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  THE AARONIC AND MELCHISEDEC PRIESTHOOD
  by John Nelson Darby
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Summary: The sermon explores the relationship between the Aaronic and
Melchisedec priesthoods, highlighting the provisional nature of the
Aaronic priesthood and the perfection of the Melchisedec priesthood.

Topics: "Priesthood", "Union with Christ"
Scripture References: Leviticus 9:22, Hebrews 7:1

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DESCRIPTION
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John Nelson Darby explores the distinctions between the Aaronic and
Melchisedec priesthoods, emphasizing that the Aaronic priesthood serves
as a provisional means for addressing evil without judgment, while the
Melchisedec priesthood represents a higher calling of royalty and
blessing for all nations. He highlights that Christ, as a priest after
the order of Melchisedec, not only intercedes for sinners but also
blesses both the people and God, establishing a perfect union with Him.
Darby stresses the importance of understanding our identity as kings
with Melchisedec and the dual roles of mediation and union in our
relationship with Christ, who maintains our communion with God through
His righteousness. The sermon concludes with the notion that while we
were once slaves in Egypt, we are now conquerors in the promised land,
symbolizing our victory through Christ.

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CONTENT
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(extracted from Simple Testimony, 1845)

The Aaronical priesthood is provisional for evil without reference to
judgment.

In it we have purity, discerning between good and evil, entering into
the holiest, intercession, and blessing by virtue of sacrifice before
Aaron came down. Lev. 9:22.

This Christ is now, as to service, while He is priest after the order of
Melchisedec.

We understand our title to royalty in Melchisedec, priest of the most
high God, possessor of heaven and earth; not merely the God of Israel
but the God of the whole earth, -- the gods of the Gentiles all set
aside, and the Lord Jesus the centre and minister of all this blessing;
blessing the people, and blessing God for the people, not merely
interceding for sinners; though this is the foundation of the other.

But after all, we are not to consider the Melchisedec, in one sense,
higher than the Aaronic.

We are kings with Melchisedec. The King becomes priest: this is
perfection. It is not, in one sense, perfection to have the Lord Jesus
Christ interceding for our imperfection: but out blessing is, to be
associated with Him in all His blessing. He becomes Mediator to the
earth of blessing, specially to the Jews, but to the whole earth.

As regards Aaronic priesthood, we get another thing -- present mediation
for the church.

We must always hold these two things -- mediation and union.

Christ's intercession for us is to maintain our communion wit God in the
righteousness we are made in Him.

Our union with Him is in resurrection; and we are brought into conflict
wit the Canaanites because redeemed out of Egypt.

We were slaves of Pharaoh, but are conquerors of the Canaanites.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/john-nelson-darby/the-aaronic-and-melchisedec-priesthood/
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