In the coming ages He will show us the incomparable riches of His grace! See Ephesians 2:7.
Do you think of yourself as a holy priest?1 Are you learning the sacred duties of your priesthood? These great discoveries will shape and bless your life forever.
…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.… But 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). M
… and from Jesus Christ 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). M
Each Christian, as a priest, has the duty of offering sacrifices,2 the duty of teaching,3 the duty of blessing and praying for the people,4 and the duty of being trained for ministry.5 This priesthood is “holy” and “royal,” making every aspect of life – “whatever you do” – a consecrated offering to God.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). M
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him…. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men… (Col 3:17,23).
1. Research Subject – Priesthood: The Old Testament divided the priests of Aaron’s family from all other Jews, Exodus 28:1; 29:33; Numbers 1:51; 16:40; 18:7. Much later, uninspired traditions made further divisions. Jewish leaders set themselves above other Jews by dressing differently, sitting in the best seats, and using religious titles like “Rabbi” (“Teacher”) and “Father.” To such things Jesus replied, “But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ” Matthew 23:8-10. Thus Jesus set the tone for the New Testament, where God is the Father and His children are all Christ’s brothers, Matthew 12:50; Hebrews 2:11, and priests, 1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10. Much later, traditions crept in bringing many changes. Uninspired men created a division by which they became the official ‘priests’ or ‘clergy,’ and all other members became ‘laymen’ or ‘the laity.’ (Clergy comes from the Greek word klaros. Ephesians 1:14, a passage about the whole church, uses this word for “inheritance.” Laity comes from laos, meaning “people.” Ironically, this word is used in 1 Peter 2:9, which shows God’s “people” as His “royal priesthood.”) Whether in organized church governments or in unwritten traditions, the clergy/laity division is a man-made change that conflicts with Christ’s plan for His entire family. Man-made ‘priestly’ roles tend to promote the power of the clergy. They administer baptism, communion and ‘the worship,’ giving them control of public messages, church membership and promotions, and also church funds and policies. This system suppresses voices that object, and reduces members to passive roles: the audience at ‘the worship,’ the receivers of ‘sacraments,’ and the well-wishers and financial supporters who watch as the clergy do ‘God’s work.’ In effect, the clergy become mediators through whom members reach God or relate to Him. Scripture emphasizes that God authorizes Christ as our only Mediator, John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14. The use of a clergy or priesthood unknown to God’s word explains much that is wrong in religion today. The solution is to return to Christ as our “one Teacher” and “one Mediator.” Through Him every true believer enjoys full access to God, Ephesians 2:18; 3:12; Hebrews 10:19-25. Following Him, every believer enters the sacred work of the holy priesthood. For Research, see also Notes 2-5 and “The Week’s Celebration” Note 7.
2. Our High Priest has already made the “once for all” sacrifice that removes all sin, 1 Peter 3:18. Hence the spiritual sacrifices of 1 Peter 2:5 are offerings of thanksgiving and service, not sin offerings.
3. 1 Peter 2:9; Romans 15:16; Hebrews 5:12 cf. Malachi 2:7