When we recognize the exclusive position of Jesus as High Priest, then we are ready to consider the other kind of priesthood in Christianity. Because Christ makes His people so completely holy and gives them such direct access to God, every true Christian belongs to the royal priesthood. This does not give them Christ’s unique role as Mediator, Savior and Lord. But the New Testament does give them other priestly privileges and duties. As an introduction, we should be aware of Exodus 19. After the exodus from Egypt, when Moses first climbed Mount Sinai, God told Moses His ideal vision for His people:
Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel. (Exodus 19:5-6)
God wanted them all to be obedient, holy and priestly. Yet, as events unfolded, the people often proved the very opposite. As Moses revealed the covenant’s terms, the people were not made priests. Instead, all priestly duties were limited to Aaron and his sons. Other Israelites were warned to stay away from priestly places and duties. God distanced the people to emphasize His own holiness and to demonstrate His rejection of sin.
The sacrifice of Jesus now fulfils every condition for us to come near to God. When God looks at us “in Christ,” He sees His Son’s perfection applied to us (Galatians 3:27; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ’s blood washes us so clean that no sin remains to stain or accuse us (Colossians 1:22; Ephesians 5:27; 1 John 1:7-9; Jude 24). This means that God’s ideal for all His people can now be realized. Every true Christian is a “saint” (meaning holy or sanctified) and every true Christian is a priest.
Jesus Christ [is] the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5-6 cf. 5:10; 20:6)
You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…. You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:5, 9)