Christ, Our Eternal High Priest: The Order of Melchisedec

Hebrews 5

1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said to him, You are my Son, to day have I begotten you.

6 As he says also in another place, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him;

10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing you are dull of hearing.

12 For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you 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.

13 For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The fifth chapter of Hebrews beautifully explains the divine qualifications of the high priest and conclusively establishes that Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, holds this office eternally after the unique and superior order of Melchisedec Hebrews 5:6KJV — Hebrews 5:10.

Here is a clear explanation of the key truths presented in Hebrews 5 regarding the High Priest and the order of Melchisedec:

The Qualifications and Calling of the High Priest

The text begins by detailing the essential characteristics of a human high priest taken from among men, showing that he is ordained to act for humanity in things pertaining to God, specifically to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins Hebrews 5:1.

• Compassion and Infirmity: A high priest must be able to have deep compassion for those who are ignorant or out of the way, because he himself is encompassed with infirmity Hebrews 5:2-3SpM 292.2.

• Divine Appointment: Critically, no individual can take this sacred honor to himself; the high priest must be called of God, just as Aaron was divinely called to the office Hebrews 5:4SpM 292.2+1.

Christ’s Unwavering Appointment

Christ perfectly fulfills these necessary conditions, yet His calling transcends the earthly requirements because it is derived directly from God and follows the everlasting Melchisedec order Hebrews 5:6.

• Called by God: Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest; rather, He was appointed by the Father, who declared Him to be His Son Hebrews 5:5SpM 292.2+1.

• Suffering and Perfection: During His earthly life, Christ offered intense prayers and supplications to the Father, who was able to save Him from death Hebrews 5:7SpM 292.2. Although He was the Son, He learned obedience through the suffering He endured Hebrews 5:8SpM 292.2.

• Author of Salvation: Having been made perfect through this process, Christ became the author of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, confirming His appointment as High Priest after the order of Melchisedec Hebrews 5:9-10RH June 16, 1903, Art. A, par. 1+1.

The Superiority of the Melchisedec Order

The Melchisedec priesthood, first mentioned in the context of Abraham, signifies a priesthood that surpasses the Levitical or Aaronic order in every essential respect Genesis 14:18-20+1ARSH March 20, 1856, page 193.10+1.

• King and Priest: Melchisedec was uniquely King of Righteousness (Melchizedek) and King of Peace (King of Salem), symbolizing Christ who serves as both Priest and King on the throne of the Majesty in the heavens Zechariah 6:13+1RDAC 119.1+2.

• Without Succession: This order is characterized by having no genealogical reckoning and no succession, being described as having neither beginning of days nor end of life Hebrews 7:3ARSH March 20, 1856, page 193.10+1. The Levitical priests were many because they were prevented from continuing their ministry by reason of death Hebrews 7:23ARSH October 2, 1855, page 52.28. Christ, however, continues forever and therefore holds an unchangeable priesthood Hebrews 7:24SANC 7.1+1.

• Eternal Intercession: Because Christ continues forever, this unending priesthood enables Him to save those who come to God by Him to the uttermost, seeing that He ever lives to make intercession for them Hebrews 7:25ARSH October 2, 1855, page 52.28+1.

Admonition for Growth

The discussion of the superior Melchisedec priesthood leads immediately to a stern warning about the necessity of spiritual maturity Hebrews 5:11.

• Spiritual Dullness: The apostle noted that discussing the deeper concepts of the Melchisedec order was challenging because the recipients were dull of hearing, showing a lack of spiritual capacity Hebrews 5:11RH June 16, 1903, Art. A, par. 1+1.

• Need for Maturity: They were admonished that they should have been capable of being teachers but still required basic instruction, being likened to those who need milk rather than strong meat Hebrews 5:12-1317LtMs, Ms 94, 1902, par. 14. Strong teaching belongs to those of full age who have exercised their spiritual senses to rightly discern between good and evil Hebrews 5:14. This call to maturity confirms that Christ’s high priesthood is the only means by which any soul can attain true perfection and draw nigh unto God Hebrews 7:19CWCP 84.2.