WHAT WE BELIEVE: Because of Jesus, Our High Priest, We Can Draw Near to God

"Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins… And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was." Hebrews 5:1, 4 (NIV)

In the Old Covenant, the priesthood played an important role in an Ancient Israelite’s relationship with God.

• The priest was a human (from Aaron’s family) who stood before God to represent every member of the community (Exodus 28:1, 12, 29; 29:44; Numbers 16:5)
• He was chosen by God and went through a special ceremony, enabling him to enter safely into God’s holy presence (Exodus 29:44-46; Leviticus 8)
• After this ceremony, the priest could approach God to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins (on behalf of himself and the community) (Leviticus 9)
• There were many priests and they had to offer sacrifices daily; once they died they passed on this responsibility to others (Exodus 29:7-9; Numbers 18:7; 28:3)
• Nobody but the priests could ever draw near to God; if they did—they died (Numbers 1:51; 3:10)

In the New Covenant, the priesthood continues to play an important role in our relationship with God. Jesus is our high priest.

• He became human so that he could stand before God as humanity’s representative (Hebrews 5:1)
• He was chosen by God, who declared him to be our priest forever by an unchangeable oath (Hebrews 7:20-21; 28)
• He approached God, offering himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sin (Hebrews 10:12-14); holy and innocent, he had no need to offer any sacrifice for his own sin (Hebrews 7:26-27)
• After offering his one sacrifice for all time, Jesus sat down at the right hand of God, having perfected those he came to save (Hebrews 10:12-18)

And now, because of the finished work of our great high priest, we can boldly draw near to God, fully assured that we will be welcomed into his holy presence (Hebrews 10:21-22).