Letter to the Hebrews Volume 64

 The Absolute Necessity for a New Priesthood Part 3

Hebrews 7:15-17 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another Priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For He testifieth, Thou art a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. KJV

The writer of Hebrews here in verse 15 is only expounding further the fact that Jesus Christ has come to abolish the old Levitical Priesthood and not only become the New Priest for all Hebrews, but for every other tribe on the earth, as it is written for us concerning this fact by the Apostle John with these words, "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy Blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." (Revelation 5:9) (KJV). Also, as we declared in the last study/commentary, our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed the law of ordinances and ceremonies and has made a new way as clearly pointed out for us by these two Scriptures, first, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:17) (KJV) and second, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2:21) (KJV). So this is why again we read these words from the writer of Hebrews just strongly reiterating what he wrote in Hebrews 7:14, "And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another Priest," (Hebrews 7:15) (KJV). The Greek word the writer of Hebrews used in Hebrews 7:14 for the English word 'evident' was prodēlos which meant plain before all men, that is, obvious. However, the Greek word used here in Hebrews 7:15 for the English word 'evident' is katadēlos which means thoroughly clear or thoroughly evident or more abundantly evident. The writer is making a much stronger emphasis on the fact or the reality that not only did our Lord Jesus Christ come from a different Hebrew tribe (Judah) than that of all the other Hebrew priest who all came from the tribe of Levi, but He (Christ) being THE New Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek testifies to the unsatisfactory and unacceptable nature and character of the Levitical priesthood. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of Hebrews 7:15, "Not that our Lord would spring out of Judah, but the point which he was endeavoring to establish that there must be a change of the priesthood, was rendered still more evident from another consideration. A strong proof of the necessity of such a change of the priesthood was furnished from the fact that the Messiah was to be of the tribe of Judah; but a much stronger, because 'as a priest' He was to be of the order of Melchizedek - that is, He was of the same rank with One who did not even belong to that tribe."

Now the writer of Hebrews makes another strong argument (for me) that our Lord Jesus Christ was Melchizedek who appeared unto Abraham all those thousands of years earlier by now again declaring the eternality of His Priesthood and His life, as written here in these next two (2) verses, "Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For He testifieth, Thou art a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 7:16-17) (KJV). Melchizedek had no beginning of days nor was there any end of days recorded of this Man anywhere in Scripture, therefore, once again it is a testimony of the likeness of Christ and Melchizedek being one in the same. Christ is not an High Priest according to the Mosaic law which consisted of many man-made rules and traditions the Hebrew Priest established on their own without the command and blessing of God the Father. However, the mighty spiritual nature of the Gospel of Jesus Christ did not and could not come from or through the Levitical Priesthood or any of the individual Levi priest, but the fact is that the Gospel is inherent with the Power of God, as it is written for us with these words from the Apostle Paul, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the Power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16) (KJV). This is why and only why any atheist, that is, someone who does not believe in God; someone who believes that no deities or no God exist, can here the Gospel of Grace which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-11) and be moved upon in their inner man or inner woman (by God the Holy Spirit) with the conviction of their own personal sin against God and the eternal consequences of their sin being eternal separation from God (Hell and Lake of Fire) and be saved or born again and then not only believe in God/Jesus, but love Him and declare His Name and Gospel everywhere they can. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of these two (2) verses, "Appointed to this high office by God Himself, not succeeding one that was disabled or dead, according to that law or ordinance directed to weak and perishing men, who could not continue by reason of death. This is probably all that the Apostle intends by the words carnal commandment, for carnal does not always mean sinful or corrupt, but feeble, frail, or what may be said of or concerning man in his present dying condition. But after the power of an endless life - Not dying, or ceasing through weakness to be a Priest; but properly immortal Himself, and having the power to confer life and immortality on others. He ever lives, as Priest, to make intercession for men; and they who believe on Him shall never perish, but have everlasting life. For He testifieth - That is, either the Scripture, in the place so often quoted, or God by that Scripture. Thou art a Priest forever - This is the proof that He was not appointed according to the carnal commandment, but according to the power of an endless life, because He is a Priest forever; i.e. One that never dies, and is never disabled from performing the important functions of His office; for if He be a Priest forever, He ever lives."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…