Category: Priesthood Of Christ

The Prophethood of Christ: Part 4 - Christ the Greater Prophet

2/13/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Prophethood Of Christ: Part 4 - Christ The Greater Prophet

God revealed to Moses that He would raise up a greater prophet than Moses, who would speak those things which the Father commands Him to speak.

I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. - Deuteronomy 18:18

A prophet like Moses is one with whom God has stood face to face, spoken mouth to mouth, and has seen the form of the Lord.

Not so, with My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My household; With him I speak mouth to mouth, Even openly, and not in dark sayings, And he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant, against Moses? - Numbers 12:7-8
Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, - Deuteronomy 34:10

Christ is the greater prophet. First, He speaks only what the Father has commanded Him to speak.

For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. - John 12:49

Second, Christ stood face to face with God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John 1:1

In John 1:1, the preposition with (prós) denotes the image of face to face. Literally, the Word (i.e., Jesus) was face to face with God.

Third, Christ spoke mouth to mouth with God.

He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world. - John 8:26
For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. - John 12:49

Fourth, Christ has seen the form of the Lord.

No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He as explained Him - John 1:18
Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father - John 6:46

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The Prophethood of Christ: Part 3 - Christ's Qualifications

2/13/2021

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Prophethood Of Christ: Part 3 - Christ’s Qualifications

After Jesus raised a man from the dead, the people praised God and said, in Luke 7:16, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” Indeed, Jesus is the Great Prophet who came to reveal God to humanity.

All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. - Matthew 11:27

Jesus meets all the qualifications to be a prophet from God. First, Christ was blameless.

who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; - 1 Peter 2:22
[He] has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. - Hebrews 4:15b
…in Him there is no sin. - 1 John 3:5b

Second, He was sent by the Father and only speaks the words of God.

For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. - John 3:34

Third, Christ’s predictions about the future were fulfilled.

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. - Mark 8:31
They led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes gathered together. […] Some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, Prophesy! And the officers received Him with slaps in the face. - Mark 14:53, 65
And they crucified Him […] In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him […] - Mark 15:24a, 31a
Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene […] Afterward He appeared to the eleven - Mark 16:9a, 14a

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The Priesthood of Christ: Part 10 - Contrasted with the Levitical Priesthood

2/6/2021

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Priesthood Of Christ: Part 10 - Contrasted With The Levitical Priesthood

The Levitical Priesthood, though weak, is a type that points to the present and future priestly ministry of Jesus Christ. As examination of Hebrews 7 present eight truths about Christ’s Priesthood compared to the Levitical.

One, Christ’s Priesthood represents all humanity, while the Levitical Priesthood represented only Israel.

Two, Christ is both priest and king, while Aaron and his descendants were only priests.

Three, Christ’s Priesthood is characterized by righteousness and peace, while the Levitical Priesthood was characterized by sin and judgment.

Four, Christ did not inherit nor pass on His priesthood, whereas the Levitical Priesthood was passed down from generation to generation.

Five, Christ’s Priesthood brought perfection, whereas the Levitical Priesthood failed to perfect.

Six, Christ’s sacrifice brought about justification and life, while the Levitical Priesthood was unable to produce justification or life.

Seven, Christ remains a priest forever, whereas the Levitical Priests could serve only till the age of fifty.

Eight, Christ as a priest is sinless and needed no sacrifice for Himself, whereas the Levitical Priests were sinners in need of a sacrifice.

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The Priesthood of Christ: Part 9 - Spotless Priest and Sufficient Sacrifice

2/6/2021

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Priesthood Of Christ: Part 9 - Spotless Priest And Sufficient Sacrifice

In order to redeem humanity, two things are necessary: a spotless priest and a sufficient sacrifice. As High Priest, Jesus’ spotlessness is proven by five statements (Hebrews 7:26-28).

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy (hósios), innocent (ákakos), undefiled (amíantos), separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all (ephápax) when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever. - Hebrews 7:26-28

One, Jesus is holy (hósios). Hósios is to be distinguished from the more familiar word hagios meaning dedicated to God. Hósios refers to being morally pure and pleasing to God. Two, Jesus is innocent (ákakos). He does not know, think, or practice evil. Three, Jesus is undefiled (amíantos). He is free from all defilements. Four, Jesus is separated from sinners. That is, Jesus was never contaminated by the diseases or illness of those who He healed. Five, Jesus is exalted above the heavens. His present ministry is in Heaven, in the Holy of Holies.

