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Organization of the Melchisedec Priesthood
I. Christ After the Order of Melchisedec
1. Christ is priest after order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 6:19, 20.
a. This is our hope that we have as anchor of the soul.
b. Read Hebrews 7:1-28.
2. This order of the priesthood is greater than that of Aaron as it existed before the Aaronic. The greatness is shown in the fact that Levi offered tithes unto God to Melchisedec through Abraham. Hebrews 7:7.
a. For what other reason was Aaronic priesthood inferior to Melchisedec? Hebrews 7:11, 19, 27.
b. What had to take place in order for Christ to be High Priest? Hebrews 7:12, 28.
(1) Where prophesied that Christ should be priest after order of Melchisedec rather than Aaron? Psalm 110:1, 4.
(2) To Whom is v. 1 speaking of? Acts 2:34-36.
3. In this priesthood, Christ is High Priest [Hebrews 6:20]; but who are the priests that help in this ministration? 1 Peter 2:5, 9.
a. The part they have at present is the work here on earth as a part of Christ’s church. "It was Christ that spoke through Melchisedec, the priest of the most high God. Melchisedec was not Christ, but he was the voice of God in the world, the representative of the Father. And all through the generations of the past, Christ has spoken; Christ has led His people, and has been the light of the world. When God chose Abraham as a representative of His truth, He took him out of his country, and away from his kindred, and set him apart. He desired to mold him after His own model. He desired to teach him according to His own plan." Vol. 1, Bible Commentary, p. 1093:1.
II. foundation of Church in Melchisedec Period.
1. Christ establishes the church. Matthew 16:13-20.
a. Who is Rock upon whom He builds church? 1 Corinthians 10:4.
(1) Jesus, not Peter, was bottom of foundation of church. 1 Corinthians 3:11.
(2) [This Rock is precious & tried corner stone. Isaiah 28:16.]
b. Could not have been Peter for gates of hell did prevail against him. Matthew 16:21-23.
2. Upon what truth was the church established? Matthew 16:16.
a. It was based upon their faith in Jesus as the Messiah. "The truth which Peter had confessed is the foundation of the believers faith." Desire of Ages, p. 412:3.
b. Could Peter glory in himself for confession? Matthew 16:17.
3. This truth, which is the foundation of the believer’s faith and of the church, is Christ. John 14:6.
a. "Christ is the complete system of truth." Vol. 3, Selected Messages, p. 198:5.
b. Pure & undefiled truth as He is Pure Truth. 1 John 3:3.
(1) What is another word for pure truth? 2 John 9.
(2) This means no error mixed in with it for no lie is of the truth. 1 John 2:21.
(a) So what should we do with those that bring in false teaching? 2 John 10, 11.
(3) Because of the era of darkness, how does God reveal His truth to His people? Proverbs 4:18.
(a) What will be condition of church in relation to truth by time Christ comes again? Ephesians 5:26, 27.
c. What other facets of truth is Jesus?
(1) Word is truth. John 17:17.
(2) Law is truth. Psalm 119:142.
d. What will happen if know by experience truth? John 8:32.
e. Since true church is built on truth, what does it become? 1 Timothy 3:15.
(1) It is only by Holy Spirit that we can come to find this truth in the true church. John 16:13.
4. Jesus is chief part of foundation [He is High Priest]. Who else is part of this foundation? Ephesians 2:19, 20.
a. We have the privilege of being "fellow citizens" or members of this church.
b. Why do we have apostles and prophets etc. as part of this foundation? Ephesians 4:11, 12.
(1) How long will we need this? Ephesians 4:13.
c. What happens if we reject this? Ephesians 4:14.
d. In order to come to His perfection, every member is needed as a part. Ephesians 4:15, 16.
(1) "The Lord in His wisdom has arranged that by means of the close relationship that should be maintained by all believers, Christian shall be united to Christian and church to church. Thus the human instrumentality will be enabled to cooperate with the divine. Every agency will be subordinate to the Holy Spirit, and all the believers will be united in an organized and well-directed effort to give to the world the glad tidings of the grace of God." Acts of the Apostles, p. 164:1.
e. Without it, we are receiving a false education and are alienated from God. Ephesians 4:17-24.
(1) Or in other words, they are not converted.
