Priesthood

[WAB]

The Priesthood of Believers
There remains, however, a priesthood which belongs to those who through faith have been united to Christ. This has commonly been designated "the priesthood of all believers." Thus Peter describes Christians as "a holy priesthood" whose function is "to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 2:5; cf. vs. 9). These spiritual sacrifices are not in any sense redemptive sacrifices but sacrifices of gratitude to God for the one all-sufficient redemptive sacrifice of Christ's self-offering at Calvary for us sinners. Thus we are exhorted to "present our bodies," i.e., ourselves, "as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God" (Rom. 12:1); and as we willingly offer ourselves we express our spiritual priesthood in acts of praise and thanksgiving and in the selfless service of our fellow men as we minister to their needs.

The exercise of this priesthood is summed up in the words of Heb. 13:15-16: "Through him [Christ] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice or praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

In his celebrated essay "The Christian Ministry," J. B. Lightfoot not only insists that "as individuals, all Christians are priests alike," he also draws attention to the fact that in the ministerial offices enumerated in I Cor. 12:28 and Eph. 4:11 "there is an entire silence about priestly functions: for the most exalted office in the Church, the highest gift of the Spirit, conveyed no sacerdotal right which was not enjoyed by the humblest member of the Christian community."

His affirmation concerning the kingdom of Christ in the opening paragraph of the essay is no less emphatic: "Above all it has no sacerdotal system. It interposes no sacrificial tribe or class between God and man, by whose intervention alone God is reconciled and man forgiven. Each individual member holds personal communion with the Divine Head. To him immediately he is responsible, and from him directly he obtains pardon and draws strength."

These words of a great churchman and NT scholar admirably present the position of the apostolic church on the subject of priesthood.
P E Hughes
(Elwell Evangelical Dictionary)

 

[eph3Nine]

Without even being able to see WAB's post, I can tell you that if you do a word search on "priesthood" you wont find any references to we the Body of Christ as being part of it. This refers to the NATIONAL priesthood of the Nation Israel ALONE>

This is what happens when one doesnt rightly divide.

We are His Body, not His priests.

 

[Dennis_Hogg]

The Priesthood of Believers
There remains, however, a priesthood which belongs to those who through faith have been united to Christ. This has commonly been designated "the priesthood of all believers." Thus Peter describes Christians as "a holy priesthood" whose function is "to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 2:5; cf. vs. 9). These spiritual sacrifices are not in any sense redemptive sacrifices but sacrifices of gratitude to God for the one all-sufficient redemptive sacrifice of Christ's self-offering at Calvary for us sinners. Thus we are exhorted to "present our bodies," i.e., ourselves, "as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God" (Rom. 12:1); and as we willingly offer ourselves we express our spiritual priesthood in acts of praise and thanksgiving and in the selfless service of our fellow men as we minister to their needs.

The exercise of this priesthood is summed up in the words of Heb. 13:15-16: "Through him [Christ] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice or praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

In his celebrated essay "The Christian Ministry," J. B. Lightfoot not only insists that "as individuals, all Christians are priests alike," he also draws attention to the fact that in the ministerial offices enumerated in I Cor. 12:28 and Eph. 4:11 "there is an entire silence about priestly functions: for the most exalted office in the Church, the highest gift of the Spirit, conveyed no sacerdotal right which was not enjoyed by the humblest member of the Christian community."

His affirmation concerning the kingdom of Christ in the opening paragraph of the essay is no less emphatic: "Above all it has no sacerdotal system. It interposes no sacrificial tribe or class between God and man, by whose intervention alone God is reconciled and man forgiven. Each individual member holds personal communion with the Divine Head. To him immediately he is responsible, and from him directly he obtains pardon and draws strength."

These words of a great churchman and NT scholar admirably present the position of the apostolic church on the subject of priesthood.
P E Hughes
(Elwell Evangelical Dictionary)

Where in scripture did you find "the priesthood of all believers." ? It can't be found in a concordance.

Ex 19:6, 28:1-30:30, are good descriptions of the priesthood. "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel."

It is interestng to note in the NT, that there is not a single reference to the priesthood in all of Pauls epistles. Hebrews is loaded with references. Peter, writing to dispersed Jews tells them that they are a Royal Priesthood (1 Pet 2:9)

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

There is no indication that the Body of Christ has anything to do with this.

 

[WAB]

Where in scripture did you find "the priesthood of all believers." ? It can't be found in a concordance.

Ex 19:6, 28:1-30:30, are good descriptions of the priesthood. "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel."

