Hebrews 7:26-28
We occasionally see a woman wearing a dress, or a hair do that we speak of as becoming to her. It helps her look good. It accentuates attractive features, by the style and the color to make her look her most attractive. At the same time, it minimizes less attractive features, by concealing, or drawing attention away from them. Because each woman is different, what is very becoming on one may be quite unattractive on another. Some things are never attractive. To blindly follow what everyone else does will result in continually appearing at less than one’s best.
Jesus Christ is specifically fitted to serve as our high priest. He was completely human, even to the experiencing the fear of death, as Hebrews 4:15 says. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
Before God, he makes us appear at our very best, even better than we are naturally. The law only made us aware of our guilt, it did not take away sin, providing only a way of acknowledging our culpability, and thus temporarily deferring judgment. Christ makes us righteous by faith in him, regardless of our sin.
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:20-23)
What fitted him to do this was that he was completely human, and yet did not sin. II Corinthians 5:21 tells us, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Unlike the Aaronic priests, He had no sin of his own, and could be righteous in him, having his righteousness.
“For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 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.” (Hebrews 7:26-27)
Those priests could never even get rid of their own sins. They continually were dealing with their own sin even before they were qualified to do anything for those who came to them. “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:1-4)
Christ did not have his own sin, and thus is never disqualified from his priestly duties. The law depended on frail human priests. God’s oath designated a priest who would never die or lose the priesthood because of sin. “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.” (Hebrews 7:28)
Monday, November 9, 2009
A Priest By The Oath Of God
Hebrews 7:20-25
Prior to earning my plumbing license, I had helped do a lot of plumbing, and had a attained a level of confidence in my skills. However, because I was not licensed, I could not be hired as a plumber. I could only work under a licensed journeyman. Although others might consider me a plumber, I could not be in charge of a job, directing others, overseeing the job, and taking responsibility for their work. Legally, I was not a plumber.
Receiving my license changed my stature as a plumber. I now had legal authority to do things. Suddenly a whole new world of plumbing was available. I found myself in demand, because while there are many who can do the work, only a few are willing to meet the legal requirements. Legally every job requires a licensed journeyman on the job, and technically, he is to have no more than two unlicensed helpers working under him. Plumbing contractors needed my license to legally do their jobs. The state had certified me as having the necessary skills.
Without a license, I could still have legally taught classes in plumbing, even to prepare others to get their license, although not legally qualified to actually do the work. Even as a journeyman, I cannot work as a plumber except as an employee of a plumbing contractor, who will take ultimate responsibility for my work. This is somewhat the picture we find with the following passage. In effect the Aaronic priests were only licensed to do certain things as priests. They had a very limited authority. Christ, on the other hand, was fully qualified, as demonstrated by God’s oath swearing him as a priest.
“And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (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:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 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.” (Hebrews 7:20-25)
As a plumber, it is necessary for me to renew my license periodically. It is also necessary for me to obtain certification on various new technologies as they develop in order to work on every thing. For example it is not legal for me to work on or install corrugated stainless steel tubing for gas lines unless I have been certified for that product. Thus, from time to time I encounter situations where I need to call someone else in or cet certification before I can do a certain job.
The Aaronic priests were qualified only to offer animal sacrifices, and thus could never take away sin. Hebrews 10:4 tells us, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” They had to continually offer sacrifices for both new sins and for prior sin. As Hebrews 10::11 says, “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:”
Christ was authorized to take away sin. “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin, “ (I John 3:5) As a result of his greater authority, resulting from his being made a priest by an oath of God, according to Hebrews 10:14. “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
Talk about a better testament! I have been perfected forever. He is able to save me to the uttermost. His priesthood will never come to anything he is not qualified to take care of, and he lives eternally to take care of it. There is no danger of losing my salvation, only of not obtaining it to begin with.
Prior to earning my plumbing license, I had helped do a lot of plumbing, and had a attained a level of confidence in my skills. However, because I was not licensed, I could not be hired as a plumber. I could only work under a licensed journeyman. Although others might consider me a plumber, I could not be in charge of a job, directing others, overseeing the job, and taking responsibility for their work. Legally, I was not a plumber.
Receiving my license changed my stature as a plumber. I now had legal authority to do things. Suddenly a whole new world of plumbing was available. I found myself in demand, because while there are many who can do the work, only a few are willing to meet the legal requirements. Legally every job requires a licensed journeyman on the job, and technically, he is to have no more than two unlicensed helpers working under him. Plumbing contractors needed my license to legally do their jobs. The state had certified me as having the necessary skills.
Without a license, I could still have legally taught classes in plumbing, even to prepare others to get their license, although not legally qualified to actually do the work. Even as a journeyman, I cannot work as a plumber except as an employee of a plumbing contractor, who will take ultimate responsibility for my work. This is somewhat the picture we find with the following passage. In effect the Aaronic priests were only licensed to do certain things as priests. They had a very limited authority. Christ, on the other hand, was fully qualified, as demonstrated by God’s oath swearing him as a priest.
