The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

37 can border on ideology, but discussion of the actual practice of sacrifice suddenly brings the debate to a very practical level for the Jewish reader no matter where he resides, in the land or diaspora. A reader might argue on a theoretical level that Jesus' heavenly priesthood is not incompatible with the Aaronic priesthood (chapter 7). He might also argue that even though the new covenant is somehow in effect the old covenant is still useful for spiritual growth (chapters 8-9). But if the point about sacrifice is conceded by the reader, then the author has brought closure to his argument. Once the ultimate forgiveness of the New Covenant has come (10: 16-17) there is no longer a need for the shadow of animal sacrifice, "Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin," (10: 18). Application of this truth10: 19-39 The application of chapters seven through ten is very simply that the recipient ought to hold fast to their profession of faith in their new priesthood rather than drift back to a priest and a system which may still be functioning in Jerusalem but are no longer legitimate . Swetnam clarifies what the author's exhortations would mean to the reader . . . . to enter into the Holy of Holies as the Christian are being urged to do ( f . 10 19 which is thematic for the whole exhortation) i to violate the Mo aic Law in an important matter. So important, in fact, that the penalty i death . B following Chri t the Jew-become-Christian in effect apo tatize from ob ervance of th Mo ai La . 7 With the old regulations for wor hip gone, the writer now lay down r hip r gulati n hich ar in a cord with the new covenant. The xhort tion pr ented pr tipul ti n n nt. Th co en nt ommunit mu t dr w n ar t d in r hip ith in rit (10: ); th mu t hold t the h p th pr f with ut ring (10 : ); th mu t h 1 lt 7 J . tn m , " orm · nd nt nt in H b1 7 l , " Btbli a 197)