THE SAIPAN CHURCH OF CHRIST A Royal Priesthood In Genesis 14:18-20 you read for the first lime in the Bible about a priest of the most high God. Melchizedek is that priest. Melchizedek was a unique priest in that he is the first priest of God mentioned and he is also a king, the king of Salem. Salem means peace. Being a king makes Melchizedek a "royal priest.” In this passage Abraham pays tithes to Melchizedek showing that Abraham Melchizedek's position as a God ordained priest. Now Melchizedek recognizes important ot did not have a lineage of ancestors chosen by God to prove that he was a priest. The next time that we read of God ordaining a priest or priesthood is in the book of Exodus where God calls upon Aaron and his descendants to be the Levitical priesthood to serve at the altar in the Tabernacle of God This priesthood was established according to the law of Moses. Neither Levi, nor Aaron were kings. Theirs is referred 10 only as the Levitical priesthood, not a “royal priesthood,” Under the law of Moses in order for a person to be a priest he had to be able to prove that he was of the tribe of Levi, a physical descendant of April 23, 2023 =. Aaron or else he could not serve. With the death of each high priest it was necessary to put a new high priest in his place. Jesus Christ changed all this. Jesus was not of the tribe of Levi nor was He a descendant of Aaron, so, He could not serve as a priest under the law of Moses. But David prophesied of Jesus saying: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." (Ps. 110:4). This prophecy is talking about Jesus Christ. He has not only become a priest but He is your High Priest (Heb. 8:1). He is a priest "forever." "But he, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.” (Heb. 7:24) And the "order" is changed. "For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. " (Hebrews 7:12)Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. JOSHUA 1:9 Want to make a prayer request, comment, suggestion, or praise report? Please scan the QR Code above or contact us through the information provided at the back of this bulletin. A Royal Priesthood (continued) It is no longer the Levitical priesthood according to the law of Moses. It is now according to the law of God written in our hearts (Heb. 10:16). And Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:15). He is our royal High Priest. As Christians we are the sons of God, washed in the blood of our King and High Priest and have become the priests of God. "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people. that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into is marvelous light:" (1 Peter 2:9) You are a “loyal priest.” Under the law of Moses it was required that the priests be holy, righteous, and dedicated before God Now we have a better priesthood than that of Aaron. We have a High Priest who lives forever looking to bestow rich blessings upon all those who serve Him with a true heart. "Learn to do Good" BY STEVE VICE The Bible is an instruction book and an SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) on how to be like God We are to be imitators of God (Eph. 5:1). One reason that Jesus came to this earth was to show us the Father (John 14:9). The Bible is the pure and reliable source to learn how to be like God and His Son Jesus (Ps. 119:102, 140; Pro. 30:5; 1 Pet. 2:2, 21). We are taught in Isaiah, “Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow” (Isa. 1:17). Our education in godliness never ends in this lifetime. Jesus learned obedience How much more should we be holy, righteous and dedicated? "You also, a. living stones, are being built upa spiritual priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5) by the things He suffered (Heb. 5:8). His greatest suffering took place in the hours and minutes just Prior to His death (Mat. 27; Lk. 23; Jn. 19). and pleading for the widows is a Defending the fatherless theme that is found throughout the Bible. Exodus 22:22-24 says, “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and | will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.” ag Scan here to read more on this articleWELCOME TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST! —? PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: See + Those who are currently on the sick list especially: Maria Martin, Sitae Terry, Mary Allen Conrad, Joe Hill, Lourdes Kalen, Alfred & Melba Byrd, Candy Tabora, Penny Harland, Dana Tyler, Alice Nearhery, Grace Divinagracia, Christina 'Sakaziro, Michelle Vankirk, Tristin Byrd, and Liz Byrd. * Lourdes Hart Cabrera who is fighting cancer. + Imelda Lirio who is fighting a thyroid infection, * Sis, Stephanie's husband, Daniel Mensah for his eye surgery. * Sis, Merle's Tita Fran who will undergo surgery. * Pray for the success of Nancy Cabaluna's surgery on April 26. * Those who are struggling with their mental health, especially Sis. Christina Sakaziro arid Michael Dy. + The comfort & strength of those who are grieving the loss of their loved ones. * Those who are in the middle of wars, conflict, and natural disasters, i + The world leaders, so that they may lead with compassion and uphold peace. * Sis. Nenita Cuballes and Sis. Sarvia's papers. * The safety of those who are traveling especially Sis. Merle, Nat Fely, Sis. Jean, and the Gatdula family’ Ps eet SYA Word Search Play or find the solution online: https://biblepuzzles.com/wordsearch.php?ws=48 acts AMos CHRONICLES COLOSSIANS CORINTHIANS DANIEL DEUTERONOMY ECCLESIASTES EPHESIANS ESTHER exooUs EZEKIEL EZRA GALATIANS GENESIS. HABAKKUK HagGal HEBREWS HOSEA ISAIAH JAMES, => Zza-amzmooezo0 <>mco---E¥mzoO<4nerca -ZC4mumzma4gFemm>crado E>->0-SOzZ-vz0>ctoocEmama-ozmr Elmmvzma BitkePurite: JEREMIAH JUDGES JOB KINGS JOEL LAMENTATIONS JOHN Leviticus JONAH Luke sosHua MALACHI JUDE MARK MATTHEW. MicaH NAHUM NEHEMIAH NUMBERS. OBADIAH PETER PHILEMON PHILIPPIANS PROVERBS PSALM REVELATION ROMANS RUTH SAMUEL SONG OF SOLOMON THESSALONIANS TIMOTHY rus ZECHARIAH ZEPHANIAH ANNOUNCEMENTS: * Brother Robert Martin emailed us, sending his regards and prayers. The next PIBC would be on June or July 2024.» Me SAIPAN CHURCH OF CHRIST P.O. Box 500549 Saipan, MP, 96950 Church Phone: (670) 235 - 2270 Email: spnchurchofchrist@gmail.com Website: https://saipanchurchofchrist.weebly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090069806301 Minister: Manuel Cabaluna 285 - 6170 Preacher: Gary Byrd 789 - 2245 Missionaries: Dave Combs 789 - 0024 Kolton Sneed 284 - 6897 ASSEMBLY TIMES 9:00 A.M. ‘Sunday Morning Bible Class ... Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 A.M. Sunday Evening Worship . Wednesday Bible Study .... Assisting in Worship: Sunday Morning: Sunday Evening: Announcements: Gary Announcements: Gary Singing: Kolton Opening Prayer: Arnold Lord's Supper & Giving: Willy Assisting: Jun, Cris, Boyet Preaching: Gary Bible Reading: Ariel Preaching: Dave Closing Prayer: Ruel Singing: Boyet Opening Prayer: Kolton Lord's Supper & Giving: Boyet Closing Prayer: Gary