6/26/2016
The Priesthood of Believers Pt. 10
Revelation 5:9-10 They sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
The Priesthood Is Political
Hebrews 7:1-2 Melchizedek was king of (Jeru)Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever
The Levite Priesthood Foreshadowed The Priesthood of Christ
Hebrews 7:4-6 Think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! The law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people–that is, their brothers–even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
Priesthood Based In Man is Temporal Jesus’ Priesthood is Eternal
Hebrews 7:7-10 Without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
Authority Proceeds From Position
Hebrews 7:11-12 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come–one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.
Eternal Power Wields An Eternal Priesthood
Hebrews 7:15-17 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, One Who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to His ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
To Trust In the Obsolete Is Obstinacy
Hebrews 7:18-19 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
When God Guarantees It Is Certain
Hebrews 7:20-22 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but He became a priest with an oath when God said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.'” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
Guarantee/Surety—primarily signifies “bail,” the bail who personally answers for anyone, whether with his life or his property…it is used in Heb. 7:22, “(by so much also hath Jesus become) the Surety (of a better covenant),” referring to the abiding and unchanging character of His Melchizdek priesthood, by reason of which His suretyship is established by God’s oath (Heb. 7:20, 21). As the Surety, He is the Personal guarantee of the terms of the New and Better Covenant, secured on the ground of His perfect sacrifice (Heb. 7:27).
Vine’s Expository Dictionary
Jesus Is The Perfect Priest!
Hebrews 7:23-25 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.