answer to the petition which He taught His disciples, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Instead of abolishing the moral law, Christ made such provision that every believer in Him may become a doer of that law.
“The word first here refers to sacrifices and offerings. He takes them away; that is, He shows that they are of no value in removing sin. He states their inefficacy, and declares His purpose to abolish them. ‘That He may establish the second’—to wit, the doing of the will of God.... If they had been efficacious, there would have been no need of His coming to make an atonement.”—Dr. Albert Barnes, on Heb. 10:9.
9. In what statement to the woman at Jacob's well did Jesus intimate that the ceremonial system of worship would be abolished?
“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.” John 4:21.
Note.—The worship of the Jews centered in the typical system, or ritual service, of the temple, “at Jerusalem,” while the Samaritans had instituted a rival service “in this mountain,” Mt. Gerizim. In His statement to the woman of Samaria, Jesus therefore indicated that the time was at hand when the whole typical system would be done away.
10. What test case arose in the time of the apostles over this question?
“And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” Acts 15:1.
11. What requirement was made by these teachers from Judea concerning the ceremonial law?
“Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment.” Verse 24.
12. After conferring over this matter, what decision was reached by the apostles?