What is The Priesthood of The Believer?
Are You a Royal Priest?
To understand the New Testament priesthood of believers we must first visit the Garden of Eden where we find Adam and Eve ruling as priests of Eden (Genesis 1:28, 2:15). Adam and Eve’s relationship with God before their rebellion afforded them access to God’s presence. Afterward, banished from Eden, access to God Involved animal sacrifices and the shedding of blood which we now know was a shadow or symbol of Christ the Lamb of God shedding his blood for our sins.
Until the time of the Mosaic Covenant and Levitical law, we see the patriarchs Able, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses building altars and practicing a priestly sacrifice of animals. It isn’t until the introduction of the Levitical Law that we find a fuller explanation of the priesthood and a designated class of priestly clergy representing the people.
To better comprehend the New Testament priesthood of believers we look to the Old Testament where God first appointed Arron as the High Priest and his sons as priests, Ex. 28:1. The priest represented the people before God, offered sacrifices and burnt offerings, instructed the people in God’s word, and performed various other sacred duties, De. 33:10. The priest and the high priest were mediators between God and the people. Access to God, the forgiveness of sins, and divine healing were available through God’s priest and the religious rituals they performed.
The Old Testament high priest and priests were types or shadows of New Testament realities (Hebrews 10:1-18) namely Jesus our high priest and the church body being a chosen generation of royal priests.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. (Hebrews 4:14)
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. (1 Peter 2:9)
And has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Rev. 1:6)
The New Testament priesthood is unlike the Old Testament priesthood in that we do not sacrifice animals or perform ceremonial rituals. Those sacrifices and rituals were symbolic of the day Christ would come as the eternal sacrifice. Our high priest Jesus gave himself as the final and perfect sacrifice for sin once and for all. The combined blood of all those OT sacrifices could not remove one sin from a person’s life but only served as a symbol of Christ’s once and for all sacrifice for our sins. They served more as a covering of sin whereas the blood of Christ cleanses, heals, delivers, and cures the sin-sick soul while purifying a believer. We are Justified and made righteous by the blood of Jesus Christ and made a royal priesthood. Hebrews 10:4 tells us, “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
The New Testament priesthood of believers eliminates the need for mediation between God and man as was required in the Old Testament under the Aaronic priesthood. In other words, as royal priests, we have direct access to the presence of God our Father through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit—something not possible for the Old Testament believers. We have been reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus. We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, (2 Cor. 5:21). We are now God’s property washed spotless and sanctified by his precious blood, cleansed from all sin (1 Cor. 6:11). We now belong to God, purchased, redeemed, and justified with the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
The royal priesthood and holy nation that God establishes is the body of Christ—the church. We must understand God’s design for governing and maturing the body of Christ (the royal priesthood) under the leadership and oversight of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers who have been given the authority by “Christ Himself” to preach, teach, edify, and evangelize the world.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Eph. 4:11-12)
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. (Hebrews 13:17)
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)
It is clear from the scriptures that the church leadership was committed to an elder or group of Elders (depending on the church size) who knew the word of God, demonstrated excellent character, were full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and were able to teach the Scriptures and demonstrate other spiritual qualities (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
The apostle Paul tells us the Holy Spirit raises up elders to oversee the church. Through the Holy Spirit, God has provided for the oversight and shepherding of his royal priesthood through a gifted eldership of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. They are to prepare God’s people for works of service (Eph. 4:11-12). They are to Shepherd God’s flock with a willing heart and be good examples.
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Every born-again child of God is a priest and a member of the royal priesthood. All have direct access to God and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. The only mediator between God and man is the Lord Jesus Christ our High Priest (1 Tim. 2:5). That being said, the priesthood of the believer in no way eliminates submission to the five-fold ministry oversight (Eph 4:11-12) established by Christ himself to edify, and shepherd the priesthood of believers.
The need for the local church with a pastor (lead elder) and staff pastors (other elders) relative to the church membership and needs remains as the New Testament pattern. They are supported by the tithes and offerings of the local congregation. The body of Christ is the royal priesthood that gathers together at the local church building under the oversight and leadership of elders. These gifted elders must be full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Under their leadership, the church will gather in a corporate congregational setting and smaller groups (house-to-house) for one-on-one teaching just as the apostolic churches met at the temple and house-to-house (Acts 2:46-47).
It should be noted here that elders deserve to be compensated well for their service and calling, especially those who preach and teach.
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” (1 Tim. 5:17-18)
Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. (1 Cor. 9:13-14).
How to Turn to God
Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and for the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins, come into my heart, and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior forever.
