The ‘Swearing-in’ of Christ’s Priesthood

Why a swearing-in?

President Barack Obama was sworn in twice in his first term in office. During the official swearing-in, Chief Justice John Roberts slightly misstated the wording of the presidential oath, and Obama repeated it incorrectly.

Because of that minor slip, they re-administered the oath privately at the White House the next day (January 21, 2009) “out of an abundance of caution,” to make sure there was no constitutional issue about the oath’s validity. That gives you an idea of how important a swearing-in is to legitimize certain offices.

The Question of Legitimacy

There are some offices so sacred that they can never be considered legitimate unless the person holding them is sworn in. If you're appointed a teacher, as I was some years ago, no one bothered to swear me in.

In fact, I had to report myself to my principal, show her my posting decision. She signed my assumption of service, and that was it; I could start teaching. No swearing in at all!

However, there are certain offices, such as that of the President of most Nations, where winning an election is not all there is to it; you must be sworn in to be considered legitimate.

And until there is a swearing-in, you are only considered a president-elect. Something else, the swearing-in must be done by someone with constitutional authority to do so; otherwise, any Tom, Dick, and Harry may become presumptuous!

Christ was Sworn in with an Oath

There is a striking difference between Christ’s Priesthood and the Levitical priesthood. Aaron and his descendants were never sworn into office; they became priests without any oath of office or swearing-in. Let me show you that really quickly: “For those priests were made without an oath; but this (referring to Christ) with an oath…” (Hebrews 7:21). For without an oath he (Christ) was not made priest (Hebrews 7:20).

God Administered the Oath

Christ’s priesthood was established eternally by God Himself. No human ritual could confer it, and no criticism or opposition can ever invalidate it. God personally swore Him into an everlasting Priesthood with the divine oath: “I have sworn and will not change; you are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedec.” (Hebrews 7:17). Because of this oath, Jesus became the guarantor, the surety, of the New Covenant (Hebrews 7:22).

In contrast, when it comes to the human presidential office, it is generally not considered the sole guarantor of a constitution due to limited trustworthiness. At best, presidents are protectors or defenders of a constitution, because human systems do not trust any one person enough to make them the sole guarantor of their highest law.

Christ: The Surety of the New Covenant

Jesus is the sole guarantor or surety of the New Constitution, the New Covenant (Hebrews 7:22). His eternal priesthood, established by God’s oath, makes Him the only One capable of guaranteeing His promises and His permanence. Christ’s Priesthood has no term limit; He is a priest forever (Hebrews 7:17, 24)!

In Order of Melchidezec

What is Christ’s priesthood in the order of Melchizedec and not in the Levitical priesthood? The short answer is that Melchizedek himself was both sworn in as king-priest. I will discuss Melchizedek’s order further in a future article and will add the link here!

What is the implication?

There is something to be learned from the concept of presidential legitimacy. People may criticize a president as much as they want, and they may disagree with his policies as much as they want, but criticism and disagreement alone cannot render his office illegitimate.

Similarly, the unbelief or criticism of the world cannot invalidate Christ’s everlasting priesthood. For “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). Therefore, “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” (Hebrews 7:25).

No authority in the three Worlds can invalidate Christ’s Priesthood

No demon, no principality, no power, no authority in the three worlds: heaven, earth, and under the earth, can delegitimize Christ’s priesthood. The gates of hell may grind, whine, and fume; it makes no difference at all! For such a high priest became us, one who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens (Hebrews 7:26).

No guilt in life and no fear in death, no power of hell and no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand, and until He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I will stand. (Excerpt from In Christ Alone, 2001, written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend).