One Torah for All
One Torah shall be to him that is home-born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. Exodus 12:49 |
The Priesthood of All Believers
By Zerubbabel ben Emunah
A question seems to have arisen in these latter days as to who is and who is not in His priesthood. This is an interesting phenomenon, considering that for nearly the past two thousand years this question was not seriously considered by His people to be anything other than what it plainly states in the passage above. This article will explore this question and look into what the Scriptures actually say in this regard. One aspect of this question is dealing with a particular order of the priesthood, the Melchizedekian priesthood. We will look at the Scripture passages from which this concept is taken and misapplied and ask YHWH to increase our understanding so that we can walk in the fullness of His light.
Melchizedek B’reshit [Genesis] 14:18 This is the first mention of the kingly priest. After Avraham had gone and rescued Lot, his nephew, on his return, this king came out from Salem (Salem later became the city of Jerusalem), and Avraham gave him a tenth of all the spoils. We find this kingly priest’s name mentioned in three books of Scripture; once in this chapter of B’reshit, once in Tehillim (below), and then nine times in the book of Ivrim (Hebrews). We will examine each one of these references and their respective contexts to understand what it is that each one is teaching. Tehillim [Psalm] 110:1-7 We find the name of this kingly priest in verse four above. But in order to understand this verse properly, then we need to understand who it is that is speaking, who it is that is being spoken to, and who is being spoken about. First, we have YHWH speaking. Second, He is speaking to one referred to as “my Master” in verse one. Then in verse five, it changes from לַאדֹנִי (to my Master) toאֲדֹנָי (used as a reference to YHWH). Notice the difference between the vowel pointings in these two words. The first word is pointed to mean “my master”. The second is pointed as a reference to YHWH. And how do we know this to be true concerning the word in verse five? In the eighth century CE (AD), the Sopherim (scribes) in some places in Scripture removed the name of YHWH and replaced it with other titles, the most common one being “Adonai” as pointed above. To their credit, they kept very careful records of exactly what verses that they did this in. Tehillim 110:5 was one of those verses in which they substituted the name of YHWH with אֲדֹנָי (Adonai). So, in essence what we have here, is one of those places in which one YHWH is speaking to or about another YHWH. YHWH Gadol (greater) is speaking about YHWH Katan (lesser) in this passage. We have the Father speaking about the Son and what He, YHWH Gadol, is saying, is that YHWH Katan is a priest like Melchizedek. This is a Messianic Psalm. So this Psalm is a prophecy concerning the coming Messiah and that He would be a kingly priest like Melchizedek. We will find that those of Yeshua’s day understood this prophecy and the writer of the book of Ivrim discussed this truth in three chapters beginning in chapter five. Ivrim [Hebrews] 5:5-10 This first mention of Melchizedek in the book of Ivrim, we find, is actually quoting Tehillim and applying it directly to Yeshua our Mashiach. This should not be too surprising considering what the Psalm actually says. In both places, in Psalm 110 and above, we not only find that this kingly priest is mentioned but that he makes reference to an order of priests. The Hebrew word in question is דִּבְרָתִי (div-ra-ti), which means “reason, suit or style: - cause, end, estate, order, regard or manner”. The usage of this word is simply indicating to us that Mashiach would be a priest in like manner as Melchizedek. It is unfortunate that the translators chose the word “order” to translate this word as this implies something else as well that is not true; i.e., that there would be a whole string of priests known as Melchizedek. This next section of Scripture that we will examine starts in Ivrim 6:19 and goes through Ivrim 8:6. We will break it down into smaller pieces to help us digest it. Ivrim [Hebrews] 6:19-7:3 As we go through these passages in the book of Ivrim, what we are going to find, is that Yeshua is the High Priest made after the likeness of Melchizedek. What we will see is that the duty of this priest and the function that he fulfills can only be the person of Yeshua. Furthermore, we will see that no other person can fulfill these criteria. What this means, in essence, is that after Yeshua became a priest after the likeness of Melchizedek, that order was closed and for a very good reason, which we will see as we examine these verses. First of all, we need to understand that there can only be one rightful king of Salem (Jerusalem). And that rightful king is Yeshua and Yeshua alone. Also, we see that Melchizedek had no recorded father or mother, no genealogy or beginning nor end. None of these things are recorded. Why? Because, the kingly priest Melchizedek was a pattern for the Messiah who was to come after him. Even though we know who the human parents of Yeshua were, we also know that He existed long before He came in the form of a human man. Like Melchizedek, Mashiach had no beginning and no end and no genealogy. All of these characteristics that are mentioned about Melchizedek are mentioned because they can each be applied to Mashiach. No other human can qualify for this office of Melchizedekian priest. Ivrim [Hebrews] 7:4-10 The original Melchizedek received the tithes of the spoil from