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hisalone said:
Just to get the thread started about regeneration and what took place in the O.T. and what takes place in the N.T. I will ask a question, were the O.T. saints sealed with the Spirit? If you answer yes, then please explain why they had to continue with the animal sacrifices. If your answer is no, then we will be starting on common ground in this discussion. Until Tomorrow.

I do not think that there is any difference between regeneration in the O.T. and the N.T. I believe if you read Romans 8, it is very clear that all Christians have God's Spirit. If there is no Spirit, there is no Christian. I think Romans 8 applies equally well in the O.T. and the N.T.

I think the purpose of the sacrifice in the O.T. was to point towards Christ. The constant sacrifices were to show the people in the O.T. their need for a savior and the depth of the wickedness of their sins in that blood was needed to atone for them. However, as we read in Hebrews, the blood of animals is insufficient to atone for a man's sins. Hence, we understand that the sacrifices are showing the Israelites their need for something or someone greater to atone for them. That is why the animal sacrifices stopped with Christ (well actually a little afterward, but the point is the same). Once Christ was revealed and His blood was shed, the need for sacrifices to point towards Christ was no longer needed as Christ was now seen clearly instead of dimly.

I would highly suggest you read Hebrews and Romans.

John