Under The Law Christ Would Not Be A Priest

I. EXORDIUM:

Is CHRIST Your Great High Priest?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that CHRIST's Priesthood is not of human origin but of GOD.

IV. TEXT:

Hebrews 8:4 (Amplified Bible)

8:4 If then He were still living on earth, He would not be a priest at all, for there are [already priests] who offer the gifts in accordance with the Law.

V. THESIS:

Thank You very much JESUS for Your Grace made me your royal priesthood and You are my Great High Priest.

VI. TITLE:

Under the Law CHRIST would not be a priest

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Date of writing: Before AD. 70

B. Style of writing: Best Greek style

C. Authorship: Not specific, but generally attributed to Apostle Paul. Can be also ascribed to Barnabas, Luke, Apollos

D. Audience: Hebrew Christians

E. Theme: Christ is superior to the prophets; Christ is superior to angels—J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible

F. Purpose: The chief doctrinal purpose of the writer was to show the transcendent glory of the Christian dispensation, as compared with that of the Old Testament.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. If CHRIST is still living, He would not be a priest at all

"If then He were still living on earth, He would not be a priest at all,"

We are under Grace, that's why CHRIST is our Great Chief High Priest and we are His royal priesthood.

Hebrews 4:14 (Amplified Bible)

4:14 Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].

1 Peter 2:9 (Amplified Bible)

2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Under the Law, CHRIST is not qualified to serve as priest or He is rejected because He is not from tribe of Levi.

Hebrews 7:11-15 (Amplified Bible)

7:11 Now if perfection (a perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper) had been attainable by the Levitical priesthood—for under it the people were given the Law—why was it further necessary that there should arise another and different kind of Priest, one after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one appointed after the order and rank of Aaron?

7:12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is of necessity an alteration of the law [concerning the priesthood] as well.

7:13 For the One of Whom these things are said belonged [not to the priestly line but] to another tribe, no member of which has officiated at the altar.

7:14 For it is obvious that our Lord sprang from the tribe of Judah, and Moses mentioned nothing about priests in connection with that tribe.

7:15 And this becomes more plainly evident when another Priest arises Who bears the likeness of Melchizedek,

Anger is the motivation of the Law, while Love is the motivation of Grace.

Numbers 18:5 (Amplified Bible)

18:5 And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and attend to the altar [of burnt offering and the altar of incense], that there be no wrath any more upon the Israelites [as in the incident of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram].

2 Corinthians 13:14 (Amplified Bible)

13:14 The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the presence and fellowship (the communion and sharing together, and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (so be it).

Ephesians 6:24 (Amplified Bible)

6:24 Grace (God’s undeserved favor) be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying and incorruptible [love]. Amen (so let it be).

Under the Law, a king cannot be a priest at the same time. Since CHRIST is King of kings, He cannot be a priest according to the order of Levi.

2 Chronicles 26:18-19 (Amplified Bible)

26:18 They opposed King Uzziah and said to him, It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are set apart to burn incense. Withdraw from the sanctuary; you have trespassed, and that will not be to your credit and honor before the Lord God.

26:19 Then Uzziah was enraged, and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was enraged with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, beside the incense altar.

CHRIST's priesthood is rejected under the Law.

1 Peter 2:7-8 (Amplified Bible)

2:7 To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone,