And as for the Aaronic priesthood, which in those days was serving in Jerusalem’s temple, Paul compares it with the priesthood of Christ and shows the latter to be far superior, for it is after the manner of Melchizedek. Paul’s words at Hebrews 5:5, 6 were: “Christ did not glorify himself by becoming a high priest, but was glorified by him who spoke with reference to him: ‘You are my son; I, today, I have become your father.’ . . . ‘You are a priest forever according to the manner of Melchizedek.’” Yes, a priest forever, and it was something dependent, not on any inheritance of sinful flesh, but on an oath from God.

And as for continuing on without the necessity of a successor, Paul then says: “Furthermore, many had to become priests in succession [under the Jewish Law] because of being prevented by death from continuing as such, but he [Jesus] because of continuing alive forever has his priesthood without any successors. Consequently he is able also to save completely those who are approaching God through him, because he is always alive to plead for them.”​—Heb. 7:23-25.