Exhausted Priests

rocknanchor said:

I propose a problem exists to an extent few wish to observe as it may uncover dis-comfortable Christian objectives, or at a minimum, reveal a certain vacate of teaching.

What is the full New Testament definition of “priests”? Does it fall in the traditional use of the phrase; Kings & Priests, or has the spiritual at large glossed over one facet for us lay persons concerning priests?

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 (1 Peter 2:9)​

Is it,

“a kingdom which consists of priests”​

, ,or, the fullest extension of that office,

“a priesthood of princely honors”​

Are you of the opinion this was never designed for those walking humbly with their Lord? On an equal allotment of enablement by God, I would have to agree, but we know that isn’t so as He distributes gifts ‘severally’ of all sorts to all His children.

Didn’t He say ‘honor to whom’ we owe honor (Romans 13:7)? Consider, there is ample context of verse-9 ‘priesthood’. Ambiguity tends to vanish from the Holy Spirit’s seen in verse-13 and 14.

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. (1 Peter 2:13,14)​

My, how close to those first 7 verses of Romans-13 that Priest ('God’s ministers') is!

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Oops. Deleted. Posting from my phone and didn't notice the forum.

rocknanchor said:

I propose a problem exists to an extent few wish to observe as it may uncover dis-comfortable Christian objectives, or at a minimum, reveal a certain vacate of teaching.

What is the full New Testament definition of “priests”? Does it fall in the traditional use of the phrase; Kings & Priests, or has the spiritual at large glossed over one facet for us lay persons concerning priests?

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 (1 Peter 2:9)​

Is it,

“a kingdom which consists of priests”​

, ,or, the fullest extension of that office,

“a priesthood of princely honors”​

Are you of the opinion this was never designed for those walking humbly with their Lord? On an equal allotment of enablement by God, I would have to agree, but we know that isn’t so as He distributes gifts ‘severally’ of all sorts to all His children.

Didn’t He say ‘honor to whom’ we owe honor (Romans 13:7)? Consider, there is ample context of verse-9 ‘priesthood’. Ambiguity tends to vanish from the Holy Spirit’s seen in verse-13 and 14.

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. (1 Peter 2:13,14)​

My, how close to those first 7 verses of Romans-13 that Priest ('God’s ministers') is!

Click to expand...

Priests have access to God, Himself ... and act as mediatrices between God and their world.

All christians have access to the throne of grace ... and have established a direct communication channel with God, ... ergo, all christians are priests ...

rocknanchor said:

In full persuasion of this, except,

Doesn't your last line correct this grammar opt of yours?

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"mediatrices", in the sense that every praying christian acts is an intermediary for God's intervention in the world ... and for the advancement of God's work on earth. Perhaps that function is more aptly labeled as priest ...

"Thy kingdom come. ... Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give US this day, OUR daily bread ... and forgive US OUR sins, as we forgive
those which sin against us.

Lead US not into temptation, but deliver US from evil ... "

rocknanchor said:

Either the thread will highlight that priestly "servant", or be brushed aside as a caged lament.

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Can you post more plainly ?

rocknanchor said:

What is the full New Testament definition of “priests”? Does it fall in the traditional use of the phrase; Kings & Priests, or has the spiritual at large glossed over one facet for us lay persons concerning priests?

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 (1 Peter 2:9)

Click to expand...

We in Christ are His "royal priesthood".

The Levitical priesthood was connected with the whole tribe of Levi. All family members were part of the tribe . . . the priesthood tribe. So, the priesthood was possibly not only the men presiding at the altar, but all family members and men not so presiding all were involved, including bearing swords to provide security.

So, feeding from this > we are Jesus Christ's own family as His priesthood. And we have more intimacy with God, possibly, than ones of the Levitical priesthood might have had. Because our priesthood is better > Hebrews 8:6 >

"But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." (Hebrews 8:6)

There is no status. If ones are leaders, they are "examples to the flock" > 1 Peter 5:3 > meaning they are samples of how all of us should be blessed and love. All are called to follow the example of real leaders, so we all share in the benefit they enjoy, so there is equality . . . as Jesus claimed in prayer > "You have loved them as You have loved Me," He prays in the Lord's prayer in John 17.

And in a more practical way . . . how can we all share in the priesthood of Christ? I offer for consideration > Hebrews 4:15 >

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)

In order to function as our High Priest, Jesus has gone through things of this life so now He can feel for us and with compassion make intercession for us . . . so we can live in the grace which made Jesus Himself able to live and love so well while going through things in this life.

And Jesus is our example, of how to love. So, we follow His example, by using our experience to help us feel for people and minister grace to bless them like we are blessed. We are told to love like Jesus has loved, on the cross >

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)

So, we join with the priesthood of Jesus on the cross, even, by now loving the way He was loving on Calvary . . . being "a sweet-smelling aroma" . . . like Jesus, being sweetly pleasing to God while we go through things, then minister this to others.

