“Should we Kill a Lamb?” is an article from Dr. Gordon H. Clark’s papers. Both the original and typed version are here presented. If you notice any typos on the typed document please email the administrator at douglasdouma@yahoo.com
**Items from the unpublished papers of Dr. Gordon H. Clark should not be considered his definitive statement on the particular topic addressed. These papers are being provided for educational value. For Dr. Clark’s official positions consult his published writings.**
Unpublished 35. Should we Kill a Lamb? (original)
Unpublished 35. Should we Kill a Lamb? (typed)
Notes: An article from Dr. Gordon H. Clark in The Home Evangel printed for Calvary Presbyterian Church of Willow Grove. c. mid to late 1940s.
SHOULD WE KILL A LAMB?
The religion of the Ancient Jews of the Old Testament Scriptures and the religion of the idolatrous heathen were radically different in many obvious ways; but they both required the sacrifice of animals on an altar.
Why do we not sacrifice today? The Jews do not sacrifice because their sacrifices must be made in Jerusalem only; but why do not the rest of us sacrifice? It is because we are civilized? No, this cannot be the reason, for the Greeks and the Romans were highly civilized and well educated; yet they sacrificed.
The true reason is that our society has been formed under Christian influence, and in Christianity there is no sacrifice because Christ offered Himself to God as a sacrifice once for all. He was the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. The priests of the various religions offer sacrifice often, but now once in the end of the world Christ appeared to put away sin by sacrifice of Himself; and to them that look for Him He shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:26-28)
Yes, sacrifice for sin is a necessary thing. “Without the shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Christ’s one sacrifice of Himself in His death on the cross met this requirement so sacrifice does not need to be offered by those who trust in Him.
You who read this, offer no sacrifice to God. Have you a right not to? By what authority do you fail to atone for your sins? Only if you trust in the shed blood of Christ, only if you depend upon His sacrifice for sin, can you legitimately refuse to sacrifice on an altar. Also, you must remember that the only altars of sacrifice that ever pleased God at all were the old Testament altars of God’s people; they pleased God because they looked forward to Christ. Now His blood alone can save men from their sin. Has he saved you?