April 9, 2006
PRIESTS AND PRIESTHOOD
1 Peter 2:5, 9

   Are Christians, members of the body of Christ, priests? And do they have a priesthood? Our answer to both questions is "No." How is it then that others answer, "Yes!" What Bible verses might suggest that believers today are priests indeed and enjoy the "priesthood of all believers"?
   1 Peter 2:5 reads, "Ye...are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."
Just a few verses later we read in 1 Peter 2:9-10, "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 marvelous light: Who in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." But Peter was writing to "strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia." These were believing Jews of the dispersion scattered in Gentile nations.
   Peter's words quote Hosea where he prophesied that Israel would not be God's People for a time but afterward they would be restored. This restoration to God's favor, becoming again His People and enjoying again His mercy was the hope of Israel. Hosea's prophecy finds no fulfillment today pertaining to Christians, members of the body of Christ. None whatever!
   In Revelation we read of saints whom the Lord will make, "...kings and priests unto God and his Father..." (Rev. 1:5-6). And again, "Thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth" (5:10), and lastly saints raised to reign with Christ "shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Rev. 20:6). We believe all these saints mentioned by John are connected with Israel and have no relation whatever with Christians of this dispensation of grace.
   This causes no alarm, nor are we missing any blessings our risen Lord intended that we should have. We are privileged beyond saints of all other ages in that we have complete ACCESS to God at all times. The Holy Spirit intercedes now and helps us pray. The Lord Jesus intercedes for us at God's right hand in heaven (Romans 8:27,35). Little wonder then that we should present or yield our bodies as living sacrifices and that our gifts might be as those of the Philippian Church, sweet smelling sacrifices to God. These sacrifices do not make us a priesthood, just thankful saints.

Ivan L. Burgener