PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS AND THE BIBLE
#847 PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS AND THE BIBLE
Scripture I Peter 2:5, 9; Isaiah 61:5-6 Orig. 5/1/1988
Passage:
I Peter 2:5,9
5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Isaiah 61:5-6
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
Purpose: Teaching a doctrinal study for Church Training relating the doctrine to scripture.
Keywords: Series, Priesthood Doctrine
Introduction
Pass out cards reflecting chapter one and ask class to comment on them. Volunteers may be asked to read, and other class members will be given opportunity to comment..
Display the overhead cel with the following agree/disagree information. Ask the class to mark their paper “a” or “d.”
D 1) The Old Testament priesthood symbolized the worthiness of the nation Israel.
D 2) Old Testament priests were mediators, not interpreters. (both)
D 3) The priesthood of believers is hierarchical, not hereditary.
A 4) Our priesthood is rooted in Christ.
D 5) Jesus is priest by virtue of Levite origins.
A 6) The phrase “the priesthood of believers” is not found in the Bible.
A 7) Equality of access to God’s grace for salvation is not rooted in human capability.
D 8) To emphasize individualism is to deny community.
A 9) There is no such thing as forced love.
A 10)A person cannot accept salvation without accepting priesthood.
Call attention to the teaching posters. These are for the new chapter. Ask the class if there is a certain one that stands out, and if they will comment upon it.
Have the cel on chapter two on the screen. We want to cover three things.
1. Biblical teachings as priesthood.
2. The priesthood as it relates to Christ.
3. Prepare for next chapter on priesthood of the believer and salvation.
I. The Jewish Priesthood. Exodus 19:4-6, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now, . . . if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests.”
a. The above text is not typical. See also Isaiah 61:5-6.
b. Under Moses a representative priesthood emerged.
i. Most of some 700 references.
ii. This priesthood symbolized their covenant.
iii. God gave Moses instructions relative to the priesthood. Exodus 25:1 - 31:18
iv. It was clear that they had some growing to accomplish if they were to reach communal priesthood.
1. Tabernacle was to be a factor.
2. The tent of meeting where they would worship God.
c. The concept of a select priesthood.
i. Theological roots of priesthood.
1. Manifested God’s saving acts on behalf of Israel. (Law was unrequested grace.)
2. God would be with Israel through the priesthood and tabernacle—no philosophical; the certain creator; “Tabernacle” means dwelling place. Exodus 25:8, “Let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell in their midst.”
3. Priests were living witnesses of that presence.
4. The priesthood symbolized holiness. Exodus 19:6, “. . . A holy nation.” Leviticus 11:44f, “. . . consecrate yourselves, . . . and be holy, for I am holy.”
a. Their dress reflected God’s character.
b. Initial step in ordination had to do with cleansing. Exodus 29:20, “tip of right ear . . . right thumb . . . great toe of right foot.”
ii. Functions of the priesthood.
1. First, they were interpreters.
a. Brought God to the people. Malachi 2:7, “He is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts.”
b. Taught them moral, ceremonial law, hygiene, nutrition, medical diagnosis.
2. Secondly, they were mediators.
a. They brought the people to God. Exodus 28:5-4, stones on shoulder piece named tribes.
b. Purpose was atonement for sin.
iii. The structure of the priesthood.
1. The gradations within society were: people, Levites, priests, High Priest.
2. Last three are the spiritual elite. Recall Jesus’ parable. Luke 10:27f.
3. Levites were of tribe of Levi, but not of line of Aaron. Secondary temple duties.
4. Hierarchy was complete with High Priest. Leviticus 22:10, 11, 14 pictures distinctions between priests and people.
5. In addition to this hierarchy, also is a hereditary factor.
a. Ancestry and sex determine.
b. Birth, not worth, blood not gift.
c. Ineptness often occurred.
6. Priesthood ceased with destruction of temple in 70 A.D.
II. The High Priesthood of Jesus.
a. A superior priest.
i. There is a new covenant. I Corinthians 11:25 “this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye.” See Jeremiah 31:31f.
ii. Hebrews directs our attention.
Hebrews 4:14 “great high priest”
Hebrews 2:17 “merciful and faithful high priest”
Hebrews 4:15 “sympathizes with our weaknesses”
Hebrews 7:11f outside the Levitical line (Melchizedek)
Hebrews 6:19 entering the new shrine
iii. Old symbolic of God’s presence, Jesus “bears the stamp of His nature” (Hebrews 1:3)
iv. He is ever alive to intercede (Hebrews 7:24f)
b. A superior sacrifice.
i. Superior because it is irreplaceable.
Hebrews 9:12 “once for all into the high priest.”
ii. Superior because it deals effectively with sin.
1. Thus is His priesthood.
2. Thus, He calls us to be priests.
iii. Class learning activity.
1. Ask class to take pencil/paper and find prophet, priest, king phrases in Hebrews 1:1-4.
III. His Priesthood and Ours.
Hebrews 10:19-25 “Having . . . brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, . . . having a high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full . . . our hearts sprinkled . . . our bodies washed. . . . Let us hold fast to the profession of our faith . . . And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”
a. We are to draw near.
The priest must be near to God and the alienated one to be of help.
b. We are to hold fast.
Clearly, we can do little for others if we are not faithful and upright ourselves.
c. We are to stir up.
Those outside the fold should never be “turned off” but “stirred up” by our ministrations.
IV. The Priesthood of Believers.
a. Jesus was not of the tribe of Levi, and lineage of Aaron. Not a professional priest.
b. Phrase, “Priesthood of Believers,” not found in the Bible.
c. Considering the five New Testament passages.
I Peter 2:5 “Like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
I Peter 2:9 “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
d. The character of the priesthood
i. Holiness
ii. Royalty
e. The vocation of the priesthood.
i. Priests worship.
ii. Priests witness.