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BACKGROUND
DEFINITION OF TERMS
MELCHIZEDEK
MELCHIZEDEK
PRIEST
PRIESTS AND LEVITES
I. The biblical data
II. Wellhausen’s reconstruction
III. Some reactions to Wellhausen’s reconstruction
IV. Priesthood in the New Testament
The
full background to this teaching is available online at this link
DEFINITIONS - For serious students
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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| THE PRIESTHOOD OF JESUS continued |
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| JESUS AS HIGH PRIEST – BOOK OF HEBREWS |
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 The priesthood of Jesus is dealt with in great detail in the Book of Hebrews.
There are 2 books of the New Testament that have been acknowledged as particularly hard to understand, being Hebrews and Revelation.
While much of the Book of Revelation remains closed, or misunderstood, with multitudinous interpretations and arguments over its meaning by many learned people, in recent times, as we approach the final days, God has now chosen to reveal to His people a greater understanding of the Book of Hebrews. Revelation will follow, in His time and timing.
In the meantime we are being given a greater glimpse of the priesthood of Jesus. The full revelation will only be truly recognised when we see Him in glory or upon His glorious return to the earth!
I would recommend that you read and meditate upon the complete Book of Hebrews as we will only be able to deal with highlights here. It is a hugely rewarding study.
1. The Superiority of God’s New Revelation: (Hebrews 1:1-4)
Jesus is supreme, a mirror of the Father, and far superior to the angels. He provided the priestly function of purification for sins and he intercedes for us at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 1:3
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 2. Christ is Superior to Old Covenant Leadership: (Hebrews 1:5-7:28)
a. Superior to the Angels: (1:5-2:18)
Jesus had to be made like us, his (spiritual) brothers, in order to successfully make atonement for us.
Hebrews 1:13-14
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 b. Superior to Moses: (3:1-4:13)
Moses was the one the Jews looked up to as being closest to God. But Jesus is greater than he.
Hebrews 3:3
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 We are warned not to become like the Jews, who constantly disobeyed Moses, but to obey Jesus.
Hebrews 3:14
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 For God knows us better than we know ourselves!
Hebrews 4:12
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 He is indeed, the Great High Priest whom we may approach with confidence!
Hebrews 4:14-16
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 Priests under the Aaronic order were human appointed and imperfect, having to sacrifice for their own sins before sacrificing for others. Jesus was appointed by God Himself.
Hebrews 5:1-5
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 Jesus was not in the order of Aaron, but rather, in that of the first priesthood, that of Melchizedec, whom we discussed earlier.
Hebrews 5:6-10
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 Perfection was not available through the Aaronic priesthood.
Hebrews 7:11
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 When a priesthood changes, the law also must change. The law under Melchizedec was oral, passed down from generation to generation, while under the Aaronic priesthood, it was written, given to Moses on Mount Sinai.
Hebrews 7:12
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 The change was made clear in that Jesus was of a different tribe to the Levitical priests.
Hebrews 7:13-14
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 Jesus became High Priest, not through inheritance or appointment, but rather, as with Melchizedec, through perfection.
Hebrews 7:15-17
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 As mentioned above, the change in priesthood was necessary because of imperfection and kept the people away from God.
Hebrews 7:18-19
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 Old Testament priests came to their position through birth, Jesus through an oath.
Hebrews 7:20-22
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 His self-sacrifice meant He could continue to save us and intercede for us forever! Hallelujah!
Hebrews 7:26-8
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 He made a ‘New Covenant’ for us, one based upon grace rather than law, an internal, heart covenant, replacing one of external laws and direction. A covenant of forgiveness, now available to all who believe. The Old has passed away, the New is eternal!
Hebrews 8:1-13
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 The remainder of the Book of Hebrews goes on to explain the ramifications of the New Covenant, the new, final, eternal priesthood of Jesus, but that is beyond the scope of this study.
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| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> A REVELATON OF....... THE 3 PRIESTHOODS continues |
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 .... as we look at the priesthood today and discover the inheritance Jesus has given us.
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 None of us can truly comprehend the vastness and magnificence of what Jesus has done for us!
As the eternal, great high priest, Jesus has opened the way for us to come back into relationship with the Father, a relationship lost when Adam and Eve ate that fateful fruit. Hallelujah! Thank you Lord!
BIBLE ARCHAEOLOGY
The Gold of Ophir Inscription
This fragment of an ancient pottery jar was discovered at Tel Qasile near Jaffa in Israel. It contains an inscription which mentions "Ophir gold" and the temple of Horon, a Canaanite deity. The Gold of Ophir Inscription is important in the study of Biblical archaeology. It corresponds with what the Bible says about the gold at Solomon's Temple.
"Gold of Ophir to Beth-Horon...30 shekels"
"Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal." - I Chronicles 29:3-4
Source: http://www.bible-history.com
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
719. The miracle of the Cross is that the very best could come out of the very worst.
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
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Waxing Lyrical: http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php
If Only I'd Thought of it: http://www.wwj.org.nz/thought.php
Laughing at Ourselves: http://www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php
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Jesus’ was an eternal appointment!