Real Priests
The word “priest", typically conjures up an image of an ordained Catholic minister sporting a black jacket, shirt and white collar. The Bible however, presents a different picture of “priest".
Under the old covenant, men from the tribe of Levi served God as priests. As such, they had three primary duties:
1. They presided over Jewish worship rituals, offering assorted sacrifices to God (Deut. 18:5).
2. They were responsible for teaching the Israelites the statutes that the Lord spoke to them through Moses” (Lev. 10:11).
3. They regularly pronounced the following blessing upon Israel, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace” (Num. 6:22-26).
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Under the new covenant EVERY Christian serves God as a priest.
“…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 Pet. 2:5).
“…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…" (1 Pet. 2:9)
“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” (Rev. 1:5-6).
As such, ALL Christians are empowered of God to:
1. Worship Him with the sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15).
2. Teach others the gospel and the words of God (Mk. 16:15, Col. 3:16 & 2 Tim. 2:2).
3. Encourage other Christians daily (Heb. 3:13, 10:24-25).
Praise God for allowing us to serve Him in this admirable capacity!
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
The word “priest", typically conjures up an image of an ordained Catholic minister sporting a black jacket, shirt and white collar. The Bible however, presents a different picture of “priest".
Under the old covenant, men from the tribe of Levi served God as priests. As such, they had three primary duties:
1. They presided over Jewish worship rituals, offering assorted sacrifices to God (Deut. 18:5).
2. They were responsible for teaching the Israelites the statutes that the Lord spoke to them through Moses” (Lev. 10:11).
3. They regularly pronounced the following blessing upon Israel, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace” (Num. 6:22-26).
*********************************************************************************************
Under the new covenant EVERY Christian serves God as a priest.
“…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 Pet. 2:5).
“…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…" (1 Pet. 2:9)
“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” (Rev. 1:5-6).
As such, ALL Christians are empowered of God to:
1. Worship Him with the sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15).
2. Teach others the gospel and the words of God (Mk. 16:15, Col. 3:16 & 2 Tim. 2:2).
3. Encourage other Christians daily (Heb. 3:13, 10:24-25).
Praise God for allowing us to serve Him in this admirable capacity!
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
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