Examining Priesthood – Notes/Study Sheet

(I Peter 2:5-6)

Introduction:

* Priest – mediator who stands between man and God.

* Part of nearly every society since Creation. Melchizedek was a priest (Gen. 14:18).

* Sin is a reality (Rom. 2:14-15; I Jn. 1:10).

* Priesthood role indicates man feels unable to atone for his sins.

1. Priests of the Patriarchy

* Patriarch means –

* Noah –

* Abram -

* Job –

* Moses –

2. Priests of the Aaronic Priesthood

* Under Mosaic dispensation, priests were required to come from Aaron’s lineage.

* Aaron and his sons priests (Num. 3:10).

* Only High Priest could enter Holy of Holies on Atonement day (Lev. 16:1).

* One main purpose of the priesthood was to __________________________________________________________.

* Those w/deformities forbidden to be priests (Lev. 21:17-23).

* Priests underwent consecration ceremonies (Ex. 29: Lev. 8-9).

3. Preparation was made for the coming of the Great High Priest.

* Jesus would serve as Priest and King, as did others in the Bible (Melchizedek).

* Jesus’ reign heavenly. He didn’t meet the qualifications to be an earthly king (Heb. 8:4; 7:14).

* Mosaic priesthood preparatory in nature (Heb. 10:1).

* Parts of the Mosaic system pictured the Christian system.

* Old Testament prepared the way for our High Priest

* Christians today are priests. This occurs at the point of baptism.

* All New Testament Christians are priests (Rom. 12:1; Phil. 2:17; 4:18; Heb. 13:15-16; I Pet. 2:5).

* Jesus Christ is High Priest (Heb. 3:1; 4:14) who mediates on our behalf (Heb. 2:17; I Tim. 2:5).

* God’s children referred to as priests in New Testament (I Pet. 2:5& 9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6).

4. False ideas about priesthood.

* Catholic idea –

* Mormonism –

* Melchizedek priesthood belongs to Christ and no other (Heb. 7:24).

* Aaronic priesthood null today because it was part of the law of Moses, abolished by Christ (Eph. 2:15; Col 2:14).

* Premillennial speculation that Aaronic priesthood is “to be resumed nationally, on behalf of Gentiles, in the Millennial

Kingdom” false. The “proof” (Isa. 61:6; 66:21) refers to the Christian dispensation.

R.W. McAlister 11/23/08 p.m.