GOD'S PEOPLE ARE TO BE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD?

LoveGodsWord

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD?

Hi all, according to the scriptures we are to be a Royal Priesthood and a holy nation. What do these scriptures mean? From what I can see through the scriptures it means that we are to be believers and followers of Gods' Word and be living ministers of the Word of God to all those around us.

THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD IS TO BE HOLY?

1 Peter 2:5 You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

...............

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HOLY?

The Greek word used here describing the the Royal Priesthood as Holy is ἅγιος (hágios | G40) and means to be set apart, sinless (without sin) pure, upright and morally blameless,

Romans 7:12 says that God's 10 commandments are holy (ἅγιος (hágios | G40). Therefore obedience to God's commandments is the standard of holiness and the Royal Priesthood is obedient to God's commandments not disobedient to God's commandments which is the opposite of holy to unholy and unrighteous.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE UNHOLY?


The opposite of holy is unholy which is ἀνόσιος (anósios | G462) which means to be wicked or disobedient to God's law and Word and those who live this lifestyle receive the reward of the wicked

1 Timothy 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for murderers,

2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

SIN IS LINKED TO BEING UNHOLY?

Hebrews 10:26-29 [26], For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, [27], But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. [28], He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: [29], Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite to the Spirit of grace?

Revelation 22:11-15 [11], He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. [12], And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. [13], I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. [14], Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. [15], For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and whoever loves and makes a lie.

SIN IS BREAKING GOD'S LAW AND NOT BELIEVING AND FOLLOWING GOD'S WORD


According to the scriptures, sin in the scripture is linked to being unholy while to be holy is linked to being obedient to God's law and word. Sin is defined in the scriptures as breaking anyone of Gods' 10 commandments and not believing and following God's Word *Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7; 1 John 3:4 and James 2:10-11.

GOD'S SAINTS ARE TO BE HOLY. SAME GREEK WORD USED FOR SAINTS AND HOLY

This is demonstrated further in Revelation 14:12 where the same Greek word for Holy (ἅγιος (hágios | G40) is used to describe Gods' saints who keep Gods' commandments where it says that Gods' saints (ἅγιος (hágios | G40) keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Revelation 14:12 [12], Here is the patience of the saints: (ἅγιος (hágios | G40; Holy) here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus

Therefore holiness is directly linked to obedience to God's commandments according to the scriptures just the same as the Royal Priesthood.

WHAT IS THE DUTY OF THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD?


The duty of the holy Royal Priesthood in the scriptures therefore are to be ministers of righteousness (moral right doing) and holiness in obedience to God's law and His Word. According to the scriptures, God's 10 commandments are the very standard of righteousness to God and man as it is written, "my tongue shall speak of your word all your commandments are righteousness *Psalms 119:172.

So it is God's commandments that are the very standard of moral right doing and holiness for without which no man shall see God *Hebrews 12:14. According to the scripture the Priesthood is defiled if the Priests practice sin and the Royal Priesthood is not in unrighteousness and unholiness but in holiness *1 Peter 2:5-9. So to claim we are a Royal Priesthood while breaking any one of God's 10 commandments which is both our duty of love to God and our fellow man is a claim that is not biblical.

................

RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH AND THE WARNINGS OF HEBREWS 3 and HEBREWS 4

God's law is not fulfilled in Christ so that we are now free to break Gods' law. According to the scriptures if we break anyone of God's commandments we stand guilty before God of sin *1 John 3:4; James 2:10-11. Hebrews 3:7 to Hebrews 4:1-11 is a warning therefore not to sin against God and to believe and follow God's Word not to disobey God's commandments and not believe His Word. This is why the people of God did not enter into God's "seventh day" Sabbath rest although it was created from the foundation of the world *Hebrews 3:7-8; 10-13; 18-19; Hebrews 4:1-6; 9-11. So to try and separate the Royal priesthood from holiness to which the scriptures link it to which is obedience to God's law and His Word and claim that we are Gods Royal Priesthood while being disobedient to God's law and not believing and following God's Word in unholiness and sin it not biblical according to the scriptures. Therefore I believe according to the scriptures that God's people being a Royal Priesthood means to be minister the Word of God in righteousness and holiness to all those we come in contact with.

....................

What are your thoughts? What does it mean to be a Royal Priesthood to you?

God bless.
 
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Albion

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What are your thoughts? What does it mean to be a Royal Priesthood to you?

God bless.
What it actually means is that all believers in the Savior are the people of God. No longer is it to be the case that the priests are chosen exclusively from one tribe as was the Hebrew practice. This is why the calling of someone to pastor a Christian congregation is done, in principle at least, with the permission of the congregation and not by a leadership group only.
 