It is interestng to note in the NT, that there is not a single reference to the priesthood in all of Pauls epistles. Hebrews is loaded with references. Peter, writing to dispersed Jews tells them that they are a Royal Priesthood (1 Pet 2:9)

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

There is no indication that the Body of Christ has anything to do with this.

Right off the bat, you show that you do not read carefully. I did not write the study. It was written by
P E Hughes, and found in the Elwell Evangelical Dictionary.

Furthermore, J. B. Lightfoot is quoted, and as Hughes noted, Lightfoot was "...a great churchman and N.T. scholar..."

Of course you hark back to the O.T. priesthood, but in case you missed it, all the genelogical records were destroyed with the temple in 70 A.D., and there is no O.T. priesthood.

 

[Dispy]

The Priesthood of Believers
There remains, however, a priesthood which belongs to those who through faith have been united to Christ. This has commonly been designated "the priesthood of all believers." Thus Peter describes Christians as "a holy priesthood" whose function is "to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 2:5; cf. vs. 9). These spiritual sacrifices are not in any sense redemptive sacrifices but sacrifices of gratitude to God for the one all-sufficient redemptive sacrifice of Christ's self-offering at Calvary for us sinners. Thus we are exhorted to "present our bodies," i.e., ourselves, "as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God" (Rom. 12:1); and as we willingly offer ourselves we express our spiritual priesthood in acts of praise and thanksgiving and in the selfless service of our fellow men as we minister to their needs.

The exercise of this priesthood is summed up in the words of Heb. 13:15-16: "Through him [Christ] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice or praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

In his celebrated essay "The Christian Ministry," J. B. Lightfoot not only insists that "as individuals, all Christians are priests alike," he also draws attention to the fact that in the ministerial offices enumerated in I Cor. 12:28 and Eph. 4:11 "there is an entire silence about priestly functions: for the most exalted office in the Church, the highest gift of the Spirit, conveyed no sacerdotal right which was not enjoyed by the humblest member of the Christian community."

His affirmation concerning the kingdom of Christ in the opening paragraph of the essay is no less emphatic: "Above all it has no sacerdotal system. It interposes no sacrificial tribe or class between God and man, by whose intervention alone God is reconciled and man forgiven. Each individual member holds personal communion with the Divine Head. To him immediately he is responsible, and from him directly he obtains pardon and draws strength."

These words of a great churchman and NT scholar admirably present the position of the apostolic church on the subject of priesthood.
P E Hughes
(Elwell Evangelical Dictionary)

If you believe and post what others write, then you had better be prepared to defend it. At least state your position on what you post of others.

 

[WAB]

If you believe and post what others write, then you had better be prepared to defend it. At least state your position on what you post of others.

Why, pray tell, would I post something that I was not in agreement with, unless making that plain. I do agree that all true believers are "priests unto God" and for that very reason we have direct access into His presence.

And not just once a year as in the O.T. dispensation, but at any time.

 

[eph3Nine]

Churchmen and scholars have been known to be sincere, but sincerely wrong. Make your source to be YOUR apostle, the one GOD appointed to give you YOUR instructions for today, and you cant go wrong.

 

[WAB]

Churchmen and scholars have been known to be sincere, but sincerely wrong. Make your source to be YOUR apostle, the one GOD appointed to give you YOUR instructions for today, and you cant go wrong.

eph.. am always surprised at your lack of appreciation of the very epistle from which you take your moniker...

Ephesians 2:17,18... "And He (Jesus) came and preached peace to you who were afar off (Gentiles) and to those who were near (Jews). 18: For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father."

Under the O.T./Covenant only the high priest had access into the very presence of God in "the holiest of all..." and that only once a year, and "...not without blood."

NOW, by means of being "in Christ" and that by means of one putting his/her faith in the finished work of Calvary (including His shed blood), every true believer has access into the very presence of God. (i.e. into "the holiest of all").

Of course this was ... "according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him," (Eph.3:11,12).

And so... the priesthood of all believers is shown to be not only a legitimate concept, but a Biblical truth and a priviledge no one else has.

 

[eph3Nine]

The words of the RISEN Christ, OUR Lord and Savior, were given to Paul for we, the church, which is His Body. Peters message could not boast of that information, as his words were to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

 

[WAB]

The words of the RISEN Christ, OUR Lord and Savior, were given to Paul for we, the church, which is His Body. Peters message could not boast of that information, as his words were to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

In the post I assume you are responding to, the Scriptures referred to/quoted are in the epistle of Paul to the Ephesians.

Strange that you take a position contrary to that of your hero.

 

[cubanito]

Of course you hark back to the O.T. priesthood, but in case you missed it, all the genelogical records were destroyed with the temple in 70 A.D., and there is no O.T. priesthood.

