MELCHISEDEC/MELCHIZEDEK

INDUCTIVE BIBLE TOPIC STUDY

MELCHISEDEC/MELCHIZEDEK

By Dennis Schmidt 3/2007

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There are 11 references to Melchisedec in the Bible. 2 are in the Old Testament (spelled Melchizedek) and 9 in the New Testament in the book of Hebrews. 6 of the 9 are in 7th chapter of Hebrews. The book of Hebrews shows the superiority of the priesthood of Melchizedek over the Leviticus priesthood and the resultant higher authority of the priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ. All scriptures are from the King James’ version Bible.

INDUCTIVE COMMENTS:

THEME: A priest and king were not from the same tribe in Judaism (king from Judah tribe and priest from Levi tribe). Jesus fulfilled both rolls by Melchizedek priest and birth from (kingly) Judah tribe (Matthew 1:3 & Luke 3:33).

Zechariah 6:12-13 "And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: {13} Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both."

PURPOSE: To show that Jesus from the tribe of Judah can be a priest also.

Hebrews 7:21 "(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:)"

As quoted from Psalms 110:4, Jesus was a priest long before the nation of Israel and the Leviticus system began.

Hebrews 7:22-24 "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. {23} And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: {24} But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood."

Priest died. Jesus priesthood continued ever and is unchangeable.

Hebrews 7:25 "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 7:26 "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;"

Not like Leviticus priest who are sinners & offered repeatable daily sacrifices resulting in only temporary forgiveness. Jesus, sacrificed himself once, for a permanent forgiveness. Now he can plead for us from a position of authority in the highest heaven.

Hebrews 7:27-28 "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. {28} 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."

KEY VERSE: A priest and king were not from the same tribe in Judaism (king from Judah tribe and priest from Levi tribe). Jesus fulfilled both rolls by Melchizedek priest and birth from (kingly) Judah tribe (Matthew 1:3 & Luke 3:33).

WHO: God mainly by Bible authors David, John, and Paul

TO WHOM: Elected Christians

WHAT: Jesus is the Melchizedek king and priest.

Genesis 14:18-20 "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. {19} And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: {20} And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all."

3 Key items are as follows:

A) KING OF SALEM: City of Salem is another name for city of Jerusalem.

Ref. Dake p12: Jebusites conquered Salem and renamed Jebus. It was later combined to Jerusalem which means habitation of peace.

Psalms 76:2 "In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion." First Bible reference to Jerusalem: Joshua 10:1.

B) BREAD AND WINES:

Emblems of the Lord's Supper. Shows understanding of atonement?

1 Peter 1:10-11 "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: {11} Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow."

C) PRIEST OF MOST HIGH GOD:

The Aaronic priesthood was temporary: Hebrews 7:11-12

God has representatives in all ages i.e. a Gentile Priest.

Psalms 110:4 "The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."

Psalms 110:1 referred to Jesus and 110:4 shows Jesus is Melchizedek

WHY: Jesus is Melchisedec priest and not from tribe of Levi priests.

Hebrews 5:6 "As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Quote from Psalms 110:4)

Hebrews' 5 discuss Jesus call to be a priest, but not after Levi.

Hebrews 5:10 "Called of God a high priest after the order of Melchisedec."

Hebrews 6:20 "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (He is high priest going daily before God. Heb 7:25)

Jesus was appointed by God for eternal worship & priesthood now & in heaven.

WAY: Jesus is Melchisedec priest which remained forever.

Hebrews 7:1-2 "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; {2} 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;"

Hebrews 7:3 "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."

Melchisedec has always existed and still performs priesthood tasks.

Hebrews 7:4 "Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils."

This man could be Shem, another person or Jesus. Some Bible versions (NIV & Berkeley) do not say that he is a man.

Hebrews 7:5-8 "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: {6} But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. {7} And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. {8} And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth."

Melchisedec was greater than Abraham. Ever lives? Levi priest die.

Hebrews 7:9 "And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham."

Leviticus priesthood was inferior to Melchisedec priesthood.

Hebrews 7:10 "For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him." (Then Levi also gave tithe to Melchisedec.)

