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The Superior Priesthood of Melchizedek
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Next Week: Hebrews 7 -- Read Ahead!
[1] For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, [2] and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. [3] He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
[4] See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! [5] And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. [6] But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. [7] It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. [8] In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. [9] One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, [10] for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
[11] Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? [12] For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. [13] For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. [14] For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
[15] This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, [16] who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. [17] For it is witnessed of him,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
[18] For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness [19] (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
[20] And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, [21] but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’”
[22] This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
[23] The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, [24] but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. [25] Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
[26] For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. [27] He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. [28] For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. (ESV)
What To Expect When We Gather On Sunday
As we gather together each Sunday morning, we gather for the purpose of worshiping our great God! We do this through five distinct acts during our gathering time together.
Corporate Singing
When we sing together we not only worship God but we also edify one another as Paul commands us to do by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that teach Biblical truth.
Personal Confession
Each Sunday we take a few moments of quiet reflection and prayer to ensure our hearts are free from sin and the cares of the world in order to worship God with our whole heart.
Pastoral Prayer
We are led in corporate prayer each week by one of our Elders lifting up the needs of the body, praying for God to work through His Word, and praising Him for all that he has done.
Scripture Reading
Paul commanded Timothy to not neglect the public reading of the Word. We desire Scripture to not only be our guide for worship but the focus of our worship content as well.
Preaching & Teaching
It is the Word of God that changes lives, not the wisdom of men. We focus on preaching the Word expositionally usually verse-by-verse through a specific book of the Bible.