Author: iolaHC

I am an Artwork in progress

The Better – Part 2

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Hebrews 7:7-10 And without all contradiction, the less is blessed of the better…

We need to understand the union of the two natures of Jesus Christ. He constantly spoke of Himself as a single person and not as two persons in one. There is no interchange of speech between the two natures as between two persons. The attributes and powers of both natures are ascribed to one person so that they are operated as part of a single individual. There is no double personality, but one single unit of characteristics of both the human and the divine. Just as any father and mother impart certain traits to the offspring, making a single person with characteristics of both parents, so the human and the divine were united in the one person of Jesus Christ – with one body, soul, and spirit and with one consciousness and one will.

The Fatherhood of God and the motherhood of Mary produced a single personality. After all, it must be remembered that God made man with the same body parts as He has in His Spirit-body, only our bodies are earthly and human and His is spiritual and divine. He made man with the same kind of soul with feelings, emotions, passions, desires, and appetites, capable of the same soul-acts as He was; only our soul is finite and His is infinite. He made man with a spirit with all the attributes and powers that He has, capable of the same acts; only our spirits are finite and His is infinite. In other words, man is endowed with the same traits, characteristics, attributes, powers, feelings, and passions as God, only on a finite scale.

With this in mind, one can see that the soul and spirit faculties that were born in Jesus Christ by a divine Father and a human mother were the same as in any other being like God; so when Christ acted and used any one attribute or power as a man it was like the exercise of God in the same aspects, only His faculties were perfectly untainted with the Fall and its effects. When Christ acted, He was like man before the Fall and not like sinful man since the Fall. Every fallen man when he is recreated in Christ and made a new creature is capable of proper exercise of his faculties in holy and lawful uses.

The Better – Part 1

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Hebrews 7:7-10 And without all contradiction, the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die received tithes; but there he received them, of whom it is witnessed that he lived. And as I may so say, Levi also, who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 

‘The better’ – Christ is better than Abraham: Christ is a member of the Godhead that made the covenant with Abraham and gave him promises (6:13-15; 1Jn. 5:7). Christ is the hope of Abraham (6:16-20; Col. 1:27). Christ is eternal (1:8; 6:20; John 8:58; Rev. 1:8-11). Christ is the Saviour and Blesser of Abraham (6:20; 7:7; Gal. 3:13-18, 26-29). Christ is Abraham’s eternal High Priest of which Melchizedek was only a type (6:20; 7:3, 7-10, 14-21). Abraham paid tithes to Christ’s eternal priesthood (7:2, 4-10). Christ is only begotten Son of Abraham’s God (7:3; John 1:14, 18; 3:16)

‘And here men that die receive tithes; but there he received them.’ If men who die receive tithes, how much more should they who live receive them? That is, if temporary priests have received them, how much more should the eternal priests [future calling for Christians – see Revelations 1:6 – no priests were assigned for the New Testament period before the rapture except Jesus Christ] receive them?

‘Of whom it is witnessed that he lived.’ As there is no record of his death or the end of his priesthood, Melchizedek is an illustration of the perpetuity of life, a type of Christ who is eternal (1:8; Isa. 9:6; Mic. 5:2; Rev. 1:8-11).

‘Levi also, who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham.’ Those who receive tithes also pay them on their own income. In this, Abraham was the representative tithe payer for all his seed to come (7:9-10).

‘In the loins of his father.’ In the loins of his ancestral father.

To be continued…

Tenth of the Spoils – Part 3

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Hebrews 7:4-6 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 

‘Though they come out of the loins of Abraham.’ This proves that even children of Abraham were supposed to pay tithes. If they were obligated to pay tithes, so were the Gentiles, including Christians.

‘From them’ – He reckoned no genealogy from them, from the genealogies of the priests (7:5). This was considered essential for a priest by the Jews. On the other hand, since they recognized Melchizedek as a true priest of God and greater than Abraham, they had to recognize that genealogy was not the essential thing for a priest and that on these grounds Jesus Christ could be a priest after the order of Melchizedek to fulfil Psalms 110:1-7.

