Priesthood of the Believers

Yes, I believe the "holy nation" aspect was specifically given to Israel. I think the NT reiterates the basic promise of blessings for anyone following God, but the NT deals with individuals and not nations.

 

It was an OT promise too. The verse quoted shows it, am I right? Do I get a prize?

 

Moses and his disciples received the promise in this verse --- by FAITH!!!

You and I as disciples of the Lord Jesus receive the same promise --- by FAITH!!!

I'm preaching a series on the Ten Commands ---- the message to Old Testament believers was

the same Lord God who etched the commands on tables of stone would one day come and etch the same commands on tables of flesh

Yes --- the promise was to those OT saints who received it by faith

Can you imagine the native Canaanites as the Israelites passed by???

"Boys!!! There's somethin' pecular about those Hebrews --- we just can't put our fingers on the source of their pecularity!!!"

 

"their sandals look REALLY old!"

 

Yes, I believe that Priesthood of the Believers is a second covenant truth. I look at the nation of Israel in the Old Testament and in my view they represented anything but this doctrine. They were a Theocracy with Moses directly communicating with God and with a designated group serving as Priests. I don't think the average citizen felt that they had the ability or the right to interpret God's law or to directly communicate with Him.

 

1. Before v.9 Peter has already mentioned that NT believers are a holy priesthood in v. 5 of 1 Pet 2.

2. Not will be, but actually are a holy priesthood. This is part of our new identity as the people of God.

 

I don't think there's a difference here. Peter was addressing a church of both Jews and Gentiles.

 

drfuss: One aspect of the Priesthood of believers is that we can go directly to God. Are there other aspects or responsabilities of being a part of the Priesthood of believers? If so, what are they?

 

How do you define Priesthood of all believers (with scriptural support)? I'll find scripture for my view. Actually, it's what I've always been taught as a lifelong Baptist.

 

2Tim, I see this as a conditional promise ... "IF you obey My voice and keep my covenant." It's kinda like the land covenant ... "If you will obey, you will prosper in the land but if not, you get the boot!

We know of OT priests who were slain by God, not worthy to be priests, right? Wasn't it Samuel's sons? And he main point of obedience that allowed them even to perform the ceremonies was bringing their own sacrifice and cleansing before doing so for the tribes.

In the NT, believers obey and keep the covenant through Christ. So yes, we are priests -- something that was nigh impossible for the OT saints.

skypair

 

Outside of those who fell, there were always faithful priests to God--Ezekiel the prophet was also a priest.

 

Umm -- OK. But I would consider "nigh impossible" to be a handful of those millions that lived at any one time, wouldn't you?

skypair

 

How then should we understand the Remnant that was preserved by God through 70yrs of Babylonian captivity, to return to their homeland in the times of Nehemiah, Ezra and Zerubbabel?

 

Not as all "priests." In the OT, priesthood required lineage of Levi, right? Christ came along as the exception, He being a priest after the order of Melchizedec -- that is, not of Levi but of Judah. They were the only ones who could serve before God.

What you may be thinking of is "prophets" or just believers.

skypair

 

Are you saying that only Levites were preserved as the Remnant of God under the OT? Do you have Scripture for that?

 

The right to read and interpret scripture is another major aspect. Catholics had their beliefs dictated to them by the Pope and their priest. Baptists held to the belief that each individual Christian had the right and the responsibility to work out their faith by studying scripture and prayer (and Bible study and preaching).

Phl 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.