Thematic Bible: Inferior to Christ in
Thematic Bible
The high priest » Inferior to Christ in » Offering oftentimes the same sacrifices
for by one single oblation he has purified for ever those that are sanctified.
nor to make a frequent offering of himself, as the high priest every year enters into the holy of holies with other blood than his own. for then must he have suffered several times since the beginning of the world, when in the consummation of the ages, he has appeared once for all to expiate sin by offering himself as a sacrifice.
While the high priest in his daily administrations frequently repeated the same sacrifices which could by no means expiate sin; Christ, after he had offered one sacrifice for sin, sat down on the right hand of God for ever:
The high priest » Inferior to Christ in » Being of the order of aaron
where Jesus is gone to usher us in, having been made an high priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec.
If therefore the Levitical priesthood, concerning which the people received a law, could have given perfection, what further need was there that another priest should rise, to be named after the order of Melchisedec, and not after the order of Aaron? now the priesthood being changed, the law must necessarily be changed too. for he who was there mention'd was of another tribe, none of whom ever gave attendance at the altar. read more.
since it is evident that our Lord sprang out of the tribe of Juda, to which Moses never ascribed the priesthood. This appears still more clear from another priest's arising like Melchisedec, who was not establish'd by virtue of a temporary law, but with the power of being a perpetual priest. for it is said, "thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."
since it is evident that our Lord sprang out of the tribe of Juda, to which Moses never ascribed the priesthood. This appears still more clear from another priest's arising like Melchisedec, who was not establish'd by virtue of a temporary law, but with the power of being a perpetual priest. for it is said, "thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."
which office he could not discharge here upon earth, where priests are already establish'd, who offer gifts according to the law: and officiate in the sanctuary, which was a gross representation of that in heaven, agreeable to the order given by God to Moses, when he projected the tabernacle, "be very exact, said he, in following the model which was laid before thee in the mount."
The high priest » Inferior to Christ in » Needing to make atonement for his own sins
the high priest only enter'd, and that but once every year, when he carried the blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people.
he might have the greater compassion for those who sin through ignorance or mistake. and for the same reason
and indeed we wanted an high priest of such a character, one that is holy, innocent, undefiled, one that is separated from sinful men, and exalted above the heavens; one who was under no necessity, as those high priests of the law were, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people: having done this once for all, by offering up himself. for the law appointed frail mortals to be high priests, but the oracle pronounc'd with an oath, which was since the law, established the son, who is crown'd with immortal perfections.
The high priest » Inferior to Christ in » Entering into holiest every year
the high priest only enter'd, and that but once every year, when he carried the blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people.
nor with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood he enter'd once for all into the holy of holys, after having obtained for us an eternal redemption.
nor to make a frequent offering of himself, as the high priest every year enters into the holy of holies with other blood than his own.
The high priest » Inferior to Christ in » Being made without an oath
Besides those priests were establish'd without any oath: but this with an oath, by him that said to him, "the Lord has swore, and will not repent, thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." so that Jesus was made guarantee of an alliance so much the more excellent, as it was not without the solemnity of an oath.
The high priest » Inferior to Christ in » Not being able to continue
besides, the priesthood then devolv'd to many, death depriving them of a lasting possession. but he, by virtue of his immortal state, hath a priesthood that does not pass by succession.