“A Change of the Law” “A Change of the Law” Heb. 7:12 HEB 7.12

Hebrews 7.12 “For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.” New Law communicated through Son Christ is superior to angels and Moses Declares a change in the Law Introduction: A. Hebrews written to Christians under pressure to abandon Christ and return to Judaism. *** 1. Affirms God no longer speaks through prophets, but His Son. (1:1-4). *** 2. Affirms Christ is superior to angels (1.4) or Moses (3.3). *** 3. Affirms a change of the law. (Text). a. No need to turn down ham or catfish. (Cf. Deut 14:8-10). b. No need to fear death for working on Saturday. (Ex. 31:14,15).

Hebrews 7.12 “For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.” New Law communicated through Son Christ is superior to angels and Moses Declares a change in the Law Declares WHEN the Law was changed Gives Three Reasons… 4. Affirms when the law changed. Heb. 9:15-17 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. a. Thief and young ruler under old law. b. Jesus and disciples kept Sabbath under old law. ***B. Hebrews gives three reasons why a change of the law was necessary.

Three Reasons for the Change Priesthood of Jesus The Weakness of Humanity The Sacrifice of Jesus B. Hebrews gives three reasons why a change of the law was necessary. 1. The Priesthood of Jesus. 2. The Weakness of Humanity. 3. The Sacrifice of Jesus. Discussion:

The Priesthood of Jesus Before the Law…Melchizedek – Heb 7.1-3; Gen 14.18-20 I. The Priesthood of Jesus Demanded a Change of Law. A. Before the law Melchizedek was a priest. Heb 7:1-3 “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 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," 3 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.” Gen 14:18-20 “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said:" Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all” 1. Before Levi, Aaron, Moses or the Law. 2. Greater than Levites, yet not under the law. (7:4-10).

The Priesthood of Jesus Before the Law…Melchizedek – Heb 7.1-3; Gen 14.18-20 After the Law…Jesus is High Priest – 7.15-17 B. After the law Jesus is high priest. Heb 7.15-17 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies:" You are a priest foreverAccording to the order of Melchizedek." 1. Suited to our weaknesses. Heb 4:15-16 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The Priesthood of Jesus Before the Law…Melchizedek – Heb 7.1-3; Gen 14.18-20 After the Law…Jesus is High Priest – 7.15-17 2. Providing for our salvation. Heb 5:6-11 6 As He also says in another place:" You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek";7 who, 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, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest " according to the order of Melchizedek," 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

The Priesthood of Jesus Before the Law…Melchizedek – Heb 7.1-3; Gen 14.18-20 After the Law…Jesus is High Priest – 7.15-17 During the Law…only Levites were priests – 7.11-14 C. During the law only Levites were priests. Heb 7:11-14 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (f or 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? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies:" You are a priest foreverAccording to the order of Melchizedek." 1. Excluded both Christ and Melchizedek. 2. Hence, a change necessary for Christ to be our High Priest.

The Weakness of Man Law was good – Rom 7.12; 8.7-8; Heb 8.7-8 Law was “weak through the flesh” – Rom 8.1-4 II. The Weakness of Man Demanded a Change of Law. A. Law was good (Rom. 7:12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.) — fault was with man’s inability to keep it. Heb 8:7-8 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says:" Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah — B. Law was “weak through the flesh” in that it did not solve the problem of sin. Rom 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

The Weakness of Man Law was good – Rom 7.12; 8.7-8; Heb 8.7-8 Law was “weak through the flesh” – Rom 8.1-4 Law did not take away sin but promised New Covenant that would - Heb 8.8-12 C. Law did not take away sin, but promised a New Covenant that would. Heb 8:8-12 Because finding fault with them, He says:" Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah — 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord:I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ' Know the Lord, ' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

The Sacrifice of Jesus Blood of First Covenant was animal Blood of New Covenant is Christ’s own – Heb 9.11-28; 10.4 III. The Sacrifice of Jesus Demanded a Change of Law. A. Blood of first covenant was the blood of sacrificed animals. B. Blood of new covenant is the blood of Christ. Heb 9.11-28 READ Heb 10.4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

A Change of the Law No going back to the Old Enjoy the blessings in Christ, obey the New Covenant in His blood! Conclusion: A. If one insists on being under the law today, let him return to: 1. The Levitical priesthood. 2. The Animal sacrifices. 3. The penalties of breaking it. B. If wants to enjoy the blessings in Christ, let him obey New Covenant Rom 10.4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.