Page 8 - March 2023 - Truth & Tidings

he word “consecration” is very as far as individual responsibility was
similar in meaning to the word concerned, the object of their service was
T“sanctification.” Consecration is the Lord Himself.
the idea of devotion, particularly to the In the same way, you and I have been
Lord. Some have suggested the thought “taken out” from the world to serve the
of a “filling of the hands.” Sanctification Lord. Our arena or sphere of service is es-
is the idea of separation. It is essentially sentially the local church. Like the priests
separation from the world unto the Lord and Levites that served in the tabernacle
and carries with it the thought of holiness. and in the temple, we have been sanctified
Both sanctification and consecration are in order that we might be consecrated, or
required if we are going to effectively set apart in order that we might serve. As
serve the Lord in any capacity. in the tabernacle, so in the local church
An important use of the word “conse- of which you and I form a part there is
crate” is found in Exodus 28:3 where the diversity of responsibility. Romans 12, 1
Lord instructs Moses to take Aaron and Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter
his sons out from among the children of 4 outline the gifts or areas of service that
Israel in order that they might minister to God has assigned to each member as
the Lord in the office of the priesthood. well as the manner in which they are to
They were to be consecrated to the Lord. operate.
The word “minister” means to serve. What we will notice as we read those
The arena or sphere of their service was passages is that, while there is diversity,
the tabernacle. The mode or type of their there is unity, all working together for the
service was the priesthood, particularly benefit and blessing of the whole. If we
the sacrifices of the Lord. read carefully, we will learn that there is
There were also a number of other du- no room for independence if we are going
ties and responsibilities associated with to be effective in our service for the Lord.
serving in the tabernacle. Not all priests There is not only the thought of unity but
offered sacrifices upon the altar; there also the thought of interdependence. We
were also responsibilities assigned for the will discover as well that each is not only
maintenance of the tabernacle. Each per- dependent upon the other, but each is
son had a particular duty or responsibility, actually responsible for the other.
but they all worked together so that it was We want to notice as well that the idea of
one work. Although there was diversity ministry is the idea of service. Our service

72 TRUTH kTidings March 2023