Priesthood of Believers
Baptist Beliefs...Sunday Evening • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Priesthood authority is very important in Mormon theology since it is the means through which the Mormon Church supposedly has authority to administer the ordinances which bring salvation to humanity, to preach the Gospel, and govern the kingdom of God on this earth (LDS.org). The following two quotes illustrate.
"What is the Priesthood? It is nothing more or less than the power of God delegated to man by which man can act in the earth for the salvation of the human family . . . by which they may baptize for the remission of sins and lay on hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, and by which they can remit sin with the sanction and blessing of Almighty God. It is the same power and priesthood that was committed to the disciples of Christ while He was upon the earth . . . " (Joseph F. Smith, 6th Prophet of the LDS Church, Gospel Doctrine, 1919, p. 173; also see Mormon Doctrine by Bruce R. McConkie, 1966, p. 594).
"We believe that a man must be called of God by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof," (5th Article of Faith).
Mormons frequently take great pride in the fact that they have this priesthood authority and no other churches on earth do. In essence, there can be no true Church or true administering of the ordinances unless priesthood authority is given.
Anyhow, there are two classes of priesthood in Mormonism: Aaronic and Melchizedek. Interestingly, for younger converts to Mormonism, Aaronic Priesthood is conferred at 12 years of age and the higher Melchizedek Priesthood is conferred at age 18. In support for this Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood authority, Mormons sometimes appeal to various passages from the Bible including ; ; ; and -15.1
Perspectives on Church Government: Five Views of Church Polity The Priesthood of All Believers
The priesthood of all believers was a major emphasis of the Reformation of the sixteenth century. It was recovered by the Reformers to strengthen “an evangelical understanding of the church over against the clericalism and sacerdotalism of medieval Catholicism. In modern theology, however, the ecclesial context of this Reformation principle has been almost totally eclipsed.” The Reformers made a crucial distinction that is often missed. They did not speak of the “priesthood of the believer.” “The reformers talked instead of the ‘priesthood of all believers’ (plural). For them it was never a question of a lonely, isolated seeker of truth but rather of a band of faithful believers united in a common confession as a local, visible congregatio sanctorum.”26 Althaus, a significant interpreter of Luther, clarifies the original Reformation meaning of the doctrine:
1. Essential function of a priest is to stand represent the interests and concerns of another.
1. Essential function of a priest is to stand represent the interests and concerns of another.
a. Integral to both OT and NT
b. Fulfilled in Jesus
i. Mediator
ii. Great High priest
2. Every believer has direct access to God through Jesus…
2. Every believer has direct access to God through Jesus…
3. The church is a fellowship of priests serving together under the lordship of Christ.
3. The church is a fellowship of priests serving together under the lordship of Christ.
Old Testament Foundation
Old Testament Foundation
1. Israel needed representation before God.
1. Israel needed representation before God.
a. God assigned this representation to the tribe of Levi through Aaron
“You shall put the holy garments on Aaron and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may minister as a priest to Me.
;
The Levites, however, were not numbered among them by their fathers’ tribe.
For the Lord had spoken to Moses, saying,
“Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor shall you take their census among the sons of Israel.
“But you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings and over all that belongs to it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it; they shall also camp around the tabernacle.
“So when the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle encamps, the Levites shall set it up. But the layman who comes near shall be put to death.
“The sons of Israel shall camp, each man by his own camp, and each man by his own standard, according to their armies.
“But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there will be no wrath on the congregation of the sons of Israel. So the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of the testimony.”
Thus the sons of Israel did; according to all which the Lord had commanded Moses, so they did.
b. The priest fulfilled this function, entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement making a sacrificial offering on behalf of the people.
b. The priest fulfilled this function, entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement making a sacrificial offering on behalf of the people.
2. The entire nation of Israel was called a “kingdom of priests” at Sinai and is yet destined to function as a priestly body.
2. The entire nation of Israel was called a “kingdom of priests” at Sinai and is yet destined to function as a priestly body.
and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”
But you will be called the priests of the Lord;
You will be spoken of as ministers of our God.
You will eat the wealth of nations,
And in their riches you will boast.
Is
3. In contrast to Israel, the entire church stands as a royal priesthood, a priestly fellowship belonging to the King and sharing his glory.
3. In contrast to Israel, the entire church stands as a royal priesthood, a priestly fellowship belonging to the King and sharing his glory.
4. The priests in the Old Testament could enter into God’s presence in the Holy of Holies only once a year, the church as a priesthood has permanent access to God through its High Priest.
4. The priests in the Old Testament could enter into God’s presence in the Holy of Holies only once a year, the church as a priesthood has permanent access to God through its High Priest.
a. A thick veil separated the people from God’s presence.
the High Priest in the Old Testament would enter the holy of holies once a year to make a sacrifice for sins of himself and others (; , ).
b. That veil was rent in two, however, by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Christ’s death on the cross
This was his priestly act that paid the penalty of sin once for all.
As a priest, Jesus did not take the blood of a representative animal into the Holy of Holies but instead entered “the greater and more perfect tabernacle” and shed his own blood to obtain “eternal redemption”
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;
and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
).
5. Christ has fulfilled the representative role of the priesthood and is the one Mediator between God and men
5. Christ has fulfilled the representative role of the priesthood and is the one Mediator between God and men ().
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
).
a. There is no longer a need for a human priest to stand and represent other humans before God.
a. There is no longer a need for a human priest to stand and represent other humans before God.
b. Believers can now enter with confidence into the holy place through Jesus Christ
Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,
and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
).
