Priesthood (Believers)

Jesus Christ is the true High Priest.  The law appointed men as high priests, but God appoints by oath the Son as the permanent High Priest.

20And inasmuch as He (Christ) was NOT made PRIEST without an oath 21(for they have become PRIESTS without an oath, but He WITH AN OATH by Him who said to Him: ‘The Lord has sworn and will not relent, YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER According to the order of Melchizedek’”). (Heb. 7:20-21).

24But He (Christ), because He continues forever, has an UNCHANGEABLE PRIESTHOOD.  25Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Hint, since He always lives to make intercession for them.  26For such a HIGH PRIEST was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did ONCE FOR ALL when He offered up HIMSELF.(Heb. 7:24-27).

Jesus Christ has shown that the Levitical PRIESTHOOD under the law was temporary and unable to make anyone perfect.  But the PRIESTHOOD has been changed and fulfilled in Christ, therefore the law has also been changed (Heb. 7:11-12).  We are in Christ by faith and He has made each of us Christians individual PRIESTS in Him.  The PRIESTHOOD of believers was being formed during the first century.

After AD 70, all born-again believers in the eternal New Covenant spiritual Kingdom not only have our salvation fully consummated, but also each believer is a PRIEST of God in Christ.  We are a fully established holy PRIESTHOOD of believers.  We are a royal PRIESTHOOD with direct access to God in Christ.  There is no one, other than Christ Himself, who stands between us and God.

5you 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).

9But 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).

 

See also related “Topic Studies & Terms”:

Faithful Servant vs. Evil Servant