Christ’s Once-for-All Sacrifice Must Not Be Distorted

[David]

In the wilderness, God provided water for Israel from a rock. This miracle of provision was also a prophetic picture of Christ and His finished work on the cross. The apostle Paul understood and explained it, “they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4).

In Exodus 17, God instructed Moses to strike the rock, and water came out for the people. That first striking of the rock pictured Christ being smitten for our salvation. Isaiah had prophesied of Him, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus was and is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. On the cross He bore the wrath of God against sin in a single, complete act.

Later in Numbers 20, the people of Israel again cried out for water in the wilderness. God gave a command to Moses, but it was a different command from the first time. This time He said, “speak unto the rock before their eyes, and it shall give forth his water” (Numbers 20:8). Why the change? Because Christ was not to be struck twice. His sacrifice was finished. The believer does not need another sacrifice after the cross. Instead, we come boldly by faith, asking, and God the giver of all good gifts provides living water.

Moses disobeyed. He struck the rock in anger. Water did come out, but his action distorted the picture God was painting. Because of his act of unbelief, God told Moses he would not enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12).

The lesson for us is urgent. Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. Hebrews 9:28. The cross was a one-time, once-for-all sacrifice. To suggest that it must be repeated, added to, or supplemented in any way is to distort the gospel itself. When men invent rituals, penances, or systems that imply Christ’s work was not enough, they are in danger of striking the rock again.

Salvation is not Christ plus sacraments. It is not Christ plus works. It is not Christ plus law-keeping. It is Christ alone. “By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). To tamper with that truth is to insult the blood that was shed once and never to be shed again.

God gave Moses a stern warning, and He gives us the same today. The gospel is not ours to edit or modify. Paul said plainly, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).

Christ’s sacrifice was complete. His blood was enough. His resurrection proved it. To distort that truth is to trample underfoot the Son of God and count His blood as common (Hebrews 10:29).

So let the church never strike the rock again. Let us speak to it, call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we shall be saved.

When God told Moses to speak to the rock (Numbers 20:8), it showed that after Christ’s one sacrifice, we don’t “strike” Him again. His death on the cross was final and complete. Hebrews 10:12 says, “This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.”

Speaking to the Rock = simply calling on Jesus in faith. Romans 10:9–13 makes this plain. We pray, we confess Him as Lord, we believe God raised Him from the dead, and we are saved.

Striking the Rock again = trying to add works, rituals, or repeated sacrifices to what Christ already finished. That’s exactly what false religions do:

• Roman Catholicism adds the Mass as a repeated sacrifice.
• Cults add works, laws, or ceremonies to “help” save you.
• Some churches teach baptism, tongues, or church membership as requirements for salvation.

All of these are attempts to “strike the rock again,” as if Jesus’ one offering wasn’t enough. But Hebrews 9:28 says, “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.”

So the message is simple:
Don’t strike the Rock again with man’s traditions.
Speak to the Rock, call on Jesus alone, and be saved.

 

[Bob]

Ok so what about Batotism? Classes and monitory donation. A question I have been asking for a time now, if Jesus himself or others that John the Baptist Baptized, sis not go through this, what do churches ask?

 

[Bob]

Sorry for my mispelled words, big fingers lol

 

[David]

Ok so what about Batotism? Classes and monitory donation. A question I have been asking for a time now, if Jesus himself or others that John the Baptist Baptized, sis not go through this, what do churches ask?

Baptism was never a class nor was it a financial arrangement in the Bible. John baptized those who repented, and the apostles baptized those who believed in Jesus. It was as simple and as instant as that. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest… and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (Acts 8:36–38).

It is a sad thing when some churches have put man-made restrictions like financial involvement or time-consuming classes before baptism, but all Jesus said was, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). Baptism is an act of obedience once a person is saved, it is not a ritual to bring about salvation.

If a church is placing a price or any undue difficulty on something so plainly stated, it is a red flag. I would pray about it and fellowship where God’s Word is plainly followed. The Lord wants you in a place that will build you up in truth and not in a place that puts up barriers that He never did.

 

[David]

Sorry for my mispelled words, big fingers lol

No problem.