‘Received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.’ This proves that the Melchizedek priesthood had a commandment to take tithes of Abraham, as the Levites were commanded to take tithes of all Israel (7:5-6). If Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, his natural and spiritual seed should continue to pay tithes to this priesthood since it now replaced the Aaronic priesthood (7:9-21). Is the first priest of this order the only one to receive tithes? Should God require tithing under this priesthood at first and then discontinue it when Christ became a priest after this order? Does grace lessen the obligation of man or increase it? Has this priesthood come to a self-supporting place, where it needs nothing from those under its benefits? Was it right that Abraham paid tithes to this priesthood and for Melchizedek to receive them for his support? If it was right then, could it be wrong now to continue this same program? Should a mere typical priesthood be supported and not the eternal priesthood itself?

Tenth of the Spoils – Part 2

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Hebrews 7:4-6 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 

‘Tenth of the spoils’ –  The doctrine of tithing is clear in Scripture (continues): [2] Paul taught it: (1) Condemned sacrilege (Rom. 2:22), or robbing temples (Mal. 3:8-10) and using holy things (Lev. 27:1-34). (2) Teachers to be paid (Gal. 6:6). (3) God ordained the support of ministers to spread the gospel (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18). (4) Christians to give as God prospers them (1Cor. 16:2). (5) Melchisedec priesthood is eternal and must be supported by the children of Abraham (Heb. 6:20; 7:1-11, 17, 21). (6) Children of Abraham in faith must walk in his steps (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7:1-28). (7) Tithing is proof of obedience and appreciation of God’s blessings (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7:6-10; 1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18; cp. Mal. 3:8-10; Pro. 3:9-10; Gen. 14:20; Deut. 8:10-20).

Blessings of tithing: Blessings for obedience. God’s house will not lack (Mal. 3:10). God’s ministers will not lack (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Neh. 13:10; Mal. 3:8-10). Material and spiritual blessings (Mal. 3:8-10; Pro. 3:9-10; 2Chron. 31:1-21; Neh. 13:1-31).

Examples of paying tithes: Abraham (Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:1-11); Jacob (Gen. 28:22); Levi in Abraham (Heb. 7:9); Hezekiah and Israel (2Chron. 31:1-21); Nehemiah and Israel (Neh. 13:1-31); Hypocrites (Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12); Christians (1Cor. 9:7-14; 16:2; 2Cor. 7:11; 8:1-15; Gal. 6:6; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Heb. 7:1-28).

No scripture even mentions a substitute program for tithing in the New Testament.

To be continued…

Tenth of the Spoils – Part 1

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Hebrews 7:4-6 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 

‘Man was’ – He was a man and even greater than Abraham, the source of the Jewish race. There remains no mystery about him given the facts here. Because he had no recorded father, mother, etc. does not make him a man of mystery or a divine person as many have thought. Christ is better than Melchizedek: [1] Christ will be the future eternal king of Jerusalem (Ezek. 43:7; 48:35; Zech. 14:1-21; Rev. 20:1-15); Melchizedek was the past temporary king (7:1). [2] Christ is an eternal priest (Heb. 6:20; 7:17); Melchizedek was temporary (7:1). [3] Christ is God (Heb. 1:8; John 1:1-2, 14); Melchizedek was a man (7:4). [4] Christ is the eternal King of Righteousness (Jer. 23:6); Melchizedek was temporary (7:2). [5] Christ is the eternal King of Peace (Isa. 9:6); Melchizedek was temporary (7:2). [6] Christ is an eternal being (Heb. 1:8; John 1:1-2; Mic. 5:2; Isa. 9:6); Melchizedek was not (7:3, 6). [7] Christ as an eternal being has no father, mother, beginning of days, or end of life (Mic. 5:2); Melchizedek had all these but they were not recorded (7:3, 6). [8] Christ was the antitype; Melchizedek the type of an eternal priesthood (Heb. 6:20; 7:17).

‘Patriarch’ [Greek: patriarches] father or chief of a family or tribe (7:4; Acts 2:29; 7:8-9).

‘Tenth of the spoils’ –  The doctrine of tithing is clear in Scripture: Tithing was practised 430 years before the Law of Moses (Gen. 14:20; 28:22; Heb. 7:1-11). Tithing was practised under the Law of Moses (Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:10). Tithing was practised in the New Testament: [1] Christ taught it (Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; cp. Matt. 5:20 with Luke 18:11-12; see Matt. 10:10; Luke 10:7-8). This was teaching for the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 11:11-14; Luke 16:16).

To be continued…

Melchisedec – Part 2

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Hebrews 7:1-3 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; 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; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abides a priest continually. 

