PRIESTS
Today all believers have been made both kings and priests in Christ Jesus. “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father” (Revelation 1:6). We are sometimes referred to as a “a royal priesthood,” being both kings and priests. This does not mean I no longer need a minister of God, just like it does not mean I no longer need a president, as God has given both government (Romans 13:1–7; see GOVERNMENT) and ministers to teach His Word and administer the ordinances of the church (Ephesians 4:11; see CHURCH, PASTORS). Being a priest for Christ is a position that every believer holds, but not a name that is used in the Bible when addressing a believer. Nor are priests or ministers called “Father” or “Parent” in the Bible, and this is spoken against: “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). The context of this passage was about “scribes and the Pharisees” (v. 2; see also vv. 13–15, 23, 25, 27, 29), who were priests; it was not talking about your earthly father, as this is used favorably many times in the Bible, including the fifth commandment (Deuteronomy 5:16).
This means that I no longer need a priest to gain access to God, and every Christian can go directly to God through our Lord, Jesus Christ. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14–16). Today, every believer can offer up sacrifices of praise to God and be a light or witness for Christ. This was originally given to the nation of Israel: “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” (Exodus 19:6). Now God has called every believer in His Son to be part of a nation of priests for Him. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood…a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you” (1 Peter 2:5, 9).
PROBLEMS (See video by author, Overcoming Problems,
http://www.truechristianshortstoriesfreebygmmatheny.com/overcoming-problems-video.html; see also DISAPPOINTMENT, HARD TIMES.)
Today all believers have been made both kings and priests in Christ Jesus. “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father” (Revelation 1:6). We are sometimes referred to as a “a royal priesthood,” being both kings and priests. This does not mean I no longer need a minister of God, just like it does not mean I no longer need a president, as God has given both government (Romans 13:1–7; see GOVERNMENT) and ministers to teach His Word and administer the ordinances of the church (Ephesians 4:11; see CHURCH, PASTORS). Being a priest for Christ is a position that every believer holds, but not a name that is used in the Bible when addressing a believer. Nor are priests or ministers called “Father” or “Parent” in the Bible, and this is spoken against: “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). The context of this passage was about “scribes and the Pharisees” (v. 2; see also vv. 13–15, 23, 25, 27, 29), who were priests; it was not talking about your earthly father, as this is used favorably many times in the Bible, including the fifth commandment (Deuteronomy 5:16).
This means that I no longer need a priest to gain access to God, and every Christian can go directly to God through our Lord, Jesus Christ. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14–16). Today, every believer can offer up sacrifices of praise to God and be a light or witness for Christ. This was originally given to the nation of Israel: “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” (Exodus 19:6). Now God has called every believer in His Son to be part of a nation of priests for Him. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood…a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you” (1 Peter 2:5, 9).
PROBLEMS (See video by author, Overcoming Problems,
http://www.truechristianshortstoriesfreebygmmatheny.com/overcoming-problems-video.html; see also DISAPPOINTMENT, HARD TIMES.)