“And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (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:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 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.” (Hebrews 7:20-25)
As a plumber, it is necessary for me to renew my license periodically. It is also necessary for me to obtain certification on various new technologies as they develop in order to work on every thing. For example it is not legal for me to work on or install corrugated stainless steel tubing for gas lines unless I have been certified for that product. Thus, from time to time I encounter situations where I need to call someone else in or cet certification before I can do a certain job.
The Aaronic priests were qualified only to offer animal sacrifices, and thus could never take away sin. Hebrews 10:4 tells us, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” They had to continually offer sacrifices for both new sins and for prior sin. As Hebrews 10::11 says, “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:”
Christ was authorized to take away sin. “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin, “ (I John 3:5) As a result of his greater authority, resulting from his being made a priest by an oath of God, according to Hebrews 10:14. “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
Talk about a better testament! I have been perfected forever. He is able to save me to the uttermost. His priesthood will never come to anything he is not qualified to take care of, and he lives eternally to take care of it. There is no danger of losing my salvation, only of not obtaining it to begin with.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Free From The Law
Hebrews 7:12-19
When a person sets out to get their drivers license, they take some classroom instruction. If they pass it, they can obtain a learner’s permit which allows them to drive only if accompanied by an experienced driver, or in some states, a qualified instructor. When they have developed sufficient skill, they are allowed to take the test to obtain a drivers license.
Testing for a drivers license is much different than that for a learner’s permit. They have to prove that the vehicle they are to drive meets state safety regulations, that there is a valid license and registration, and that they have insurance. They cannot be observed by their instructors, but must be tested by an approved test administrator, who is to observe their skill in various situations. After all, the prospective driver is not trying to learn how, he is to demonstrate competency. While he drives in both cases, the requirements are much different.
The rules are different in the training program than in actual practice. As a learner, the instructor is responsible for his student’s actions. He is supposed to only allow the student to drive in settings that are within his skill level. This is why the rules are less stringent. When he obtains his own license, the student is no longer limited to safe situations. He must be able to handle whatever arises. That requires a different standard.
Galatians 3:24-25 tells us that the law was a training system to bring us to Christ. To function in the real situation requires a total change. The new driver is required to satisfy the test administrator, rather than his instructor, and to meet legal requirements that his instructor took care of before. To really meet God’s standards, we had to have a different high priest. We also had to meet different standards.
“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.” (Hebrews 7:12-14)
What many do not realize is that the Old Testament law was the real change, lowering the standards, and the rewards, to serve as a training program. It allowed normal human beings to serve as high priests, and fleshly laws to set the standards. Galatians 3:16-17 explains this. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.”
Even human contracts cannot just be set aside because someone wants to change the rules. The commitment was to Abraham, more than 430 years before the law was given. The Mosaic law could never replace or supersede those promises. The law was placed in effect because of the wickedness of man until Christ came according to Galatians 3:19. “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”
The promise was made under the standard of Melchisedec’s priesthood. To meet that standard would require the same priesthood. The promise was to go into effect when Christ came. Christ was that priest. Notice the author’s statement.
“And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec 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 for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 7:15-17)
Just as the obtaining the driver’s license sets one beyond the requirements of the learner’s permit, faith in Christ makes us no longer subject to the law. It no longer applies to the Christian. Galatians 3:13-14 informs us, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” The law was unable to bring us to perfection because it depended on sinful flesh. It’s effect on those who believe had to be eliminated.
"For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” (Hebrews 7:18-19)
Romans 8:3-4 makes the same point, and shows that Christ didn’t just set the law aside, but he fulfilled it’s terms so it is no longer in effect. “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Although the law was a temporary substitute for the promise, It’s terms had to be met before they could be set aside. Jesus was quite clear that he was not going to just ignore it in Matthew 5:17-18. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
By trusting Christ, we do not make the law meaningless, but rather demonstrate it’s importance. According to Romans 3:31. “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” At the same time, we are no longer bound by the law because as Romans 10:4 tells us, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
This is a wonderful fact because it frees us from so much pressure. I do not have to keep the law as a Christian, because I have already fulfilled it in Christ. If my keeping may salvation depended on my keeping the law, I would have a problem. Galatians 5:4 tells us we would no longer be saved by his gift. “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” If I were to mess up, even unintentionally, it would be to bad. James 2:10 tells us “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
As Hebrews 6:4-6 says, there would be no hope. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
How wonderful to know that I am kept by the power of the almighty God as I Peter 1:5-6 reflects. “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:”
When a person sets out to get their drivers license, they take some classroom instruction. If they pass it, they can obtain a learner’s permit which allows them to drive only if accompanied by an experienced driver, or in some states, a qualified instructor. When they have developed sufficient skill, they are allowed to take the test to obtain a drivers license.