Jesus is not only a spotless priest, but He has provided a sufficient sacrifice. As a spotless priest, Jesus did not need to offer sacrifices for His own sins as the Levitical priests. The Levitical priests were weak sinners needing the sacrifices as much as the people to whom they ministered. The sacrifices in view are those yearly sacrifices offered on Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 9:7).

…make atonement for yourself and for the people; then make the offering for the people, that you may make atonement for them… - Leviticus 9:7

The reason that Jesus’ sacrifice is more advantageous than the animals offered on the Day of Atonement is that His sacrifice is permanent — once for all. Once for all (ephápax) means that Christ’s sacrifice as the sin offering happened on one occasion to the exclusion of all other occasions.

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The Priesthood of Christ: Part 8 - The Melchizedekian Order, Genealogy and Timeless

2/3/2021

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Priesthood Of Christ: Part 8 - The Melchizedekian Order, Genealogy And Timeless

In Hebrews 7:1-3, Paul reveals five comparisons between Melchizedek and Christ to enable his readers to understand Christ’s priestly office. First, like Melchizedek, Christ is a king and priest who will reign with righteousness and peace. Second, like Melchizedek, Christ blesses individuals. Third, like Melchizedek, Christ’s priesthood is more significant than the Levitical priesthood.

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like (aphomoióō) the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. - Hebrews 7:1-3

Fourth, Melchizedek acted independently from other priests. There is no mention of other priests in his order. The lack of fellow priests is further supported by the lack of genealogical record — without father, without mother, without genealogy. The lack of genealogy is not to say that he lacked parents but that his priesthood was not dependent upon ancestry, unlike the Levitical Priesthood (cf. Numbers 16-17). While Christ’s kingship is based upon a genealogical record, His priesthood is not dependent upon such a record.

Fifth, Melchizedek’s priesthood was timeless — he remains a priest perpetually. The term perpetually (eis to diēnekes) occurs only in Hebrews (7:3, 10:12, 14) and means uninterrupted. Levitical priests could only serve from age twenty-five till age fifty.

This is what applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall enter to perform service in the work of the tent of meeting. But at the age of fifty years they shall retire from service in the work and not work any more. - Numbers 8:24-25

Christ’s priesthood is forever without end (cf. Hebrew 7:21).

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The Priesthood of Christ: Part 7 - The Melchizedekian Order, Blessings and Tithes

2/3/2021

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Priesthood Of Christ: Part 7 - The Melchizedian Order, Blessings And Tithes

Christ’s priesthood is part of the Melchizedekian order.

The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek. - Psalm 110:4
being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. - Hebrews 5:10

Hebrews 7:1-3 reveals five comparisons between Melchizedek and Christ.

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like (aphomoióō) the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. - Hebrews 7:1-3

First, like Melchizedek, Christ is a king and priest who will reign with righteousness and peace.

Second, Melchizedek blessed Abraham. Christ, as High Priest blesses those who draw near to God through Him by saving them forever and making intercession for them.

Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. - Hebrews 7:25

Third, Melchizedek received a tithe (a tenth part) from Abraham. Abraham’s giving of the tithe, demonstrated Melchizedek’s greatness over Abraham and thus the Levitical priesthood.

Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. [...] But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. [...] And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. - Hebrews 7:4-10

Christ, as a Melchizedekian priest, is more significant than other priesthood, including the Levitical.

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The Priesthood of Christ: Part 6 - The Melchizedekian Order, Priest and King

1/30/2021

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Priesthood Of Christ: Part 6 - The Melchizedekian Order, Priest And King

In Hebrews 7:1-3, Paul reveals five comparisons between Melchizedek and Christ to enable his readers to understand Christ’s priestly office.

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like (aphomoióō) the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. - Hebrews 7:1-3

First, Melchizedek was both a king and a priest. He was the king of Salem, later known as Jerusalem.

His tabernacle is in Salem; His dwelling place also is in Zion. - Psalm 76:2

The term Salem (šā·lēm) means peace. Melchi (malkî), the first part of Melchizedek, comes from the Hebrew term mālak, meaning king. Zedek (tṣedeq), the second part of his name, is a Jebusite dynastic title.

Now it came about when Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai, and had utterly destroyed it… - Joshua 10:1

Zedek (tṣedeq) means right or righteousness. Hence his name means king of righteousness. He was also a priest of the Most High God. As a king-priest, Melchizedek ruled in righteousness (tṣedeq) and peace (šā·lēm). Christ is also a king and priest who will reign with righteousness and peace.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. - Isaiah 9:6-7

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The Priesthood of Christ: Part 5 - Melchizedek, A Type Not A Theophany

1/30/2021

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Priesthood Of Christ: Part 5 - Melchizedek, A Type Not A Theophany

Christ’s priesthood is part of the Melchizedekian order.

