Priesthood of Believers

Priesthood of Believer (Is the priesthood of all believers biblical? | GotQuestions.org)

To what end and for what purpose are we to be priest?

1 Peter 2:5-10 (Read through verse 10 but expound on verse 9)

Old testament Priest were chosen by God to serve sacrifices before God.

Christ is the ultimate High Priest in that HE once, for all, offered Himself as a sacrifice and continues to serve as our High Priest before God.

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; Matthew 27:50-51.

Hebrews 4:14-16; 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

1 Peter 2:5-9

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

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Our Calling: Where Christ was chosen to be “a chief corner stone”, and High Priest (Hebrews 3:1), we are a chosen…

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

What we are: (allowing the Bible to interpret the Bible)

1. A Chosen Generation – Chosen by GOD from before the foundation of the world.

a. Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

2. A Royal Priesthood – Royal in that we have been adopted into the family of God

a. Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

3. A Holy nation – A new people of God; a new nation. See verse 10.

a. 1 Peter 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

b. Exodus 19:6 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. (Fulfilled!)

4. A Peculiar people – belonging to God, accepted in the beloved

a. Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

A Closer Look:

· How do we become this peculiar people / person? By way of the cross, dying to self upon the very cross of Christ; crucified with Him that He might live through us. By Being Born Again. (1 Peter 1:23)

o Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

o “That life which goes to the cross and loses itself there to rise again with Christ is a divine and deathless treasure.” A. W. Tozer. That’s who we are to be, a divine and deathless treasure.

Verse 9 Speaks of two aspects of the priesthood of believers: We are privileged and chosen.

· Privilege – Being part of the Priesthood comes with privileges

o Hebrews 4:14-16 – Privileged to go into the Holy of Holies

o Revelation 22:3-4; 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. Privileged to serve Him and to see Him in all His glory.

· Chosen for a purpose – Being part of the Priesthood comes with responsibilities;; responsibilities that begin in the here and now.

o Offer up spiritual sacrifices of praise – Hebrews 13:15-16 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

o To praise Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: – Is He not worthy of our praise?

o “To do good” in keeping the commandments of God, we honour God. Our faithfulness honours God (even as the faithfulness of one spouse honours the other spouse). Let me ask, how much honour are you pouring out upon God? (Sadly, about this much > .)

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. In living out our role in the Priesthood, that is to say, in living as Christ did, (walking in the Spirit, being led by the Spirit) all men will be drawn to Christ, even as He said; “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32.

If part of the purpose of the priesthood is to draw men to God –

· How well are you doing at that?

· How many stones, Ye also, as lively stones, are currently missing from the house of God? (V.5)

· Who’s Your One?

· What is your 90 second testimony to Your One? Prepare today what you will need to say tomorrow! You’re a part of the Priesthood – time to act like it.