The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet 1948 Hebrews kc 9-1

There is much more to God's Word than most Christians have been taught.

To believe or not believe, that is the question!" Sounds a little like a quote from Shakespeare, doesn't it? But it actually sums up a great deal of what Paul has been teaching us in this great Book of Hebrews concerning our confidence and conviction in claiming to be Christians. You see, there is much more to God's Word than most Christians have been taught. Some have always had a sense of that while others remain blinded and in a stupor and have no clue (Rom. 11:7-8). In fact, Paul is going to address that issue at the end of chapter five and admonish those who are still unskilled in His Word, at a time when they should now be able to teach others, to grow up and move beyond the basic doctrines of Christianity and begin to mature in the Word.

In chapter four Paul began teaching us concerning what a great high priest we have in Jesus Christ who now sits at right hand of the Father, and because of what He has done for us we need to "hold fast" (as in strengthen) our profession, which is our confession to trust and obey in Him. Hebrews 4:14 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."

Paul now continues with his teaching concerning our high priest in chapter five beginning with some knowledge of the priesthood in general.

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:
The "for" in this verse connects it with the subject continued from the previous chapter which was that our high priest, Jesus Christ, having humbled Himself to come to this earth to dwell and be tempted and suffer in the flesh, has compassion and understands all of our weaknesses and infirmities. Hebrews 4:15 "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." Therefore when we fall to temptation or have need of repentance we have the confidence and trust in knowing that we can go directly to the throne of grace and obtain forgiveness and mercy. Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
[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.
Paul explains to us that the duty of every (legitimate) high priest, which is to serve men in the things pertaining to God, i.e. to speak for God and offer up sacrifices on behalf of the people, is performed by human beings who also have weaknesses and infirmities. Being human just like everyone else does give one the ability as a priest to relate to what others are going through and to be compassionate (deal gently) with both those who are ignorant of His ways and those who are out of the way, i.e. those who have "erred" and who have been deceived by Satan. The point is that a priest is merely a flesh man (taken from among men) performing the duties which God has chosen him to do. In that sense, he is no better than anyone else (being himself also a sinner) and must therefore likewise include himself when making sacrifices for sin!
[3] And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
Remember this well if you are ever tempted to exalt or elevate some man or woman because of the duties he or she performs for God. There is none among us who is perfect... no not one... no matter how exalted the title is that one may carry nor how much alphabet soup trails one's name. To that end, you will never see a true man or woman called of God exalt or elevate himself or herself above the brethren pretending to be something he or she is not... like holier than thou! That is Satan's way, the one who exalts himself (Isa. 14:13) and takes glory and honor unto himself, and as it is written, anyone who does that shall surely be abased (Luke 14:11 "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.")

Therefore take heed and idolize no man and realize that any church or religion who sets up or holds men or women in positions of exaltation instead of service certainly do not follow the example of Jesus Christ nor of His servants who are called forth according to His will. Paul was a prime example of a man called of God who was humbled by His calling, even declaring himself to be unworthy and chief among sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Or take the apostle John for another example. Here is how he looked upon himself:

Rev. 1:9
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
This John, the one who was taken in the spirit to the day of the lord, even to the first day of the Millennium, was still an humble and "down to earth" kind of person who considered himself one of the brethren with trials and tribulations like the rest of us.
Hebrew 5:4
And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
Man is not the one who decides or calls forth the priest any more than Aaron made that decision for himself. It is rather Almighty God who chose Aaron and it is Almighty God who does the choosing and calling forth of His servants according to His will and His plan established even before the foundation of this earth age (Eph. 1:4). In other words, the example set forth is that it was not given to any family other than through the one whom God chose (i.e. Aaron's) to be the high priest or of that Levitical priesthood. Exodus 28:1 "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons."

So we see that it remains a matter of whether or not one has a purpose and a destiny according to His plan and whether it was man or Almighty God who has called you into His service. Perhaps you are among those who have a purpose and a destiny according to will of God. Nevertheless, let there be no doubt in your mind that men as priests ALL have weaknesses and shortcomings, but we as obedient brethren all have as our high priest one who is perfect. Let's see if He set Himself up and glorified Himself as high priest.

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.


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