Who was Melchizedek? In Gen14:18-19 it reads as follows "He was a priest of God Most High and he blessed Abram saying. "Blessed be Abram by God Most High,Creator of heaven and earth." NIV Does this scripture mean that there was a religion prior to Judaism which involved the worship of God? If so, how did Melchizedek become a priest?

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2001

Answers

To help with your question, go to the book of Hebrews,Chapter 7, maybe this will help you, or better yet, study the entire book of Hebrews. I recently completed a Bible Study class on Hebrews, that's why I recognized the name "Melchizedek", I have scads of my own notes and the pastor's lecture comments, I just couldn't put it all in a concise form to send to you, but take it from me, Jesus Christ is the our High Priest, not Melchikezedek!!

Be blessed

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2001

This looks like a god resource for you

http://www.lds-index.org/melchzdk.htm

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2001

JazzMan: There is much theological speculation about who Melchizadek is/was. Orthodoc Rabbi's claim he was Shem as Shem's geneology is not mentioned in the scriptures. The site Bob McClain referred you to is a Latter Day Saints (Mormon) web site. Being the unorthodox cult in Christendom that it is, I wouuld recommend that you peruse it with care and make comparisons with other theological insights on this subject. Here are two web sites that I think will challenge your "seeker spirit" in this regard. http:www.apostolic.net/biblicalstudies/melchizedek.html and htto:www.xenos.org/essays/melchi.htm. If you cannot access either one of these then send me your Fax number or your snail mail address and I will send you copies of the material obtained on those sites with regard to your question. "Seek and ye shall find; knock and the door shall be opened unto you" my brother. Ask the Lord for a "discerning spirit" as you search these materials.

In the name that is above every name, the name of Jesus our Lord Peace

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2001

Jazzman yes there were other Gods that people were worshiping, they worshipped many at one time. In the Old Testament two priestly lines were represented. The one that was most important began with Melchizedek, who was the priest-king of Jerusalem at the same time that Abraham lived. Abraham in his wisdom acknowledged his superiority by receiving his blessing also paying him with tithes. The blessing is the one you have already quoted in your initial post. By the way it was from Melchizedek Priestly line that King David belonged and from that priestly line our lord and saviour would come. Oh, the other priestly line came from levi, Jacobs son. And that line included Aaron, (the brother of Moses) and aaron's sons, who then became Israel priestly family. Thanks for asking the question. My source was "The illustrated Bible Handbook" on the AME-today web page Rev. Fisher has links to Bible Dictionaries that you can use to answer further questions. Another good religious search engine is GOSHEN http:/www.goshen.com

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2001

May I add a little to this discussion.

Shem's descendents begin in Genesis 11:10 and traces to Abram [later Abraham] in verse 26. From that point, one can go to Matthew 1:1 which summarizes and declares Jesus as the Son of David, the son of Abraham. Our Lord, the Messiah descended from Shem through Abraham through David. Matthew 1:-17.

Going back from Shem through Noah (and the flood) to Seth and on to Adam is documented in Genesis 5. So I don't see how there can be any doubt about the Messiah. Prophecy of course supports this also.

As to Melchizedek, I find 11 references to him in scripture none of which indicate who he is or where he came from or where he went. He just walks onto the Bible pages and walks off the pages. The hebrew writer and the psalms makes the comparison to Christ as king and priest.

I hope this helps.

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

Thank you all for your responses to my question. They have been most informative.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001