AN OLD COVENANT YOKE REVIVED FOR MONEY IN THE NEW COVENANT
INTRODUCTION
Across many Messianic assemblies today, an Old Covenant ritual has quietly been resurrected and dressed as New Covenant doctrine. The practice of redeeming firstborns, once tied to animal sacrifices, the Levitical priesthood, and the Mosaic Law, is being reintroduced not by apostolic instruction but by LOVE OF MONEY BY CHURCH LEADERS. What was fulfilled, concluded, and replaced by the New Covenant is now being repackaged as obligation. This post exposes that error plainly, biblically, and without apology.
1. THE REDEEMING OF FIRSTBORNS WAS AN OLD COVENANT REQUIREMENT
The command to redeem firstborn males was given specifically to Israel under the Law of Moses. It was rooted in the Exodus narrative, where the Almighty Heavenly Father spared Israel’s firstborns and claimed them as His own. Redemption involved animal sacrifices and priestly mediation. This was never a universal moral command but a ceremonial statute limited to a specific covenant, people, priesthood, and historical moment. Once that covenant ended, the obligation expired with it (Exodus 13:2; Exodus 13:12–15).
2. THE PRACTICE DEPENDED ENTIRELY ON THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD
Redeeming firstborns only made sense within a functioning Levitical system. The Almighty Heavenly Father replaced Israel’s firstborn sons with the tribe of Levi for priestly service. From that point, firstborn redemption became a compensatory ritual tied to the sanctuary and priestly administration. Without Levites ministering at the altar, the ritual has no legal or spiritual framework. Keeping the ritual while discarding the priesthood is selective obedience and theological fraud (Numbers 3:12–13; Numbers 8:16–18).
3. YAHSHUA FULFILLED THE LAW WITHOUT MAKING IT PERMANENT
Yahshua was redeemed as a firstborn, circumcised on the eighth day, and lived fully under the Law. This was not to perpetuate these practices but to fulfill the Law completely from within. His obedience does not impose Old Covenant rituals on New Covenant believers. Just as circumcision and animal sacrifices are no longer binding, redeeming firstborns ended with the covenant it belonged to (Luke 2:22–24; Galatians 4:4–5).
4. THE LAW WAS CHANGED WHEN THE PRIESTHOOD WAS CHANGED
Scripture openly declares that a change in priesthood necessitates a change in law. The Levitical priesthood was temporary and imperfect. The New Covenant introduced a High Priest from the tribe of Judah, something the Law of Moses never permitted. This single shift dismantles every Levitical ritual, including firstborn redemption. You cannot claim continuity with Moses while rejecting his priesthood (Hebrews 7:12; Hebrews 7:14).
5. THE NEW COVENANT GIVES NO COMMAND TO REDEEM BABIES
Nowhere in the book of Acts or the apostolic letters is there an instruction to redeem firstborn children. The apostles addressed circumcision, feasts, dietary laws, and sacrifices, yet never once taught firstborn redemption. Their silence is not accidental. It is proof the matter was settled. They rejected placing unnecessary burdens on believers (Acts 15:10; Colossians 2:16–17).
6. NEW COVENANT REDEMPTION IS SPIRITUAL AND COMPLETE
Redemption under the New Covenant is not transactional, ceremonial, or hereditary. It is spiritual and applies equally to all who believe, regardless of birth order. No child is born owing money to the altar. Redemption was accomplished once and for all through the sacrifice of Yahshua. Anything added to that is doctrinal inflation (1 Peter 1:18–19; Hebrews 9:12).
7. MODERN PRACTICE IS DRIVEN BY MONEY NOT TRUTH
The reintroduction of firstborn redemption today is not fueled by revelation but by revenue. It creates fear driven obligation, especially among young parents, and turns sacred moments into fundraising opportunities. This is not shepherding. It is exploitation. Scripture condemns leaders who commercialize spiritual authority (Micah 3:11; 1 Timothy 6:5).
8. THE PRACTICE UNDERMINES THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE CROSS
To demand redemption payments today subtly teaches that the sacrifice of Yahshua was incomplete. It suggests an additional requirement beyond the cross. This contradicts the heart of the gospel, which declares that redemption was finished fully and eternally (Hebrews 10:14; John 19:30).