5. Thus of the true church, Christ is the Head and the church the body. Ephesians 1:22, 23 [Ephesians 5:23-33; Colossians 1:18,24]
a. Thus connection with Christ involves connection with His church: "Another obligation, too often lightly regarded, — one that the youth awakened to the claims of Christ needs to be made plain, — is the obligation of church relationship.
"Very close and sacred is the relationship between Christ and His church—He the bridegroom, and the church the bride; He the head, and the church the body. Connection with Christ, then involves connection with His church." Education 268:4, 5.
6. How important is the church in our connection with the kingdom of heaven? Matthew 16:18, 19.
a. This was not given unto any one man but unto the church as a body. Matthew 18:15-18.
b. Can speak of 1 person or a group of people? Matthew 18:19, 20.
(1) Notice: a church is not a building but a group of people in the Lord.
c. Given to church, acting upon authority of word of God & by Holy Spirit, to forgive sins. John 20:21-23 (2 Timothy 4:1-4)
III. The Lord’s Flock
1. There are those who follow Christ. John 10:22-31 (27).
a. These are called His little flock. Luke 12:32.
b. Does have other sheep not of specific fold? John 10:14-16.
(1) "Jesus thought upon the souls all over the earth who were misled by false shepherds. Those whom He longed to gather as the sheep of His pasture were scattered among wolves." Desire of Ages, p. 483:4.
(2) What is this fold? "The church of Christ is very precious in His sight. It is the case which contains His jewels, the fold which encloses His flock." Vol. 6, Bible Commentary, p. 1118:7.
(a) "The church on earth is greatly beloved by God. It is the fold provided for the sheep of His pasture." Signs of the Times, October 31, 1900:7.
c. Will these sheep always remain out of His fold (church)? John 10:16.
(1) When will they come out? Revelation 18:4.
(2) What will they join when they come out? His true fold. Then shall be one fold and one shepherd.
2. The Lord calls this fold a nation. Matthew 21:42-44.
a. So those who fall on Christ the Rock will become a part of this nation. 1 Peter. 2:1-9.
(1) They become lively stones in spiritual house. 1 Peter. 2:5.
b. In past were not people but now are people. 1 Peter 2:10.
c. We are living stones in temple. "In the quarry of the Jewish and the Gentile world the apostles labored, bringing out stones to lay upon the foundation." Acts of the Apostles, p. 596:1.
(1) This we clearly see in 1 Corinthians 3:9-17.
(2) How do we build on Christ? Matthew 7:24-27.
d. How does one get be part of this building (nation)? Acts 2:37-41.
(1) Before they are baptized, what were the disciples to do to them? Matthew 28:19.
(a) What were they to teach them? Matthew 28:20.
(b) So those that were baptized in that one day must have been taught to observe all things that Christ commanded before they were baptized.
(2) They were added unto the church. Acts. 2:47.
e. Does this building grow without hindrance? Matthew 13:24-30.
(1) "Joining the church is one thing, and connecting with Christ is quite another. Not all the names registered in the church books are registered in the Lamb’s book of life. Many, though apparently sincere believers, do not keep up a living connection with Christ. They have enlisted, they have entered their names on the register; but the inner work of grace is not wrought in the heart. As the result they are not happy, and they make hard work of serving God." Vol. 5, Testimonies for the Church, p. 278:2.
(2) "There have ever been two classes among those who profess to be followers of Christ. While one class study the Saviour’s life and earnestly seek to correct their defects and conform to the Pattern, the other class shun the plain, practical truths which expose their errors. Even in her best estate the church was not composed wholly of the true, pure, and sincere. Our Saviour taught that those who willfully indulge in sin are not to be received into the church; yet He connected with Himself men who were faulty in character, and granted them the benefits of His teachings and example, that they might have an opportunity to see their errors and correct them. Among the twelve apostles was a traitor." Great Controversy, p. 43:2.
(3) Do we have any other examples of tares joining the church? 1 John 2:19.
(a) Even ministers. Revelation 2:1, 2.
IV Joining Church Is Being Part of Organized Body
1. When we join church, are we self-sufficient? Ephesians 4:15, 16.
2. What is relationship to other members? 1 Corinthians 12:1-27.
a. Does everyone have the same gift? 1 Corinthians 12:29-31.
b. Who gave all these gifts? 1 Corinthians 12:11.
c. To whom did He give it? To body of Christ/His church on earth, of this church, we must be members. 1 Corinthians 12:27.
3. What are 3 important parts of church’s ministry? 1 Corinthians 12:28.
** Notice: 1st apostles; secondly prophets; thirdly teachers and then the rest.
a. In honor preferring one another. Romans. 12:10.