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LoveGodsWord

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What it actually means is that all believers in the Savior are the people of God. No longer is it to be the case that the priests are chosen exclusively from one tribe as was the Hebrew practice. This is why the calling of someone to pastor a Christian congregation is done, in principle at least, with the permission of the congregation and not by a leadership group only.
Hello Albion nice to see you. So we are all a part of the God's Royal Priesthood right?
 
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The Liturgist

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Hello Albion nice to see you. So we are all a part of the God's Royal Priesthood right?

Yes, but that does not make us presbyters or episkopoi or even deacons automatically.
 
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Yes, but that does not make us presbyters or episkopoi or even deacons automatically.

So what? Those are human-created offices within the church. Scripture clearly says: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9
 
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If the Royal Priesthood is holy and holy means to be without sin and obedient to Gods Word if we are practicing known unrepentant sin then are we a part of the Royal Priesthood?

Yes. Next question...
 
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Albion

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So what? Those are human-created offices within the church. Scripture clearly says: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9
And that is often misinterpreted. However, the infallible word of God ALSO refers repeatedly to deacons, presbyters, and bishops, gives the qualifications needed, and more. THEREFORE, this Biblical witness cannot simply be brushed aside as uninspired, optional, or "human-created."
 
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And that is often misinterpreted. However, the infallible word of God ALSO refers repeatedly to deacons, presbyters, and bishops, gives the qualifications needed, and more. THEREFORE, this Biblical witness cannot simply be brushed aside as uninspired, optional, or "human-created."

I don't know what you're trying to say. Because there are certain named offices doesn't mean that all believers -- those in Christ -- aren't the royal priesthood. That's what the Bible says, so that's what I believe.

Are you saying the Word of God isn't true?
 
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Albion

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I don't know what you're trying to say.
I'm trying to say that there is plenty in the New Testament which instructs us, by name, and with the qualifications, about the various ranks of clergy/ministers in Christ's church, and it's rather specific.

This IS the word of God, so we cannot just ignore it in favor of one other verse that refers to what has been changed, with the coming of the Savior, concerning the old Hebrew priestly system in which only Levites were allowed to be priests in that religion. That is now gone and the right to call ministers in Christ's church has been vested in the whole body of church members, but that doesn't mean that all of them automatically ARE pastors, etc.!
 
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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD?

Hi all, according to the scriptures we are to be a Royal Priesthood and a holy nation. What do these scriptures mean? From what I can see through the scriptures it means that we are to be believers and followers of Gods' Word and be living ministers of the Word of God to all those around us.

THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD IS TO BE HOLY?

1 Peter 2:5 You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

...............

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HOLY?

The Greek word used here describing the the Royal Priesthood as Holy is ἅγιος (hágios | G40) and means to be set apart, sinless (without sin) pure, upright and morally blameless,

Romans 7:12 says that God's 10 commandments are holy (ἅγιος (hágios | G40). Therefore obedience to God's commandments is the standard of holiness and the Royal Priesthood is obedient to God's commandments not disobedient to God's commandments which is the opposite of holy to unholy and unrighteous.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE UNHOLY?


The opposite of holy is unholy which is ἀνόσιος (anósios | G462) which means to be wicked or disobedient to God's law and Word and those who live this lifestyle receive the reward of the wicked

1 Timothy 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for murderers,

2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

SIN IS LINKED TO BEING UNHOLY?

Hebrews 10:26-29 [26], For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, [27], But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. [28], He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: [29], Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite to the Spirit of grace?

Revelation 22:11-15 [11], He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. [12], And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. [13], I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. [14], Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. [15], For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and whoever loves and makes a lie.

SIN IS BREAKING GOD'S LAW AND NOT BELIEVING AND FOLLOWING GOD'S WORD


According to the scriptures, sin in the scripture is linked to being unholy while to be holy is linked to being obedient to God's law and word. Sin is defined in the scriptures as breaking anyone of Gods' 10 commandments and not believing and following God's Word *Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7; 1 John 3:4 and James 2:10-11.

GOD'S SAINTS ARE TO BE HOLY. SAME GREEK WORD USED FOR SAINTS AND HOLY

This is demonstrated further in Revelation 14:12 where the same Greek word for Holy (ἅγιος (hágios | G40) is used to describe Gods' saints who keep Gods' commandments where it says that Gods' saints (ἅγιος (hágios | G40) keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Revelation 14:12 [12], Here is the patience of the saints: (ἅγιος (hágios | G40; Holy) here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus

Therefore holiness is directly linked to obedience to God's commandments according to the scriptures just the same as the Royal Priesthood.

WHAT IS THE DUTY OF THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD?


