The Priesthood of the Believers

In Life Group this morning the member who was teaching quoted the literature (which I confess to not reading this week) “we are supposed to be a nation of priest, not a nation with priests.” That got me thinking about the doctrine of the priesthood of believers.

This is a doctrine we do not talk about much any more. It’s not a concept that is brought up much in the New Testament, but it is there. The questions are where? why? What do they  mean? And how does the teaching affect us?

Exodus 19:6

“‘And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”  (This to Israel)

I Peter 2:5

You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

1 Peter 2:9

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 His marvelous light;

Revelation 1:6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:10

And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 20:6

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Priests in the Old Testament and up until the beginning of the church existed in a hierarchy. They died and were replaced. In the church there is only one High Priest, ever. No leader of the church is referred to that way, but the whole of the believing community is called “a royal priesthood.” Peter in some ways echoes God’s words to the Israelites; that is how they were supposed to see themselves, a kingdom not of underlings to a human monarch but holy, responsible servants to God. 

A priest means different things, but mostly a worship mediator. There is only one mediator for us; therefore, we go directly to God through Christ with no need of human mediator. In the Old Testament, there was a large cadre of priests to keep the sacrificial system operating.

Priests in the Old Testament were among the most likely to receive condemnation; I suppose “to whom much is given, much is required.” They had a lofty position, and a protected one, sort of like employment for life, we might think. (Not really; there were age limits, with 50 as mandatory retirement. They probably had a good pension program, though.) Priests should be holy and above reproach but often were not; see Samuel’s sons' profligacy and the prophecies in Ezekiel and Jeremiah.

So why does the priesthood of the believer matter?

1.     Historically, as the early Reformers statement that since no human mediator or mediating institution was needed, thus Catholicism held no authority;

2.     Theologically, believers can minister and be ministered to anywhere, anytime;

3.     Practically, church leaders in this covenant are called pastors rather than priests. They are not offering sacrifices, and that is no longer needed; the church leaders are giving us guidance and serving alongside the “flock” (sorry about that cliché)

4.     Politically, if all believers are priests, equality is the standard, not hierarchy.

IIfIf all are priests, no one is special. No one is held up above the others. We all serve God together.  Not being special is really such a lifted burden, just like accepting one's sinfulness and total dependence on Christ.