Jesus as High Priest

[richard n koustas]

I am listening to taped messages on the book of Hebrews. the speaker asked a couple questions that really got me thinking. so i was wondering what your thoughts might be.

Since Jesus is our High Priest, how does that affect or influence how you approach God?

Do we, as Christians, place too much emphasis on Jesus as our Saviour? and not enough emphasis on Jesus as our High Priest?

 

[richard n koustas]

BUMP

Let me ask a different way...What does this mean to you --> Jesus is YOUR High Priest ?

 

[webdog]

He is the One who presents my sacrifice to God...Himself. He is the mediator between God and myself. Without Him we would be forever separated due to my sin.

 

[Andy T.]

Along with what Webdog said, we have boldness and confidence before God. We have access to God the Father through Jesus. The veil into the Holy of Holies has been torn and we have individual access into God's presence. This is immensely helpful in our prayer life, for one. Some verses that deal with this boldness:

Eph. 3:11-12
Heb. 4:14-16
Heb. 10:19-25
I John 4:17-19

 

[richard n koustas]

The veil into the Holy of Holies has been torn and we have individual access into God's presence.

Isn't this one of the roles of the High Priest? This statement almost sounds like a High Priest is no longer necessary...

what about this question?

Do we, as Christians, place too much emphasis on Jesus as our Saviour? and not enough emphasis on Jesus as our High Priest?

I tend to think that that we do not emphasize enough Christ's position as High Priest...

I hear about Jesus as savior all the time. He is our savior once, from then on He is our High Priest. He is continually serving in that role by presenting our gifts and sacrifices and mediating for us

 

[J. Jump]

I tend to think that that we do not emphasize enough Christ's position as High Priest...

Amen!

I hear about Jesus as savior all the time. He is our savior once, from then on He is our High Priest. He is continually serving in that role by presenting our gifts and sacrifices and mediating for us[/quote\
People are never really taught about Jesus as the High Priest. It's obvious from the way salvation is taught today. With the way people are taught salvation they have no need of a High Priest, so there really isn't any need to teach anything about it

Great question Richard and I'm not surprised by the lack of responses.

 

[Helen]

Since our entire lives, as Christians, are based on our personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, what do you propose, or hear proposed, should be changed in a person's relationship to reflect His position as High Priest?

 

[Hope of Glory]

To build upon what J. Jump said, it is a problem with the way that salvation is taught today.

The Bible supports OSAS specifically, but then goes on to give warnings about faithful living, etc.

Most churches that see the truth of OSAS fail to teach the warnings and instead teaches either "it doesn't matter how you live" or "if you're really and truly saved [an idea not found in the Bible] then you won't do that anyway, so why teach it".

Jesus came as prophet.

Today he's our high priest.

One day, he will be King.

Although it would behoove us greatly to look at our relationship to him as our high priest, we also need to look at what it means that he will one day be King.

For a picture of that, look at the picture that is given in the OT: Saul was king, David was anointed king. David did not ascend the throne immediately. Instead, Saul finished out his rightful reign as king, while David surrounded himself with faithful followers who put themselves in hardship and danger to support him. Then, when Saul died, David assumed the throne, those who had been faithful were given positions of honor and glory, and everyone else was killed. (OK, OK, everyone else became subjects.)

A picture of the coming Kingdom. Satan is the god of this age. Jesus is the god of the age to come. (The picture of Saul and David.) We can choose to be faithful now, and have glory and honor in the coming Kingdom (the hard way), or we can take the easy way, live it up down, and be ashamed in the coming Kingdom.

In the same way, what is the picture that we are given of the high priest? How does Jesus currently fulfill that picture?

None come come to the Father but through the high priest. Now, we pray to the Father in the name of the Son.

