The Dynamic Church – Jean Gibson The Priesthood of the Church Lesson 6

The New Testament teaches that every born again believer is a priest. The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 The New Testament teaches that every born again believer is a priest. 1 Peter 2:4-5 – Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:9 – But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Revelation 1:5-6 – To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The Priesthood of all Believers The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 The Priesthood of all Believers New Testament Truth Whatever conclusions we draw regarding the nature of the New Testament priesthood of believers must be supported by clear New Testament teaching on the subject, not based on an assumption that the details of the Old Testament Levitical priesthood are carried over to the New Testament. Hebrews 7:11-17 – For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. There are parallels between the Levitical priesthood and the New Testament priesthood that help us better understand our privileges and responsibilities.

Ecclesiastical Priesthood Spiritual Priesthood (NT Believer-Priests) The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 The ecclesiastical priesthood seen in many churches today, is not authorized by scripture. It is an institution of man rooted in the principles and practices of the Levitical Priesthood, not New Testament teaching. Feature Levitical Priesthood Ecclesiastical Priesthood Spiritual Priesthood (NT Believer-Priests) Appointment God Man Special Clothing Yes No Ceremonialist

The Priesthood of all Believers The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 The Priesthood of all Believers What is a Priest Most frequent Hebrew word for priest is Kohen. A possible definition: “One who comes near and stand before God in a serving capacity.”

Privileges of Priests Access to God The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 Privileges of Priests Access to God Only the Levitical priests could go into the tabernacle/temple, and only the High Priest could go into the Holy of Holies. As believers, we are exhorted to come boldly into God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19-22). Prayer (Hebrews 4:14-16; Phil 4:6-7) Spending time with the Lord (Revelation 3:20) Do you exercise this privilege?

Yielding of our bodies – Romans 12:1-2 The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 Privileges of Priests Offer Sacrifices Yielding of our bodies – Romans 12:1-2 Monetary gifts – Phil 4:16-18; Heb 13:16; 1 Cor 16:1,2 Service (doing good and sharing) – Phil 2:17; Heb 13:16 Gospel witness (Rom 15:16) Praise from our lips (Heb 13:15)

Privileges of Priests Intercession The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 Privileges of Priests Intercession Job prayed for his friends – Job 42:8-10 The Lord prays for us (Heb 7:25) We should pray for all men (1 Tim 2:1-2) Intercessory prayer is like incense offered to God (Rev 8:3-4) God hears when we pray according to His will (1 John 5:14-15)

Privileges of Priests Satisfaction in God The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 Privileges of Priests Satisfaction in God Levites received no inheritance in the land. The Lord was their portion (Deut 18:1-2) Our great reward for serving Him is the supreme joy of ministering to Him. Is the Lord alone enough (Psalm 73:25-26)?

Privileges of Priests Miscellaneous Responsibilities – From God to man The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 Privileges of Priests Miscellaneous Responsibilities – From God to man Counsel from the Word (Mal 2:7; Heb 5:12) Distinguish and teach the difference between the holy and the profane; between the unclean and the clean (Lev 10:8-11, Ezekiel 44:23) Judge in the difficult areas of personal conflicts (1 Cor 6:3; Ezekiel 44:24) Deal gently with the ignorant and misguided (Heb 5:1-2)

Holiness of Priests – Priests are to be set apart and dedicated to God The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 Holiness of Priests – Priests are to be set apart and dedicated to God Priests were consecrated or set apart for the Lord’s service. We will look briefly at some of the ceremonies surrounding their consecration to learn some valuable lessons about what it means to be set apart to God. As believers, we are called to be set apart, or holy, in our conduct. 1 Peter 1:15 reminds us that God who called us is holy and therefore, we should be holy in our conduct. Can others tell by your life that you belong to God and that others glorify Him because of your testimony (Colossians 3:1-17)

Holiness of Priests Consecration of the Priest The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 Holiness of Priests Consecration of the Priest Priests Anointed for Ministry (Leviticus 8:10-12; Leviticus 8:30) Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit Jesus’ ministry was anointed of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:18) Believers set apart for service by the Holy Spirit Regenerated (Titus 3:5) Baptized into Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13) Indwelt (1 Corinthians 6:19) Sealed (Ephesians 1:13-14) Filled (Ephesians 5:18)

Holiness of Priests Consecration of the Priest The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 Holiness of Priests Consecration of the Priest The Sin Offering (Exodus 29:10-14) Aaron and his sons put their hands on the head of the bull and Moses killed the bull at the door way of the tabernacle of meeting. The blood was poured on the altar and some of the fat was burned outside the camp as a sin offering. Only by the sacrificial death of an innocent victim that died vicariously in their place could Aaron and his sons be qualified to serve before the Lord. The part that was burned outside the camp spoke of Christ’s crucifixion (Hebrews 13:11-12) As believer-priests, Christ’s death on the cross for us is the basis for us being qualified to serve as priests unto God. A person must lay hold of Christ and be truly born again before being able to serve as a NT priest.

Holiness of Priests Consecration of the Priest The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 Holiness of Priests Consecration of the Priest The Burnt Offering (Exodus 29:15-18) Aaron and his sons put their hands on the head of the ram as Moses killed it and sprinkled the blood on and around the altar. The whole animal was burned on the altar as burnt offering for a sweet savor to God. The burn offering symbolized complete, voluntary surrender to God. It is a fitting picture of Christ who devoted Himself fully to doing the Father’s will and voluntarily offered Himself to God as the atoning sacrifice. It was fully accepted by God (Hebrews 10:7). As believer-priests, we are to voluntarily offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2). This is a sweet smelling savor to God (2 Corinthians 2:15).

Holiness of Priests Consecration of the Priest The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 Holiness of Priests Consecration of the Priest The Ram of Consecration (Exodus 29:19-21) Aaron and his sons put their hands on the head of the ram as Moses killed it and sprinkled the blood on and around the altar. The blood of the ram was applied to the right ears, thumbs, and large toes of Aaron and his sons The priests where to be attentive to the voice of God (right ear). We are to set apart our ears to listen only to God’s voice and turn a deaf ear to the alluring voice of Satan and the world (Rev 2-3) The priest’s hands where to be set apart for the Lord (right thumb). We are to commit our service to God and serve with clean hands (James 4:8) The priests were to have a sanctified walk before the Lord (large toe) We are to sidestep the broad road leading to destruction and walk the narrow way (Colossians 3, Ephesians 4-5)

Holiness of Priests Reasons for Disqualification from Service The Priesthood of the Church – Lesson 6 Holiness of Priests Reasons for Disqualification from Service Defect – Leviticus 21:16-23 Christ had no defect in either His priesthood or His sacrifice. Some believers have blemishes from their past that disqualify them from serving in certain leadership positions in the local church. Consider the qualifications for eldership. Not all believers qualify. Defilement – Leviticus 21:1-5; 22:1-9 Unconfessed sin disqualifies believers from service. We should continually examine our walk. We should confess and forsake the sins that grieve the Holy Spirit. Our private walk should match our public work for the Lord.

Conclusions Every Believer is a Priest Responsibilities Draw near to God Intercede and pray for others Offer to God the spiritual sacrifices fitting of NT believer-priests Our body, material possessions, service, gospel witness, praise Find our complete satisfaction in God alone

Conclusions Responsibilities (continued) – Be Holy Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) Listen to His voice Put away sinful behavior and serve God with clean hands Walk (conduct your life) in a manner pleasing to the Lord. Take the call to “be holy in all your behavior” seriously Serve as Priests in the Assembly Pray and intercede for one another. Serve one another Love one another Men – participate in the public gathering of believers (prayer, worship, etc).