THE_NEW_PRIESTHOOD_AND_THE_NEW

The New Priesthood

and

the New Sanctuary

with its New Statutes and Ordinances

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. (Hebrews 7:11-12 KJV)

For 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. (Hebrews 7:18-19 NKJV)

Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22 RSV)

Superiority of Christ's Person: Majesty of Christ: Hebrews 1:1 - 4:13

1:1 - 1:3 Christ over the Prophets

1:4 - 1:14 Christ over the Angels

2:1 - 2:18 Christ’s Incarnation: His qualifications to be our Redeemer and High Priest

Now if a sojourner or stranger close to you becomes rich, and one of your brethren who dwells by him becomes poor, and sells himself to the stranger or sojourner close to you, or to a member of the stranger's family, after he is sold he may be redeemed again. One of his brothers may redeem him. (Leviticus 25:47-48 NKJV)

Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage… Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:14-18 WEB)

3:1 - 4:13 Christ over Moses

Who was faithful to him that appointed him [Christ], as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house… And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house. (Hebrews 3:2-6 KJV)

Superiority of Christ's Work: Ministry of Christ: Hebrews 4:14 - 10:18

4:14 - 7:28 Christ's Priesthood

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV)

Were the statutes and ordinances of the Aaronic priesthood able to make the people perfect:

For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment [the statutes and ordinances of the Aaronic priesthood] because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law [the statutes and ordinances of the Aaronic priesthood] made nothing perfect. (Hebrews 7:18-19 NKJV) Brackets supplied.

What kind of sins could be forgiven under the Aaronic priesthood:

And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty; Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned. (Leviticus 4:27-28 KJV)

But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him [Jesus Christ] all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:37-39 KJV)

What kind of sins could be forgiven under the priesthood of Christ:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin… If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [all] our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:7;9 KJV) Brackets supplied.

“And by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:39 NKJV)

Why did God do away with the Levitical [Aaronic] priesthood and replace it with the priesthood of Christ [Melchisedec]:

What law was changed? It was the law of the priesthood. The sacrifices, ordinances, and statutes of the Levitical priesthood were done away with. They were imperfect and only pointed to the priesthood of Christ [Melchisedec] – that is, to Christ’s sacrifice, and to the ordinances and statutes of Christ’s Heavenly Sanctuary.

“The very essence of the Levitical law consisting in its sacrificial offerings; and as these could not confer perfection, could not reconcile God to man, purify the unholy heart, nor open the kingdom of heaven to the souls of men, consequently it must be abolished, according to the order of God himself; for he said, Sacrifice and offering, and burnt-offering, and sacrifice for sin, he would not; see Ps 40:6,7, compared with Heb 10:5-10, and with Ps 110:4, where it is evident God designed to change both the law and the priesthood, and to introduce Jesus as the only Priest and Sacrifice, and to substitute the Gospel system for that of the Levitical institutions. The priesthood, therefore, being changed, Jesus coming in the place of Aaron, the law of ordinances and ceremonies, which served only to point out the Messiah, must of necessity be changed also.” Adam Clarke’s Commentary on Hebrews 7:12. Emphasis supplied.

“‘For the priesthood being changed.’ According to the prediction in Ps 110:1-7 that it would be. When that occurs, the consequence specified will also follow. There is made of necessity a change also of the law. The law so far as it grew out of that, or was dependent on it. The connexion requires us to understand it only of the law so far as it was connected with the Levitical priesthood. This could not apply to the ten commandments -- for they were given before the institution of the priesthood; nor could it apply to any other part of the moral law, for that was not dependent on the appointment of the Levitical priests. But the meaning is, that since a large number of laws -- constituting a code of considerable extent and importance -- was given for the regulation of the priesthood, and in reference to the rites of religion, which they were to observe or superintend, it followed that when their office was superseded by one of a wholly different order, the law which had regulated them vanished also, or ceased to be binding. This was a very important point in the introduction of Christianity, and hence it is that it is so often insisted on in the writings of Paul.” Albert Barnes’ New Testament Commentary on Hebrews 7:12. Emphasis supplied.

8:1 - 10:18 Christ's Sanctuary and Sacrifice

The true sanctuary is in Heaven where Christ is the Priest, who serves according to the ordinances and statutes of the priesthood of Melchisedec:

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law [of the Aaronic priesthood]: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. But now hath he [Christ] obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Hebrews 8:1-6 KJV)

Why were the services of the earthly sanctuary only a shadow of the services in the Heavenly Sanctuary? When would the services of the earthly sanctuary cease to have any meaning?

Which was a figure [shadow] for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation [at the Cross]. (Hebrews 9:9-10 KJV) Brackets and emphasis supplied.

And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:50-51 RSV)

What did the Lord say would eventually become of the feasts days and of the sacrifices that were part of the services of the earthly tabernacle:

"I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts." (Hosea 2:11)

“In the days of Isaiah and Jeremiah the prophets, the feasts and the sacrifices had become so degenerated and perverted from their right uses that the Lord cried out against the abuses by these messengers of God. ‘To what purpose cometh there to Me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto Me.’ Jer. 6:20 ‘I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies,’ cried the Lord through the prophet Amos. Amos 5:21, 22.

“Through the prophets the Lord had repeatedly admonished and counseled the people to reform their ways, and to give their hearts to the Lord that their worship and their sacrifices might be acceptable. The children of Abraham finally were told that all their joy in these holy convocations would cease, and that their feasts would come to an end.” F.C. Gilbert, Messiah in His Sanctuary, page 127.

What did Jesus accomplish at the Cross?

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God. (Hebrews 10:12 KJV)

CONCLUSION

“The Lord Jesus was the foundation of the whole Jewish economy. Its imposing rites were of divine appointment. They were designed to make the worship of God impressive, and to teach the people that at the time appointed One would come to whom these ceremonies pointed. But the Jews exalted the forms and ceremonies, and lost sight of their object. The traditions and maxims and enactments of men hid from them the spiritual lessons that God intended to convey. These maxims and traditions became an obstacle to their understanding and practise of true religion. And when the reality came, in the person of Christ, they did not recognize in Him the fulfilment of all their types, the substance of all their shadows. They rejected the Antitype, and clung to their types and useless ceremonies.” Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, November 3, 1898. Emphasis supplied.

“In this ordinance [the Lord’s Supper], Christ discharged his disciples from the cares and burdens of the ancient Jewish obligations in rites and ceremonies. These no longer possessed any virtue; for type was meeting antitype in himself, the authority and foundation of all Jewish ordinances that pointed to him as the great and only efficacious offering for the sins of the world.” Ellen G. White, Review & Herald, June 14, 1898.

The Ceremonial Law of the earthly tabernacle was a shadow of things to come. It had no meaning prior to the entrance of sin. Everything associated with it pointed to Christ who was the fulfillment of the entire Jewish economy, which included circumcision, the sacrifices, the new moons, the three annual feasts and their sabbaths. The entire system was done away with at the Cross when type met antitype.