Priesthood Of The Believer

PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER

Intro:
Before Christ died on the cross for man’s sin, the Israelites were required to bring an animal sacrifice to a divinely ordained priest. The priest was a mediator between God and man through whom the Israelite would relay his personal request for forgiveness from God.
This practice changed when Christ, the believer’s Great High Priest, offered Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. No longer does a person need to bring a sacrifice or ask a priest to relay his requests to God. The believer himself can enter into God’s presence and present his needs. Because of Christ’s redemptive work, the Christian is a believer-priest.

THE OLD TESTAMENT PRIESTHOOD
God first demonstrated this method of worship when He offered a sacrifice to show Adam and Eve that blood had to be shed to pay for the penalty of sin (Gen 3:21) "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."
* Godly men offered sacrifices for themselves and their families. (Gen 8:20) "And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar."
NOTE: Sacrifices could not free man from sin’s power! (Heb 10:4) "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."
(Heb 10:11) "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:"
God established that only the priests offer sacrifices for themselves and for the people.
Two parts to properly fellowship with God:
1. Offering. Lev. 1-7
2. Mediation of a priest. Heb. 5:1-4
The first old testament priesthood was Aaron and his descendants. They were to preside over Israel’s religious life. Ex. 28:1 - 29:9

No one else could assume this priestly office. (Heb 5:4) "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron."

Aaron and his sons were unable to meet all the religious needs of Israel. Therefore, God selected the tribe of Levi to undertake religious responsibilities apart from offering sacrifices or performing tabernacle duties reserved for the priests. Num.3:5-9

In Leviticus 9 we learn that although the priests were chosen and set apart by God, they were not spiritually superior men. They had to offer sacrifices for their own sins before they could offer sacrifices for the sins of the rest of the people. (Lev 9:7-8) "And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded. {8} Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself."

CHRIST’S PRIESTHOOD
Jesus Christ is the great high priest. (Heb 10:19-21) "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, {20} By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; {21} And having an high priest over the house of God;"

Jesus offered Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. (Heb 10:8-10) "Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; {9} Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. {10} By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

* Christ’s redemptive work by ripping the temple veil in two. (Luke 23:45) "And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst."
Because the Christ made the sacrifice for us, we may enter boldly before God. (Heb 10:19) "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,"

Christ bridges the gap between God and man, constantly and empathetically presenting believer’s requests to the Heavenly Father. (Heb 4:14-16) "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. {15} For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. {16} Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

BELIEVER’S PRIESTHOOD
Christ, the high priest, made possible the forgiveness of sin for all those who place their trust in Him. Heb.10:10-19
Vs. 19 refers to the “holiest” The holiest describes God’s throne of grace in Heaven. (Heb 4:16) "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Intercession has always been a vital function of a priest. Paul instructed believers to speak to God on behalf of others. (1 Tim 2:1) "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;"
***** We believer-priests intercede with God when we pray for those who are unsaved and for those with needs.
One of the greatest privileges the believer has as a member of God’s holy priesthood , (1 Pet 2:5) "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." , is equality with other Christians in God’s sight.
***** He also sets apart believer-priests to serve Him. (1 Pet 2:5) "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."
(1 Pet 2:9) "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:"
These verses encourage the believer to “offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” and to “ show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
CONTINUAL SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES:
1. The believer can offer a spiritual sacrifice of his body. (Rom 12:1) "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
2. A Christian can also offer a spiritual sacrifice of thankfulness to God and obedience to His Word.
(Heb 13:15-16) "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. {16} But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
3. The believer also offers his material goods as a spiritual sacrifice to minister to others. (Phil 4:15-18) "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. {16} For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. {17} Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. {18} But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God."