Femi Aribisala is the fellowship coordinator
of Healing Wings. Healing Wings is a pentecostal Christian fellowship
which meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Enoy his latest article ‘The fact that a book is in the bible does not mean everything in it is true.’
In the debate about sacrifices, Christians put great reliance on the
book of Hebrews. However, Hebrews is very unreliable. It is one of those
books in the bible that is full of falsehood. As a matter of fact,
there is more falsehood in Hebrews than in any other book in the bible
except Romans.
Doctoring the Scriptures
Hebrews specialises in re-writing and falsifying the biblical record.
David says: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire; MY EARS YOU
HAVE OPENED.” (Psalm 40:6). This quote is changed in Hebrews to:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED
FOR ME.” (Hebrews 10:5). How can such blatant distortion still be
construed as the word of God?
Hebrews says: “It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats
could take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4). This is pure fabrication. Ezekiel
says: “The prince is to provide a bull as a sin offering for himself
and for all the people of the land. Every day during the seven days of
the Feast he is to provide seven bulls and seven rams without defect as a
burnt offering to the LORD, and a male goat for a sin offering.”
(Ezekiel 45:22-23). Therefore, the efficacy of the sacrifice of bulls
for atonement is in the scriptures.
Hebrews then contradicts itself by saying: “without the shedding of
blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22). This statement is an
outright lie. Nevertheless, Christians persist in referring to it. It is
not necessary to shed blood in order to receive forgiveness. For
example, money can be used for atonement: “You shall take the atonement
money of the children of Israel, and shall appoint it for the service of
the tabernacle of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the children
of Israel before the LORD, to make atonement for yourselves.” (Exodus
30:16). Money is without blood.
Fine flour could be used to atone for sin: “If, however, he cannot
afford two doves or two young pigeons, he is to bring as an offering for
his sin a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering.”
(Leviticus 5:11). Flour is without blood. Jewelry was also used to atone
for sin: “We have brought as an offering to the LORD the gold articles
each of us acquired- armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings and
necklaces- to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD.” (Numbers
31:50). Jewelry is without blood.
Unnecessary sacrifices
As a matter of fact, sacrifices are only required in the few cases
where the sin is unintentional: “When anyone sins UNINTENTIONALLY and
does what is forbidden in any of the LORD’s commands- if the anointed
priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a
young bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has
committed.” (Leviticus 4:2-3). Where the sin is intentional, sacrifices
are unacceptable: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the
LORD.” (Proverbs 15:8).
Time and time again, the prophets preached repentance and obedience,
placing them above sacrifice. Accordingly, God says in Hosea: “I desire
mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt
offerings.” (Hosea 6:6). Even praise worship is better than sacrifice.
The psalmist says: “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will
magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better
than an ox or bull, which has horns and hooves.” (Psalm 69:30-31).
Indeed, Hosea says: “The children of Israel shall abide many days
without king or prince, without sacrifice.” (Hosea 3:4). How can they
“abide many days without sacrifice” if “without the shedding of blood
there is no forgiveness?” Since sacrifices are only permissible in the
Jerusalem temple, how can they receive forgiveness for their sins while
in captivity in Babylon, which soon had more Jews than Palestine?
The answer is simple. Forgiveness can be obtained solely through
repentance and prayer, for the simple reason that: “In mercy and truth
atonement is provided for iniquity.” (Proverbs 16:6). God says: “If my
people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and
seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles
7:14). This means forgiveness is obtainable without blood sacrifice.
Concatenation of falsehood
Hebrews says: “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive,
even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who
had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11). This is not true. Sarah doubted and did
not believe. The Ishmael option came from her.
Hebrews says the Law was given by angels. (Hebrews 2:2). This is
false. Moses says God gave it to him. (Exodus 33:11). Hebrews says Jesus
tasted death “for everybody.” (Hebrews 2:9). This is false. All men
continue to die. Hebrews says Jesus was not perfect but was made perfect
through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10). This is false. Jesus was perfect:
he did not become perfect. (1 Peter 2:22). Hebrews says: “God rested on
the seventh day from all his works.” (Hebrews 4:4). This is false. Jesus
says God has never stopped working. (John 5:17).
Hebrews says: “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this
the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27). This is false. Some men, like Lazarus,
die twice. Hebrews says: “Obey those who rule over you, and be
submissive, for they watch out for your souls.” (Hebrews 13:17). This is
rubbish. No man watches over another man’s soul. Jesus is the only
Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. (1 Peter 2:25).
Hebrews says Melchizedec is a priest forever like Jesus because he
is: “Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of
days or end of life.” (Hebrews 7:3). This is false. Jesus has a
genealogical record. We know his father and mother.
Falsifying the New Covenant
Hebrews says: “When there is a change of the priesthood, there must
also be a change of the law.” (Hebrews 7:12). This is false. The new
covenant does not imply a change of the law. God says: “I will put my
law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their
God, and they shall be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33). It is a new
covenant but the same old law.
Moreover, the priesthood does not determine the law. Hebrews talks
about a change of priesthood. But Moses talks about an everlasting
priesthood. (Exodus 40:13-15). In truth, the priesthood does not change
because Jesus is a descendant of Levi. Mary, Jesus’ mother, was a cousin
to Elizabeth, who was “of the daughters of Aaron.” (Luke 1:5).
This means Mary’s mother was either a sister or aunt to Elizabeth,
making her a pure bred “daughter of Aaron.” This makes Mary herself to
be from both the tribes of Judah and Levi. Mary’s mother was from the
tribe of Aaron, but her father, Heli, was from Judah. (Luke 3:23). In
effect, Jesus is also of the tribe of Levi. Hebrews is wrong in talking
about a change of priesthood.
Do not be deceived. The fact that a book is in the bible does not mean everything in it is true.