King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Friday, December 22, 2023
Chapters: HEBREWS 6-9
Message: The Doctrine of Christ
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
As I was reading the chapters for today, this verse came to mind, [John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.] Of course, this was John the Baptist who was actually born six months older than Jesus in regards to Him coming here as a man and he was His cousin too. It is said that when his mother Elizabeth saw Mary after it was known to her that she was going to have a baby too, that John leaped inside her womb, [Luke 1:39-41 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:]
When Mary found out that she was going to have a baby, having never known a man and being engaged to Joseph, she could not just tell anyone about it because they would have thought the worst of her. In fact, when she told Joseph even he had contemplated divorcing her before they even got married, [Matthew 1:18-19 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.]
Of course, that did not happen as the same angel who visited Mary and Elisabeth advised him that Mary was conceived of the Holy Ghost. However, word did get our rather quickly that she was going to have a baby, so her best option was to visit with Elisabeth since she had quite the miracle going on herself having a child around the age of sixty-five. Now, all of this may seem strange to the world, and quite frankly many religions who call themselves Christians have a hard to grasping the concept that a woman can have a child without touching a man, but to the one who believes in all that God is, we know better. Growing up in a religion I can understand how hard it is to change ones mindset from working for your salvation to obtaining it freely from ones faith in Jesus Christ. As we continue in the reading of Hebrews, Paul, explains why grace was replaced with works.
[Hebrews 6:1-6 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.]
[Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,] Those whom have accepted Christ as their Saviour and are faithful in their walk with Christ may mimic what is written in the Law of Moses, but they are not under the Law by any means. Those who follow the Law in addition to their receiving Christ as their Saviour with the belief that it is necessary in order to keep their salvation have left the doctrine of Christ. This is what Paul means by dead works, since we are saved by grace we are under the law of grace, which is the doctrine of Christ. We do not need to be baptized in water in order to be saved, nor do we need to have oil poured on our body or follow every command written, but we do need to be mindful of what we are doing.
[Hebrews 6:9-12 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.]
[persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation,] There is so much more to our salvation than our souls being saved from hell. The works that we do after we are saved do count, in fact, we will stand before Jesus and give an account of what we did while we were here.
[Hebrews 6:17-20 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.]
[Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul,] I love that phrase it tells me that, “Jesus, is an anchor to my soul!”. An anchor keeps a ship from drifting off into the unknown somewhere and can even help it weather a violent storm. That is the same way that Jesus is with our soul, in fact, He holds on so tight that He cannot let us go, [John 10:28-30 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.]
[even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.] Melchizedek, was the king of Salem, and a high priest who foreshadowed Christ all the way back to Abraham, whom he blessed, [Genesis 14:18-20 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.]
Interestingly, Jesus, is the forerunner for all who believe in Him, He is our King and High Priest, who stands at the right hand of God as our mediator. Now, to understand the significance of Melchizedek, and why Jesus is known as King and High Priest, Paul, goes on to explain how he was compared to Christ.
[Hebrews 7:1-3,11-12 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.]
[first being by interpretation King of righteousness,] Melchizedek, met Abraham when returning from the rescue of Lot. His name means, “King of Righteousness,” and is marked as a type of the Messiah. The name of his city, Salem, means “Peace;” signifying that he was the king of peace, as Jesus is the Prince of peace, [Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.]
[For the priesthood being changed,] The high priest had the most prominent role of all in the service of God, he was the middleman between God and the sinner. It was the high priest that would accept the offerings on behalf of the sinner who wanted redemption. Since the high priest was a sinner just like the sinner themselves, they had to be cleansed and consecrated before he could accept the offerings. Since Christ became the High Priest, the priesthood changed from a priest being solely of the tribe of Levi to one who came from the tribe of Judah. Paul, goes on to describe how this was made possible.
[Hebrews 7:14-17,19-20,22,25 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.]
[the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,] God actually had intended for all believers to be priests, but changed His mind after that whole debacle with Aaron and the golden calf, that was when He decided to use only Aaron’s sons as priests and the rest of the Levites served in the ministry. Today, we who do believe are a part of the priesthood as God intended, [1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.]
[law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope] Since Jesus was made a high priest well before there was even a high priest under Melchizedek, He became the means of a better hope than what with written in the Law. Jesus, became the consecrated priest and the sacrifice that would bring redemption to those who believe in Him once and for all.
[Hebrews 8:1-6 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; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5 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. 6 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.]
[We have such an high priest…on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty] Jesus, who stands at the right hand of God, the Father replaced the need for the Law. [Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things,] By no means are we to believe that all of there was an error on God’s part with the first law. This was a temporary means to bring redemption to believers, a foreshadow of what was to come when Christ would arrive, and not only redeem a believer from their sin, it would remove all sin permanently.
[Hebrews 8:7-10 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:]
[For finding fault with them, he saith…I will make a new covenant] What could be a better promise than redemption through the offerings of animals? A sure promise of everlasting life through one sacrifice. The Law of Moses was never meant to be permanent, in fact, merely an example of what should follow as we enter the Law of grace. The tent used to offer God sacrifices was also a foreshadow of Christ, who by offering Himself would redeem every soul who believes in Him.
[Hebrews 9:1-3,6-8 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:]
[the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest,] Since the high priest was a sinner, just like everyone else, they had to be consecrated before he could accept the offerings. Our faith in Christ alone removes our sin forever, unlike the sacrifices before when all they did was cover the sin. How is this possible? Jesus died on the cross one time.
[Hebrews 9:11-15 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.]
[by means of death, for the redemption…under the first testament,] The covenant of eternal life through Christ was not just between God and the Jews only, it would be for all who believe that Christ is their salvation. God, never stopped anyone from coming to Him prior to this, He never denies anyone. Until Christ became the sacrifice the animal sacrifices were a temporary fix. They did not however, remove sin forever.
[Hebrews 9:18-20,23-24,28 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.]
[It was therefore necessary that the patterns…should be purified with these;] Paul, reminds the Jews that the Mosaic law was merely an example of the second. [So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;] Do you see why we only need to ask Him to save us once, and it is a done deal? If Jesus came here every year to offer Himself then that would defeat the purpose of our receiving eternal life. In fact, we would not because it is only by our faith in Christ who died once to save us that does save us. All we need is Jesus Christ, and just like the people had to willingly admit their sin and bring their offering to the tent, we too have to willingly come to Jesus. God cannot, and will not save any person who does not know His Son, we must believe in Jesus and accept Him as our Saviour in order to be redeemed and be able to stand before Him the second time without sin, [John 14:6-7 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.]
Today’s Prayer: God, You never promised that once we accept Your Son as our Saviour that we will suffer no more while we are here, but You do promise that you will never leave nor forsake us. As we live and walk by faith, let us wait patiently for the hope that can only be found in Christ. Lead us and guide us, cover us with Your mercy, grace, forgiveness, and long suffering. Put Your hedge of protection around us and shield us from all the evils of this world, remind us that we who endure until the end will never suffer no more and keep us looking for that blessed hope of eternal life well beyond this life. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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