Book of Hebrews

Pastor Martin begins an in-depth treatment of Christ's priestly office, explaining that he departs from the traditional prophet-priest-king order because Scripture gives predominance to the priesthood and because the priestly office casts its shadow over the prophetic and kingly functions. He establishes the reality of Christ's priestly office two ways: Christ is specifically called a priest, and His work is described in strict priestly categories. He then unfolds the four essential ingredients of priestly function from Hebrews 5:1: taken from men, appointed for men, in things pertaining to God, to offer for sins.

Pastor Martin begins a focused study on Christ's priestly sacrifice, establishing first the fact of His priestly sacrifice from Ephesians 5:2, Hebrews 9:24-28, and Hebrews 10:10-12. He defends the Bible's unequivocal presentation of Christ's death as a true, bona fide priestly offering to God rather than a mere example of self-giving. He then begins to unfold the context of sacrificial activity — the reality of God as holy, just, and gracious, and of man as accountable, guilty, and polluted.