Authority of a believer (iii)
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The priesthood of a believer
The priesthood of a believer
Introduction
We have learnt that all authority are backed up by power, however in the case of a believer the power supersedes any and every power conceivable.
The power was made available to us who believe in the redemptive act of our Lord Jesus through His death and resurrection.
As every authority has a constituency which legitimise such power, ours is the church. Which means to be effective in the exercise of this power you must belong to the body of Christ which is the church.
In other to experience this power you must
Believe that Jesus is your saviour and Lord
Ensure your are not overcome with offence
Pray in the Spirit
Stay in fellowship with God and the brethren
Walk in Love.
Message
What is the role or purpose of a priest?
Is to relate with God and connect people with God -
They shall teach Jacob Your judgments, And Israel Your law. They shall put incense before You, And a whole burnt sacrifice on Your altar.
However after our Lord atoning for us as a result of His death, every believer in Christ can now access God.
The temple veil thorn
Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
The significance is that we no longer need anyone to go on our behalf to reach God.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
However, as we’ve been learning despite all that God had accomplished for us, it is still possible to miss out on the full package God has for us. This why he gave some gifts within the church to equip the saints so that they can do the work of ministry.
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
However, there is other part of the ministry that makes it relevant to the wider society, particularly outside the church. This is not to say that this aspect is not relevant in the church, as matter of fact without them we cannot function.
Hence we will also be inducting a new board of Trustees or Elders and Deacons.
Elders help us to be compliant with the law of the land and walk with us the leaders of the Church to be accountable to God.
And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
The deacons help us minister on the practical level
Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Conclusion
Although the gift and function varies no one is more important than the other, without the one the other cannot function to bring about the desire effect God intends for the church
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Desired result
Ephesians 4:13–16 (NKJV)
till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.