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New Testament Priesthood

New Testament Priesthood. Book of Hebrews. Introduction. Jewish converts to Christianity felt alienated and isolated from their nation Expelled from the temple, they could not participate in the Jewish rituals

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New Testament Priesthood

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  1. New Testament Priesthood Book of Hebrews

  2. Introduction • Jewish converts to Christianity felt alienated and isolated from their nation • Expelled from the temple, they could not participate in the Jewish rituals • In Hebrews, St. Paul writes to them to explain that they obtained the true heavenly temple instead of the symbolic temple • They have: • Heavenly High Priest instead of the Levitical priesthood • Heavenly citizenship instead of Jewish citizenship • Heavenly Jerusalem instead of the earthly Jerusalem • The purpose of this epistle was to confirm that Christianity does not mean deprivation, but rather obtaining the true heavenly form of worship and enjoying it for eternity

  3. Destruction of the Temple • Destruction of the temple imminent – end of the Levitical priesthood

  4. Arch of Titus – 1st century AD

  5. Christ & the Prophets • Hebrews 1:1-4God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

  6. Prophet vs. Priest • Why did St. Paul start by comparing Christ to the prophets? • The same God that spoke through the prophets is speaking now through His Son • Moses the prophet was their leader, his brother Aaron was the high priest. • Moses represents the revelation of the divine truth through the Law • Aaron represents the practical aspects of worship and sacrifices which reconciled man with God

  7. Prophet vs. Priest • So that man may live as a true believer, he must know and accept the truth (as revealed by Moses), and live a life of true worship (as represented by Aaron)

  8. Characteristics of the NT Priesthood • A heavenly calling • According to the order of Melchizedek • Change in the Priesthood • Eternal Unchangeable Priesthood • New Testament Sacrifice • New Testament Altar

  9. 1. Heavenly Calling • Hebrews 5:5-6And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You."

  10. Heavenly Calling • God chose Aaron and his sons to serve as priests • Special priestly garments • Exodus 28:3-4So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest. And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash.

  11. Heavenly Calling • Rebellion of Korah • Numbers 16:3They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?

  12. Heavenly Calling • Numbers 16:28, 31-32And Moses said: “By this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will…Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods.

  13. Heavenly Calling • In the NT, our Lord Jesus Christ called the 12 apostles and the 72 disciples • Speaking to his disciples He said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit ” (John 15:16)

  14. Heavenly Calling • Aaron and his sons were anointed with oil to consecrate them for service to the Lord. • “And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him.” (Lev 8:12) • The apostles in the NT were also anointed with the Holy Spirit at the Pentecost • Passed on by the laying on of hands

  15. 2. According to the order of Melchizedek • Hebrews 7:1-3For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace,“ without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

  16. Melchizedek • The story of Melchizedek is mentioned in the Genesis 14. • Abraham welcomed Melchizedek, as both a king and priest, after his victory over King Chedorlaomer, and rescuing his nephew Lot. • Abraham offered tithes to Melchizedek who offered a strange sacrifice of bread and wine. This story represents a mystery to the Jews, who still cannot explain it. • Remains a priest continually

  17. Abraham tithes to Melchizedek • Hebrews 7:4-5Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;

  18. Many Questions • How can Abraham the Patriarch who had the Levitical priesthood in his seed, offer tithes to a strange man? • Why did this king and priest appear in the Holy Bible and suddenly disappear, and nobody knows anything about his father or mother or his genealogy? • Why did he not offer a bloody sacrifice as was the custom at that time? • What kind of priest was he?

  19. Melchizedek is a symbol of Christ • Melchizedek being the symbol of the Lord Christ, has surpassed even Abraham who is carrying the priesthood in himself. • He was the symbol of the Lord Christ, thus considered better than the one who obtained the promises. • So even from the beginning, God is declaring that the New Testament priesthood is greater than that of the Old Testament

  20. Christ vs. Melchizedek • Melchizedek linguistically means “the king of righteousness” • Referred to as "King of Salem," that is king of peace • He is both King and Priest • No genealogy • Offered bread and wine

  21. St. Jerome • “You are a Priest forever, not through offering Jewish sacrifices, but rather on the order of Melchizedek. As Melchizedek, King of Salem, offered bread and wine (Gen. 14: 18), You also offer Your Body and Blood as the true Body and the True Blood. This is our Melchizedek who granted us the divine Sacrifice, for He said, ‘He who eats my Body and drinks my Blood...’ (John 6:55), according to the order of Melchizedek, granting us His mysteries.”

  22. 3. Change in the Priesthood • Hebrews 7:11Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?

  23. The Nature of the Priesthood • The promise came of a priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron or Levi. • This means there is an alteration of the features and nature of priesthood. Also it reveals the weakness of the first priesthood and its being unperfected, or why then is there a need for a different rite? • The Levitical priesthood was established according to a divine call, and was connected to the Law of God, but it was only to prepare the minds to understand another priesthood, which is the priesthood of the Lord Jesus.

  24. Change in Tribe • Hebrews 7:13-14For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

  25. Change in Tribe • The priesthood was transferred from the tribe of Levi to the tribe of Judah • This change in the tribe was not without a purpose, for the tribe of Judah is the royal tribe from whom the kings of Judah came. This is to point out that in Christ only, the new priesthood has met with the royal work, which has never happened before.