NT View
NT View
1. The church, as a priesthood of believers, is now encouraged to “draw near” into the very presence of God.
1. The church, as a priesthood of believers, is now encouraged to “draw near” into the very presence of God.
2. Whereas all nations had priests to perform representative functions, the church has none.
2. Whereas all nations had priests to perform representative functions, the church has none.
3. The church is a priesthood.
3. The church is a priesthood.
a. Although others brought sacrifices that they might approach God, the church brings none but instead approaches boldly through the finished sacrifice of Christ, its great High Priest.
Church as Priests.
Church as Priests.
1. Each church is comprised of believers who have been redeemed by Christ and now serve together as priests.
1. Each church is comprised of believers who have been redeemed by Christ and now serve together as priests.
a. This doctrine refers to believers gathered together under the lordship of Christ, not to individual believers serving God alone.
b. As the people of God, the church is now a “royal priesthood” () and ministers corporately in the name of Christ.
2. The priests in the Old Testament had three broad areas of responsibility:
2. The priests in the Old Testament had three broad areas of responsibility:
a. sacrifice, the service at the altar;
b. witness, the service of proclaiming God’s revelation;
c. intercession.
3. The New Testament reveals that the church has the same priestly functions.
3. The New Testament reveals that the church has the same priestly functions.
a. The priesthood of the church makes no sacrifice for sin since Christ has offered “one sacrifice for sins forever”
but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God,
).
b. The priesthood of the church has no physical temple in which to reside and minister.
4. Yet the New Testament priesthood, like the Old Testament priesthood, performs three broad areas of service.
4. Yet the New Testament priesthood, like the Old Testament priesthood, performs three broad areas of service.
a. sacrifice.
a. sacrifice.
i. This includes the self-sacrifice of the believer
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
; ),
But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
ii. the sacrifice of praise (),
ii. the sacrifice of praise
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
,
iii. the sacrifice of good works
iii. the sacrifice of good works
And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
iv. and the sacrifice of new converts
iv. and the sacrifice of new converts
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
6
b. witness.
b. witness.
b. witness.
i. The church has the responsibility of being God’s witness to the world.
ii. a primary purpose of New Testament priests is to “proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1. The church performs this priestly ministry by proclaiming the message of the gospel as ambassadors of Christ
1. The church performs this priestly ministry by proclaiming the message of the gospel as ambassadors of Christ
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
2. and by living a holy life before the world
2. and by living a holy life before the world ().
Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
).
iii. The priests are to consider the church as a temple in which to perform their priestly acts so that the glory and holiness of the God who resides in his temple can be displayed
iii. The priests are to consider the church as a temple in which to perform their priestly acts so that the glory and holiness of the God who resides in his temple can be displayed ().
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
c. intercession.
c. intercession.
c. intercession.
i. All the members of the priesthood have equal access to God through Christ.
ii. Intercessory prayers are to be offered for one another.
1. It is the responsibility both for individual priests and for the priesthood.
2. Intercession is to be made for physical needs (, ; ),
3. missionary activity (),
4. and for the spiritual needs of the church (; ; ).
5. The priesthood of believers is also to intercede for those outside the faith (; ; ).
Implications
Implications
1. Rightly understood, this doctrine affirms that the church as a priesthood can enter corporately into God’s presence to seek and discern his will for the church.
1. Rightly understood, this doctrine affirms that the church as a priesthood can enter corporately into God’s presence to seek and discern his will for the church.
a. some Baptists reason, “Because I am my own priest, I can do whatever I want” or “Because I am my own priest, I can interpret the Bible to mean whatever I want it to say, and no one can tell me otherwise.”
b. In addition, the priesthood of all believers is often misused to justify stringent individualism, irresponsible (even heretical) interpretations of Scripture, abandonment of corporate accountability, and theological anarchy.
c. It is also regularly confused with individual soul liberty and religious freedom.
i. Baptists have and do affirm that each individual has the capacity to know and relate to God (individual soul liberty) and although they are related the concepts are different.
ii. We must be careful not join the corporate/plural concept (priesthood) with a singular entity (the believer).
1. the priesthood of all believers emphasizes the church’s functioning collectively as believer-priests.
2. The doctrine of the priesthood of believers cannot and should not serve as a basis for autonomous individualism or doctrinal infidelity.
3. It is more concerned with function than it is with position.
2. The church as a priesthood means that the congregation jointly seeks and discerns God’s will for their corporate mission…the ultimate goal of the priesthood is the joint service of all believers in unified mission to a lost world.
2. The church as a priesthood means that the congregation jointly seeks and discerns God’s will for their corporate mission…the ultimate goal of the priesthood is the joint service of all believers in unified mission to a lost world.
Perspectives on Church Government: Five Views of Church Polity The Priesthood of All Believers
The priesthood of all believers does not mean, “I am my own priest.” It means that in the community of saints, God has constructed his body such that we are all priests to one another. Priesthood of all believers has more to do with the believer’s service than with an individual’s position or status. We are all believer-priests. We all stand equally before God. Such standing does not negate specific giftedness or calling. It rather enhances our giftedness as each one of us individually and collectively does his part to build the body (Eph. 4:11–16). We all are priests. We are all responsible. This is totally consistent with Congregationalism, and this form of church government honors best this crucial scriptural teaching.
Dictionary of Bible Themes 7414 priesthood, in NT
Characteristics of the priesthood of all believers
1Pe 2:9
They are to reflect the holiness of their great high priest 1Pe 1:15 See also Heb 10:10
They are to offer spiritual sacrifices 1Pe 2:5 See also Ro 12:1; Php 4:18; Heb 13:15
They are to intercede for others before God 1Ti 2:1 See also Rev 5:8,10
They are to represent God before other human beings 2Co 5:20 See also Eph 3:7-11