The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek. - Psalm 110:4
being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. - Hebrews 5:10

The phrase made like the Son of God in Hebrews 7:3 implies that Melchizedek was a type of Christ. To be clear, Melchizedek is not a theophany or Old Testament appearance of Christ. The idea that Melchizedek is a theophany of Christ comes from a Second Century AD Gnostic text.

There are three significant reasons why Melchizedek is not a theophany. First, the participle made like (aphomoióō) in Hebrews 7:3, is used to describe Melchizedek’s likeness to Christ. The use of the participle indicates that Melchizedek was comparable to Christ only in the likeness or type. If Melchizedek were a theophany, an adjective would have been used to describe that Melchizedek was Christ.

Second, one of the prerequisites for any priesthood is that the priest had to be human (cf. Hebrews 5:1). Christ did not take on humanity until the Incarnation. Before the Incarnation, Christ appeared in the form of a man, but not an actual man.

Third, theophanies were temporary and held no office. Melchizedek held the office of priest perpetually. Additionally, he held the office of a king, which required a permanent residency in Salem.

Therefore, Melchizedek is not Christ. He was a Canaanite, priest and king of the Most High God.

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The Priesthood of Christ: Part 4 - Christ's Fourth Qualification

1/27/2021

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Priesthood Of Christ: Part 4 - Christ’s Fourth Qualification

Jesus fulfilled all four prerequisites to be the high priest of believers.

So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You; just as He says also in another passage, You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek. In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. - Hebrews 5:5-10

First, like Aaron, Jesus was appointed by God to be a High Priest.

Second, like Aaron, Jesus was human.

Third, like Aaron, Jesus was sympathetic.

Fourth, like Aaron, Jesus made offerings and sacrifices. The phrase having been made perfect references Jesus’ act of offering Himself as a sacrifice. On the cross, Jesus offered Himself as the sacrifice for sin. The term perfect (teleióō) comes from the same root word translated as It is finished — teléō (cf. John 19:30). The term teleióō means to bring something to its completed end. The term also has a moral sense as it means to cleanse from sin thoroughly. Applied to Christ, it means that when Jesus completed the path of suffering and remained obedient to the Father that He was proven fit to be the Savior and High Priest of God’s people.

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The Priesthood of Christ: Part 3 - Christ's Second And Third Qualifications

1/27/2021

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TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Priesthood Of Christ: Part 3 - Christ’s Second And Third Qualifications

Hebrews 5:14 lays out four requirements for a person to serve as high priest. First, a high priest must be human. Second, a high priest must make offerings and sacrifices. Third, a high priest must be sympathetic. Fourth, a high priest must be appointed by God. Jesus fulfills all four prerequisites to be the believers’ high priest.

So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You; just as He says also in another passage, You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek. In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. - Hebrews 5:5-10

First, like Aaron, Jesus was appointed by God to be a High Priest.

Second, like Aaron, Jesus was human. The phrase in the days of His flesh covers Jesus’ life from Incarnation until Ascension. Jesus’ humanity was fully displayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, as stated in the phrase, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears. His prayers and supplications were offered with loud crying (ischurós kraugḗ) and tears. Loud crying (ischurós kraugḗ) is an outcry from someone who is under severe emotional strain. Such severe emotional strain demonstrates Christ’s humanity.

Third, like Aaron, Jesus was sympathetic. Jesus learned obedience from the things which He suffered means that He learned what obedience to God costs — suffering.

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. - Philippians 2:8

Though God omnipotent, Jesus in His flesh had to learn about the human condition. To be a High Priest, Jesus had to experience the suffering of death. By experiencing such suffering, Jesus became, from humanity’s standpoint, a compassionate or sympathetic High Priest.

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin - Hebrews 4:15

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The Prophethood of Christ: Part 4 - Christ the Greater Prophet

The Prophethood of Christ: Part 3 - Christ's Qualifications

The Priesthood of Christ: Part 10 - Contrasted with the Levitical Priesthood

The Priesthood of Christ: Part 9 - Spotless Priest and Sufficient Sacrifice

The Priesthood of Christ: Part 8 - The Melchizedekian Order, Genealogy and Timeless

The Priesthood of Christ: Part 7 - The Melchizedekian Order, Blessings and Tithes

The Priesthood of Christ: Part 6 - The Melchizedekian Order, Priest and King

The Priesthood of Christ: Part 5 - Melchizedek, A Type Not A Theophany

The Priesthood of Christ: Part 4 - Christ's Fourth Qualification

The Priesthood of Christ: Part 3 - Christ's Second And Third Qualifications

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