The article "Christ Our High Priest" by Don Fortner explores the theological significance of Christ's role as the High Priest in the Reformed tradition, emphasizing His unique position in salvation history. Fortner argues that Jesus was divinely appointed to this role by God the Father, affirming that unlike the lesser priesthoods of the Old Testament, Christ fulfills the prophetic expectations as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity. Key Scripture references include Hebrews 2:17 and Hebrews 5:1-5, which underscore Christ's necessity to be made like His brethren for effective intercession and reconciliation. The significance of this doctrine lies in its affirmation that Christ's priesthood, rooted in the eternal covenant of grace, provides assurance of salvation and a means of true reconciliation with God, thus highlighting the fullness of His redemptive work for believers.
Key Quotes
“The Lord Jesus Christ was Appointed by God to be our great High Priest.”
“A body hast thou prepared me... which I am ready at the appointed time to assume and to offer up as a sacrifice.”
“There never was but one Priest by whom transactions might be made with God. That Priest is Christ our Lord.”
“The sacrifices of slain beasts offered by sinful men cannot atone for human sin.”
What does the Bible say about Christ as our High Priest?
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ was appointed by God as our great High Priest to make reconciliation for our sins (Hebrews 2:17).
Hebrews 2:17, Hebrews 5:1-4, Psalm 110:4
How do we know that Christ's priesthood is true?
Christ's priesthood is confirmed by the oath of God and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies (Psalm 110:4).
Hebrews 5:4-5, Psalm 110:4, 1 Samuel 2:35, Zechariah 6:12-13
Why is the concept of Christ as our High Priest important for Christians?
Christ as our High Priest is vital because He mediates our relationship with God and atones for our sins.
Hebrews 2:17, Hebrews 10:5, Isaiah 53:10-12
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. - Hebrews 2:17Christ our High Priest
The first thing we are taught in Hebrews 2:17 is that The Lord Jesus Christ was Appointed by God to be our great High Priest. The word, “wherefore”, does not refer so much to what Paul has said as it does to what he is about to say. He has shown us how that Christ is superior to angels, and that he came into the world, not to redeem fallen angels, but to redeem fallen men. And now he is about to show us how that Christ is superior to Moses, Joshua, and Aaron, as the almighty, effectual Savior of his people. He begins by telling us that it was necessary for Christ to be made like those people whom he came to save, so that he might be our great High Priest in things pertaining to God.
An Appointed Priest
The Lord Jesus did not assume this office on his own. He was called, appointed and anointed to it by God the Father in the covenant of grace before the world began (Heb. 5:1, 4-5). Christ was made a Priest by the oath of God himself (Psa. 110:4). Yet, the Son of God voluntarily agreed to become our Priest and to fulfil all that God required to reconcile us unto himself. He said, “’Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not.’ The sacrifices of slain beasts offered by sinful men cannot atone for human sin. ‘But a body hast thou prepared me,’ in the everlasting covenant of grace, which I am ready, at the appointed time, to assume and to offer up as a sacrifice to Divine justice for the sins of my people (Heb. 10:5). “These eternal decrees and mutual transactions,” wrote John Gill, “are the basis and foundation of Christ’s priesthood, and made it sure and certain.”
The Old Testament Prophecies
In the prophetic Scriptures of the Old Testament Christ was spoken of as a priest. The promised Messiah of the Old Testament was to be One who would be a prophet like Moses, a King like David and a Priest like Melchizedek (1 Sam. 2:35; Ps. 110.4; Zech. 6:12-13). In addition to the plain prophecies that Christ should be a Priest, his priestly work is spoken of in many of the Old Testament scriptures (Isa. 53:10, 12; Ezek. 9:3; Dan. 10:5).
Old Testament Types
The priesthood of Christ was also foreshadowed by the typical priests of that dispensation. There never was but one Priest by whom transactions might be made with God. That Priest is Christ our Lord. All others appointed to the priestly office were called priests, because they represented, pointed to, and foreshadowed him, the true Priest. Only Christ could atone for sin, turn away the wrath of God, and bring men to God in reconciliation.
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