Now a sinner having studied "the word of the kingdom," and come to the understanding of it, has a power within him, which did not exist there in his times of ignorance. Paul styles this power, "the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus"; and he says that "it sets free from the law of sin and death." If then it sets free, it is "the law of liberty," as James expresses it. In another place, Paul styles this law, or power, "the gospel of Christ." His words are, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to every one believing."
This is, then, the saving power, and there is no other. If a sinner would be saved by God, and no one else can save him, he must be saved by the gospel, by the truth, by the law of liberty, which are the same, for his power is there. But this power can only save the believing. It has no power over the faithless.
But before dismissing the subject, the apostle tells us what gives the gospel of Christ its saving efficacy. He says, "it is the power of God for salvation to the believing, because God's state of being perfect on account of faith is revealed in it for faith: as it is written, The justified man shall live on account of faith. "Here, then, is a state of being revealed in the gospel in which the believers are perfect. It is God's state of in-being perfection, as opposed to all states beyond its limits. In the English version, the state is styled, "God's righteousness...... his righteousness," or "the righteousness of God." It is his system, styled by Paul, "the faith of God," according to which he constitutes a sinner of understanding heart and divine disposition, a righteous person, or saint.
In order to do this, he places his absolutely holy and just image, his Son Jesus Christ, at the door of the entrance into the state, or sheepfold; who proclaims, "I am the door of the sheep; if any man enter in by me, he shall be saved." But, he is not only the door of entrance, he is also in a certain sense, "a great and perfect tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man." "Destroy this temple," said the Spirit, "and I will in three days raise it up"; but says John, "He spake of the temple of his body."Here, then, is "a building of God," a tent, tabernacle, or temple, "a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens." There is but one entrance into that house, and that is by the door. The area within that building is holy ground; and the jasper wall is holy. It is the true holy place, or place of holiness, perfectness, or righteousness. It is God's place of righteousness, "a heavenly in Christ Jesus," into which they who have "purified their hearts by faith" are invited to enter.
But there is "no admittance here for the unwashed."Before this Holy Place is an altar to which faith approaches; and which was cleansed by atonement being made for it, before it was placed there. It is most holy; and whatsoever touches it becomes holy. Paul styles this altar, Jesus. It was cleansed, when the blood of its consecration was poured out from his side. All the worshippers who would enter the Holy Place must first come to this altar, that touching it they may be holy.But between the place of God's righteousness and this altar, is a Laver or bath of water, styled by Paul, the New-Birth Laver; and in another place, the Laver of the Water. The law of this arrangement is, that when they go into the holy place, they shall wash with water, that they die not. Neither the altar nor the holy place could be approached without washing under penalty of death. The gospel of the arrangement is not less rigid than the law. Who are they that shall enter in by the door, and be saved? Hear the voice of the Great Shepherd's words; "He having believed the gospel and been baptized, shall be saved." But may we not strike out the words "and be baptized," as an interpolation? If you do, you must also remove the New-Birth Laver away from between the Holy Place and the Altar; and if you do that, you approach them both under penalty of death, without the possibility of touching either. "He that believeth not shall be condemned." The unbelieving have nothing to do with the altar, laver, or holy place; for these are institutions only for the enlightened of the word.