The Priesthood of Christ

The Priesthood of Christ

By Apostle Felix

22 Actually, nearly everything under the law was purified with blood, since forgiveness only comes through an outpouring of blood. 23 And so it was necessary for all the earthly symbols of the heavenly realities to be purified with these animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves required a superior sacrifice than these. Hebrews 9: 22, 23

The Bible is the revelation of Christ. Christ is concealed in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament. He is portrayed in types and shadows in the Old Testament. He is a mystery, and the mystery has been revealed in the New Testament. Christ was overshadowed and hidden in animal sacrifices, personalities such as Joseph and David, and Jewish feasts. This mystery was also hidden from satan. If satan had known, he was not going to participate in the death of the Son of God. Killing Jesus, satan thought he had succeeded at killing God in man. This was because satan did not God in man (Immanuel) on earth. God in man was a threat to his dark empire.

7 Instead, we continually speak of this wonderful wisdom that comes from God, hidden before now in a mystery. It is his secret plan, destined before the ages, to bring us into glory. 8 None of the rulers of this present world order understood it, for if they had, they never would have crucified the Lord of shining glory. 1 Corinthians 2: 7, 8

The priesthood of Aaron was a shadow of the priesthood of Christ. That was Christ in the shadow. All the sacrifices were pointing to Christ, who is the ultimate sacrifice. The order of Aaron is a priestly division in which the priests conducted sacrifices according to the laws and regulations of the old covenant. Aaron was a Levite, so the order of Aaron is also called the Levitical priesthood. However, the priest of Jesus Christ, is according to the order of Melchizedek.

1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek. Hebrews 7: 1, 17

Melchizedek was a person who lived during the time of Abraham about 2,000 years before Jesus came to this earth. He represents Christ. Melchizedek is mentioned in only two places in the Old Testament; he is just described as “king of Salem” who lived in the time of Abraham. There are no exact records of how he became a priest or where “Salem” was located.

This mysterious figure, Melchizedek, brought out bread and wine to bless Abraham as he was returning from a battle where he had defeated the kings and their armies to rescue his nephew Lot. The Bible calls this Melchizedek “priest of God Most High.” In His sovereignty, God planned That Jesus should come as a priest in the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron. The reason for this, is that Melchizedek was both king and priest. And his description fits the Son of God. One without genealogy or family.

2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Hebrews 7: 2, 3

Melchizedek was a royal priest, who was both king and priest and that overshadowed Jesus who came as a royal priest. Melchizedek was a man whose genealogy was untraceable just like Jesus as the Son of God. He is eternal. He is God, without father or mother. Man needed a saviour who is indestructible. Jesus is that Saviour. Death could not keep Him in the tomb. He was resurrected as the Son of God. And not only did He resurrect, but He resurrected everyone that believes in Him. And He calls them kings and priests.