So, let's look at a few things about the office of the high priest. This is taken from the New Topical Textbook for the sake of convenience and it is from Logos:

​

High Priest, The.​

​

1. Specially called of God. Ex 28:1,2; Heb 5:4.​

2. Consecrated to his office. Ex 40:13; Le 8:12.​

3. Was called​

a. The priest. Ex 29:30; Ne 7:65.​

b. God’s high priest. Ac 23:4.​

c. Ruler of the people. Ex 22:28; Ac 23:5.​

4. The office of, hereditary. Ex 29:29.​

5. Next in rank to the king. La 2:6.​

6. Often exercised chief civil power. 1Sa 4:18.​

7. Duties of​

a. Offering gifts and sacrifices. Heb 5:1.​

b. Lighting the sacred lamps. Ex 30:8; Nu 8:3.​

c. Making atonement in the most holy place once a year. Le 16:1-34; Heb 9:7.​

d. Bearing before the Lord the names of Israel for a memorial. Ex 28:12,29.​

e. Enquiring of God by Urim and Thummim. 1Sa 23:9-12; 30:7,8.​

f. Consecrating the Levites. Nu 9:11-21.​

g. Appointing priests to offices. 1Sa 2:36.​

h. Taking charge of money collected in the sacred treasury. 2Ki 12:10; 22:4.​

i. Presiding in the superior court. Mt 26:3,57-62; Ac 5:21-28; 23:1-5.​

j. Taking the census of the people. Nu 1:3.​

k. Blessing the people. Le 9:22,23.​

8. Sometimes enabled to prophesy. Joh 11:49-52.​

9. Assisted by a deputy. 2Sa 15:24; Lu 3:2.​

10. The deputy of​

a. Called the second priest. 2Ki 25:18.​

b. Had oversight of the tabernacle. Nu 4:16.​

c. Had oversight of the Levites. Nu 3:32.​

11. To marry a virgin of Aaron’s family. Le 21:13,14.​

12. Forbidden to mourn for any. Le 21:1-12.​

13. To be tender and compassionate. Heb 5:2.​

14. Needed to sacrifice for himself. Heb 5:1-3.​

15. Special garments of​

a. Ephod with its curious girdle. Ex 28:6,7.​

b. Girdle. Ex 28:4,39.​

c. Broidered coat. Ex 28:4,39.​

d. Robe of the ephod. Ex 28:31-35.​

e. Breastplate. Ex 28:15-29.​

f. Linen mitre. Ex 28:4,39.​

g. Plate or crown of gold, &c. Ex 28:36-38.​

16. Made by divine wisdom given to Bezaleel, &c. Ex 28:3; 36:1; 39:1.​

17. Were for beauty and ornament. Ex 28:2.​

18. Worn at his consecration. Le 8:7,9.​

a. Worn seven days after consecration. Ex 29:30.​

b. Descended to his successors. Ex 29:29.​

19. Wore the ordinary priest’s garments when making atonement in the holy place. Le 16:4.​

20. Office of, promised to the posterity of Phinehas for his zeal. Nu 25:12,13.​

21. Family of Eli degraded from office of, for bad conduct. 1Sa 2:27-36.​

22. Sometimes deposed by the kings. 1Ki 2:27.​

23. Office of, made annual by the Romans. Joh 11:49-51; Ac 4:6.​

24. Typified Christ in​

a. Being called of God. Heb 5:4,5.​

b. His title. Heb 3:1.​

c. His appointment. Isa 61:1; Joh 1:32-34.​

d. Making atonement. Le 16:33; Heb 2:17.​

e. Splendid dress. Ex 28:2; Joh 1:14.​

f. Being liable to temptation. Heb 2:18.​

g. Compassion and sympathy for the weak and ignorant. Heb 4:15; 5:1,2.​

h. Marrying a virgin. Le 21:13,14; 2Co 11:2.​

i. Holiness of office. Le 21:15; Heb 7:26.​

j. Performing by himself all the services on day of atonement. Le 16:1-34; Heb 1:3.​