Testing for a drivers license is much different than that for a learner’s permit. They have to prove that the vehicle they are to drive meets state safety regulations, that there is a valid license and registration, and that they have insurance. They cannot be observed by their instructors, but must be tested by an approved test administrator, who is to observe their skill in various situations. After all, the prospective driver is not trying to learn how, he is to demonstrate competency. While he drives in both cases, the requirements are much different.
The rules are different in the training program than in actual practice. As a learner, the instructor is responsible for his student’s actions. He is supposed to only allow the student to drive in settings that are within his skill level. This is why the rules are less stringent. When he obtains his own license, the student is no longer limited to safe situations. He must be able to handle whatever arises. That requires a different standard.
Galatians 3:24-25 tells us that the law was a training system to bring us to Christ. To function in the real situation requires a total change. The new driver is required to satisfy the test administrator, rather than his instructor, and to meet legal requirements that his instructor took care of before. To really meet God’s standards, we had to have a different high priest. We also had to meet different standards.
“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.” (Hebrews 7:12-14)
What many do not realize is that the Old Testament law was the real change, lowering the standards, and the rewards, to serve as a training program. It allowed normal human beings to serve as high priests, and fleshly laws to set the standards. Galatians 3:16-17 explains this. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.”
Even human contracts cannot just be set aside because someone wants to change the rules. The commitment was to Abraham, more than 430 years before the law was given. The Mosaic law could never replace or supersede those promises. The law was placed in effect because of the wickedness of man until Christ came according to Galatians 3:19. “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”
The promise was made under the standard of Melchisedec’s priesthood. To meet that standard would require the same priesthood. The promise was to go into effect when Christ came. Christ was that priest. Notice the author’s statement.
“And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec 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 for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 7:15-17)
Just as the obtaining the driver’s license sets one beyond the requirements of the learner’s permit, faith in Christ makes us no longer subject to the law. It no longer applies to the Christian. Galatians 3:13-14 informs us, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” The law was unable to bring us to perfection because it depended on sinful flesh. It’s effect on those who believe had to be eliminated.
"For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” (Hebrews 7:18-19)
Romans 8:3-4 makes the same point, and shows that Christ didn’t just set the law aside, but he fulfilled it’s terms so it is no longer in effect. “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Although the law was a temporary substitute for the promise, It’s terms had to be met before they could be set aside. Jesus was quite clear that he was not going to just ignore it in Matthew 5:17-18. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
By trusting Christ, we do not make the law meaningless, but rather demonstrate it’s importance. According to Romans 3:31. “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” At the same time, we are no longer bound by the law because as Romans 10:4 tells us, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
This is a wonderful fact because it frees us from so much pressure. I do not have to keep the law as a Christian, because I have already fulfilled it in Christ. If my keeping may salvation depended on my keeping the law, I would have a problem. Galatians 5:4 tells us we would no longer be saved by his gift. “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” If I were to mess up, even unintentionally, it would be to bad. James 2:10 tells us “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
As Hebrews 6:4-6 says, there would be no hope. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
How wonderful to know that I am kept by the power of the almighty God as I Peter 1:5-6 reflects. “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:”
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Who is Melchisedec?
Hebrews 7:1-11
God said Jesus Christ is a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec as David describes in Psalm 110:4. To understand what that means, we need to go back and examine who Melchisedec was and what his priesthood entailed. Others have claimed to have the Melchisedec Priesthood, and this will also shed light on the validity of their claims.
Melchizedec first appears in Genesis 14, just after Abraham has rescued his nephew Lot from Chedorlaomer and the other kings involved in sacking Sodom. He is the first priest of God referred to in the Bible, and apparently the only one at the time. From the description, there was no others like him. To be Aaronic priests, they had to be descended from Aaron. There is no indication of any others. Many believe that Melchizedec was an incarnation of Christ , and as we see from his description, it seems probable.
“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; 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; 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.” (Hebrews 7:1-3)
First, we notice the name Melchizedek, meaning King of Right or righteousness. Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning Christ describes him as righteous. “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS,” (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
Melchizedek is also called the King of Salem or King of Peace. In Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah speaks of the Birth of Christ, describing some of the names he will be called. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Then we see the description of Melchisedec. He had neither Father or mother, nor predecessors. He is an eternal being. This description can only be taken to mean he is God. John 1:1-2 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” From John 1:14, it is easy to see that John is talking about Christ. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Clearly, the similarity is more than a title, and the final statement is that he was made like the Son of God. Christ is made a high priest forever after the same order. There could never be but one High Priest at a time. The implication is that there have only been two, and will never be any more, and those two may be the same.
“Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 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: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.” (Hebrews 7:4-7)
Under the Levitical or Aaronic priesthood, the Levites were authorized to receive tithes on behalf of God. They were descendents of Abraham. Melchisedec was not from Abraham, and Abraham gave tithes to him. Natural men receive tithes here on earth, but in heaven, only those who cannot die, and Melchisedec is described as having no end. He could bless Abraham because he was greater. In effect, the Levites, who had not yet been born, payed tithes in Abraham, implying that they were lesser priests. Had there priesthood been the ultimate, there would have been no reason for another, but clearly there was a greater.