Hebrews 7:11-13 "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?" {12} For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. {13} For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar." 2 Chronicles' King tried to sacrifice. God replied.

Jesus, tribe of Judah and Melchisedec priesthood, replaced Aaron.

WHEREAS: Jesus is God from the beginning Who came to earth to be ruler in Israel and to sacrifice His life as a priest.

Micah 5:2 "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (also see Zechariah 6:12-13 below)

WHERE: Israel

WHEN: All times

WHILE: Jesus, from the tribe of Judah and Melchisedec priesthood, replaced Aaron priests.

Hebrews 7:14 "For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood."

2 Chronicles 26:18-19 ".said unto him,..not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron,. Leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests."

Hebrews 7:17-20 "For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. {18} For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. {19} For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. {20} And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:"

Leviticus priesthood annulled due to weakness and sin. Jesus priesthood is a better hope. God made oath for his priesthood.

As quoted from Psalms 110:4, Jesus was a priest long before the nation of Israel and the Leviticus system began.

Priest died. Jesus priesthood continued ever and is unchangeable.

Hebrews 7:25 "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 7:26 "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;"

PAPER OUTLINE:

I) MELCHISEDEC A 7 FOLD TYPE OF CHRIST:

A) GENEALOGY:

B) SACRIFICE:

C) ENDLESS PRIESTHOOD:

D) KING PRIEST:

E) GREATER THAN ABRAHAM:

F) KING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS:

G) KING OF PEACE:

II) OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

A) KING OF SALEM:

B) BREAD AND WINES:

C) PRIEST OF MOST HIGH GOD:

III) NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

I) MELCHISEDEC A 7 FOLD TYPE OF CHRIST:

A) GENEALOGY: (Hebrews 7:3, 6)

B) SACRIFICE: (The task done by a priest)

See my paper: "Between Jesus Death & Resurrection What did He Accomplish?" for more information on this subject.

C) ENDLESS PRIESTHOOD: (Psalm 110 with Hebrews 5:10; 6:20; 7:3, 17, 7:21, 23-28)

D) KING PRIEST: (Hebrews 7:1)

See my paper: "Jesus as Prophet, Priest, & King" for more information on this subject.

This was not allowed in Judaism (king from Judah tribe and priest from Levi tribe). Jesus fulfilled both rolls by Melchizedek priest and birth from (kingly) Judah tribe (Matthew 1:3 & Luke 3:33).

E) GREATER THAN ABRAHAM: (Hebrews 7:4-8 with John 8:55-59)

See my paper: "Justification of Faith - Old Testament Doctrine" for more information on this subject.

Abraham gave honor to greater person by giving a tithe to him.

John 8:58 "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

F) KING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Hebrews 7:2) (One meaning of Melchisedec)

See my paper: "True Gospel for Salvation by the Imputed Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Imputed/Reckoned/Counted Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.

G) KING OF PEACE: (Hebrews 7:2) (Another meaning of Melchisedec)

See my paper: "Jesus Two Comings as King" for more information on this subject.

II) OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

See my paper: "Jesus in the Old Testament" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Messianic Prophecies that Jesus Fulfilled" for more information on this subject.

3 Key items are as follows:

A) KING OF SALEM: City of Salem is another name for city of Jerusalem.

Ref. Dake p12: Jebusites conquered Salem and renamed Jebus. It was later combined to Jerusalem which means habitation of peace.

Psalms 76:2 "In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion." First Bible reference to Jerusalem: Joshua 10:1.

B) BREAD AND WINES:

Emblems of the Lord's Supper. Shows understanding of atonement?

See my paper: "Communion" for more information on this subject.

C) PRIEST OF MOST HIGH GOD:

The Aaronic priesthood was temporary: Hebrews 7:11-12

God has representatives in all ages i.e. a Gentile Priest.

Psalms 110:4 "The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."

Psalms 110:1 Referred to Jesus and 110:4 shows Jesus is Melchizedek

III) NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

Hebrews 5:6 "As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Quote from Psalms 110:4)

Hebrews' 5 discuss Jesus call to be a priest, but not after Levi.

Hebrews 5:10 "Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."