© 2012 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

(haga clic aquí para la versión española)

Throughout history, priests have frequently yielded great and sometimes mysterious power over the people. From before ancient Egypt and into modern times, priests have been both feared and revered. Priests have sometimes even been thought to have power to grant eternal salvation and access to Paradise.

Scripture describes the priestly role as one in which the priest presents a blood sacrifice to God to atone for the sins of the people. In doing so the Old Testament Jewish priests pictured Jesus Christ, the ultimate Great High priest, who would come to make the only effective offering for sin (Hebrews 2:17 & Hebrews 9:24). He is the only mediator that can intervene, on our behalf, to God: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1 Timothy 2:5-6).” The Old Testament picture-priests have now been replaced by their fulfillment — Jesus Christ. Only Christ’s priesthood, in which He sacrificed Himself and presented His own blood before the Father, can take away sins. “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins (Hebrews 10:4).” Scripture shows that Old Testament pictures of Christ were to be discontinued: “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away (Hebrews 8:13).”

Are you trusting clergy members to guarantee your eternal destiny? None of them are authorized to do so. Only Christ, who is God, the Great High Priest, can apply His atoning blood to your account and plead your case before the Father. Any human being who presumes to know and make promises regarding your eternal status, is an imposter. Only God the Holy Spirit can properly assure our hearts of a redeemed standing with God. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16).”

Are you trusting the word of man regarding whether or not you are saved, or are you searching Scripture and using its tests to see whether or not Christ has changed your heart?

 

You may leave comments for Tom & Kathy (website administrators) on the Posts Page.