“And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 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?” (Hebrews 7:9-11)
Because the Aaronic priesthood could never complete the requirements, there was a need for another, greater priesthood, one that could take Melchisedec’s authority. Hebrews will contrast and compare the Aaronic functions with Christ’s actions to help understand why Christianity is so much better than the old Jewish religion, although there are many similarities. The similarities are deliberate. The old Jewish Religion was designed to help us understand what Christ would do. The similarity was to teach us. Galatians 3:24 says , “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
It was like a flight simulator, where we can learn the basics without the expense or danger of a mistake in real flight. It is not truly flying, but gives a useful approximation of the real thing. Those who have learned in the simulator are less likely to crash in a real plane. Those who have learned from the Law are less likely to wreck spiritually. I Corinthians 10:6 describes this. “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.”
God said Jesus Christ is a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec as David describes in Psalm 110:4. To understand what that means, we need to go back and examine who Melchisedec was and what his priesthood entailed. Others have claimed to have the Melchisedec Priesthood, and this will also shed light on the validity of their claims.
Melchizedec first appears in Genesis 14, just after Abraham has rescued his nephew Lot from Chedorlaomer and the other kings involved in sacking Sodom. He is the first priest of God referred to in the Bible, and apparently the only one at the time. From the description, there was no others like him. To be Aaronic priests, they had to be descended from Aaron. There is no indication of any others. Many believe that Melchizedec was an incarnation of Christ , and as we see from his description, it seems probable.
“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; 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; 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.” (Hebrews 7:1-3)
First, we notice the name Melchizedek, meaning King of Right or righteousness. Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning Christ describes him as righteous. “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS,” (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
Melchizedek is also called the King of Salem or King of Peace. In Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah speaks of the Birth of Christ, describing some of the names he will be called. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Then we see the description of Melchisedec. He had neither Father or mother, nor predecessors. He is an eternal being. This description can only be taken to mean he is God. John 1:1-2 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” From John 1:14, it is easy to see that John is talking about Christ. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Clearly, the similarity is more than a title, and the final statement is that he was made like the Son of God. Christ is made a high priest forever after the same order. There could never be but one High Priest at a time. The implication is that there have only been two, and will never be any more, and those two may be the same.
“Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 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: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.” (Hebrews 7:4-7)
Under the Levitical or Aaronic priesthood, the Levites were authorized to receive tithes on behalf of God. They were descendents of Abraham. Melchisedec was not from Abraham, and Abraham gave tithes to him. Natural men receive tithes here on earth, but in heaven, only those who cannot die, and Melchisedec is described as having no end. He could bless Abraham because he was greater. In effect, the Levites, who had not yet been born, payed tithes in Abraham, implying that they were lesser priests. Had there priesthood been the ultimate, there would have been no reason for another, but clearly there was a greater.
“And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 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?” (Hebrews 7:9-11)
Because the Aaronic priesthood could never complete the requirements, there was a need for another, greater priesthood, one that could take Melchisedec’s authority. Hebrews will contrast and compare the Aaronic functions with Christ’s actions to help understand why Christianity is so much better than the old Jewish religion, although there are many similarities. The similarities are deliberate. The old Jewish Religion was designed to help us understand what Christ would do. The similarity was to teach us. Galatians 3:24 says , “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
It was like a flight simulator, where we can learn the basics without the expense or danger of a mistake in real flight. It is not truly flying, but gives a useful approximation of the real thing. Those who have learned in the simulator are less likely to crash in a real plane. Those who have learned from the Law are less likely to wreck spiritually. I Corinthians 10:6 describes this. “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.”
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Unchangeable Promise
Hebrews 6:13-20
We are going to move from the basics of how to get saved, to the basis for our salvation, and how it was accomplished, and what it means as we go through the book of Hebrews. Only the most naïve or corrupt person can deny that we are surrounded with evil things. Any true observer of human nature must recognize that humans are capable of the most depraved of acts, and that even the best do evil things from time to time. Government , law, and religion are ways man has sought to limit the power of evil. They have been of limited effectiveness in life and offer no release from the power of death that results from sin.
God observed man’s wickedness and as Genesis 6:5 tells us, “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” He destroyed the earth with a flood, and began again with Noah’s family. They were no different than their predecessors, but Abraham was different. He believed God, and God blessed him making a promises to him as a result. Paul describes it in Galatians 3:6-9.
“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”
As Paul says, the very basis of Christianity is described and promised in God’s promise to Abraham, but it did not originate there. The plan and choice was already in place before the world came into existence according to Ephesians 1:4, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” God knows man’s propensity to lie, and to take oaths as a way of convincing others they are telling the truth. As a result, he commanded us not to take oaths in Matthew 5:34. “But I say unto you, Swear not at all.“ We do not have power to make the oaths come true. Instead, our word should be sufficient. The demand for more is based on an assumption of lying according to Matthew 5:37. “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
Because men would assume there was no commitment without an oath, God swore by his own power to keep his promise. His oath would be seen by men as binding him to his promise. His statement was sufficient to make it true, but men might not accept that.