9. THE GOSPEL LIBERATES IT DOES NOT IMPOSE BURDENS
The New Covenant delivers freedom, assurance, and rest. Reintroducing Old Covenant rituals drags believers back into bondage that even ancient Israel struggled to bear. This is not spiritual depth. It is regression (Galatians 5:1; Matthew 11:28–30).
CONCLUSION
Redeeming firstborns belonged to a covenant anchored in Levites, altars, sacrifices, and shadows. That covenant has passed. Yahshua fulfilled it, closed it, and replaced it with something better. Any attempt to revive this practice today is not obedience but betrayal. The New Covenant is not funded by babies. It is sealed by blood. And that blood paid everything in full.
This Post has been prepared by
Bro Mutonga (Pipeline Church, Nakuru, Kenya, East Africa, Africa)
babakevi@gmail.com
+254722808047
Permission granted to freely share it widely in whatever form (Matthew 10:8)
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UKOMBOZI WA WAZALIWA WA KWANZA
NIRA YA AGANO LA KALE INAYOFUFULIWA KWA AJILI YA FEDHA KATIKA AGANO JIPYA
UTANGULIZI
Katika makusanyiko mengi ya wamasihi leo, ibada ya Agano la Kale imefufuliwa kimyakimya na kuvalishwa vazi la mafundisho ya Agano Jipya. Desturi ya kukomboa wazaliwa wa kwanza, iliyokuwa imeshikana na dhabihu za wanyama, ukuhani wa Walawi, na Sheria ya Musa, inarejeshwa si kwa maagizo ya mitume bali kwa TAMAA YA FEDHA YA VIONGOZI WA KANISA. Kilichotimizwa, kuhitimishwa, na kubadilishwa na Agano Jipya sasa kinauzwa kama wajibu wa lazima. Chapisho hili linafichua kosa hilo waziwazi, kibiblia, na bila kuomba radhi.
1. UKOMBOZI WA WAZALIWA WA KWANZA ULIHUSISHWA NA AGANO LA KALE
Amri ya kukomboa wazaliwa wa kwanza wa kiume ilitolewa mahsusi kwa Israeli chini ya Sheria ya Musa. Ilitokana na simulizi la Kutoka, ambapo Elohim aliwaokoa wazaliwa wa kwanza wa Israeli na kuwatangaza kuwa Wake. Ukombozi huo ulihusisha dhabihu za wanyama na huduma ya kikuhani. Hii haikuwa amri ya maadili kwa ulimwengu wote bali ilikuwa sheria ya kiibada, iliyofungamanishwa na agano maalum, watu maalum, ukuhani maalum, na wakati maalum wa kihistoria. Agano lilipomalizika, wajibu huo nao uliisha (Kutoka 13:2; Kutoka 13:12–15).
2. DESTURI HII ILITEGEMEA KABISA UKUHANI WA WALAWI
Kukomboa wazaliwa wa kwanza kulikuwa na maana tu ndani ya mfumo unaofanya kazi wa Walawi. Baba wa Mbingu Mwenye Nguvu Zote aliwachukua Walawi badala ya wazaliwa wa kwanza wa Israeli ili wahudumu kama makuhani. Tangu hapo, ukombozi wa wazaliwa wa kwanza ukawa ni desturi ya fidia iliyohusishwa na patakatifu na utawala wa kikuhani. Bila Walawi kuhudumu madhabahuni, desturi hii haina msingi wa kisheria wala wa kiroho. Kushikilia desturi huku ukiukataa ukuhani ni utii wa kuchagua na ni udanganyifu wa kiteolojia (Hesabu 3:12–13; Hesabu 8:16–18).
3. YAHSHUA ALITIMIZA SHERIA BILA KUIFANYA YA KUDUMU
Yahshua alikombolewa kama mzaliwa wa kwanza, alitahiriwa siku ya nane, na akaishi kikamilifu chini ya Sheria. Alifanya hivyo si ili kuendeleza desturi hizi milele bali ili kuitimiza Sheria kikamilifu kutoka ndani. Utii Wake hauwalazimishi waumini wa Agano Jipya kushika ibada za Agano la Kale. Kama vile tohara na dhabihu za wanyama hazifungamani tena, ndivyo pia ukombozi wa wazaliwa wa kwanza ulivyomalizika pamoja na agano lake (Luka 2:22–24; Wagalatia 4:4–5).