The twofold purpose of Paul: [1] To show that Jesus Christ was the Person prophesied of in Psalms 110:1-7, which psalm the Jews uniformly held to refer to the coming Messiah. [2] To answer the objections of the Jews against Christ’s priesthood because He did not come from priestly stock and could not be the antitype of Aaron or fulfil Leviticus 21:10-15. From the Jewish viewpoint, Christ would be further disqualified because (1) No proselyte could be a priest; (2) No slave could be a priest; (3) No bastard could be a priest (Jews accused Him of being illegitimate); (4) No son of a Nethinim (temple servant of the priest) could be one; (5) No man whose father exercised a base trade such as the carpenter trade. Many Jews considered Him unfit to be a priest because of this.

Here Paul shows that the priest didn’t need to come from a particular stock, for Melchizedek was a priest of the most high God and not from Abraham or Aaron: He was a Canaanite. Jews considered any person not in the regular genealogies of Israel to be without a father and descent or genealogy. Then, too, Jews considered Melchizedek to be without a father and mother because he was a righteous man and should not be classed with the heathen. This special phraseology was not uncommon when a person was unknown or obscure. Such was their way of signifying that the parents were unknown.

‘Tenth part of all’ – It was customary among ancient nations to give a tenth of the spoils of war to the objects of their worship.

Melchisedec – Part 1

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Hebrews 7:1-3 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; 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; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abides a priest continually. 

‘Melchisedec’ – There are ten facts about Melchizedek: [1] He was the King of Salem, ancient Jerusalem (7:1; Gen. 14:18). [2] He was a priest of God in Abraham’s day. [3] He met Abraham when he [Abraham] was returning from his military victory. [4] Abraham gave him one-tenth of the spoils (7:2; Gen. 14:16-24). [5] Melchizedek was called the King of Righteousness. [6] He was called King of Salem, or King of Peace. [7] Melchizedek had no descent [Greek: agenealogetos] without genealogy; without recorded father or mother; and without recorded beginning of days or end of life (7:3, 6). He had a father, mother, birth, and death, but these were not recorded, so that he could be a type of Christ who was an eternal being really without beginning and ending (Mic. 5:2; Isa. 9:6-7; John 1:1-2; Heb. 1:8; Rev. 1:8-11). [8] He made a type of Christ so that Christ could be made a priest after his order (7:3; 5:6, 10; 6:15-20; 7:1-10, 15-21). As God Christ was not begotten, was not God’s Son, and had no birth or death. Only as man did the second person of the Divine Trinity have a begetting, a father, a mother, a birth and a death (Acts 13:33). The word Son supposes time, generations, father, mother, beginning, and conception – unless one is a son by creation, as Adam (Luke 3:38), and angels (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Gen. 6:1-4). Time, creation, and beginning are opposites to God and eternity and are absolutely impossible to reconcile with them. If sonship refers to deity, not to humanity, then this person of the Deity had a beginning in time and not in eternity. It is plainly stated in Psalms 2:7; Acts 13:33 and  Hebrews 1:5; 5:5 that God had a Son “this day” and not in eternity. It is stated in Hebrews 1:5-7; Luke 1:35 and Matthew 1:18-25 when this took place. It was nearly 2,000 years ago. It had been predicted that God would have a Son (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Heb. 1:5; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:32-35). This was fulfilled when the virgin conceived “of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 1:20), not at any other time. To say that God had an eternal Son would mean He had two; but it is plainly stated that Jesus was “the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14, 18; 3:16-18; 1Jn. 4:9). [9] He was an ordinary man (7:4). [10] He was greater than Abraham (7:4-7).

To be continued…

Impossible for God to Lie – Part 3

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Hebrews 6:16-20 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 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: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entered into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 

‘Two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie.’ There are thirty limitations of God noted in Scripture (continues): He cannot recognize any man as His child or His servant who serves sin and the devil (Matt. 6:24; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13; 1Cor. 3:16-17; Gal. 5:19-21; 1Jn. 3:8-10). He cannot keep the saved from sin if he chooses to go back into sin (Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13; 1Cor. 3:16-17; 6:9-10, 19-20; Heb. 6:4-9; 10:26-29; Jas. 5:19-20; 1Jn. 2:1-2; Ezek. 33:12-20). He cannot keep one from incurring the death penalty should he go back into sin (Ex. 32:32-33; Ezek. 18:4; 33:12-20; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:12-13; 1Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8; Heb. 6:4-9; 10:26-29; Jas. 5:19-20). He cannot be lenient with any who sin or encourage anarchy in moral government (Gen. 2:17; Ezek. 18:4; 33:12-20; Rom. 1:18-31; 5:12-21; 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8; Jas. 5:19-20).

