Hebrews 7 and the priesthood...

Why is the term "priest" conspicuously absent from every single one of Pauls epistles (except Hebrews if you accept Paul as its author)?

It is found in the gospels but referring to Old Testament Jewish priest. It is found in Acts referring to the same. It is found in I Peter referring to the "priesthood" of all believers as well as Revelation.

I Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

 

I'm kinda lost here Ed so I'll stay out of this one.

[ May 31, 2003, 09:01 PM: Message edited by: Ps104_33 ]

 

Hebrews 7 is pointing to the end of the Levitical priesthood (Aaron was a Levite - all the priests and the highpriests selected from among them - were Levites). Hebrews 7 points out that Mechezidek is NOT a Levite and neither is Christ.

Paul is arguing that the TWO priesthoods are the Levitical priesthood vs the Melchizedek priesthood that is NOT of the Levites at all.

He argues that Christ is of the Melchizedek priesthood BECAUSE "there is No begining of days and no end of days for that priest - He is an eternal being - ". Not that the historic Melchizedek is superhuman - or not a human, but he becomes a "type of Christ" in that the story about him shows no beginning of days, no end of days and certainly no possibility of being a Levite.

Judaism is not "another religion" in the eyes of the writer of the book of Hebrews. God is not the author of a "false religion followed by a true religion". The "Bible" the "Scriptures" the "Word of God" as quoted by the book of Hebrews - continues to be "The Old Testament" (as we saw in Hebrews chapter 3). Paul argues in Hebrews 4:1 "WE have had the Gospel preached to US just as THEY also" speaking of Israel in the wilderness for 40 years.

The point made in Hebrews 7 and 8 is that the Levitical priesthood (regarding ALL priests of the Levitical order) is replaced by another priesthood - the Melchizedek priesthood - which belongs to Christ alone. He is our One High Priest - our One Mediator between God and Man - and we are to "Go boldly to the throne of Grace" under this Melchizedek system of priesthood.

In Christ,

Bob

 

No question about that - I agree that Christ serves as our High Priest in heaven and that the book of Hebrews clearly points that out.

However the book of Hebrews shows this "in the context" of the Hebrews 7 fact (as noted in the text) that the "Levitical priesthood" is the priesthood from which the Entire system of Levitical priests (both highpriests AND all others derive from the Levitical model)derive their authority. The "contrast" is made in Hebrews 7 between the "Levitical model" (that includes both daily ministry AND the High Priest ministry) - and the Melchizedek model that Christ follows which is "Another" priesthood entirely - where the priest must have "no beginning of days, nor end of days" and where the priest is not required to be of the tribe of Levi or descended from Aaron.

By Contrasting at the level of the entire Levitical system - not just the high priest segement WITHIN the Aaronic priesthood segment - the text provides no basis for retaining part of the Levitical model - not the daily priests - and not the High Priests.

Christ is then the "antitype" for the "Melchizedek" Type. Christ is the "reality" where Melchizedek merely foreshadowed Christ symbolically.

Try this


Heb 7
11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and NOT be designated according to the order of Aaron?

12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.
13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke Nothing concerning priests.
15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,
16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.


This it not contrasting some PART of the levitical priesthood - but ALL of the Levitical priesthood.

Christ was crucified on Passover - not "Yom Kippor". As Paul notes "Christ our Passover has been sacrificed". The "shadow" of the animal sacrific "the blood of Which can never take away sin" - is replaced by the blood of Christ.

It is the end of the ENTIRE sacrificial system. It ends ALL the animal sacrifices of ALL Levitical priests.

The text does not make the effort to say "the Levitical priesthood and the Aaronic priesthood remain - only the High priests from Among that group are replaced by Christ". Instead the text shows that the entire tribal affiliation with Levi - is done away with and replaced by the Melchizedek priesthood of Christ who alone fulfills the "requirements" as listed

Hebrews 7 -
1 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,
2 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.
3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.


Because of this - Paul argues that by the measure of the old Levitical system - Christ would not be any kind of priest - not highpriest and not the ordinary priest --

Heb 8
4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law;
5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things

The entire system of Levitical offerings - is contrasted to the Heavenly system. The Entire priesthood is rejected "Christ would not be any kind of priest AT ALL" on earth according to the Levitical system and the Aaronic priesthood - all of it.