The duty of the holy Royal Priesthood in the scriptures therefore are to be ministers of righteousness (moral right doing) and holiness in obedience to God's law and His Word. According to the scriptures, God's 10 commandments are the very standard of righteousness to God and man as it is written, "my tongue shall speak of your word all your commandments are righteousness *Psalms 119:172.

So it is God's commandments that are the very standard of moral right doing and holiness for without which no man shall see God *Hebrews 12:14. According to the scripture the Priesthood is defiled if the Priests practice sin and the Royal Priesthood is not in unrighteousness and unholiness but in holiness *1 Peter 2:5-9. So to claim we are a Royal Priesthood while breaking any one of God's 10 commandments which is both our duty of love to God and our fellow man is a claim that is not biblical.

................

RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH AND THE WARNINGS OF HEBREWS 3 and HEBREWS 4

God's law is not fulfilled in Christ so that we are now free to break Gods' law. According to the scriptures if we break anyone of God's commandments we stand guilty before God of sin *1 John 3:4; James 2:10-11. Hebrews 3:7 to Hebrews 4:1-11 is a warning therefore not to sin against God and to believe and follow God's Word not to disobey God's commandments and not believe His Word. This is why the people of God did not enter into God's "seventh day" Sabbath rest although it was created from the foundation of the world *Hebrews 3:7-8; 10-13; 18-19; Hebrews 4:1-6; 9-11. So to try and separate the Royal priesthood from holiness to which the scriptures link it to which is obedience to God's law and His Word and claim that we are Gods Royal Priesthood while being disobedient to God's law and not believing and following God's Word in unholiness and sin it not biblical according to the scriptures. Therefore I believe according to the scriptures that God's people being a Royal Priesthood means to be minister the Word of God in righteousness and holiness to all those we come in contact with.

....................

What are your thoughts? What does it mean to be a Royal Priesthood to you?

God bless.

You wrote "according to the scriptures we are to be a Royal Priesthood and a holy nation." It's more accurate, as Scripture says, we are a Royal Priesthood and a holy nation." Small but important difference.

At the end you say "Therefore I believe according to the scriptures that God's people being a Royal Priesthood means to be minister the Word of God in righteousness and holiness to all those we come in contact with." This is correct.
 
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LoveGodsWord

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LoveGodsWord said: If the Royal Priesthood is holy and holy means to be without sin and obedient to Gods Word if we are practicing known unrepentant sin then are we a part of the Royal Priesthood?
Your response...
Yes. Next question...
Where does it say in the bible we are Royal Priests by practicing known unrepentant sin if the Priesthood is to be holy? Did you read the scriptures provided in the OP?
 
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Your response...

Where does it say in the bible we are Royal Priests by practicing known unrepentant sin if the Priesthood is to be holy? Did you read the scriptures provided in the OP?

Say what??
 
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"So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:4-5

Notice the verb tense... "are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood" -- present tense.
 
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The Liturgist

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So what? Those are human-created offices within the church. Scripture clearly says: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

No, as @Albion said, they are not human-created but represent divine offices within the Royal Priesthood.

And in answer to @LoveGodsWord if the holder of such an office is a hypocrite, it does not render his baptisms or Eucharist invalid. That is the heresy of Donatism, related to Pelagianism, and if you want to know why that’s a bad thing, read some Augustine.
 
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"So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:4-5

Notice the verb tense... "are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood" -- present tense.
What does it mean to be a holy Priesthood?
 
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And in answer to @LoveGodsWord if the holder of such an office is a hypocrite, it does not render his baptisms or Eucharist invalid. That is the heresy of Donatism, related to Pelagianism, and if you want to know why that’s a bad thing, read some Augustine.
I did not know I asked this question. Who exactly is the holy Priesthood in your view and are you saying that someone can continue in known unrepentant sin and still receive God's salvation?
 
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I did not know I asked this question. Who exactly is the holy Priesthood in your view and are you saying that someone can continue in known unrepentant sin and still receive God's salvation?

The holy priesthood consists of the faithful.

What I am saying is that if someone is baptized or receives communion from a hypocrite, it is irrelevant; the efficacy of the sacraments does not flow from the virtue of the celebrant. Rather, they function ex opere operanto
 
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Albion

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I did not know I asked this question. Who exactly is the holy Priesthood in your view...

This was answered several times in the previous posts. See posts #2,3, and 18 in particular.

and are you saying that someone can continue in known unrepentant sin and still receive God's salvation?
No.
 
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What does it mean to be a holy Priesthood?

To my thinking it's redundant, as the true priesthood -- the one described in Scripture -- is composed of all believers.

Once again, "So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:4-5

Notice the verb tense... "are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood" -- present tense.

Holy: dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred
priesthood: the office or position of a priest
 
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