“For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 6:13-20)
God made the oath, to make it more certain in the mind of mankind that he would surely keep his word. His promise is based on his unchangeable nature. As Malachi 3:6 advises. “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.“ It was his unchangeable nature that caused him to protect Israel despite their wickedness. .” David said that God’s Word is true, and that it will continue forever in Psalm 119:160. “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” Paul told Timothy our hope is founded on the fact that God cannot lie and first made the promise even before the World began. “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” (I Timothy 1:2”
Because our hope is founded in the nature of God, and in his unchangeable word, it serves as an anchor enabling us to stand firm in our faith regardless of what is occurring around us. We know that it is centered in the very throne of God, holding us in the right place, and not just close. Jesus Christ has gone in as our high priest to intercede on our behalf to the very throne.
We are going to move from the basics of how to get saved, to the basis for our salvation, and how it was accomplished, and what it means as we go through the book of Hebrews. Only the most naïve or corrupt person can deny that we are surrounded with evil things. Any true observer of human nature must recognize that humans are capable of the most depraved of acts, and that even the best do evil things from time to time. Government , law, and religion are ways man has sought to limit the power of evil. They have been of limited effectiveness in life and offer no release from the power of death that results from sin.
God observed man’s wickedness and as Genesis 6:5 tells us, “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” He destroyed the earth with a flood, and began again with Noah’s family. They were no different than their predecessors, but Abraham was different. He believed God, and God blessed him making a promises to him as a result. Paul describes it in Galatians 3:6-9.
“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”
As Paul says, the very basis of Christianity is described and promised in God’s promise to Abraham, but it did not originate there. The plan and choice was already in place before the world came into existence according to Ephesians 1:4, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” God knows man’s propensity to lie, and to take oaths as a way of convincing others they are telling the truth. As a result, he commanded us not to take oaths in Matthew 5:34. “But I say unto you, Swear not at all.“ We do not have power to make the oaths come true. Instead, our word should be sufficient. The demand for more is based on an assumption of lying according to Matthew 5:37. “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
Because men would assume there was no commitment without an oath, God swore by his own power to keep his promise. His oath would be seen by men as binding him to his promise. His statement was sufficient to make it true, but men might not accept that.
“For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 6:13-20)
God made the oath, to make it more certain in the mind of mankind that he would surely keep his word. His promise is based on his unchangeable nature. As Malachi 3:6 advises. “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.“ It was his unchangeable nature that caused him to protect Israel despite their wickedness. .” David said that God’s Word is true, and that it will continue forever in Psalm 119:160. “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” Paul told Timothy our hope is founded on the fact that God cannot lie and first made the promise even before the World began. “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” (I Timothy 1:2”
Because our hope is founded in the nature of God, and in his unchangeable word, it serves as an anchor enabling us to stand firm in our faith regardless of what is occurring around us. We know that it is centered in the very throne of God, holding us in the right place, and not just close. Jesus Christ has gone in as our high priest to intercede on our behalf to the very throne.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Don’t Try to Teach Them What They Already Know
Hebrews 6:4-12
“I’m not going to school anymore. I already know that stuff.”
That’s what my nephew said after his second day in first grade. His teacher had been reviewing what they had done in kindergarten, but the way she approached it, he felt as if first grade would be just a repeat of what he’d already learned. If so there was no reason for going back.
Several years ago, I substituted for several months in a middle school math class. One ninth grade class was considered “slow” and was supposed to be focusing on learning the basics of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. As I learned, they had pretty much the same attitude. They hadn’t learned those things earlier, but continual repetition was just frustrating them. They were not slow, they simply had missed some steps along the way, and didn’t couldn’t progress. Unfortunately, I was slow about figuring out what had happened, and was not entirely successful in correcting their deficiencies. Only when I realized a different approach was required did I make progress. They’d had nine or ten years of the same thing. They were convinced they weren’t going to get it by doing it again.
The “No Child Left Behind” initiative created a problem in our schools, because teachers had to repeat what they had already taught in an effort to catch the slowest up, causing frustration in the more advanced students, without being able to correct the problems for those who were behind. It effectively reduces educational progress for all the students to the level of the slowest learner. As a result entire schools fail to meet educational standards, rather than a few students.
The author points out that simply repeating the basics will not solve the problems of those who have not gotten it after a few tries. To hold up the entire group in an effort to reach those who have not believed in Christ will only stunt the growth of the believers, with little likelihood of reaching the others.
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” (Hebrews 6:4-8)
There are always students in school who try to slide by without learning what is required. They try to do just enough to get passed into the next grade, without learning what they should. At some point most of them will reach a point where they can’t go any farther and either admit they need help, or drop out. Those who drop out are effectively saying they don’t want to learn, but they want the standards changed to meet their wants. There are those in the church who have done essentially the same thing, possibly even making a profession, without truly receiving Christ. They stay in the church for a while, and finally drop out because what they want something more than just what Christ offers. Just as it is impossible for the school to graduate those who drop out unless they are willing to go back and learn what they need to know, it is impossible to for those who have rejected everything Christ has offered to be saved. Like those who have just slid through school, they have experienced many of the same rewards as those who did learn, and now they have decided that is not enough and quit. Christ will not negotiate a new deal for them. This is what the problem was for those who came out of Egypt but didn't believe. They wanted their own terms.