k. Bearing the names of Israel upon his heart. Ex 28:29; Song 8:6.​

l. Alone entering into most holy place. Heb 9:7,12,24; 4:14.​

m. Interceding. Nu 16:43-48; Heb 7:25.​

n. Blessing. Le 9:22,23; Ac 3:26.​

25. Inferior to Christ in​

a. Needing to make atonement for his own sins. Heb 5:2,3; 7:26-28; 9:7.​

b. Being of the order of Aaron. Heb 6:20; 7:11-17; 8:4,5,1,2,6.​

c. Being made without an oath. Heb 7:20-22.​

d. Not being able to continue. Heb 7:23,24.​

e. Offering oftentimes the same sacrifices. Heb 9:25,26,28; 10:11,12,14.​

f. Entering into holiest every year. Heb 9:7,12,25.​

http://www.baptistboard.com/#_ftn1 http://www.baptistboard.com/#_ftnref1Torrey, R.A.: The New Topical Text Book : A Scriptural Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos research Systems, Inc., 1995, c1897

 

[richard n koustas]

Since our entire lives, as Christians, are based on our personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, what do you propose, or hear proposed, should be changed in a person's relationship to reflect His position as High Priest?

when we are saved, we are saved once. Jesus's role as 'saviour' is over. like a lifeguard that rescues someone drowning. from that point on, He is serving as our high priest.

reading quickly through hebrews, here is a list of what Jesus is doing right now as our High Priest:

he offers both gifts and sacrifices for sins: - Heb. 5:1, 8:3

has compassion on the ignorant - 5:2

offers up prayers and supplications - 5:7

entereth into that within the veil; - 6:19

His priesthood is continual. - 7:3

made a surety of a better testament. - 7:22

he ever liveth to make intercession for us - 7: 25

set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens - 8:1

mediator of a better covenant, - 8:6

Now, knowing He is currently serving in this capacity...how does that change how you approach the Father? Maybe it doesn't change things for you, but it sure makes me stop and think...

HoG, thanks for the references...:thumbs:

 

[ituttut]

I am listening to taped messages on the book of Hebrews. the speaker asked a couple questions that really got me thinking. so i was wondering what your thoughts might be.

Since Jesus is our High Priest, how does that affect or influence how you approach God?

Do we, as Christians, place too much emphasis on Jesus as our Saviour? and not enough emphasis on Jesus as our High Priest?

Yes He is our High Priest as we see in Psalm 110:4, and explained in Hebrews. I believe we are to understand He is our High Priest that entered into the Most Holy Place, as Man and God. The Man that was not a Priest was slaughtered, but as Priest Melchisedec Christ our Lord (no beginning and no end) today sits next to His Father in Heaven. We call our High Priest our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As shown below our Lord was made a High Priest.

"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an High Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec" (Heb. 6:19,20). Christ is our forerunnear. Who is that ahead, that one that is leading us "within the veil"? Paul makes it very clear we are to follow no one else but Christ, for no Man Priest can, or could ever do. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

We need to remember we are not Israel, and Abraham was Abram the Gentile when Melchisedec appeared on the scene. Our High Priest (both Jew and Gentile today) entered once bringing us eternal redemption. Jesus Christ consecrated us through the veil, i.e. His flesh.

We see Paul doesn't mention Our High Priest in His Epistles until we get to His Book addressed to the Hebrew people, the nation of Israel. He desires them to "come without the camp". Our High Priest is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, of whom Body we are in.

 

[J. Jump]

Christ's role as King/Priest after the order of Mechelzidek is yet future. He is soley High Priest at this point although He is the Annointed King. He is not currently reigning as King. Satan is still the god of this world. Satan is still currently reigning over the earth, but many thanks to God Almighty that reign is about to end!!!

 

[ituttut]

Christ's role as King/Priest after the order of Mechelzidek is yet future. He is soley High Priest at this point although He is the Annointed King. He is not currently reigning as King. Satan is still the god of this world. Satan is still currently reigning over the earth, but many thanks to God Almighty that reign is about to end!!!

Hello J. Jump, I didn't address "King", and agree with much of what you say. It is difficult to not agree with all, for what you present looks so right. Satan is the prince of this world, and God has never given up His Kingship, as He is King before He became man, and He is Priest that came to Abram.

