The Order of Melchisedec

Lesson Content

1. In the days of Moses, the Levitical priesthood was established in order tole ad the people to the holiness that God expected from them at that time. Nevertheless, this priesthood could not totally sanctify and perfect their conscience and character. The reasons for it were:

(i) The animal sacrifices were not sufficient and perfect. Therefore they were unable to take away sin (Heb.10:1-4). (ii) The law given by Moses made nothing perfect (Heb.7:19). (iii) The priesthood had its limitations and it could not lead others to perfection (Heb.7:11). (iv) The sacrifices which the p riests offered could not perfect their own conscience (Heb.9:9). Therefore, it was necessary to put aside the Levitical priesthood and all that was connected with it and to introduce another priesthood after a higher order — the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec. The Old Testament priesthood, therefore, now remains only as a shadow. Just as Aaron was the priest in the Old Testament, and the priesthood was after the order of Aaron, there must be a priest in the New Testament and a priesthood after his order — and that priest is Melchisedec.

2. Who is Melchisedec? (Heb.7:1-3). King of righteousness, King of Salem — King of peace; without father, mother or descent. Since He has no descent, He cannot be Adam. Since He has neither beginning of days n or end of life, He cannot be an angel for angels have “beginning of days”. Therefore He is neither a man nor an angel. Because He is the priest of God, He cannot be God the Father, neither is He Christ because He is like unto the Son of God. He is the Holy Spirit Who has neither beginning of days nor end of life. He was seen before the foundation of the world as well as at the foundation of the world (Gen.1:2).

3. In Genesis 14 we read that when Abraham returned after having defeated five kings, Melchisedec came to meet him and gave him bread and wine. At that time Abraham gave him tithes. As Levi was then in Abraham’s loins we can say that he also gave Him tithes (Heb.7:9,10). Therefore the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec is greater than the Levitical Priesthood.

4. The Lord Jesus Christ learned obedience by the things which He suffered, and being made perfect He was called of God a High Priest after the order of Melchisedec (Heb.5:8-10).

5. The comparison between the Aaronic order and the order of Melchisedec:

(i) The first high priest in the Aaronic order was Aaron; and the first High Priest in the order of Melchisedec is Christ.

(ii) In the Aaronic order the priesthood was given only to Aaron’s family. It came by birth. But in the order of M elchisedec, the priesthood is not by birth but by calling (Heb.7:11). (iii) The order of Aaron did not continue for ever. It was changed by reason of death (Heb.7:23). Christ Who became the High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, died and yet rose again and abides a priest for ever (Heb.7:25). The New Testament ministry which belongs to this order continues even in Eternity. (iv) The Aaronic order was not given with an oath. The New Testament priesthood is given with an oath (Heb.7:20,21; Psa.110:4).

(v) The Aaronic order was made after the law of a carnal commandment. The law that came by the order of Melchisedec was after the power of an endless life (Heb.7:16,17). (vi) In the order of Aaron, the priests were anointed with the anointing oil. This oil had to be prepared according to a particular measure given (Exo.30:23-25,30). In the order of Melchisedec, we are anointed not with oil but with the Holy Spirit. It is given not in measure but “without measure” (Jn.3:34). (vii) The priesthood after the order of Aaron does not perfect any man, because the priests in that order were men with infirmity. However, the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec perfects man because Jesus is not weak. He was tempted and was found without sin (Heb.7:28; 4:15). (viii) The priesthood after the Aaronic order was a ministry performed in the tabernacle made with hands. But the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec is done in a greater and more perfect tabernacle (Heb.9:11,12). (ix) In the order of Aaron, men who die received tithes. But in the order of Melchisedec, those who have the witness that they live (those who live a victorious life) receive tithes (Heb.7:8).

6. All the classes or groups that were seen in the Levitical priesthood, which was a shadow, must be found in the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec, which is the reality. They are as follows:

(i) The 12 tribes: In the New Testament, this signifies the saved people of God who join the family of God, by receiving the experience of repentance which is the circumcision in the heart. (ii) The Levites: They have no part nor inheritance with the tribes of Israel. They point to believers who continue steadfastly in the doctrine and fellowship of the apostles (the New Testament priests) and wh o live by faith, not being attached to earthly things. (iii) The Priests: They are a type of the anointed and consecrated servants of God in the New Testament, who have hated all carnal relationships and have forsaken their all.

(iv) The High Priest: As he is the chief of the kingdom of priests, he speaks of the office of the apostles which has the pre -eminence in the New Testament priesthood (Heb.3:1; I Cor.12:28).

7. What is meant by the order of Melchisedec? Melchisedec is without father, mother, descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, is like unto the Son of God and abides for ever. The Lord Jesus did not acknowledge His mother and His brothers, denying all carnal relationships (Matt.12:48). From this we understand that the priesthood that the Lord ordains on the earth in the New Testament period is after an order in which the priest is without father, mother and descent through consecration.

8. After the Lord rose from the dead, He said to His apostles to teach them to observe all things whatsoever He had commanded them. He also added, "...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matt.28:20). This speaks not only of those who lived during the days of the former rain, but also of sacrificial saints like them, who forsake their all, and who will rise up even in the time of the latter rain.

9. Even today the Church is being built upon the foundation of such apostles and prophets (Eph.2:20).