139 – The Offices of Christ – The Priest

SEMESTER 3

139 – The Offices of Christ – The Priest

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: THEOLOGY III LESSON # 39
THE OFFICES OF CHRIST (PRIEST)

Read Hebrews 6:20-10:38. (Read this passage carefully.)

INTRODUCTION:

1. The biblical doctrines of Christ are sometimes most clearly seen when considered from the standpoint of His offices. One of the most important of these is the office of priest.
2. The New Testament is so full of this theme, we cannot be exhaustive. We must be selective.
3. It is for this reason, I shall approach the subject from these five view­points:

i. The definition of a priest.
ii. The origin of Christ’s priesthood.
iii. The necessity of His priesthood.
iv. The work of His priesthood.
v. The perpetuity of His priesthood.

I. THE DEFINITION OF A PRIEST

1. The word priest comes from the Greek words hiereus (hee-er-yooce’) and heiros (hee-er-os’). The words basically mean sacred.
2. Thus, it carries the basic connotation of one who is involved with sacred, or holy things, as opposed to being involved with profane, or secular things.
3. Reading Heb. 8:1-6, we learn that the priest is a mediator of a covenant of some kind.
4. That is to say, he serves in some way between two parties, who cannot, or will not come together directly.

II. THE ORIGIN OF CHRIST’S PRIESTHOOD

1. Two priestly orders are shown in the Reads. (Heb. 7:11)

i. The order of Aaron (Levitical). (Heb. 7:23)
ii. The order of Melchisedec (eternal). (Heb. 7:17)

2. The Levitical priesthood (order of Aaron) was designed only to foreshadow the order of Melchisedec. (Heb. 10:1)
3. Whether Melchisedec were a christophany, or a man known by men in his day, he was a figure of Christ, “The High Priest forever.” (Heb. 6:20)
4. It is to be understood then, that He was ordained the only true priest, or mediator, from the foundation of the world. (Compare I Tim. 2:5 to Heb. 7:3 and Heb. 7:17)

III. THE NECESSITY OF HIS PRIESTHOOD

1. No gift offered before Christ could take away sins. (Heb. 10:4-5)
2. No priest could intercede in perpetual efficiency, because he was to die. (Heb. 7:23-25)
3. Conversely, Christ:

i. Offered up a perfect sacrifice, Himself. (Heb. 10:5-7)
ii. Intercedes perpetually, seeing He dieth no more. (Heb. 7:25)

IV. THE WORK OF CHRIST’S PRIESTHOOD

1. The basic function of the priesthood is seen in two aspects of service.

i. The offering of an oblation (proper sacrifice).
ii. Intercession for the people.

2. There is a perfect unity between these two aspects of priestly service:

i. The propriety of the sacrifice, justifies the intercession.
ii. The intercession has its efficacy in the merit of the sacrifice.
iii. Thus, each is inefficient and insufficient without the other.

3. In Christ’s priesthood, we see this perfect work.

i. He offered the perfect and final sacrifice. (Jn. 19:30, Heb. 10:11-14)
ii. He makes perpetual and acceptable intercession. (Heb. 7:23, Jn. 17:9-15, Luke 22:31-32)

4. The result of this mediatorial, or priestly, service is eternal reconcilia­tion, or atonement. (Rom. 5:8-11)
5. Be aware that the reception of atonement in verse 11 is not merely justification by His death, but salvation by His life (intercession). (Verse 10)