Gary Carpenter Ministries
Monthly Partner Letter

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Dear Partner,

Heb 7:24-25   But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

The need for the Levitical priesthood ended at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He was the final offering. There would never be the need for another offering. The "Lamb of God" had now been offered as the final sacrifice by the Levitical priesthood. Its function had been fulfilled and there was no need for that priesthood to continue. It had nothing further to offer. There is a new priesthood now. Jesus is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. He is high priest for the sinner and the saint. Notice He is able to save them to the uttermost that "come unto God by Him." For the sinner, there is only one path to God and that is through the cross where the final lamb was offered.

John 14:6   Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus the high priest directs unregenerate man to the cross where He Himself was offered as the Lamb of God. They come to God through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. By this process they are born again and become children of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gal 3:26   For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

For the Christian, if he sins after being born again, Jesus the high priest directs him to the mercy seat in heaven where His blood remains to provide forgiveness of sin and the cleansing from all unrighteousness.

1John 1:7-9   But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

There is only one valid priesthood today; Jesus the high priest after the order of Melchizedek. The Levitical priesthood has been done away along with the Mosaic covenant. Notice how the writer of Hebrews says "He takes away the first, that he may establish the second."

Heb 10:6-10   In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Once Jesus entered into heaven His blood was applied to the mercy seat in the true temple of God that exists there. That blood remains on the mercy seat for all eternity. There would be no need for "us" (born again children of God) to need a high priest unless there was the possibility that we "could" still sin even though we are no longer slaves to sin. His blood has made provision for the sins of all "new creatures." We are in a family now, not simply a religion. Provision has been made for us when we sin. But just like the father of any family, our heavenly Father wants us to acknowledge our sins to Him and to repent. He does not want us lying to hide our sins. But rather we are to confess our sins and turn away from them. If we do so we have eternal access to the blood of the Lamb on the mercy seat. What is amazing is our access into the Holy of Holies where the mercy seat rests.

Heb 10:19-23 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

In the Old Covenant, the common person was not EVER allowed into the Holy of Holies where the mercy seat rested upon the Ark of the Covenant. Only the high priest could enter there … and only after meticulous ceremonial washings representing holiness. It was UNTHINKABLE that a common man or woman could enter into the Holy of Holies. But do you remember when Jesus died on the cross, how the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies was torn in two from the top to the bottom?

Mark 15:37-38   And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

Jesus was the final sacrifice. He was the Lamb of God. At His death the penalty for sin was paid and there was nothing any longer to keep man from entering into God's presence. That event represents the truth declared by the writer of the Hebrews … we have access to the throne of God by a new and living way. The blood of Jesus is forever on the mercy seat. He ever lives to make intercession for us. Thank God for the Lamb that was slain.

Sue and I love you and appreciate you.   We thank God for your generous and giving heart.   God bless you!

Your friend and co-laborer,

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