4. What is the work of the apostles.
a. Feed the flock. John 21:15-17.
b Take care of the church. 1 Timothy 3:2, 5.
(1) Example of Paul. 2 Corinthians 11:28.
c. Not only to take care of one church but many. 1 Corinthians 4:17.
(1) Had epistles read in different churches. Colossians 4:15, 16.
(2) Who sends them? 2 Corinthians 8:16-19.
(3) Thus they are messengers of the church. 2 Corinthians 8:23.
d. Ordain elders in local churches in every city. Titus 1:5.
5. What is the work of the elders?
a. They are overseers over the local church. Acts 20:28-30.
b. Feed the local flock. 1 Peter 5:1-6.
c. Work with sick in the church (prayer wise). James 5:14.
d. Because God had set them in these positions, how should we regard them? Hebrews 13:17, 18; 1 Peter 5:5.
(1) Always keeping in mind 1 Corinthians 11:1.
e. Thus other sheep must be brought from other folds to the true fold so that they can have right food from the true under-shepherds of Christ’s flock. (John 10:16).
6. How are apostles, elders, and deacons ordained?
a. Deacons. Acts 6:1-6.
(1) There was first a need (Acts 6:1).
(2) Brethren chose them with the direction of the apostles. (Acts 6:2).
(3) Apostles ordained them by laying on of hands. (Acts 6:6).
(4) "That this step was in the order of God, is revealed in the immediate results for good that were seen." Acts of the Apostles, p. 89:3.
b. Elders: Acts 14:23.
(1) There must always be a need First.
(2) They prayed and fasted.
(3) Who ordained them? Paul and Barnabas. Acts. 14:14.
(4) Whenever there was an important meeting whom did apostles call to counsel with? Acts 20:17.
(a) Not necessarily with the whole church.
c. Apostles. Acts 13:1-3.
(1) There must always be a need.
(2) Fasted and prayed. Acts 13:3.
(3) Laying on of the hands of presbytery. 1 Timothy 4:14.
V. Settling Controversial Points of Faith.
1. How are open sins settled in the church? Matthew 18:15-21.
a. This is very much commended. James 5:19, 20.
2. Differences between brethren (members). 1 Corinthians 6:1-4.
3. Doctrinal issues. Acts 15:1-31.
a. Who was at this counsel? Acts 15:6.
(1) Who sent them? The church. Acts 15:3.
b. Was this gathering the voice of the church? Acts 15:22.
c. Did they write circulars telling of their decision? Acts 15:23.
d. Was this read to all the church? Acts 15:30.
e. Was church established in faith by decision? Acts 16:1-5.
f. This decision was agreeable to the Holy Ghost. Acts 15:28.
4. Danger of false leaders. Matthew 15:14.
a. Church try false leaders & speak against them? Revelation 2:1, 2.
(1) "Men whose lives are not holy and who are unqualified to teach the present truth enter the field without being acknowledged by the church or the brethren generally, and confusion and disunion are the result." Early Writings, p. 97:2.
VI. What was Purpose in Having Organized Church?
1. Show forth God’s praises. 1 Peter 2:9.
a. This was his plan from the very beginning of the organized Christian church. Matthew 28:19, 20.
b. We have example of the conversion of Paul. Acts 9:1-20.
(1) Christ could have told him what to do but instead He told Paul to contact His church. (Acts 9:6).
(2) Why? 2 Corinthians 5:20 (Ephesians 6:20).
(a) The church is His embassy on earth.
c. Cornelius. Acts 10:1-8.
2. Is God’s purpose to have divisions among us? 1 Corinthians 11:18.
a. Why do divisions come? 1 Corinthians 11:19.
(1) Is Christ divided? 1 Corinthians 1:13.
b. What be done to one who causes divisions? Romans. 16:17, 18.
c. What will be the greatest evidence that Jesus is the Christ? John 17:17-21; John 13:34, 35.
(1) Remember, Jesus is the truth and the truth divides from error but with the truth it unites.
VII. Conclusion.
1. For the Lord’s portion is His people. Deuteronomy 32:9, 10 (Zechariah 2:8).
2. This people He is to purify. Titus 2:13-15.
3. What’ll His people be like when comes? Matthew 5:48; Ephesians 5:27.
4. We shall be like Jesus. 1 John 3:1-3.
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