Well, maybe man written records, but the Jews are still able to reconstitute the priesthood because of an unusual genetic mutation.

It turns out that the male descendants of those descendants of Levy allowed to minister at the Holy of Holies have continued to identify themselves by oral tradition. This patrilinial oral tradition survives today, despite the curious change by the orthodox to matrilinial inheritance for all other Jewish purposes. And now there is genetic evidence these oral traditions are remarkably accurate.

It turns out, by one of those amazing coincidences that should give pause to unbelievers, there is a very rare mutation in the Y chromosome which appears almost exclusively in descendants of the cohanites (the only division of Levy that could enter the Holy of Holies). The result is that Jews now have an independent and reliable means of being sure who the paternal descendants really are. So far testing has shown oral tradition to be quite accurate. This is seriously amazing guys.

Previous to this the Orthodox refused any excavation near the area underneath the Dome of the Rock, since they are not sure where the Holy of Holies is, and they do not want anyone to inadvertantly profane it. However, now the Orthodox Jews are reconsidering it. It would not violate their ideas if a genetically proven descendant of the inner priesthood goes poking about. Obviously the Arabs who sit in the Mosque directly above are not happy about this at all.

In addition, breeding programs conducted by Dispensationalist cattle ranchers in Texas are underway to produce a red heifer, with supervision and approval by Orthodox Rabbis. I kid u not.

There's more, the Sanhendrin is almost up and running in Israel. 69 of the 70 required members have already been agreed to, and have held meetings. They are not electing the 70th until they can excavate the Temple, and cleanse it with the ashes of a red heifer.

The Orthodox Jews are very much looking forwards to reactivating the whole Temple system yet again. Remember, they've re-dedicated this spot before. The lack of the Ark did not stop the Temple system during the time of Nehemiah or of Christ.

So actually, there is a genetic record of the OT priesthood, not just Levites, but specifically those that can enter the Holy of Holies.

This has been all providentially arranged by God, BTW, unless u wish to believe that Moses possesed genetic engineering technology more advanced than ours. So in my book, God is a dispensationalist.

JR

 

[WAB]

Well, maybe man written records, but the Jews are still able to reconstitute the priesthood because of an unusual genetic mutation.

It turns out that the male descendants of those descendants of Levy allowed to minister at the Holy of Holies have continued to identify themselves by oral tradition. This patrilinial oral tradition survives today, despite the curious change by the orthodox to matrilinial inheritance for all other Jewish purposes. And now there is genetic evidence these oral traditions are remarkably accurate.

It turns out, by one of those amazing coincidences that should give pause to unbelievers, there is a very rare mutation in the Y chromosome which appears almost exclusively in descendants of the cohanites (the only division of Levy that could enter the Holy of Holies). The result is that Jews now have an independent and reliable means of being sure who the paternal descendants really are. So far testing has shown oral tradition to be quite accurate. This is seriously amazing guys.

Previous to this the Orthodox refused any excavation near the area underneath the Dome of the Rock, since they are not sure where the Holy of Holies is, and they do not want anyone to inadvertantly profane it. However, now the Orthodox Jews are reconsidering it. It would not violate their ideas if a genetically proven descendant of the inner priesthood goes poking about. Obviously the Arabs who sit in the Mosque directly above are not happy about this at all.

In addition, breeding programs conducted by Dispensationalist cattle ranchers in Texas are underway to produce a red heifer, with supervision and approval by Orthodox Rabbis. I kid u not.

There's more, the Sanhendrin is almost up and running in Israel. 69 of the 70 required members have already been agreed to, and have held meetings. They are not electing the 70th until they can excavate the Temple, and cleanse it with the ashes of a red heifer.

The Orthodox Jews are very much looking forwards to reactivating the whole Temple system yet again. Remember, they've re-dedicated this spot before. The lack of the Ark did not stop the Temple system during the time of Nehemiah or of Christ.

So actually, there is a genetic record of the OT priesthood, not just Levites, but specifically those that can enter the Holy of Holies.

This has been all providentially arranged by God, BTW, unless u wish to believe that Moses possesed genetic engineering technology more advanced than ours. So in my book, God is a dispensationalist.

JR

First off, will clarify that I agree God is a dispensationalist (and for that reason so am I), just not a hyper one. Nor even a mid-Acts one.

My memory is really faulty, and more so as the days go on, but will try to find where even those who were known to be descendants of Aaron were rejected from becoming priests if, for whatever reason, their names could not be found in the geneological records.

We are getting much closer to the building of the temple on it's historical site, and am well aware of the preparations under way.... (red heifer, et al).