If a man plants a garden and some areas fail to produce any of the plants he planted. He will not devote the same effort to caring for the weeds as he does for his vegetables. He just pulls out the weeds and leaves the ground bare. We mustn’t stop others from learning because some might drop out.
Those who have already learned those things, who have already been saved, don’t need to be saved. They need something more. If they should lose their salvation, they can’t be saved again, and a salvation message is wasted on them. There is no reason to repeat what they already have learned beyond an occasional review.
One reason the old one room schools turned out some very highly educated students was because every student was constantly exposed to things beyond his present level. He heard about things even before he was ready to learn them and at the same time he reviewed what he had learned by hearing those behind him. Many times things he had missed would be caught from the lessons of others. Separated grades lose that extended learning opportunity. Churches that focus only on the unsaved and babies in Christ offer no chance of growth to most Christians, and no incentive to the babies. It is no wonder many churches are filled with weak, immature Christians. People tend to live up to what is expected of them. The way they are taught demonstrates what is expected. The author expected more than just baby stuff.
“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:9-12)
God’s rewards are sure, but attaining them will require effort on our part. Expecting diligence on the part of believers will encourage then to reach the point of pleasing God. Expecting little or nothing will produce the same. If they are to learn much, they are going to have to be taught it. They are not likely to try for something they don’t know is there.
“I’m not going to school anymore. I already know that stuff.”
That’s what my nephew said after his second day in first grade. His teacher had been reviewing what they had done in kindergarten, but the way she approached it, he felt as if first grade would be just a repeat of what he’d already learned. If so there was no reason for going back.
Several years ago, I substituted for several months in a middle school math class. One ninth grade class was considered “slow” and was supposed to be focusing on learning the basics of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. As I learned, they had pretty much the same attitude. They hadn’t learned those things earlier, but continual repetition was just frustrating them. They were not slow, they simply had missed some steps along the way, and didn’t couldn’t progress. Unfortunately, I was slow about figuring out what had happened, and was not entirely successful in correcting their deficiencies. Only when I realized a different approach was required did I make progress. They’d had nine or ten years of the same thing. They were convinced they weren’t going to get it by doing it again.
The “No Child Left Behind” initiative created a problem in our schools, because teachers had to repeat what they had already taught in an effort to catch the slowest up, causing frustration in the more advanced students, without being able to correct the problems for those who were behind. It effectively reduces educational progress for all the students to the level of the slowest learner. As a result entire schools fail to meet educational standards, rather than a few students.
The author points out that simply repeating the basics will not solve the problems of those who have not gotten it after a few tries. To hold up the entire group in an effort to reach those who have not believed in Christ will only stunt the growth of the believers, with little likelihood of reaching the others.
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” (Hebrews 6:4-8)
There are always students in school who try to slide by without learning what is required. They try to do just enough to get passed into the next grade, without learning what they should. At some point most of them will reach a point where they can’t go any farther and either admit they need help, or drop out. Those who drop out are effectively saying they don’t want to learn, but they want the standards changed to meet their wants. There are those in the church who have done essentially the same thing, possibly even making a profession, without truly receiving Christ. They stay in the church for a while, and finally drop out because what they want something more than just what Christ offers. Just as it is impossible for the school to graduate those who drop out unless they are willing to go back and learn what they need to know, it is impossible to for those who have rejected everything Christ has offered to be saved. Like those who have just slid through school, they have experienced many of the same rewards as those who did learn, and now they have decided that is not enough and quit. Christ will not negotiate a new deal for them. This is what the problem was for those who came out of Egypt but didn't believe. They wanted their own terms.
If a man plants a garden and some areas fail to produce any of the plants he planted. He will not devote the same effort to caring for the weeds as he does for his vegetables. He just pulls out the weeds and leaves the ground bare. We mustn’t stop others from learning because some might drop out.
Those who have already learned those things, who have already been saved, don’t need to be saved. They need something more. If they should lose their salvation, they can’t be saved again, and a salvation message is wasted on them. There is no reason to repeat what they already have learned beyond an occasional review.
One reason the old one room schools turned out some very highly educated students was because every student was constantly exposed to things beyond his present level. He heard about things even before he was ready to learn them and at the same time he reviewed what he had learned by hearing those behind him. Many times things he had missed would be caught from the lessons of others. Separated grades lose that extended learning opportunity. Churches that focus only on the unsaved and babies in Christ offer no chance of growth to most Christians, and no incentive to the babies. It is no wonder many churches are filled with weak, immature Christians. People tend to live up to what is expected of them. The way they are taught demonstrates what is expected. The author expected more than just baby stuff.
