The article “Christ’s Heavenly Priesthood - the Implications” by Don Fortner addresses the theological significance of Christ's role as the High Priest in contrast to the Old Testament sacrificial system. Fortner argues that all forms of legal worship and carnal ordinances prescribed by the Mosaic law have been fulfilled and abolished through Christ, making the worship of God a matter of spiritual reality rather than external performance. Key Scripture references, particularly from Hebrews 8:1-6 and Colossians 2:11-23, emphasize that Christ's priestly ministry and the establishment of a new covenant renders the previous forms obsolete, thus reshaping how believers engage with God. The practical significance of this doctrine lies in the direct invitation for believers to worship God in Spirit and truth, living lives fully consecrated to Christ rather than adhering to ritualistic observances.
Key Quotes
“Christ is the end of the law. The High Priesthood of Christ fulfilled and forever brought to an end all the carnal ordinances of legal worship required under the Mosaic law."
“The worship of God has been radically altered. Divine worship is no longer an external material thing but an internal spiritual matter.”
“All true worshippers worship God in the Spirit and in truth.”
“We have no altar but Christ himself. We bring no sacrifice to God for atonement and acceptance with him but Christ.”
What does the Bible say about Christ's priesthood?
The Bible reveals that Christ is our High Priest, offering a better covenant established on better promises (Hebrews 8:1-6).
Hebrews 8:1-6
How do we know Christ fulfilled the Old Testament sacrifices?
Christ's sacrifice was the final and complete fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system (Romans 10:4).
Romans 10:4, Colossians 2:11-23
Why is worshiping God in the Spirit important for Christians?
Worshiping God in the Spirit reflects the transformative nature of a believer's relationship with Christ (Philippians 3:3).
Philippians 3:3, John 4:23-24
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. of the sanctuary...: Or, of holy things For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: there...: Or, they are Priests Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. covenant...: Or, Testament - Hebrews 8:1-6Christ’s Heavenly Priesthood - The Implications
If the Old Testament sacrifices have been forever abolished, as they have, --If the carnal ordinances have been forever put away, as they have, -- If the temple and tabernacle have forever been destroyed by the hand of God, as they have, -- If the ark of the covenant, the mercy-seat, and all things pertaining to carnal worship have been forever destroyed in accordance with God’s purpose, as they have, what is implied by all these things? What does this mean to us? The implications are obvious; but they are not just implications. Everything implied by these things is specifically stated in Holy Scripture by God the Holy Spirit.
“Christ is the end of the law!” The High Priesthood of Christ fulfilled and forever brought to an end all the carnal ordinances of legal worship required under the Mosaic law (Col. 2:11-23). The tabernacle, the temple, the priesthood, the priestly garments, the priestly service, the priestly sacrifices, holy days, sabbath keeping, the commandments, the whole thing has been brought to its fulfilment and finality by Christ (Rom. 10:4).
The worship of God has been radically altered. Divine worship is no longer an external, material thing, but an internal spiritual matter. The external is still important, but now the spiritual is radically pervasive. We do not worship God at specified holy places, or upon specified holy days, or under the rigors of legal bondage.
We worship God in the Spirit. The believer’s life of faith in Christ is a life of worship (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 10:31). All who are born of God live in the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-17), walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:17-23), and worship in the Spirit (Phil. 3:3-10). The believer’s very acts of obedience to God are now, in Christ, by his merits and his blood, accepted of God as a sweet smelling sacrifice (Phil 4:18; 1 Pet. 2:5). Salvation is life in the Spirit. It is worshipping God in the totality of our beings. It is the continual consecration of our very lives to Christ.
All true worshippers worship God in the Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24; Phil. 3:3). Worshipping God in the Spirit makes crosses, religious pictures, images, and icons abhorrent. We count nothing holy but Christ. We acknowledge no priest but the Christ of God. We have no altar but Christ himself. We bring no sacrifice to God for atonement and acceptance with him but Christ. We observe no sabbath but the sabbath of faith, finding all our souls’ rest and a total cessation from work in the finished work of Christ.
Christ alone is our Door of access to God. Christ alone is our Ark and Mercy-Seat. Salvation is doing business with God in the holy place. Worship is living for the glory of God. Worship is spiritual. It takes place in the heart.
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