Avraham that he had taken in rescuing his nephew Lot. The writer to the Hebrews is showing us how great this man Melchizedek was, by showing us that those who receive tithes according to the commandment of Torah, actually paid tithes to this man while still in the loins of their father Avraham. This concept may seem rather mystical, but it contains a spiritual principle that is spoken of in other places in Scripture. Shemot [Exodus] 20:5-6 YHWH tells us that He has created His creation in such a way that what the father is, is passed on to his children. He states this in the negative. However, in the book of Hebrews the same principle is spoken of in 7:9-10, which is in the positive. It is this same principle the writer uses to instruct us in the nature of the new Melchizedekian priest. This can and should be likened to the distinction between the first Adam and the Second Adam. Likewise, here we are being instructed in the first Melchizedek to draw lessons from, to instruct us about the second Melchizedek, who is Yeshua our Mashiach. As we are all humans, we are all part of mankind, and there was only ever one first Adam. There was only one Second or Last Adam. While we are all sons of Adam, that does not make us Adam in the sense that is being spoken about in Scripture. Likewise, there was a first Melchizedek and a second or last Melchizedek. It is true that we are all part of the priesthood of believers. But that does not make us a Melchizedekian priest any more than it makes us another Adam. Ivrim [Hebrews] 7:11-14 The writer then goes on to show us that Yeshua was not from the Levitical priesthood as commanded by YHWH in His Torah. He draws this parallel from Melchizedek, as he was not a Levite either. The writer then continues with his instruction. Ivrim [Hebrews] 7:15-19 Once again, the writer quotes Tehillim 110, stating that Messiah is given the same type of priesthood as Melchizedek had because He had an indestructible life; i.e., the grave could not hold Him. The instructions (Torah) that YHWH had given to His people could not do that which was necessary, that is, to complete in us that which we are lacking – eternal life. Only YHWH can do this, and so He came in the likeness of human flesh to accomplish that which we were lacking. Ivrim [Hebrews] 7:20-22 Here is the thing that we must not miss. Yeshua is our guarantee of a better covenant, because like the promise given to Avraham, Mashiach was also given a promise that He would be a priest in the likeness of Melchizedek. What this means for us is that His priesthood is perpetual and everlasting. Thus, we do not need to have another to rise to make intercession for us. Ivrim [Hebrews] 7:23-25 The Levitical priesthood was not able to intercede for His people on a permanent basis because they were always dying and others taking their place. However, with Yeshua our Mashiach that is not the case, because by virtue of His everlasting life, He has been made a priest patterned after Melchizedek so that we never have to look for another Melchizedekian priest! Ivrim [Hebrews] 7:26-28 The writer then goes on to show us that the Levitical priesthood was not able to accomplish that which needed to be accomplished, namely, salvation for His people, because of their own sinfulness. Before these priests could approach YHWH for atonement for the people they had of necessity to approach YHWH for their own salvation. Yeshua our Mashiach needs not do this because He does not have sin; and because He is the Son, His appointment as the High Priest is everlasting. Furthermore, His priesthood was confirmed with an oath from YHWH, thus making His priesthood and our salvation sure! Ivrim [Hebrews] 8:1-6 The explanation that the writer has taken the reader through is quite involved and the writer is now concerned that his readers may miss the point. So, he boils his main point down into one paragraph for the benefit of the reader, us. Please note that Yeshua’s priestly duties are not upon earth or in the earthly tabernacle (see verse 4). Rather, Yeshua takes His offering into the heavenly tabernacle that was made without hands of which pattern the earthly tabernacle was made. On a side note, any talk about the earthly ark of the covenant having the Blood of Messiah applied to it in any way, exhibits a complete lack of understanding of these chapters, and verse four above in particular. Our salvation was not made sure in the earthly tabernacle (which is only a copy of the real thing), but our salvation was made sure in the true tabernacle in heaven. Brethren, do not be deceived! Ivrim [Hebrews] 9:11-15 Please note, that the priesthood that Yeshua received as a Melchizedekian priest, was an office in which only He could stand. Only He could enter into the heavenly tabernacle and make atonement for the sins of man. The point of going through all this and pointing these things out to you is simply to say, that there can only be one Melchizedekian priest! There does not need to be, nor can there be, a whole order of Melchizedekian priests. To put forth such a notion is to say that Yeshua’s priesthood is not adequate and that He was not able to accomplish that which needed to be accomplished. Besides which, who else could be a Melchizedekian priest and enter into the heavenly tabernacle to secure the salvation of man or to intercede with the Father in the heavenly throne room? Do you see the problem with having a whole order of priests patterned after Melchizedek? However, we know that Yeshua did accomplish eternal salvation for His people and that there does not need to arise another priest after the order of Melchizedek.
