God alone is the author of eternal salvation!
The writer of Hebrews continued to teach how Jesus was a very unique High Priest – “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest ‘according to the order of Melchizedek,’ of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5: 9-14)
We live in a world today that is full of ‘postmodern philosophy.’ From wikipedia this is described as follows – “Society is in a state of constant change. There is no absolute version of reality, no absolute truths. Postmodern religion strengthens the perspective of the individual and weakens the strength of institutions and religions that deal with objective realities. Postmodern religion considers that there are no universal religious truths or laws, rather, reality is shaped by social, historical and cultural contexts according to the individual, place and or time. Individuals may seek to draw eclectically on diverse religious beliefs, practices and rituals in order to incorporate these into their own religious world view.”
However, the biblical historical gospel message is ‘exclusive.’ That is why much of my writing on this website could be called polemic. A ‘polemic’ according to wikipedia is “a contentious rhetoric that is intended to support a specific position by forthright claims and undermining of the opposing position.” Martin Luther’s ’95 Theses’ which he nailed to the door of the church in Wittenberg was a ‘polemic’ launched against the Catholic Church.
My effort has been to hold historic biblical Christian claims up against other systems of belief, and critically examine their differences and distinctions.
A thorough study of the letter to the Hebrews, does away with any need today for a ‘priesthood.’ The purpose of a priest was to represent man before God through an offering of sacrifices. The sacrifice of God Himself, through Jesus Christ (fully man and fully God) for our redemption is unrivalled. As believers we are called to be ‘living sacrifices’ for God’s use, but Jesus Christ is in heaven representing us before God – “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4: 14-16)
Ultimately, the gospel calls us to trust the ‘righteousness’ of Christ, and not our own righteousness – “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3: 21-23) It says of Jesus in 1 Corinthians – “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification and redemption – that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.’” (1 Corinthians 1: 30-31)
Consider what an incredible thing God has done for us – “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