So, we also use our experience to help us to feel for others and have compassion and pray with hope for them, the way Jesus is doing this with us. And so we are functioning in His priesthood, by using what we go through to make us able to understand and have compassion for others . . . while we be sweet with God, "thankful" (Colossians 3:15).

We offer the priestly sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise > Hebrews 13:15. And we pray with hope for how God's grace is able to bless people in and through any situation. And it is also written >

"But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." (Hebrews 13:16)

Every one of us who loves others is doing this. So, yes we are sharing with Jesus in His priesthood in which He does this, Himself, now.

rocknanchor said:

“a priesthood of princely honors”
Are you of the opinion this was never designed for those walking humbly with their Lord? On an equal allotment of enablement by God, I would have to agree, but we know that isn’t so as He distributes gifts ‘severally’ of all sorts to all His children.

Click to expand...

God Himself honors all His children who obey Him.

And He has us honor each other.

And there is "double honor" for those who labor in prayer and the word, right (1 Timothy 5:17)?

However, those who rule over us are "examples to the flock" > 1 Peter 5:3. So, I understand, God wants all of us to become like our examples pleasing to Him so we all are honored by Him . . . pleasing like Jesus, because all of us have been perfected in Christ.

So, gifts and levels of honor for functions is not the main thing. Most of all is how we all are being conformed to the image of Christ so all are > as Jesus says, right away in His Sermon on the Mount >

poor in spirit

meek

merciful

pure in heart

"rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:4)

And we all help to minister this >

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Peter 4:10)

While each gift can have a different outward function bringing its particular honor, the gift's grace is God working deeper to cure a person's character. And therefore God's grace in us changes us to become like Jesus. And every thing we do and say in His love spreads this effect of His love. For example, how do we become because of the effect of God's love in our character, while we speak the truth to each other? >

"but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—" (Ephesians 4:15)

So, there are ones who rule over us in Jesus > Hebrews 13:17 > but we all join in helping these people, as family. And we have 1 Timothy 3:1-10 showing the qualifications of who may be "a bishop" > I understand this describes a proven family man who has matured in Jesus, so now he with his wife can "take care of the church of God". He has learned in his own home, how to rule in our Heavenly Father's family caring and sharing way. And he has become how God's love has every child of God become "blameless".

So, he is leading, indeed, by simply being in the lead in all which God does with all His children, as we mature in Jesus and God's way of loving. But then, yes, there are different practical administrative things of outward ministering with different sorts of submission and leadership, but deeper we all are becoming the same way in Christ our Lord and Savior and Example.

rocknanchor said:

I propose a problem exists to an extent few wish to observe as it may uncover dis-comfortable Christian objectives, or at a minimum, reveal a certain vacate of teaching.

What is the full New Testament definition of “priests”? Does it fall in the traditional use of the phrase; Kings & Priests, or has the spiritual at large glossed over one facet for us lay persons concerning priests?

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 (1 Peter 2:9)​

Is it,

“a kingdom which consists of priests”​

, ,or, the fullest extension of that office,

“a priesthood of princely honors”​

Are you of the opinion this was never designed for those walking humbly with their Lord? On an equal allotment of enablement by God, I would have to agree, but we know that isn’t so as He distributes gifts ‘severally’ of all sorts to all His children.

Didn’t He say ‘honor to whom’ we owe honor (Romans 13:7)? Consider, there is ample context of verse-9 ‘priesthood’. Ambiguity tends to vanish from the Holy Spirit’s seen in verse-13 and 14.

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. (1 Peter 2:13,14)​

My, how close to those first 7 verses of Romans-13 that Priest ('God’s ministers') is!

Click to expand...

So what is difference between priest and followers of Jesus.

rocknanchor said:

Really? It is a strong indication given the core essence of 'priests'. Many Christians for many years now have managed to memorize the entire New Testament, does this assist the 'child' in such priestly communication? I suggest, quite likely those mighty in meditations, though mighty in the scriptures didn't necessarily secure that directness yet.

", , I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them, , not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life, , who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant" (Hebrews 10:16, 2 Corinthians 3:6)

So, which choice is the priest likely seen giving place to here, the letter or the Spirit?

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Bible is just words without Spirit

'Rejoice always,pray continuously,give thanks in all circumstances,for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus: (1 Thessalonians 5:16 -18)

rocknanchor said:

Is this not a pattern of patterns? Surely so with a close like that!

1.Rejoice
2.Pray
3.Thankfulness

Repeat!

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Amen and Hallelujah

Thanking Him always even when ”bad things” happen because these ”bad things” are eventually ”good things” because we are ”just humans” (this is not really true)we don’t always understand this.