This contrast is between an earthly "Levitical" model and a heavenly Priesthood where Christ alone "is the One Mediator between God and Man".

In Christ,

Bob

 

One very important point in Hebrews is that Christ is the only priest that can remove sin. The Jewish and the pagan priests then (and the Romish and Eastern priests now) all stood (stand) daily offering the same sacrifices over and over and still could not (and still cannot) remove sin, but Christ with His one sacrifice of Himself on Golgotha was able to remove sin forever and make the comers thereunto perfect.

(Heb 10:11-14) And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

(1 Tim 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

 

The contrast between the earthly "types" and the "reality that is in Christ" is seen in the Passover - Christ is the One True Lamb of God, in the priesthood - Christ is the One True Mediator between God and man, in the sanctuary - the Heavenly Sanctuary made without hands is THE One True Sanctuary where our highpriest ministers, the Holy and Most Holy Places - the Throne of God is the One True Holy Place and we are to come boldly before the throne of Grace.

Yom Kuppor on earth is then - merely a shadow of the great day of Atonement "reality" that begins with the "atoning sacrifice" (1John 2:2) of Christ and concludes with the "process" that is the "reality" of that service - performed in the heavenly sanctuary by our One True Mediator between God and man.

In Christ,

Bob

 

Maybe this is a good time to reiterate my point, no?

Why is the term "priest" conspicuously absent from every single one of Pauls epistles (except Hebrews if you accept Paul as its author)?

It is found in the gospels but referring to Old Testament Jewish priest. It is found in Acts referring to the same. It is found in I Peter referring to the "priesthood" of all believers as well as Revelation.

I Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years

 

Ed,
I guess my point is that the priesthood, along with other elements of the Old Testament, like the sacrificial system, ritual, Levitical law, temple etc has served its purpose and passed away.
There is not anywhere in the New Testament the shadow of an allusion to a Christian priest in the ordinary sense of the word, that is, a man qualified as over against others not qualified for the special function of offering sacrifices, making priestly intercessions or performing any other act which only a priest can perform.

The Epistle to the Hebrews attributed priesthood and high priesthood to Christ and Him alone. I think the whole arguement of the letter is that a Christian priesthood was unknown to the writer and unallowable. ( personally I do not believe that Paul was its author. That would make an interesting dicussion in itself). Christ is our hight priest and we are priests because we can now go right to God through Christ.

What do you think was the significance of the renting of the veil of the temple at Jesus' crucifiction?

BTW I am in the middle of relocating so I havent been keeping up with the Phils lately like I usually do. Keep you eye at the bottom of my posts and watch "Bucks County Pa." change to "Clearwater Fla"

 

Christ serves in heaven as our Highpriest

Actually - having Christ serve as our great high priest in heaven - and having the "heavenly" work of the "One Mediator between God and man" replace all the human systems "where many were called to serve because they all died" makes perfect sense and the "contrast" is between the "Levitical model" and the "Heavenly Model" - not between two parts of the Levitcal model.

Your argument is that you can not be contrasting the heavenly with the Levitical model "IF Christ is our Highpriest". But that just does not work as a solid objection since clearly we can "contrast Levitical model with Heavenly model
EVEN if Christ is our Highpriest".

Because (as you pointed out in your second post) the statement about the "Kingdom of Priests" that Peter makes AND that John makes in Rev 1 - is a global universal scope NOT an appeal to a sacred clergy contrasted to a profane laity. This would be a total rejection of the Levitical model - as well.

BOTH the Melchizedek Heavenly Highpriestly role of Christ AND The "Kingdom of Priests" where everyone is called to stand before God as a priest - stand opposed to the Levitical model and in fact - require its abolition.

With "everyone as a priest" you can not have a mediator between other Christians and God on earth (as in the case of the Levitical Priesthood ) - rather you can onlyl have the "ONE mediator" as in the case of Christ our Highpriest.

Yes. The chapter makes an "explicit" contrast between the ENTIRE priesthood that is of the Levitical order - of the tribe of Levi - and that of the Melchizedek priesthood which requires an eternal being "Without beginning of days or end of years".


Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

No because the Law that is "changed" is the Law mentioned in the text. The "law" that requires "A Levite" not someone from the tribe of Judah. In other words - it is the law that deals with the entire Levitical order that has to be changed going all the way to the root of the entire system - the very Tribal affiliation to Levi.

For this reasong "Christ would not be a priest At ALL" if He were on earth - because that entire model - that entire system - was merely a "shadow" of what was to come.

In Christ,

Bob

 

quotes104
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I guess my point is that the priesthood, along with other elements of the Old Testament, like the sacrificial system, ritual, Levitical law, temple etc has served its purpose and passed away.
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Christ becomes our Highpriest when He enters heaven according to the text - not while He is on earth as "the Lamb of God".

Christ becomes our highpriest because this is the "true antitype" to which all the Levitcal priesthood "types" point.

You might as well ask "Why have Christ come as the Lamb of God that take away the sins of the world if the Lamb sacrifice ends?". The very point of the lamb sacrifice was to point to the True Lamb. The very point of the Levitical priesthood was to point to the TRUE priest - the One Mediator between God and man.

Christ in heaven - is "fully God" in all His actions - the incarnation and His role as "The Son of Man" is not held in a way to annul His also being God. As the God-man He can stand as "the One Mediator" between God and man.

The "Kingdom of Priests" Rev 1:6 and the Royal Priesthood where EACH member of the church on earth is a priest - precludes the entire concept of the FEW Priests mediating on behalf of the MANY non-priests. That former system is ended.

EACH one as a priest is fundamental to the New Covenant "They shall not EACH one say to his brother Know the Lord, for ALL shall know Me". Hebrews 8.

The priests are EACH ONE to become witnesses to the lost world about the spiritual truths of God.

In Christ,

Bob

 

The "Kingdom of Priests" Rev 1:6 and the Royal Priesthood where EACH member of the church on earth is a priest - precludes the entire concept of the FEW Priests mediating on behalf of the MANY non-priests. That former system is ended.

Actually, before the Golden Calf episode in Genesis 32 when there were no Levitical priests per se, the entire nation of Israel was considered priestly, while simultaneously, the firstborn sons of Israel were consecrated to serve Israel as priests.

1. Israel's firstborn sons served as priests to Israel.

2. Israel served as the firstborn son and priest to the other nations.

At Sinai, all of Israel was laicized, and the Levites were given the priesthood in replacement of the firstborn sons. This was a probationary phase that was not part of God's original plan for Israel.

In the Church, the prefiguring foretype of Israel is fulfilled. All Christians become firstborn sons in Jesus Christ and are therefore priestly in Christ (in persona Chrisi). And, within the New Israel, there are those who share in the ministerial role of Christ as head (in persona Christi capitis) as the firstborn sons of Israel served Israel, the firstborn son (Cf. Ex 4:22) of the other nations.

 

(Heb 10:11-14)
And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

Not the high priest only, but every priest.

But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever

What could not be done by one singular priest, nor by the entire collection of priests was done by this one Man, Christ Jesus.

sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.

Whereas these priests stand because they have not accomplished the goal [removal of sins], He sits for he has accomplished it.

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

He and His sacrifice are sufficient - none other is needed.

By this is seen the fact that Christ replaces not only the high priest but the regular priest as well, for he did what niether of them could - removed sin.

Heb 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Whereas formerly, the High Priest alone could enter the Holy of Holies in the temple made with hands, and only once a year at that (not without blood lest he die), Christians (who are not the high priest, for Jesus Himself is) may enter the true Holy of Holies at whatever time they wish and may do so boldly. But, even so, it is still much the same, for just as only the High Priest could enter under the OT, still only the High Priest may enter now - those who are not the High Priest can only enter by virtue of being in the High Priest's body. This verse must be taken in account with (Heb 9:8) "The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:" - The entrance into the Holiest being Christ Jesus Himself and the blood required for entrance, His blood. If, therefore, all those in Christ's body may enter the Holy of Holies itself through Christ, what need have they of any mediator beside Christ? He is the only mediator because He is the entrance to the Holiest of all!!!!!!!