The article “Wherefore” by Don Fortner addresses the theological significance of Christ’s priesthood, emphasizing its unique and superior nature compared to the Levitical priesthood. Fortner argues that both Melchizedek and Aaron serve as types of Christ, with Melchizedek representing a perpetual, divine priesthood that far exceeds the Aaronic order, which was abolished upon Christ’s fulfillment of the sacrificial system. He draws on Scripture such as Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 5:10, 6:20, and 7:1-4 to illustrate how Christ's priesthood offers a perfect and singular atonement, in contrast to the many sacrifices made by Levitical priests. The significance of this doctrine lies in the assurance of believers that Christ’s one sacrifice is fully sufficient to reconcile them with God, affirming the Reformed understanding of Christ as the ultimate High Priest who intercedes on behalf of His chosen people.
Key Quotes
“Each of the priests of the Old Testament in their way were typical of and represented Christ our great High Priest Melchizedek.”
“The type is never perfect. Yet they were typical of our Savior. They were many but Christ is One.”
“All the sacrifices offered to God from the beginning of the world were typical of and pointed to the one great sacrifice of Christ our High Priest.”
“Christ is the only priest God will accept and the only sacrifice God will accept.”
What does the Bible say about Melchizedek and Christ as High Priest?
The Bible depicts Melchizedek as a significant type of Christ, emphasizing that Christ is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:17).
Hebrews 2:17-18, Genesis 14:18, Hebrews 5:10, Hebrews 6:20, Hebrews 7:1-4
How do we know that Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for our sins?
Christ's one-time sacrifice is sufficient because it addresses sin fully, unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament priests (Hebrews 10:12).
Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 9:26, 1 John 2:1-2
Why is it important that Christ is our High Priest?
Christ's role as our High Priest is crucial as He intercedes for us and offers a complete sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 7:25).
Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 10:19-22
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. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. - Hebrews 2:17-18“Wherefore”
Each of the priests of the Old Testament, in their way, were typical of and represented Christ our great High Priest.
Melchizedek
The most eminent type of Christ as our Priest in the Old Testament was “Melchizedek, king of Salem, and priest of the most high God” (Gen. 14:18). The Book of Hebrews tells us three times that Christ is a Priest, not after the order of Aaron, but after the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 5:10; 6:20; 7:17). This man, Melchizedek, met Abraham when he returned from the slaughter of the kings, by whom Abraham was blessed and to whom gave tithes of all that he possessed. And he was a remarkable type of Christ.
He was called the King of Salem, the King of Peace. He was called the King of Righteousness. He had neither father nor mother, beginning of days, nor end of life. He was made a priest by the direct ordinance of God himself. His priesthood is perpetual, unchanging and endless. It seems to me that there is good reason to believe that Melchizedek was more than a type of Christ, like Aaron. Rather, this man, Melchizedek, was none other than the Lord Jesus Christ himself (Heb. 7:1-4, 8).
Aaron
Aaron, the high priest of Israel, was also a clear type of Christ, our great High Priest. When Christ came, the Aaronic order was forever abolished. But Aaron served to typify and represent Christ throughout the Mosaic age. Like Aaron, Christ was chosen from among his brethren. He was separated by a holy anointing. The Lord Jesus offered a sacrifice of atonement to God. He entered into the holy place with the blood of atonement. Like Aaron, the Lord Jesus Christ performed his work alone. He is our Spokesman. He carries the incense of his intercession with his blood into the holy place. Christ blesses his people on the basis of the atonement he has made. And, like Aaron, the Lord Jesus Christ represents and performs his work for a specific, chosen people -- the Israel of God, wearing our names upon his breastplate (1 John 2:1-2).
Levitical Priests
All the common, Levitical priests were also types of Christ. Like Christ, they were ordained from among men and for men, to offer gifts and sacrifices to God on the behalf of the people. Of course, in many ways, the typical priests were clearly inferior to Christ. The type is never perfect. Yet, they were typical of our Savior. They were many; but Christ is One. They offered many sacrifices; Christ offered one sacrifice. They could never put away sin; Christ did.
In fact, all the sacrifices offered to God from the beginning of the world were typical of and pointed to the one great sacrifice of Christ our High Priest. The sacrifice of Abel was offered up in faith, anticipating the sacrifice of Christ. The sacrifices of Noah, as pictures of Christ, offered by faith in him, were sacrifices of a sweet-smelling savor to God. The sacrifice Abraham made upon the mount, in the stead of Isaac, was a picture of Christ, our substitutionary victim. The passover lamb was a type of Christ our Passover sacrificed for us. The daily sacrifices, offered morning and evening, pointed to Christ, whose one sacrifice for sin, being effectual, is of perpetual merit to God.
Christ is the only priest God will accept and the only sacrifice God will accept. And when he came, he put an end to all the priests and sacrifices that pointed to him. Those priests and sacrifices existed for no purpose, except to point to and portray Christ.
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