“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:9-12)
God’s rewards are sure, but attaining them will require effort on our part. Expecting diligence on the part of believers will encourage then to reach the point of pleasing God. Expecting little or nothing will produce the same. If they are to learn much, they are going to have to be taught it. They are not likely to try for something they don’t know is there.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Try the Steak
Hebrews 5:8-6:2
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 5:8-10)
In order to truly represent us, it was necessary for Christ to experience temptation like we do, to experience the fear of death, the physical pain, and the sense of separation from God. He was not perfectly complete as a human until he experienced these things as well, and could not thus serve as a satisfactory priest. As God, when he had experienced them, he could fulfill the priest’s office forever as he would not die. The implications of this are tremendous. Unfortunately, many have settled for only the most basic teachings, never understanding what this means to those who believe in him. Several times, I have been told “you just can’t understand the book of Hebrews.” Notice the author’s comments.
“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:11-14)
Most parents have experienced trying to introduce solid food to a baby and having him spit it out. It doesn’t taste or feel just like what he is used to, and his taste buds need to adjust to the new experience. Some parents decide the child doesn’t like it, and stop giving it to him so they don‘t have to deal with the mess. Others get angry , but a few realize that it is just a new experience, and he needs to get used to the new sensations. If he is given a taste several times, he will learn to tolerate, and often to like what he is given. If he is never given any more, he learns not to try new things, and becomes a picky eater.
Picky eaters usually have very poor diets, because they eat such a small variety of foods. They miss many of the required nutrients, resulting in abnormal growth patterns. A child who eats little other than milk tends to be larger and fatter than normal because milk has high concentrations of nutrients to promote growth. It has a low concentration of strength building nutrients however, and the large size is counterbalanced by underdeveloped muscles. Other picky eaters may be undersized and hyper active because they tend to eat a surplus of sweets and starches, and not eating enough protein. By not continuing to give a variety and helping the child to learn to like more things, the parents deprive him of a much richer life.
One of my relatives had grown up as a picky eater, reaching the point where he ate only hamburgers and French fries. He married a young lady who had grown up eating a variety of foods. For several weeks, she cooked hamburgers because he refused to eat anything else. She reached a point where she couldn’t stand the thought of another hamburger, and fixed something else. He refused to eat it and told her that if she wouldn’t fix what he wanted, he’d go to his mom’s to eat. She called his mom and told her that if she fed him, he wasn’t to come back, she wasn’t going to compete with his mother. His mom decided she didn’t want to be in that position so refused to feed him. For about six weeks, his wife cooked whatever she wanted.
One night she decided she was craving a hamburger, so she cooked hamburgers and French fries. Her husband wanted to know why she hadn’t cooked something fit to eat. The problem had not been that he didn’t like other things, he’d just never tried them enough to find out he liked them. His mother had found it easier to give him hamburgers and french fries than to provide a balanced diet. He’d never enjoyed a baked potato, or an ear of corn. He’d never eaten roast beef, or fried chicken, or the various vegetables.
Besides missing the rich variety of tastes, he had also missed a huge variety of nutrients. The process of chopping the meat destroys certain nutrients, and frying destroys others, with the result that a hamburger has somewhat less nutrients than the piece of roast beef. If the roast is cooked with the bone in it, it will provide nearly four times as much calcium as a boneless piece of meat. the same is true for a steak. Meat from an older, grass fed cow will provide thirty percent more nutrients, and less fat than a corn fed cow but the meat tends to be tougher and have a different taste, so most steaks and hamburger comes from corn fed cattle. Many people avoid ribs because they are messy, and tough. They also provide more calcium than any other part of the meat, and the more you chew the bones the more you get. The connective tissue is largely composed of calcium and protein that are not found in other meat. The extra effort to eat them is nutritionally rewarding.
The recipients of this letter have become spiritually picky eaters, and it has hampered their spiritual development. Though they have been Christians long enough to be teachers and examples to others, they still have to have some one else take care of them instead. They’ve missed most of what was available. To get to where they need to be, it will be necessary to stop lay aside the doctrines they have always focused on and look at something different. They will need to have the milk taken completely away like weaning a baby, to force them to try other food. They probably will not like it at first.
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” (Hebrews 6:1-3)
While they are the very basis of being a Christian, we can never become mature Christians on a steady diet of salvation messages, of messages about sin and our need to put it out of our lives, about the need for baptism or how to get the Holy Spirit. While the Lord will surely come again, and judge the world, teaching about prophecy will never produce mature Christians either. The author implies that these are baby food, essential for new Christians, but not sufficient for the development or maintenance of mature Christians. The goal is to focus on the strong meat of the word which will enable the people to become strong, mature Christians through the rest of the book.
Doing so will be somewhat like eating the ribs, where one has to gnaw the bones and chew much harder to get very much food, but when it is finished will be so spiritually rewarding. If you wish to be a strong Christian, you will need to put forth the effort.
