His Royal Priesthood

In 1Cor 12, in 1Cor 14:1 and in Acts we see prophets active in the NT. Most of them were not Bible writers - just prophets.

In Christ,

Bob

 

Ray,

Blessings

 

In 1Cor 12 the office of an Apostle is not the same as the office of a Prophet. At least not the way Paul arranges it in that chapter.

Secondly - in 1Cor 14:1 what Paul says is true of Prophecy - but not of an Apostle. He does not urge all saints to desire to be Apostles.

Third - there is no basis for changing the "definition" of the gift from the one God gives in Numbers 12.

Fourth - you never see "preaching" mentioned in the NT as an example of "prophesying".

Fifth - in the 1Cor 14 case it is very instructive to note the "difference" between tongues and prophecy and how they are managed.

(Lets assume for the sake of argument that tongues is the supernatural ability to speak the Gospel in another known language). All the "forth-telling" that is done in tongues is to be done in order and if the right conditions do not exist - no exercise of the gift is allowed.

But with prophecy your must sit down - mid-thought if another prophet suddenly has something to say. The "only" way that would NOT result in chaos - is if it was a sudden direct manifestation of the Holy Spirit such that HE is in charge in the case of Prophecy but is NOT in charge in the case of Tongues.

If you think about it - that means prophecy in the NT was working the SAME as we see in Numbers 12.

In Christ,

Bob

 

The role of the Priest has been given people during the new covenant. The point of contention is concerning who these Priests are.

1 Pet 2:5 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 2:9-10 9 But 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 marvellous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Peter himself instructed the church, that they were an holy priesthood, and a royal priesthood, and an holy nation. The new covenant priesthood is in the new covenant temple, or sanctuary. That sanctuary is in heaven where Christ ever liveth to intercede for us, and on earth, where His Holy Spirit intercedes on behalf of humanity through the body of Christ. The priesthood of the new covenant is not a position given to only a select few, who lord it over humanity, but rather it is the gospel commission given to all of Christ's followers.

Heb 8:1-2 1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

1 Cor 3:16-17 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Cor 6:19-20 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Eph 2:18-22 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

All those who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior are a part of the royal priesthood. It is the Holy Spirit, and him alone that convicts the world of sin, and righteousness, and judgment. The gift of the Holy Spirit is promised to all of Christ's followers, not just a select few. If Christ be lifted up, He will draw all men to Himself. When the believer allows Christ to be lifted up within them, by the power of the Holy Spirit, then the office of the royal priesthood is being exercised by the submission of the believer to the will of Christ. This is the new covenant priesthood. There is another priesthood mentioned in the new testament though, that claims these powers for itself exclusively.

II Th 2:1-4 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

The temple of God is where Christ intercedes for his people as our High Priest. The power above opposes and exalts itself above God by sitting itself in the temple of God, and shewing himself to be God. That is to say, it claims the ministry of Christ's' Priesthood for itself. Thus, exalting itself above God.

By for now. Y. b. in C. Keith.