The document discusses the priesthood in scripture, focusing on Jesus' priesthood being after the order of Melchizedek rather than the Levitical order. It notes key differences between the Levitical and Melchizedek priesthoods and their implications. Specifically, (1) Jesus' priesthood provides believers a better hope and way of salvation through His one-time sacrifice, (2) all believers have the opportunity to become priests like Melchizedek rather than based on birthright alone, and (3) Jesus serves as a merciful high priest who can empathize with human struggles.

1. Priesthood

2. • Better
• Faith
• Blood
• Priesthood

3. Priest
• Aprox. 850x in scripture
• Majority in OT, Gospels, Acts –
refer to Levitical, high priest of day etc
• Frequently in Hebrews – 34x
(Priesthood 5x)
• Rare in epistles etc – 1 Peter 2x, Rev 3x
• 25x in Hebrews 4:14 – 8:6

4. Context
Hebrews 3, 4:1-13
• C of I failed to enter their rest
(promised land) because of
unbelief
• Joshua (4:8) could not provide a
true rest
• Another way required

5. A better way
• “a great high priest” (4:14) - Jesus
• Immed a succinct description of a
unique high priest and mediator (4:15)
• Tempted in all points like us
• BUT “without sin”
• Therefore v14 “let US hold firmly to
the faith we profess” (NIV) and
• v16 “Let US therefore come boldly
(with confidence) unto the throne of
grace….”

6. Priesthood
Heb 5:1-4
Levitical/Aaronic/human priesthood
• v2 – “he himself also is compassed with
infirmity” – could identify with the problems
of the people
• v3 – “also for himself, to offer for sins”
• v4 – had to be called by God like Aaron

7. Priesthood
• Heb 5:5-10
• So Christ was “begotten” (v5)
• “a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec” (v6,10)
• But he had to learn obedience and
suffer (v8)
• Became source of eternal salvation (v9)

8. Melchisedec
• Gen 14:18-20
Historical account
• Psalm 110:4
Prophecy
• Hebrews 5-8
Details

9. Priesthood of Melchisedec
• Mentioned in Heb 5:6,10 and
6:20
• Details (antitype) in Heb 7
• Summary in Heb 8:1-6

10. Melchisedec (Heb 7)
• King of righteousness
• An individual (king & priest) – v1
• 1st King of righteousness then King of
peace (v2). See Isaiah 32:17
• “consider how great this man was” (v4)
• Met Abraham – given tithes (v2,4)
Levi descendant of Abraham (v5,9-10)
Blessed Abraham (v6,7)

11. Melchisidec ?
• An individual - Gen 14:18
• Shem
– Alive at time of Abraham (Gen 11:10-11)
– Very important - (blessing of Noah – Gen
9:26)
– Firstborn – always mentioned 1st (e.g. Gen
9:10)
– Firstborn acted as priest
– Became king & priest after death of Noah

12. Melchisedec (Heb 7)
• An individual BUT…
• Without father & mother (v3)
• No beginning or end (v3)
• “Abideth a priest continually” (v3)
Speaking of priesthood

13. Priesthood of Melchisedec
(Heb 7)
If therefore perfection were by the
Levitical priesthood, (for under it the
people received the law,) what
further need was there that another
priest should rise after the order of
Melchisedec, and not be called after
the order of Aaron? (v11)

14. Priesthood of Melch. (Heb 7)
• From line of Judah (v14)
• “Priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec” (v17)
• Made with an oath (v21,28)
• “unchangeable priesthood” (v24)
• Characteristics of HP – v26
• Single sacrifice (v27)

15. Comparison
Levitical
Line of Levi
Direct descent
30 to 50 years
20 years
Priest only
No oath
Annual sacrifice
“Made nothing perfect”
Melchisedec
Line of Judah
No descent
No beginning or end
For ever
Priest and King
Made with an oath
Single sacrifice
“A better hope”

16. Summary - Heb 8
But now hath he obtained a more
excellent ministry, by how much also he
is the mediator of a better covenant,
which was established upon better
promises. (v6)
Now of the things which we have
spoken this is the sum: We have such
an high priest, who is set on the right
hand of the throne of the Majesty in
the heavens; (v1)

17. Relevance for us
Jesus
is our mediator
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be
made like unto his brethren, that he might be a
merciful and faithful high priest in things
pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for
the sins of the people. For in that he himself
hath suffered being tempted, he is able to
succour them that are tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-
18)

18. Relevance for us
• If Jesus is an HP after the order of
Melchisedec, there must be other priests
• Nothing to do with birthright and age
• Requires faith and obedience
? US

19. Relevance for us
Provides us with a hope
Which hope we have as an anchor of
the soul, both sure and stedfast, and
which entereth into that within the
veil; Whither the forerunner is for
us entered, even Jesus, made an high
priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec. (Hebrews 6:19-20)

20. Relevance for us
Seeing then that we have a great
high priest, that is passed into
the heavens, Jesus the Son of
God, let us hold fast our
profession. (Hebrews 4:14)

21. Relevance for us
And hast made us unto our God kings and
priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
(Revelation 5:10)
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.
(Revelation 20:6)