Genesis 14:17-20; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:5-6,10; Hebrews 6:20-7:22

The type and anti-type principle found between Melchizedek [Melchisedec, KJV] and the Christ is clearly set forth by the inspired penman of the book of Hebrews, “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 Melchisedeck, and not be called after the order of Aaron,” (Hebrews 7:11).

The historical account of Melchizedek is recorded in Genesis 14:17-20. Abraham had fought and conquered the forces of Chedorlaomer, who had spoiled Sodom and Gomorrah and had abducted Lot and taken his goods [perhaps including family members and/or servants of Lot (Genesis14:12,16)]. Upon Abraham’s return with what had been stolen, he was met in the valley of Shaveh by the king of Sodom, (Genesis 14:17). Melchizedek also met Abraham, (Genesis 14:18). Melchizedek was the king of Salem and the priest of God; he brought to Abraham, bread and wine (Genesis 14:18). Abraham received a blessing from Melchizedek and he also blessed God Almighty, who had given victory to Abraham over the invading armies from the north, (Genesis 14:19-20). After being blessed, Abraham paid a tenth of the goods; or a tithe, to Melchizedek, (Genesis 14:20).

The next and only other Old Testament reference to Melchizedek is found in a psalm of David, “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek,” (Psalm 10:4). David declares by inspiration that God has sworn that there is a priesthood, like unto Melchizedek’s, that is for ever.

The Hebrews writer clearly explains the correlation between Jesus and Melchizedek. The following is a brief look at those points:

Melchizedek

King of Righteousness (Hebrews 7:2)
King of Salem or peace (Hebrews 7:2)
Priest of God (Hebrews 7:1)
Both king and priest (Hebrews 7:1-3)
No Biblical genealogical record (Hebrews 7:3)
No Biblical record of birth / death (Hebrews 7:3)
Not of the seed of Aaron (Hebrews 7:6)
Greater than Levite priests (Hebrews 7:6-9)
Continual priesthood (Hebrews 7:3)

Christ

Rules in righteousness (Hebrews 1:8)
Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6-7)
High priest of God (Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 8:1)
King and Priest (Zechariah 6:12-13)
Divine, no human origin (John 1:1-3,14)
Eternal, no beginning or end (John 8:58; Revelation 1:8)
Born of the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14)
Greater than Aaron and Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:26-28)
Unchanging and everlasting priesthood (Hebrews 7:24-25; Ephesians 3:11)

The priesthood of Melchizedek gave us a foreshadowing of the eternal priesthood of the Christ. Melchizedek was a great man, “Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils,” (Hebrews 7:4). Thanks be to God that our High Priest is so much, “better,” “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament…For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.” (Hebrews 7:22, 26-28).

John Rose

Surely one of the most effective, and most scriptural, arguments the saints have made down through the years is that of the authority of the SILENCE of the scriptures. In hundreds of debates with proponents of every kind of error, audiences were shown that when God legislates in a certain area, making clear his requirements, then man has no authority to go beyond that, adding similar or like things to what God has specified. We have correctly used the gopher wood, the pitch, the dimensions of the ark in the case of Noah (Genesis 6), and we have used the fruit of the vine and the bread on the Lord’s table (Matthew 26:26-28) on the same point.

Of late, men are stating that there can be no argument based on “the silence of the scriptures.” As one recently put it, “Man is free to do any and every thing that God has not specifically forbidden.” And one other man, in the kingdom, said that “any matter falling within the silence of the scriptures should be treated as options, based on the rule of Romans 14.” In correspondence with one in another state, and when the matter of dancing in worship was brought up, and our having no specific condemnation in the New Testament of such, his answer was that if the congregation’s elders gave approval, and if they then could see some benefit to be gained, it would be proper! Thus, the end to which one will be taken if he feels there can be no legitimate argument based on the SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES!

We know the argument we now are supporting is a legitimate one, for we find it used in the Word! In Hebrews 7, as the writer speaks of the priesthood of Christ under the New Testament, he states that there has been a change of the law, thus necessitating a change in the priesthood (v. 12). He speaks of our Lord coming from the tribe of Judah (v. 14), and in making then the point that the Lord could not be a priest if the law of Moses were still in effect, the writer states, “…of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.”

Thus, the argument is made that Jesus could not be a priest under the Old Testament law, because THE SCRIPTURES SAID NOTHING about one of Judah being a priest! Let us, as we continue to stress Biblical authority, and the right handling of the Word (II Timothy 2:15), also continually stress the SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES!

Bill Jackson

The Christ and Melchizedek

The Silence of the Scriptures