The study of types and anti-types in the Bible is a great way to better understand some of the New Testament teachings concerning Christianity. The concept of type and anti-type is easily seen in the example of the old type writers. The letter that was printed on the paper when one struck a key was the type. It was an image or impression of the actual metal letter that struck the ribbon. A number of words found in the New Testament vouch for this form of teaching. The word “image” (Heb. 10:1), “pattern” (Heb. 8:5), “figure” (Rom. 5:14), “example” (I Cor. 10:11) and “shadow” (Heb. 10:1) all are using the type and anti-type method of teaching. In this brief article, we wish to consider one such example that is seldom studied.

In the process of freeing the nation of Israel from Egyptian bondage, God used ten plagues, the last of which was the death of the first born of every house in Egypt (Exo. 11:4-5). However, salvation from that was allowed to the nation of Israel through the killing of a lamb and placing the blood of that lamb upon the door post of each of their houses. There were other instructions given as well concerning what was required of those who killed the lamb. When the destroyer came, he would pass over the houses with the blood, sparing the first born of those houses (Exo. 12:3-23). This event was to be memorialized by way of a reenactment each year and was known as the Passover.

The lamb that was slain to provide salvation from the death of the first born in Egypt was a type of the true Pascal Lamb, Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed to provide salvation from eternal death in hell. Paul spoke of this when he said to the Corinthians, “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us” (I Cor. 5:7). Though, by itself, it proves nothing, it is noteworthy that Jesus observed the passover feast on the very night he was taken by the mob and was slain the next day (Matt. 26:19-21). Several aspects of the parallel between the lamb of the passover in Egypt and Christ can be noticed. Concerning the lamb for the passover in Egypt, they were told, “Your lamb shall be without blemish…” (Exo. 12:5). Concerning Christ, Peter said that we were not redeemed with silver and gold and such, “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Pet. 1:18-19). Indeed, Christ was without blemish or spot, for Christ was sinless. Paul said, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (II Cor. 5:21). The Hebrew writer says, concerning Christ, “but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). He further connected the Christ, His blood and His sinless nature when he wrote, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Heb. 9:14). Note also that concerning the lamb slain for the passover in Egypt, “Neither shall ye break a bone thereof” (Exo. 12:46). The psalmist prophesied of the Messiah saying, “He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken” (Psalm 34:20). You may recall that when Jesus was crucified, though the legs of the two thieves were broken, they came to Jesus and found He was already dead and did not break any of his bones. John’s record then reads, “For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken” (John 19:31-36).

In the remainder of our space let us consider some applications for us to make, drawn from the events of the passover in Egypt. First, note the location where the blood was to be placed. It was placed on the two door post and the lintel at the top. Thus, it surrounded the entrance to the place of safety. In like manner, the blood of Christ surrounds the entrance to eternal life. No man can enter into eternal life without passing through the blood of Christ. As noted, Peter said that His blood redeems us from our sins (I Pet. 1:19). John referred to Jesus as “him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev. 1:5). Indeed, John the baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Jesus shed His blood in His death (John 19:34). One comes into contact with the death of Christ at the point they are “baptized into Christ” and thus “baptized into his death” (Rom. 6:3). Indeed, the door to salvation is surrounded by the blood of the Lamb of God.

Let us consider one more important point. After killing the lamb and putting the blood on the door post, the children of Israel were told, “and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning”. They had to stay in the house. Safety was in the house and in it alone. The Lord’s church is the house of God (I Tim. 3:15). Salvation is found in it and in it alone (Eph. 5:23). One must enter the house of God through baptism (I Cor. 12:13) and remain therein! To leave the house is to remove oneself from the place of safety.

(Editor’s note: Send any questions or comments to: rcoliver@centurylink.net)