THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE

TO THE

7:1-4

For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Here, in this chapter, we see the priesthood of Melchisedec. The Bible mentions him in three primary passages: Genesis 14:17-20, Psalm 110:4, and Hebrews 7:1-28. He was the one who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer; and He blessed Abraham. He is identified as the king of Salem in Genesis 14:18. Psalm 110:4 prophesied of "a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." Hebrews 7 clearly identifies this as a prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ.

However, though we know that Christ was a priest after the order of Melchisedec, this still leaves the question of His identity open. The most common teaching is that He is an unknown person who had a special relationship with God. According to this approach, all guesses as to his identity are total speculation. It is His unknown nature that makes him a type of Christ.

However, there has always been a different position by a minority of Bible students that identifies Melchisedec as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. This position has one problem with the teaching of Hebrews 7 in that the chapter obviously compares Jesus Christ to Melchisedec (How can someone be compared with themselves?). Yet this position is the one that takes the Bible at face value to the greatest degree, and it is the position for which I want to briefly examine.

First, we must remember that Hebrews 5:10 and 11 says this of Christ: "Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered..." The author clearly tells us that the things concerning the priesthood of Christ, after the order of Melchisedec, are things hard to be uttered. That is, they are difficult to understand. We must accept that there will be some differences among God's people on this matter.

Despite this difficulty, we know many things about Melchisedec. Now, let’s consider the following about him as we look at this passage of Scripture. We will look at reasons to believe that Melchisedec was an appearance of Jesus Christ long before He was manifest in the flesh the manger in Bethlehem.

1. His titles befit the Son of God more than they befit a mere man.

2. His eternality proves Melchisedec to be Jesus Christ. Hebrews 7:3 makes several statements about Melchisedec that strongly points to a Divine identity.

3. He must be Christ because He is "like unto the Son of God" (Hebrews 7:3). Though many teachers use this as a proof that Melchisedec was not Jesus Christ, it does the very opposite. It is a strong argument that the two are the same.

An almost identical phrase is used one other time in the Bible. It occurs when Nebuchadnezzar says of the fourth man in the fiery furnace that "the form of the fourth is like the Son of God" (Daniel 3:25). The term "like" is used to remind us that this One who appears as a man is also God. This phrase is only used of pre-incarnate appearances of Christ because He had not yet been declared to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:3, 4, Psalms 2:7). This declaration did not make Him the Son of God. He had that relationship in eternity past. It only declared Him to be so. However, in earlier appearances, He is said to be like the Son of God, though He was indeed the Son of God.

The other phrase, like unto the Son of man, is also used in references to Christ. It always refers to the post-resurrection Christ (Daniel 7:13; Revelation 1:13; 14:14). This phrase is used to remind us that this One who is obviously God also lived as, and remains a man.

These phrases using "like" do not mean that the one described is not the Son of God, or the Son of man. They are rather used to show that when Christ is obviously God or obviously man, He is also the other. That is, these are descriptions of the One who is both God and man. Its use in verse 3 supports the identity of Christ with Melchisedec.

4. He must be Christ because of His Superiority to Abraham (Hebrews 7:4, 6, 7). Who else but Jesus would be superior to Abraham? We see this Superiority in the following:

And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

Here we see that He must be Christ because of His Superiority to Levi (Hebrews 7:5, 9, 10). This made Him Superior to the Levitical priesthood. Levi was in the loins of Abraham (Hebrews 7:10). He was a grandson of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob. However, not only had Levi not been born at this time (Genesis 14), neither had his grandfather Isaac. If Abraham had died at this time, Levi would have never lived. Thus, Levi was in Abraham, and whatever Abraham did was in effect also done by his grandson Levi.

The sons of Levi received the office of the priesthood, and were commanded to take tithes of the Jewish people. Yet, Levi (the tithe-receiver) paid tithes to Abraham proving that Melchisedec is the better.

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? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Here we see His unchangeable priesthood (Hebrews 7:11-15, 23-24). This distinguishes Melchisedec’s from any earthly priesthood. The Levitical priesthood was limited because of its inability to bring perfection (Hebrews 7:11). This demonstrates a need for another priesthood; one that would not have to change; one after the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 7:15; Psalm 110:4). The fulfillment of the unchangeable priesthood comes through the person of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:23, 24).

Certainly, men will continue to have trouble with the idea that Melchisedec can be identified as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. However, the evidence taken at face value shows Melchisedec to be more than mere human. His endless life and Superiority to the founders of Judaism give him something beyond mortal qualities.

For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Here we see that nothing was made perfect by the law. The law was only given to show us that we are dirty. Without the law, man could not know what type of condition he is in. It is like a mirror to us; the mirror does not clean us, but it shows us where we are dirty. Only through the Oath, the Word of God, is everything made perfect.

The Word of God clearly teaches us that we are not, and could never be made perfect through the law. Titus 3:5 states; "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." In chapter 9 we will see that "without shedding of blood is no remission."

The law could not bring men to true justification or sanctification before God, which is the "perfection" that we all need in order to be accepted of Him. Therefore, we needed a better hope, or testament. Christ gives us that better testament.

Forever ensuring in His own person the certainty of the covenant to us. This He did by becoming responsible for our guilt, by sealing the covenant with His blood, and by being openly acknowledged as our triumphant Saviour by the Father. Thus He is at once God's surety for man, and man's surety for God; and is the only Mediator between God and man (Hebrews 8:6).

And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Here we read that in the Old Covenant there were many priests. When one would fade off the scene, another would take his place. These priest were mortal, and would one day die. Now, through Christ, we have a Priest that shall never be replaced. He lives forever, and His work is forever! He will never die, therefore, His Priesthood will never die!

The fact that Christ lives forever shows us that His Priesthood is unchangeable. It has no need to be passed down to another. Therefore, we need not to put our faith in a false priest that says he takes the place of Christ.

There was but one offering on earth, and it was once for all. However, the intercession for us is ever continuing, and we can never be separated from the love of God in Christ. He intercedes only for those who come unto God through Him; not for the unbelieving world (John 17:9).

He was not only the offering, but the priest who offered it. Therefore, He has become not only a sacrifice, but an intercessor; His intercession being founded on His voluntary offering of Himself without spot to God.

Christ’s eternal Priesthood guarantees us that we can stand before a Holy God. It does not matter who we are, where we came from, or where we are now; He is still able to save us. Not only does He save us, He saves us to the uttermost! This means that He saves us entirely! We need not to worry if we will still be saved tomorrow.

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Here we have a reminder that Christ is Holy, free from evil, and made higher than the heavens. The earthly priest had to offer sacrifices both for the people and himself. All are sinners, and all must have a perfect sacrifice for their forgiveness. Christ was that perfect sacrifice that offered Himself for our sins, and that sealed it for us. There are no more sacrifices that need to be made for the payment for our sins.