No doubt the temple will be built, and no doubt there will be sacrifices made... all predicted, but also contrary to the fact that "...therefore there is no more sacrifice for sin." Because that was done "once for all" by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Shalom... WAB

p.s. We live in exciting times, and history will culminate in Jerusalem.

 

[eph3Nine]

The issue remains:

We are NOT the Nation of Priests being referred to in the Word. It is none other than the Nation of Israel being referred to.

You wont see Paul referring to us as PRIESTS...thats NOT our identity. We are members of His Body.

God today, in this dispensation, has set the NATION OF PRIESTS ASIDE. He is building a BODY.

 

[WAB]

The issue remains:

We are NOT the Nation of Priests being referred to in the Word. It is none other than the Nation of Israel being referred to.

You wont see Paul referring to us as PRIESTS...thats NOT our identity. We are members of His Body.

God today, in this dispensation, has set the NATION OF PRIESTS ASIDE. He is building a BODY.

True... the Lord has set aside "the NATION OF PRIESTS" ( although that terminology needs clarification, as obviously not all of the nation of Israel were priests)...

Just a reminder... Only the priests had direct access into the presence of the Lord under the old covenant/dispensation.

Now, anyone who is "in Christ" has that priveledge, and so has the exact equivalency as far as access is concerned.

Actually, one who is "in Christ" has a far superior position as far as priesthood is concerned, as that one has access at any time, rather that just once yearly.

 

[eph3Nine]

Another important point...this BODY that God is building is not based on some physical act of man or any element such as WATER, but on the OPERATION of God by the HOLY SPIRIT, where HE does the baptizing (with NO water but by virtue of IDENTIFICATiON WITH Christ) INTO the Body of Christ.

That is the ONE baptism of Eph.4:5...yeee haw

 

[WAB]

Another important point...this BODY that God is building is not based on some physical act of man or any element such as WATER, but on the OPERATION of God by the HOLY SPIRIT, where HE does the baptizing (with NO water but by virtue of IDENTIFICATiON WITH Christ) INTO the Body of Christ.

That is the ONE baptism of Eph.4:5...yeee haw

And that has WHAT to do with the priesthood of believers?

 

[eph3Nine]

And that has WHAT to do with the priesthood of believers?

There IS no priesthood of BELIEVERS. NOT a biblical phrase but something made up in the 'church traditions of men'.....sigh.

The ONLY Priesthood is NATIONAL Israel, and God isnt working with them at present.

He is working with a BODY, the Church. Anything you can add to THAT, would be relevant information, but to pile us into a PRIESTHOOD that is not ours to participate IN, is not only folly, but poor bible study habits.

 

[WAB]

There IS no priesthood of BELIEVERS. NOT a biblical phrase but something made up in the 'church traditions of men'.....sigh.

The ONLY Priesthood is NATIONAL Israel, and God isnt working with them at present.

He is working with a BODY, the Church. Anything you can add to THAT, would be relevant information, but to pile us into a PRIESTHOOD that is not ours to participate IN, is not only folly, but poor bible study habits.

O.K. allow me to change wording slightly... The priesthood of Believers is not an organization or privileged position held by an elite. The priesthood of Believers is a function participated in by every member of the Body of Christ.

And what a privilege that is!

 

[Kimberlyann]

WAB,

It seems she picks and chooses what applies to her and what she doesn't like she simply addresses it to someone else.

 

[eph3Nine]

O.K. allow me to change wording slightly... The priesthood of Believers is not an organization or privileged position held by an elite. The priesthood of Believers is a function participated in by every member of the Body of Christ.

And what a privilege that is!

You have absolutely NO basis in fact for the above statements. WE, the body of Christ, are NOT priests! We are members of His BODY. The priesthood position is to be held by the Nation Of Israel. CAN YOU READ????

Its NOT a privilege you are afforded to MISREPRESENT God here or anywhere else. Until you can learn something about dispensational theology, I would recommend you take your misinformation elsewhere. This forum is for discussing Dispensational theology, and you dont know a thing about it. Do you know how foolish you are making yourself look?

Now...both of you....if you want to LEARN about how God set up the Bible for you to study and understand, and what His program IS for today, stick around.

But, I for one, am thru fooling with your silly comments and questions. You dont want to learn, and you INSULT the grace of God and make the Cross of NONE EFFECT with your preaching of another gospel that God set aside two thousand years ago.

This is serious stuff. We arent here to massage your egos by arguing back and forth on issues that God has already settled in His Word. Stop feeding your silly pride, and LOOK at the information you have been presented with the goal in mind of CHANGING YOUR MIND TO think as GOD THINKS and as he has revealed His will in the scriptures rightly divided.

You have wasted our time in here. Enuff.