The Roots of the Priesthood of Believers Shemot [Exodus] 19:6a YHWH’s original plan was that each and every one of His people would be a priest. So what happened that changed this? First, let us get the context of the above verse before us. Shemot [Exodus] 19:3-8 What we see happening in this passage, is that the whole nation willfully and voluntarily entered into a covenant with YHWH. In this covenant they agreed to hear and obey His Voice and do all that He instructed them to do. And if they would do this, then they would be a kingdom of priests. To this they agreed. After Moshe had told this to the people and they had agreed to it as one man, Moshe then went back to YHWH and told Him that the people had agreed to hear and obey His Voice. So far, so good! Then in verses nine through fifteen, we are told that YHWH gave Moshe instructions for the nation so that they could prepare for His coming down upon the mountain, instructions which they received and obeyed. YHWH was going to come down upon the mountain in three days and the nation made all the necessary preparations. Then we find the following record. Shemot [Exodus] 19:16-20 There was a lot of phenomena that accompanied YHWH’s descent upon Mount Sinai. The result of this, was that the people trembled with fear. This was a very good thing. However, the people allowed this fear to dictate their ensuing actions, rather than following the covenant that they had made with YHWH. What we will see as a result is a breaking of the covenant after it was only three days old. Shemot [Exodus] 20:18-21 Please note, that upon seeing YHWH manifest Himself upon Mount Sinai in the fashion in which He manifested Himself and upon hearing the sound of His Voice, they told Moshe to tell YHWH to stop speaking to them. Now I ask you, how can His people obey His Voice if they refuse to hear it? They cannot. YHWH’s will was such that He desired that Israel be a nation of priests. The function of a priest is to be an intermediary between Elohim and man. But how can a people serve as priests who refuse to hear His Voice? Do you see the problem? YHWH ended up selecting just a small portion of His people, the Levites, to serve as His priests. But He still wanted and desired a whole nation to be His priests.
Fast Forward When we move to the time of Mashiach and beyond to our day, we need to understand what it is that He has called us to do. Let us go to the epistle of Kepha for some very important instruction concerning the priesthood of believers. Kepha Aleph [1st Peter] 2:1-10 There are several things that we need to fix in our minds from the above passage. The first, is that it is Yeshua’s sacrifice that makes us a set-apart people. As a part of this set-apart people, we are part of a priesthood that is supposed to offer up to YHWH spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to YHWH. These are not to be physical sacrifices, for only the Levitical priesthood is commanded to do such things according to Torah. However, we have a very different function that we are to fulfill in order for YHWH to finish the building of His Kingdom. He needs both physical and spiritual priests in His Kingdom. Those of us who have come into His Kingdom by the atoning Blood of Yeshua are His spiritual priests. We are in this physical realm in contrast to Yeshua our Mashiach who is a Melchizedekian priest in the heavenly realm. The priesthood of this realm, according to Torah is the Levitical priesthood. However, that priesthood is not now functioning as there is no Temple for them to function in. The priesthood of believers consists of each and every true believer in Yeshua. A person functions as a priest every time he witnesses to another person about the good news concerning Yeshua. He is acting as an intermediary between YHWH and man. That is the function of a priest. There is coming a day in the future when YHWH will choose out of His spiritual priesthood some for the Levitical priesthood. Yeshayah [Isaiah] 66:20-21 However, that day is not upon us yet, in which YHWH brings back all of our captivity from all the nations of the world, and returns us to His set-apart mountain, at which time He will choose for Himself those whom He desires to be priests and Levites. And until He does this, the only functioning priesthood that we have in the house of Ephrayim is His spiritual priesthood of all believers.
