SATURDAY November 22, 2025
The Truth of Two Priesthoods
Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
Hebrews 7:11
We have already established that Abraham set a model for giving when he gave tithes to Melchizedek. Tithing is biblical. It is found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Now as we complete Hebrews 7, Paul’s discourse continued the doctrinal argument about the necessity for Christ’s priesthood to replace Aaron’s earthly priesthood. Aaron was Moses' brother; he was called by God to begin and to maintain the Levitical priesthood. He was chosen to be the high priest at the time when Moses was ruling God’s people.
Paul argued that if the Levitical priesthood, through its ceremonial laws, made us perfect, then what further need was there for another priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek? The simple truth is that the earthly priesthood could not make sinners perfect through the rituals of animal sacrifices. The blood of animals was only a covering for sin. It never took a person’s sin away, as stated in Hebrews 10:11: And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
Jesus would arise a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, not according to Aaron’s earthly priesthood. Aaron’s priesthood was imperfect, but Jesus’ priesthood was perfect. There was still a need for the shedding of blood for sin: And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22).
Jesus shed His blood on the Cross. Now a sinner’s sin can be completely wiped away––clean and forgiven: ...we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Hebrews 10:10 KJV).
Christ will remain a priest and king; though He was never consecrated by any papist bishop or greased by any of those shavelings; but he was ordained and consecrated by God Himself, and by Him anointed.
~Martin Luther~
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