Priesthood in the Old and New Testaments

The Need for Sacrifice Genesis 2:17b “…in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” –In more than 60 instances of the use of this expression, it means sudden, violent death. How could God be just and allow Adam and Eve to live? –He interposed the sudden, violent death of His Son on the cross of Calvary. –Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

Sacrifices During the Patriarchal Age It appears men were required to offer sacrifices, as in the case of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:3-5; Hebrews 11:4; Romans 10:17). Later, Jacob would offer a sacrifice following the making of a covenant with Laban (Genesis 31:54).

Sacrifices During the Patriarchal Age In particular, the heads of families offered sacrifices. Noah built an altar and offered sacrifices after they left the ark – Genesis 8: Job offered offerings for his children in case they had sinned – Job 1:5.

Sacrifices During the Patriarchal Age Follow the altars of Abraham. –Terebinth tree of Moreh – Genesis 12:6-7 –Between Bethel and Ai – Genesis 12:8; 13:4 –Terebinth trees of Mamre – Genesis 13:18 –On Mt. Moriah – Genesis 22:9 When Abraham did not build an altar, he depended too much on himself. –When he went to Egypt during a famine – Genesis 13:10-19 –In the case of Abimelech, king of Gerar – Genesis 20

Aaron and His Family Were Called to be Priests After the tabernacle was built, the family of Aaron were made priests. –Exodus 28:1a “Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest,…” –Numbers 3:10a “So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall attend to their priesthood….” Hebrews 5:4 “And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.”

No One Else Could Seize the Position God Gave Them Other ambitious men tried to seize the priesthood – Numbers 16:1-3. –Korah, Dathan and Abiram challenged Aaron’s right to the priesthood. God confirmed Aaron as priest – Numbers 16:4-34. –The earth swallowed Korah, Dathan, Abiram and all those who stood with them.

God Confirmed Aaron’s Priesthood The 250 leaders of the people were consumed with fire – Numbers 16: –Their censors, which had been dedicated to God, were hammered into a covering for the altar. –“…no outsider, who is not a descendant of Aaron, should come near to offer incense before the Lord….” Then, God caused Aaron’s rod to bud to show He had selected him from among the tribes – Numbers 17:1-11.

There Were Many Aaronic Priests Hebrews 7:23 “Also there were many priests because they were prevented by death from continuing.” Numbers 20:28 “Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.”

Aaronic Priests Offered a Sacrifice for Their Own Sins Leviticus 16:6, 11 “Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house….And Aaron shall bring the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull as the sin offering which is for himself.” Hebrews 9:7 “But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance.”

Aaronic Priests Repeatedly Offered the Blood of Animals Hebrews 10:1-4 “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.” Hebrews 10:11 “And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.”

Jesus Was Called to be a Priest Hebrews 5:5-6 “So 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.’ As He also says in another place: ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.’” –Psalm 2:7 –Psalm 110:4

A Change of Priesthood Hebrews 7:11-14 “Therefore, 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? For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. For 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.”

Jesus’ Calling Was Confirmed Hebrews 7:20-22 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek’”) by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

Jesus’ Calling Was Confirmed Jesus’ calling was confirmed in the resurrection – Acts 13: –Those who believe in Jesus will be justified. Jesus was then given authority as King in the church – Ephesians 1:20-23.

Jesus Serves as an Unchanging Priest Hebrews 7:15-19 Hebrews 7:24-25 “But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 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.”

Jesus Was Tempted But Is Our Sinless High Priest Hebrews 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. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” 1 Peter 2:22-23 “‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.”

Jesus Made One Sacrifice Hebrews 7:25-28 Hebrews 9:28 “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”

Jesus Offered Himself Hebrews 10:5-7 Hebrews 10:8-10 Hebrews 10:12 “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”

Have Boldness Because of Our High Priest Hebrews 10:19-23 “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”