Doctrines of the Faith

Tonight, we would like to take a few minutes to define a couple of roles within the church.

This past Sunday, one of the doctrines mentioned in the sermon was “The Priesthood of the Believer”.

This evening we intend to make sure we leave with a healthy understanding of this doctrine and how it applies to the Bible, the church corporately, and the Christian life.

Let’s start by defining some specific terms:

Priest — “in the English of the O.T and the N.T. “priest” denotes a sacerdos and sacerdotal ministry.” — Walter Elwell

In essence — one who offers up sacrifice. (A Latin Word)

OT Priesthood - the old covenant could not effect the reconciliation portended by its sacrificial function. - Evangelical Dictionary of Theology

It was preparatory

It did not fulfill the principle

It was imperfect

Hebrews 5:1 ESV

1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

In the Old Priesthood, the priesthood taught people that atonement for sins required the provision of an innocent victim in the place of the sinner and the shedding of blood as that victim dies the death due by the sinner.

So we are taught we need a sacrifice & said sacrifice must be blameless.

The Levitical order could not accomplish this atonement, but it kept alive the expectation of the perfect priest and the offering of the perfect sacrifice.

Christ as Priest — Priest in the order of Melchizedek

Melchizedek means — “my king is righteous”

Hebrews 7:1–3 ESV

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

Hebrews 7:11–25 ESV

11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’ ” 22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:26–27 ESV

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

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Hebrews 8:1–3 ESV

1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.

His priesthood’s perfection is confirmed by the fact that it is forever.

Psalm 110:4 ESV

4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Let’ come to our focal passage and our focal doctrine tonight:

1 Peter 2:4–5 ESV

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 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.

Priesthood of Believers — a priesthood which belongs to those who through faith have been united to Christ.

Let’s look at how Peter compares believers with the Lord in this case:

We come to the “living stone,” meaning Jesus. Ps. 118:22

Psalm 118:22 ESV

22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

He is rejected of men, but the chosen & precious One of God.

All of the background about the priests above are for the evidence of what these two verses of 1 Peter remind us of:

The One we have come too is the One we are being molded after.

Jesus — Believers

Jesus (High Priest) — holy priesthood

Living Stone — living stones

Rejected by Men — rejected by men

Do you see the parallels? How does faith in Christ change the followers of Christ in their connection to the Father?

Jesus has established a connection between us and the Father.

We are made into a spiritual house — with the outflow of an offering of spiritual sacrifices.

Priests bring an offering:

Christ brought Himself.

Believers offer spiritual offerings.

So we are the Temple and the priests simultaneously.

Some more verses of support:

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

9 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.

Hebrews 10:19–25 (ESV)

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,

20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Walking Away, But In...

Spiritual Worship

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Praise — the full design of priesthood

Hebrews 13:15 (ESV)

15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Work/Share/Serve

Hebrews 13:16 ESV

16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.