4. SHERIA ILIBADILIKA UKUHANI ULIPOBADILIKA
Maandiko yanatangaza wazi kwamba mabadiliko ya ukuhani yanaleta lazima mabadiliko ya sheria. Ukuhani wa Walawi ulikuwa wa muda na haukukamilika. Agano Jipya lilileta Kuhani Mkuu kutoka kabila la Yuda, jambo ambalo Sheria ya Musa haikuruhusu kamwe. Mabadiliko haya pekee yanabomoa kila ibada ya Walawi, ikiwemo ukombozi wa wazaliwa wa kwanza. Huwezi kudai kuendelea na Musa huku ukiukataa ukuhani wake (Waebrania 7:12; Waebrania 7:14).
5. AGANO JIPYA HALITOI AMRI YA KUKOMBOA WATOTO
Hakuna mahali popote katika kitabu cha Matendo ya Mitume au nyaraka za mitume ambapo waumini wanaamriwa kukomboa watoto wao wazaliwa wa kwanza. Mitume walizungumzia tohara, sikukuu, vyakula, na dhabihu, lakini hawakufundisha kamwe ukombozi wa wazaliwa wa kwanza. Ukimya wao si wa bahati mbaya. Ni ushahidi kwamba suala hilo lilikwishaamuliwa. Walikataa kuweka mizigo isiyo ya lazima juu ya waumini (Matendo 15:10; Wakolosai 2:16–17).
6. UKOMBOZI WA AGANO JIPYA NI WA KIROHO NA UMEKAMILIKA
Ukombozi katika Agano Jipya si wa kibiashara, si wa kiibada, wala si wa kurithiwa kwa kuzaliwa. Ni wa kiroho na unawahusu wote wanaoamini bila kujali mpangilio wa kuzaliwa. Hakuna mtoto anayezaliwa akiwa na deni kwa madhabahu. Ukombozi ulifanyika mara moja na kwa ukamilifu kupitia dhabihu ya Yahshua. Kitu chochote kinachoongezwa juu ya hilo ni kupanua mafundisho bila msingi (1 Petro 1:18–19; Waebrania 9:12).
7. DESTURI YA LEO INASUKUMWA NA FEDHA SI UKWELI
Kurejeshwa kwa ukombozi wa wazaliwa wa kwanza leo hakuchochewi na ufunuo bali na mapato. Kunazalisha wajibu unaoendeshwa na hofu, hasa kwa wazazi wachanga, na kugeuza nyakati takatifu kuwa fursa za kuchangisha fedha. Huu si uchungaji. Ni unyonyaji. Maandiko yanawahukumu viongozi wanaogeuza mamlaka ya kiroho kuwa biashara (Mika 3:11; 1 Timotheo 6:5).
8. DESTURI HII INADHARAU UKAMILIFU WA MSALABA
Kudai malipo ya ukombozi leo kunafundisha kwa hila kwamba dhabihu ya Yahshua haikutosha. Kunadokeza kwamba kuna hitaji la ziada zaidi ya msalaba. Hili linapingana moja kwa moja na kiini cha Injili, inayotangaza kwamba ukombozi ulikamilika kikamilifu na milele (Waebrania 10:14; Yohana 19:30).
9. INJILI HUWEKA HURU HAILETI MIZIGO
Agano Jipya huleta uhuru, hakika, na pumziko. Kurejesha ibada za Agano la Kale kunawarudisha waumini kwenye utumwa ambao hata Israeli ya kale ilishindwa kuubeba. Huu si undani wa kiroho. Ni kurudi nyuma (Wagalatia 5:1; Mathayo 11:28–30).
HITIMISHO
Ukombozi wa wazaliwa wa kwanza ulikuwa sehemu ya agano lililojengwa juu ya Walawi, madhabahu, dhabihu, na vivuli. Agano hilo limepita. Yahshua alilitimiza, akalihitimisha, na kulibadilisha kwa lililo bora zaidi. Jaribio lolote la kufufua desturi hii leo si utii bali ni usaliti. Agano Jipya halifadhiliwi na watoto. Limefungwa kwa damu. Na damu hiyo ililipa kila kitu kikamilifu.
Chapisho hili limeandaliwa na
Bro Mutonga (Pipeline Church, Nakuru, Kenya, Afrika Mashariki, Afrika)
babakevi@gmail.com
+254722808047
Ruhusa imetolewa kushirikishwa kwa uhuru katika namna yoyote ile (Mathayo 10:8)