In physical form the King came as prophesied to offer the Kingdom of God to His Nation Israel, and that is "out the window for now". What was that gospel of John the Baptist? The Kingdom is at hand. The "Kingdom of heaven", and the "Kingdom of God" are synonymous, yet different. We find in His Word not only different "stages", but also different "departments" of the Kingdom of God.

We today (by Grace in the Body of Christ) wait to meet our Lord in the air. I believe we in the "Body Church" have accepted our KING in HEAVEN. Our King will come for us that have accepted HIM. Scripture shows we are now married to Him, and in the Body of Christ, the Bridegroom (Romans 7:4).

After this great event, then the King to come can and will come for His Nation Israel. Their King came, and they rejected him, refused their King - they "stumbled. If they had not there would have been no Damascus Road, and no Apostle to the Gentile. God is our King, but Jesus Christ is not our King in the "millennium". We cannot try to wrest from Israel what is not ours to take. Jesus said He came only for His own as their Messiah - King

In prophecy there is a land, and it is for the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 17:8), also a Holy City, and it is promised to those of the circumcision gospel. God the King will take His Throne in His established Holy City of Jerusalem, and His Bride Israel, those promised that make up the earthly citizens of Jerusalem, their home.

Revelation 21:1-3, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."

Revelation 21:9, "And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,"

 

[richard n koustas]

"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an High Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec" (Heb. 6:19,20). Christ is our forerunnear. Who is that ahead, that one that is leading us "within the veil"? Paul makes it very clear we are to follow no one else but Christ, for no Man Priest can, or could ever do. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

Are we "inside the veil"? I read 2 different commentators. one said that we are inside the veil. the other said that we can peak inside the veil, but cannot enter, Jesus, as our high priest, is the only one qualified.

 

[J. Jump]

We today (by Grace in the Body of Christ) wait to meet our Lord in the air. I believe we in the "Body Church" have accepted our KING in HEAVEN. Our King will come for us that have accepted HIM. Scripture shows we are now married to Him, and in the Body of Christ, the Bridegroom (Romans 7:4).

After this great event, then the King to come can and will come for His Nation Israel. Their King came, and they rejected him, refused their King - they "stumbled. If they had not there would have been no Damascus Road, and no Apostle to the Gentile. God is our King, but Jesus Christ is not our King in the "millennium". We cannot try to wrest from Israel what is not ours to take. Jesus said He came only for His own as their Messiah - King

Have to disagree with you here on several points, but that's for a different post

 

[ituttut]

Are we "inside the veil"? I read 2 different commentators. one said that we are inside the veil. the other said that we can peak inside the veil, but cannot enter, Jesus, as our high priest, is the only one qualified.

Thanks for the question Richard. The only way we can qualify is by being in the "Body of Christ", the Body Church. I believe as Christ revealed to Paul what God had hidden we know what is beyond the veil.

Believing Paul is the Apostle to the Gentile and the Jew, I believe Paul to be the author of the Book of Hebrews. It only makes sense for him to write a separate Book to his own nation Israel of the Hebrew race. Israel had stumbled, the "Kingdom is not now coming", and Paul is now bidding them to come out of Judaism. He is inviting them into the Holy of Holies in Hebrews 10:19-20. The Jew can now enter just as me a Gentile, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh. We are justified through the faith of Jesus Christ, and now the Jew can be also.

I believe we in the Body of Christ are "within the veil". Being Berean I believe we can prove it by scripture. We find in Hebrews 1:3, and then 4:10 the Jew is being shown what Peter says, i.e. the Jew can now be saved as the Gentile by the preaching of the Cross, where all our sins have been purged, and the Son of God is now in the heavenlies, and has ceased from His works, accomplishing all. Paul is telling them they can now take their place in heaven. Now they can be in the Body Church.

In Hebrews 13:13 Paul urges them to go to Him, Jesus Christ "without the camp", and then in 6:19-20, they are "both sure and stedfast" in the hope and entered "within the veil" that our forerunner entered for us.

I know this is not what is usually taught, but this is what I have been shown from where I have been positioned in Him.

 

[ituttut]

[/i][/color][/font]
Have to disagree with you here on several points, but that's for a different post

yes, agree