Here is the third part of The Infrastructure of a Church – the Priesthood of the Believer.
This distinctive is founded upon the scriptural principles that with God is no respect of persons. Romans 2:11, “For there is no respect of persons with God.”
Ephesians 6:9, “And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.” Colossians 3:25, “But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”
Unlike the Old Testament, where priestly functions were restricted to the tribe of Levi, the New Testament teaches that every believer is a priest before God. Therefore, each believer has the blessed privilege of going directly to God at any time, under any circumstance, to bring his petition through Jesus Christ to God.
Since the Bible teaches that each believer-priest is equal with one another, there is no need for divisional terms, titles, or garb. Nor does it appoint divine privileges. For example, the Scripture does not give a pastor (or father, to use a catholic term) the authority to forgive sin. Each believer can act upon the promise in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We make this confession to God.
In 1 Peter 2:5, 9 we read, “5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an
holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ… 9But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
The term holy priesthood refers to New Testament believers. We are “holy” in the sense that our sins have been forgiven, Hebrews 10:1 – 2, “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.”
1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
In the Old Testament only the high priest dared to enter the presence of God, and then, only once a year! As New Testament believers we have access to God’s presence at any time.
The term royal priesthood also refers to New Testament believers. We are “royal” in the sense that we are called to be personal representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20 – 21, “20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Romans 8:16 – 17, “16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Therefore, as a believer-priest, we have a tremendous responsibility placed upon us. That is, each believer has the privilege to think as he will and that each believer is totally responsible to God. The Bible teaches that no person, institution, organization, or convention has the authority to tell a person what to believe.
Along with this complete total freedom comes the accountability of such a privilege. Remember, our responsibility is to God alone and to no one else! A believer may put himself under the authority of something else (such as a pastor of a New Testament church, a wife under her husband, etc.) but he is still responsible to God for the freedom given him by Christ.
John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Galatians 5:13, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
2 Corinthians 5:10 – 21, “10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that
everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 12For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
What a responsibility! Since we will all stand before God and give an account of our lives, should that not motivate us to be obedient to God in every area of our life? I trust that is the case in your life. Part three will appear next month – Two Ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