Care to come along? I’ll never forget the first time we gave my son a soft piece of bacon. He tore into it like he’d never had anything so good. There was no way we could get him to trade it for his bottle or anything else. You may find strong meat the same way when you try it.
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 5:8-10)
In order to truly represent us, it was necessary for Christ to experience temptation like we do, to experience the fear of death, the physical pain, and the sense of separation from God. He was not perfectly complete as a human until he experienced these things as well, and could not thus serve as a satisfactory priest. As God, when he had experienced them, he could fulfill the priest’s office forever as he would not die. The implications of this are tremendous. Unfortunately, many have settled for only the most basic teachings, never understanding what this means to those who believe in him. Several times, I have been told “you just can’t understand the book of Hebrews.” Notice the author’s comments.
“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:11-14)
Most parents have experienced trying to introduce solid food to a baby and having him spit it out. It doesn’t taste or feel just like what he is used to, and his taste buds need to adjust to the new experience. Some parents decide the child doesn’t like it, and stop giving it to him so they don‘t have to deal with the mess. Others get angry , but a few realize that it is just a new experience, and he needs to get used to the new sensations. If he is given a taste several times, he will learn to tolerate, and often to like what he is given. If he is never given any more, he learns not to try new things, and becomes a picky eater.
Picky eaters usually have very poor diets, because they eat such a small variety of foods. They miss many of the required nutrients, resulting in abnormal growth patterns. A child who eats little other than milk tends to be larger and fatter than normal because milk has high concentrations of nutrients to promote growth. It has a low concentration of strength building nutrients however, and the large size is counterbalanced by underdeveloped muscles. Other picky eaters may be undersized and hyper active because they tend to eat a surplus of sweets and starches, and not eating enough protein. By not continuing to give a variety and helping the child to learn to like more things, the parents deprive him of a much richer life.
One of my relatives had grown up as a picky eater, reaching the point where he ate only hamburgers and French fries. He married a young lady who had grown up eating a variety of foods. For several weeks, she cooked hamburgers because he refused to eat anything else. She reached a point where she couldn’t stand the thought of another hamburger, and fixed something else. He refused to eat it and told her that if she wouldn’t fix what he wanted, he’d go to his mom’s to eat. She called his mom and told her that if she fed him, he wasn’t to come back, she wasn’t going to compete with his mother. His mom decided she didn’t want to be in that position so refused to feed him. For about six weeks, his wife cooked whatever she wanted.
One night she decided she was craving a hamburger, so she cooked hamburgers and French fries. Her husband wanted to know why she hadn’t cooked something fit to eat. The problem had not been that he didn’t like other things, he’d just never tried them enough to find out he liked them. His mother had found it easier to give him hamburgers and french fries than to provide a balanced diet. He’d never enjoyed a baked potato, or an ear of corn. He’d never eaten roast beef, or fried chicken, or the various vegetables.
Besides missing the rich variety of tastes, he had also missed a huge variety of nutrients. The process of chopping the meat destroys certain nutrients, and frying destroys others, with the result that a hamburger has somewhat less nutrients than the piece of roast beef. If the roast is cooked with the bone in it, it will provide nearly four times as much calcium as a boneless piece of meat. the same is true for a steak. Meat from an older, grass fed cow will provide thirty percent more nutrients, and less fat than a corn fed cow but the meat tends to be tougher and have a different taste, so most steaks and hamburger comes from corn fed cattle. Many people avoid ribs because they are messy, and tough. They also provide more calcium than any other part of the meat, and the more you chew the bones the more you get. The connective tissue is largely composed of calcium and protein that are not found in other meat. The extra effort to eat them is nutritionally rewarding.
The recipients of this letter have become spiritually picky eaters, and it has hampered their spiritual development. Though they have been Christians long enough to be teachers and examples to others, they still have to have some one else take care of them instead. They’ve missed most of what was available. To get to where they need to be, it will be necessary to stop lay aside the doctrines they have always focused on and look at something different. They will need to have the milk taken completely away like weaning a baby, to force them to try other food. They probably will not like it at first.
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” (Hebrews 6:1-3)
While they are the very basis of being a Christian, we can never become mature Christians on a steady diet of salvation messages, of messages about sin and our need to put it out of our lives, about the need for baptism or how to get the Holy Spirit. While the Lord will surely come again, and judge the world, teaching about prophecy will never produce mature Christians either. The author implies that these are baby food, essential for new Christians, but not sufficient for the development or maintenance of mature Christians. The goal is to focus on the strong meat of the word which will enable the people to become strong, mature Christians through the rest of the book.
Doing so will be somewhat like eating the ribs, where one has to gnaw the bones and chew much harder to get very much food, but when it is finished will be so spiritually rewarding. If you wish to be a strong Christian, you will need to put forth the effort.
Care to come along? I’ll never forget the first time we gave my son a soft piece of bacon. He tore into it like he’d never had anything so good. There was no way we could get him to trade it for his bottle or anything else. You may find strong meat the same way when you try it.
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