Page 8 - September 2023 - Truth & Tidings

he terms “priest” and “priest- indicate that we have been added to the
hood,” when relating to New Church in order that we may function as
TTestament believers, only appear “a holy priesthood.” In other words, every
in 1 Peter (2:5,9) and Revelation (1:6; 5:10). believer is a priest to God, regardless of
We will look primarily at the two refer- what his or her church affiliation might be.
ences in 1 Peter, as they provide for us all Peter goes on to teach that the purpose
the information we need concerning the of this holy priesthood is that we might
priesthood of believers. “offer spiritual sacrifices that are accept-
First of all, I would draw your atten- able to God through Jesus Christ.” Notice,
tion to the first readers of this wonderful then, that the first purpose of our priest-
epistle. They are described as “strangers hood is Godward. We do not offer animal
scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, sacrifices, but spiritual sacrifices. For ex-
Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1:1). It ample, in Romans 12:1, Paul exhorts “that
1
is evident that these were primarily Jewish ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
Christians, living in a variety of communi- holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
ties in what is known today as Turkey. This reasonable service.” The verb “present”
epistle was not written to one particular and the noun “service” are terms that
church, but to believers scattered in a relate to the functioning of priests. The
number of locations. consecration of our total selves to God is
the function of holy priesthood.
A Holy Priesthood In Hebrews 10:19-22 we read, “Having
Peter describes them as “being built up therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into
as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new
to offer spiritual sacrifices that are accept- and living way, which he hath consecrated
able to God through Jesus Christ” (2:5 for us, through the veil, that is to say, his
NASB). As individuals trust Christ, they flesh; and having an high priest over the
are being added, stone to stone, to this house of God; let us draw near …” This
building. This verse is not referring to a indicates that, as holy priests, we can enter
local church since these believers lived into the presence of God as worshippers,
in different locations. The reference is to both publicly and privately. Again, in
the Church of the dispensation, to which Hebrews 13:15 we read, “By him there-
every genuine believer is added at the mo- fore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to
ment of conversion. The verse goes on to God continually, that is, the fruit of our
¹ Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV lips giving thanks to his name.” We have
unless otherwise noted. so much cause to offer praise to God. He

264 TRUTH kTidings September 2023