Purity

In the biblical context, purity often refers to both moral and ceremonial cleanliness. It is a state of being free from sin or moral wrong, and it is highly valued in Scripture as a reflection of God's holiness. The concept of purity is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where the Israelites were given laws to maintain both physical and spiritual cleanliness. Leviticus 11:44-45 states, "For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming creature that crawls on the ground. For I am the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God; therefore, you shall be holy, because I am holy."

Purity is not only about external actions but also about the heart's condition. In Psalm 51:10 , David prays, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." This verse highlights the importance of inner purity, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Jesus emphasizes this in the New Testament, teaching that purity is a matter of the heart. In Matthew 5:8 , He declares, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

The New Testament further expands on purity by associating it with the believer's sanctification process. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 , Paul writes, "For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God; and no one should ever violate or exploit his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already warned you and solemnly testified. For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness."

Dedication

Dedication in the Bible refers to the act of setting apart or consecrating something or someone for a sacred purpose. This concept is evident in both the Old and New Testaments, where individuals, objects, and even entire nations are dedicated to God.

In the Old Testament, dedication is often associated with the consecration of the temple and its furnishings. In 1 Kings 8:63 , during the dedication of the temple, Solomon offered sacrifices to the LORD: "And Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to the LORD: twenty-two thousand oxen and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD."

Dedication also involves personal commitment to God. The Nazarite vow, described in Numbers 6, is an example of individual dedication, where a person voluntarily sets themselves apart for God's service. This vow included abstaining from wine, not cutting one's hair, and avoiding contact with the dead, symbolizing a life wholly devoted to God.

In the New Testament, dedication is exemplified in the life of Jesus Christ, who was dedicated to fulfilling the will of the Father. Believers are called to follow His example of dedication. Romans 12:1 urges, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."

Dedication is also seen in the early church's commitment to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, as described in Acts 2:42 : "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

In summary, purity and dedication are intertwined themes in the Bible, calling believers to live lives that reflect God's holiness and are wholly committed to His service. These principles are foundational to the Christian faith, guiding believers in their spiritual journey and relationship with God.