  26. Change in Tribe • The prophecy of the Patriarch Jacob was fulfilled concerning Judah when he said, "Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's children shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; and as a lion, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes. And to Him shall be the obedience of the people" (Gen. 49:8-10).

  27. Change of the Law • Hebrews 7:12, 15-17For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. For He testifies: "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."

  28. Change of the Law • The change of priesthood requires change of the Law, for there are certain regulations and commandments for each priesthood. • The Levitical priesthood serves through the bloody sacrifices and the washing of the bodies as a symbol, based on the OT Law. • However there appeared a new covenant, a new Law, and new teachings, not to contradict the past, but to complement it.

  29. Change of the Law • It reveals its depth, and we are carried from childhood to spiritual maturity, from the promise of earthly blessings like the promised land which overflows with milk and honey to heavenly promises and union with the Father in His Son. • Therefore, the Lord emphasized that He did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill it (Matt. 5:17).

  30. Annulling the Levitical Priesthood • Hebrews 7:18-19For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. • Annulling the Levitical priesthood and establishing the new priesthood means annulling the former commandment for it is unable to draw us near to God and unite us with Him

  31. 4. Eternal Unchangeable Priesthood • Hebrews 7:23-24Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. • In the old priesthood, many priests were called, so that if one dies, the other succeeds him • The reason for the weakness of the former priesthood is that it was not connected to one priest, but to many priests from the sons of Kohath, the sons of Levi. The high priest used to rejoice when his son succeeds him, for he cannot stay forever.

  32. Unchangeable Priesthood • However, the priesthood of the Lord Jesus is eternal, for death cannot overpower Him. Through His incarnation, He declared His priesthood; and when He died, He did not lose His priesthood, for death cannot defile Him, nor stop His intercession as an Advocate. • On the contrary, His death was the foundation of His priesthood, for He offered Himself a Sacrifice of love to the Father, thus, He became the Priest and the Sacrifice at the same time.

  33. Unchangeable Priesthood • The Lord rose to declare the eternity of His priesthood and His heavenly Sacrifice. Hence, His priesthood remains permanent and His Sacrifice effective and cannot be repeated! • His priesthood is still effective in His Church and His Sacrifice is present and does not perish, nor gets old. • Through this surpassing Priesthood and unique Sacrifice, the Church enjoys priesthood and sacrificial services, in the Lord Christ, the Priest and Sacrifice.

  34. Unchangeable Priesthood • Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. • This is the fountain of power from which the priests derive their work and offerings, for they practice the priesthood by putting on the Lord Christ, the High Priest, and what they offer is the sacrifice of Christ which cannot be repeated.

  35. 5. New Testament Sacrifice • Hebrews 2:17-18Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

  36. Sacrifice • He is both the High Priest and the Sacrifice, offering Himself for the sins of the people • Christ sacrificed not goats nor calves nor birds; not bread; not blood nor flesh, as did Aaron and his posterity: he offered his own body and blood, and the manner of the sacrifice was spiritual; for it took place through the Holy Spirit.

  37. Sacrifice once for all • St. John Chrysostom proposed the question, the sacrifice of the daily Eucharist, is it repeated? Meaning, the Sacrifice of Christ on the cross, is it repeated? • He answered by saying: “It is not a different sacrifice as the high priest used to do, but rather it is one and the same Sacrifice offered daily.” • Hebrews 12:14For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

  38. Sacrifice once for all • Hebrews 10:16-18This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them, then He adds, 'Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.' Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. • No other sacrifice is needed

  39. Priestly Suffering • Hebrews 5:7-8who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

  40. Fr. Tadros Malaty • “He is not like Aaron who wears the priesthood clothes, and practices his rituals as priest with no sacrificing on His part, but rather he was oriented and dignified by people. On the contrary our Jesus; He was clothed with the garment of humility. He carried our body, but with no sin, and practiced His priesthood by prayers, supplications, cries, tears, and even death on the cross. His priesthood was connected to His sacrifice, thus becoming a unique rite, the rite of suffering and of sacrificing love even until death! He changed our concept of the work of priesthood; it is no more authority and honor in the eyes of the priest, but rather acceptance of death with the slain Christ, all day long, for the sake of the Beloved!”

  41. Priestly Suffering • This is what St. Paul experienced in his apostolic work, as he says, "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. But be that as it may, I did not burden you" (2 Cor. 12:15,16). • St. John Chrysostom - “May you see the inflamed fire in my heart so you may know that I burn inside, more than the sorrow of a young wife who lost her husband, or a father who lost his son; my sorrow is for my people.”

  42. 6. New Testament Altar • Hebrews 13:10-11We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.

  43. New Testament Altar • In the Jewish rite, the Jewish priests had no right to eat from the beasts whose blood was brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin. Instead they were burnt outside the camp. • How much more then are they prevented from enjoying the Sacrifice of the Lord Christ who was crucified outside the camp, and risen to heaven! • They were deprived of what we enjoy, the Lord's Body and Blood shed for us; the mystery of the Eucharist for our sanctification

  44. New Testament Altar • Isaiah 19:19In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. • Malachi 1:11For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations,” Says the LORD of hosts.

  45. Summary • A heavenly calling • According to the order of Melchizedek • Change in the Priesthood • Eternal Unchangeable Priesthood • New Testament Sacrifice • New Testament Altar

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