Offices by His Appointment Ephesians 4:11 Please note, that in the above passage there is no mention of priests. YHWH sets some among His peoples as apostles. Some He sets among His people as prophets. Others He sets as evangelists. Still others He sets as pastors and others as teachers. But He does not single out some as priests. Why not? Scripture clearly teaches us that each and every believer in Messiah is already a priest in the body of Messiah. We all act as intercessors between YHWH and man, particularly when one is witnessing to an unbeliever. At that very moment, one is fully acting as an intercessor between YHWH and the one being witnessed to. Let us now briefly examine each of the other passages of Scripture in which gifting of the Spirit is mentioned to see if any of the giftings include priests. Qorintyah Aleph [1st Corinthians] 12:4-12 Please note, that nowhere in the above passage is the priesthood given to some and not to others. Qorintyah Aleph [1st Corinthians] 12:28-30 This passage above is from the same chapter of Qorintyah; only this is later in that same chapter. Once again, many different gifts are listed; however, there is again no mention of the office of the priesthood being given to only a portion of the body as with the other gifts. Romans 12:4-8 Please notice verse four which states that not all members of the His body have the same office. There is no gift of office that is given to all believers. YHWH decides which person gets placed in which office. But once again there is no mention of the priesthood. Why? Because all believers are a part of that priesthood by virtue of being a believer; if one is a believer, then he is a priest because Scripture says he is. This is true regardless of what man believes or teaches that is contrary to the plain and simple truth of Scripture. Kepha Aleph [1st Peter] 2:9
Counterfeit Priesthood 9 But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some one great; The key to understanding this passage is found in verse 18. This man named Simon believed the message of the good news about Yeshua Mashiach. Then some of the apostles come to that area and began laying hands on the new believers so that they received the Set-apart Spirit. When Simon saw this great phenomenon, he was amazed. It seems as if, when he saw this, he heard the ringing of gold coins. He immediately came to the apostles and offered them money. The apostles were laying their hands on these new believers to receive the Set-apart Spirit. But this was not good enough for Simon. He wanted to be able to lay his hands on others also. Apparently, he wanted to be able to do this so that he could charge others for it. That is why he was willing to pay to get it; he knew he would have a great return on his investment. There have always been those present amongst the true believers who are in it for the money. It will continue to be true until Yeshua returns. It is true today. There are those who take money and property deceitfully as a means to lift themselves up, by selling offices or some other spiritually appraised item to the trusting and unsuspecting. Let us state this very clearly: the gifts of the Spirit cannot be bought or sold! The gifts of offices of the Spirit cannot be bought or sold. Anyone who attempts to buy and sell offices of the Spirit, is in the same category as Simon in the above passage, a person to stay away from. Each and every believer, is part of the priesthood of believers, and each and every believer will receive at least one other gift of the Spirit from Him as He wills.
A Personal Note to the Wise I have lived my life learning and living from His Word. Like you, that is mostly by trial and error. Many of the life’s lessons that He has taught me, have been by taking me through situations in which He can show me the right path. Some of those lessons have been rather hard to learn. Most of those lessons have been for the purpose of moving the knowledge I knew to be true in my mind to my heart (spirit). This movement, from the mind to the spirit, can be difficult and painful, but it is absolutely essential. I grew up in the church. I grew up hearing all the Bible stories and all the standard sermons. One of the things that captured my fascination early in life, was the early believers having all things in common. My understanding of that, was what was typically found amongst believers; i.e., that no one owned anything, but that all owned things in common. This was further fueled by passages in which Yeshua taught that we were to give up material possessions to have a place in His Kingdom. My recent experiences have moved the knowledge of these passages in my mind to true experiential heart knowledge. What I have discovered, is what it truly means to have all things in common, which does not mean not owning anything. What I have learned, was that only a head knowledge can, and most likely will, get one into hot water. We need to move that head knowledge into a true spiritual understanding, which apparently can only come through experience. There are always those out there that would, through deceit, take advantage of those who are truly committed to living a set-apart life. See, here is one thing that I have discovered: all of us are at different places in our understanding. We are all working at trying to learn and understand His word and to do our best with what He gives us. But this is what happens to us at times in this process: wolves in sheeps’ clothing sneak in and deceive His people in an attempt to get them to follow something other than YHWH and the leading of His Spirit. This is wrong and dangerous. If each one of us will commit to following the leading of His Spirit totally, only, and completely; and along with that, also help each other do this as well, extending compassion and understanding to all, knowing that we are not all at the same level of understanding, then this is what will come to pass: we will grow closer to one another. We will begin to come together in unity of purpose (not unity of beliefs, which are always changing as we grow). It will be more difficult to lead His elect astray, for we will be watching out for one another. You see, what I wanted was a place to serve Him. In this time of prophetic history, those places are many and varied in one sense. But in another sense, the places of true service to His Kingdom are few and far between. Determining which is which can be a painful and costly process. This is what I went through. Material possessions have never been important to me. A place to serve Him is important. Mistakes are going to be made by all of us. But we need to be aware of those mistakes in our own lives and in the lives of our brethren. As He continues to sharpen and refine us, let us fully submit to His purifying touch. Let us continue to press forward on the true path of faith, helping and encouraging one another as the day of His visitation approaches. Amein & Amein
© All material is copyrighted and no part may be changed, added to, shortened or edited; however, the entirety of the article may be reproduced as long as the author’s name remains attached to the article. It is encouraged and a blessing for others to forward these teachings to others, and permission is hereby granted for this as long as the teaching is kept wholly intact, which includes the author’s name and contact information, the “One Torah For All” header, and this copyright paragraph. The act of forwarding or sharing this teaching in any way constitutes agreement by the party forwarding it that he agrees to the terms and conditions of this paragraph.
|