The Superiority of Christ's Priestly Office
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This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Several weeks ago we entered into a section of our series from Hebrews, where we have since seen:
The superiority of Christ’s House.
The superiority of Christ’s Rest.
And today –
The superiority of Christ’s Priestly Office.
Before we finish this section in the series, we will have looked at two more.
What I find truly amazing is that each topic relates to the others, and is part of a whole of doctrinal truth that focuses not on us, but on the sustaining power and immutable character of God!
Again, I feel it necessary to warn you of the dangerous positions some have taken regarding this most wonderful book!
Christians for the most part have ignored the doctrinal weight of this book, dismissing it because of its supposed lack of gentile relevancy.
Christians for the most part have ignored the doctrinal weight of this book, dismissing it because of its supposed lack of gentile relevancy.
It’s too bad that Christians for the most part have ignored the doctrinal weight of this book, dismissing it because of its supposed lack of gentile relevancy.
But equally egregious is the position that sees this book as the “lynch pin” back to Judaism.
But equally egregious is the position that sees this book as the “lynch pin” back to Judaism.
I cannot say enough about these dangers. And if I sound like a broken record, it’s only because I fear that many will revert back to their original positions once this series is through.
So, let’s get into this, or continuing with the thoughts presented by the author, “Let us move on to perfection.”
1. We have seen that the House is the body of Christ, a spiritual house as Peter says.
2. We have also seen that our Rest is in Christ and not a day as some suppose.
These two positions are extremely important as they demonstrate our place in the mystical relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ!
The House, is the place of dwelling.
Adam & Eve, experienced this dwelling in Eden, until they sinned and God drove them out.
We are brought back into a permanent dwelling with God in the body of Christ.
The Rest, is the confident peace, safety, permanence from all striving. A ceasing
from all works of atonement. ie We rest in Christ!
Neither is about Judaism or the law under Moses!
No! The Tabernacle and the Sabbath were examples of better things!
But now, we come to Christ’s Priestly Office. And, just like the previous two, this was established before and outside the law!
I hope you got that?
The concept of the dwelling place was prior to and outside the law!
The concept of rest was also prior to and outside the law!
I. Christ is the Great High Priest.
I. Christ is the Great High Priest.
A. After the order of Melchizedek.
The Lord has sworn And will not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”
B. With no genealogy.
to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”
II. We are a Royal Priesthood.
II. We are a Royal Priesthood.
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
A. Not of earthly lineage.
Sinful humans are so pathetic. We are always looking for some way to elevate ourselves and prove our importance.
It was no different for the Jews in Jesus’ day.
They were always trying to show their own superiority through their lineage.
Our priesthood is the greatest because it has no earthly lineage!
We enter this priesthood by faith and are transformed into the very nature of Jesus Christ our Lord.
B. To bless, enquire, make intercession.
Jesus, being the great High Priest makes eternal intercession for us through the blood of His sacrifice. He is always present at the mercy seat of God so that we who walk in faith are constantly cleansed from every sin.
We, the royal and holy priesthood:
Bless God with praise and thanksgiving.
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Intercede in prayer for others.
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
Intercede in prayer for others.
Inquire in His temple.
One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.
Psalm 34:
Conclusion:
It is evident that the spiritual components of the House, Rest, and High Priestly office, gives freedom to the believer in that the law no longer has any jurisdiction over them.
Seeing that it has all been done for us, and as Jesus Himself said in , that we are now to only abide in him, I want to ask a question.
As a Royal priesthood of believers, should our corporate worship be liturgical in its form?
As a Royal priesthood of believers, should our corporate worship be liturgical in its form?
Should the priesthood of believers be a liturgical practice?
Should the priesthood of believers be a liturgical practice?
Should the priesthood of believers be a liturgical practice?
I believe this is probably one of the most valid questions to ask concerning our study of this book.
Since the end of the first century, Christians have taken clues from the Levitical law on how to worship as a congregation.
No where do I find in the N.T. any precedence for a liturgical approach to corporate worship in the church, yet we still worship liturgically.
In fact, the book of Acts shows churches worshipping in a very different way than what we suppose.
For example, the communion service in Corinth and in most other areas across Asia Minor were celebrated as love feasts, where a communal meal was shared. This was widely encouraged, and looked more like a party!
And in these love feasts the bread and wine were not a separate ceremony but part of the feast itself.
The communion service in Corinth and in most other areas across Asia Minor were celebrated during their love feasts, where a communal meal was shared. This was widely encouraged. It looked more like a party!
You will find the same thing at the last supper!
It should also be noted that the prohibition of Paul to the Corinthians was to not let it become a glutenous event where brothers and sisters in the faith were going without. Their attitude was self centered and not Christ centered.
Fellowship - conversation coupled with friendly interaction was common place at times of worship.
In fact, the lack of true fellowship was a cause for discipline!
Over the centuries, Liturgy has replaced the true communion of the saints.
Our buildings have sanctuaries where we worship!
Our people are encouraged to dress a certain way!
Our schedule of service is printed in the bulletin and debated as to what is and isn’t spiritual.
Is this true worship?
When the pilgrims came to Plymouth in 1620 they did not build a church building, they put up a meeting house, where the true church could practice corporate worship.
Jesus said that the time is now to worship God in spirit and in truth!
Liturgy is a preference!
Liturgy elevates itself!
Liturgy can be idolatrous!
But so is the opposite!
We must beware of the routine that seems more spiritual when really, it’s a matter of the heart!
We have a great high priest who has gone into the heavens!
We have no need for anything else, for He alone intercedes for us.
Let us not add anything to this equation!