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Articles
The New Testament Priesthood
Let's look at the New Testament priesthood of Jesus and our priesthood. The Priesthood of Jesus - It was prophesied in the Old Testament, "The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." Psalms 110:4. We see this fulfilled in Jesus, "So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." Heb.5:5-6. Jesus did not assume this role; for God called Jesus to this place of honor, as he did Aaron under the Old Testament. Here are 3 reasons why Jesus' priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood under the law of Moses. 1.) Those priests died, but Jesus has an unchangeable priesthood, for he ever liveth now, Heb.7:23-25. 2.) They offered sacrifices for their own sins and then the sins of people. But Jesus was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, he was the sinless Son of God, Heb.7:26-27. 3.) Animal blood just could not take care of the sin problem. Heb.10:4, "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." Only the blood of Christ has the real power to take away sin, Heb.9:25-26, Rev.1:5! The Priesthood of Every Believer- In 1 Pet.2:5 & 9 we read, "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 . . . But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" In this passage Peter is affirming the priesthood of every believer. For the book was addressed to the Christians scattered abroad, chap.1:1. In the New Testament order, there is not a separate group of the saints that serve as priests for the rest, as was in the Old Testament, (and as seen in churches of men). No, every child of God has the exalted privilege of becoming a part of this holy priesthood, this royal priesthood. Priests are those that offer sacrifices to God. Now we "offer up spiritual sacrifices" today under New Testament practice, by Jesus Christ our high priest. The Hebrew writer put it this way about these spiritual sacrifices, "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Heb.13:15-16. We become a part of this priestly order when we believe and obey the gospel of Christ. Have you turned to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith and obedience?
