Topical Encyclopedia
The role of the High Priest in the Old Testament was a position of immense spiritual significance, serving as the mediator between God and the people of Israel. This office was divinely instituted, with the High Priest entering the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16). In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is revealed as the ultimate fulfillment of this sacred office, appointed and called by God to be the eternal High Priest for all humanity.
Divine AppointmentThe appointment of Jesus as High Priest is rooted in the divine will and purpose of God. Unlike the Levitical priests who were appointed based on lineage, Christ's priesthood is established by God's sovereign choice.
Hebrews 5:4-6 states, "No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: 'You are My Son, today I have become Your Father.' And in another passage God says: 'You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.'"
This passage highlights that Christ's priesthood is not of human origin but is divinely ordained, echoing the eternal priesthood of Melchizedek, a figure who prefigures Christ's eternal and unchangeable priesthood (
Hebrews 7:17).
The Order of MelchizedekThe reference to Melchizedek is significant in understanding Christ's priesthood. Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High, appears in
Genesis 14:18-20 as a mysterious figure who blesses Abraham.
Psalm 110:4 prophesies, "The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: 'You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.'" This order signifies a priesthood that transcends the temporal and imperfect Levitical system, pointing to an eternal and perfect priesthood fulfilled in Christ.
Christ's Perfect SacrificeAs the High Priest, Christ's role is not only to mediate but also to offer the perfect sacrifice for sin. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Levitical priests, which could never fully atone for sin, Christ's sacrifice is once and for all.
Hebrews 9:11-12 declares, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption."
This passage underscores the sufficiency and finality of Christ's atoning work, emphasizing that His sacrifice is complete and eternally effective.
Intercessory RoleIn His exalted position, Christ continues His priestly ministry through intercession.
Hebrews 7:25 affirms, "Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them." This ongoing intercession assures believers of their secure standing before God, as Christ advocates on their behalf.
ConclusionThe High Priesthood of Christ is a central theme in the New Testament, revealing the depth of God's redemptive plan. Appointed and called by God, Christ fulfills the role of High Priest in a manner that surpasses the limitations of the Old Covenant, offering a perfect and eternal sacrifice and continually interceding for His people. Through His priesthood, believers have direct access to God, assured of their salvation and standing in grace.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Hebrews 3:1,2Why, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Torrey's Topical TextbookHebrews 5:4,5
And no man takes this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Great High-Priest.
... For every high-priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things ...
So Christ also glorified not Himself to be made a High-priest, but He that ...
/.../chapter iv the great high-priest.htm
Christ Our High Priest.
... Christ was not a priest while He was on the earth ... He could not become a priest till
the law of the ... He was made high priest, not by the legal ritual, but by the ...
/.../xi christ our high priest.htm
All the Apostles Urge the Observance of the Order of the Church.
... Wherefore Philip and Ananias did not constitute themselves, but were appointed by
Christ, the High Priest of that God to whom no being is to be compared ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v all the apostles urge.htm
The High Priests of the Jews under whom Christ Taught.
... our Saviour and Lord, Jesus the Christ of God ... has rightly indicated Caiaphas as the
high priest under whom ... And again he appointed seventy others whom he sent ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter x the high priests of.htm
God's Love Magnified in Christ's Death.
... I. In considering together how God appointed our Lord and ... could not keep silence
before the High Priest, unless He ... of it was the work of Christ's obedience in ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xxii gods love magnified in.htm
Christ, to Perform the Office of Mediator, Behoved to Become Man.
... greater length that he is not a high priest who "cannot ... speculation of this class
is, that Christ, even though ... of nature was entire, he was appointed head of ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 christ to perform.htm
The Recipient of Prayer in Its Four Moods
... with that acknowledged reference to Christ in Deuteronomy ... to one who has been appointed
high priest for you ... be advocate, but through a high priest and advocate ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter x the recipient of.htm
About the Time of Christ, in Accordance with Prophecy, the Rulers ...
... the time of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. ... Antipater, an Idumean, who had
been appointed procurator of ... in 63 bc, but merely as high priest and governor ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vi about the time of.htm
On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ...
... its very name implied that that tabernacle was fore-appointed for a ... what was said
formerly: oblations and tithes belong to Christ our High Priest, and to ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv on the management of.htm
Christ's Own Testimony Concerning Himself.
... The high priest understood the meaning of this solemn affirmation ... as eternity
itself;[61]61 as the appointed Judge of ... was," or began to be, says Christ, "I am ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/christs own testimony concerning himself.htm
Resources
Is the Church of Christ a good biblical church? | GotQuestions.orgIs there a difference in meaning between Jesus Christ and Christ Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about Jesus Christ (All) | GotQuestions.orgChrist: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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