‘Fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.’ Here we have an allusion to the cities of refuge, and to persons who fled to them in safety (Num. 35:1-34; Jos. 20:2-3). The sinner can flee to Christ and find eternal refuge and safety (John 3:16).

‘Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.’ Here Paul changes the allusion from safety in the cities of refuge to a ship reaching the harbour after a tempestuous voyage, knowing that her anchor is sure and steadfast. So it is with the believer who has the hope of eternal life anchored safe in heaven (6:19-20).

‘Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever.’ Jesus is our Forerunner to heaven and our High Priest to represent us until we are safe in heaven with God.

Impossible for God to Lie – Part 2

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Hebrews 6:16-20 …That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie… 

‘Two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie.’ There are thirty limitations of God noted in Scripture (continues): He cannot tolerate hypocrisy (Isa. 1:13). He cannot spare Himself or Christ in the redemption of the human race from eternal hell (Matt. 27:42). He cannot turn down one soul that comes to Him according to His terms (John 6:37). He cannot judge the righteous with the wicked (Gen. 19:22; Rev. 20:5-6, 11-15). He cannot fail to answer prayer when unwavering faith is exercised (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 11:22-24; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8). He cannot forgive one unconfessed sin (Luke 13:1-5; 1Jn. 1:9). He cannot keep one saved who lives in sin (Rom. 8:12-13; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8). He cannot automatically cancel the death penalty when people sin and incur that penalty (Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 16:1-27-23; 8:1-13). He cannot do away with free moral agency and moral responsibility (Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Gal. 5:19-21; 1Jn. 1:7). He cannot make one a slave to Himself so that he can never go back into sin if he chooses (Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Heb. 6:4-9; 10:26-29; 1Jn. 1:7). He cannot guarantee that every saved man will continue in Christ (John 15:1-8; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:12-13; 1Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 9:27; Gal. 1:6-8; 5:4; Ex. 32:32-33; Ezek. 33:12-20). He cannot make any man a son of God in the same sense Jesus is (John 1:18; 3:16; Rom. 8:14-16). He cannot look upon the sins of the saved as being unreal, or deal with them on a different basis from those of the unsaved (Rom. 6:16-23; 8:12-13; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8). He cannot cancel any reaping for what is sown (Rom. 8:12-13; Gal. 6:7-8). He cannot force a man to serve Him against his own will (John 3:16; 7:17; 8:34; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; 1Jn. 1:7; Rev. 22:17).

To be continued…

Impossible for God to Lie – Part 1

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Hebrews 6:16-20 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 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: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entered into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 

‘Greater’ – One of great authority who can enforce the contract and punish for any failure to keep it.

‘Confirmation’ [Greek: bebaiosis] making fast or sure; establishing. It is a legal term for a guarantee.

‘The heirs of promise’ – The children of faith (Rom. 4:1-25).

‘The immutability of his counsel’ – The unchangeable purpose of calling the Gentiles to salvation by Jesus Christ and saving all who believe, of both Jews and Gentiles (Gal. 3:13-14; 1Cor. 12:13; Rom. 1:16).

‘Two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie.’ This refers either to God’s oath and promise (6:13) or to the two oaths of God confirming the promise to Abraham (6:13) and making Christ a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (7:21). There are thirty limitations of God noted in Scripture: He cannot break His own laws (Ps. 119:89). He cannot lie (Heb. 6:17-19). He cannot deny Himself (2Tim. 2:13). He cannot have respect of persons (Rom. 2:11; Jas. 2:9-10). He cannot save one soul apart from grace and faith in Christ (Rom. 3:26; John 3:16). He cannot be unrighteous (Rom. 9:14). He cannot bless men apart from faith (Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8). He cannot curse men when they meet His terms (1Jn. 1:9). He cannot do away with or change His own eternal plan (Acts 15:18; Eph. 2:7; 3:11). He cannot save rebels who persist in rebellion, refusing to meet His terms (Pro. 1:22-33; 29:1; Matt. 18:3; John 3:3, 5). He cannot be tempted with evil (Jas. 1:13-15).

To be continued…