1. PRIESTS
The subject of our Conference is one of the most momentous topics with which we have been led to deal. It strikes at the root of everything that is vital and spiritual.
2. THE HIGH PRIEST: HIS QUALIFICATIONS
Perhaps I ought to remark in passing that at no time could ever any Roman Catholic, ritualist, or anyone like them, belong to the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood.
3. THE CONSECRATION OF THE HIGH PRIEST WITH THE HOLY ANOINTING OIL
A "Priest" is a minister of God who offers sacrifice for sin. Can there be any more "priests" upon earth? Surely not when Jesus Christ "offered one sacrifice for sins for ever" (Heb. x. 12), "and there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins"; "there is no more offering for sin."
4. THE OFFERING OF THE SACRIFICE OF OUR HIGH PRIEST
There has been for long a diversity of view as to when precisely our blessed Lord Jesus entered upon His priesthood for us.
5. THE BURNING OF INCENSE BY THE HIGH PRIEST
The prophetic symbolism of the Old Testament ritual is very strong evidence in support of the inspiration of the Old and New Testaments. Note, for example, the proceedings in connection with the sacrifice in the Temple, and how they foreshadow the work and High Priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
6. THE PRIESTHOOD: ITS IMPORT AND PURPOSE
The name "Priest", which is a contraction of "Presbyter", is used in the English Bible to translate two different words, namely, the Old Testament "kohen" and the New Testament "epev" (hicreus).
7. ONE HIGH PRIEST AND ONE MEDIATOR
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." – John xiv. 6. From this latter verse we learn how the Lord Jesus Christ is Himself, and in Himself alone, the perfect Way up to the Father in heaven.
8. THE CONFESSIONAL
The subject of this paper is of the gravest importance. No one who has any regard for the honour of the Lord Jesus Christ, the teaching of God's Holy Word and the spiritual welfare of men, can view the matter with indifference. The question at issue between the Reformed Churches and the Church of Rome is whether, in order to the forgiveness of sins, confession should be made directly to God, or to the priest in the "tribunal of penance".
9. THE PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST: HIS BLESSING
We have heard and read of assembled multitudes awaiting with all the appearance of devotion and the seeming attitude of reverence the pronouncement of a benediction by some ecclesiastic of note. We may deplore the entrance of superstition and pity the ignorance of the crowd, but the chief feature is the emptiness of the so-called blessing, for the man has no authority to give it; it lacks Divine institution.
10. NO PRIEST BETWEEN THE CONSCIENCE AND CHRIST
May God in sovereign grace, by His Spirit and Word, convince us of our guilt, and cause us to trust in the precious blood, and to rest assured that by the One Offering offered once only and never again, we are freed completely and for ever from the guilt and penalty of sin.
