A Kingdom of Priests

I went to a Catholic high school, even though I wasn't a member of the Catholic church. I received a quality education and got to be the only "protestant" quarterback in the school's history. In my three years at this school, I met some very fine "Priests" and "Sisters", who served as teachers, administrators and in other capacities that helped shape my educational path.

I didn't know the Bible very well then, but as I grew in my knowledge, I became confused at the difference in the way the term "priest" is used by Catholics in contrast to how it is used by the writers of the New Testament.

For example, the Old Testament is full of references to the priesthood that God set up through Moses for the nation of Israel. This priesthood came from a certain family (the Levites) and the duties and responsibilities were clearly set out for the people to follow.

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"...you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,
offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. " 1 Peter 2:5

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In the gospels and in the book of Acts, we see Christ and his disciples interact with this same priesthood in various discussions and confrontations. I used to wonder about what happened to this priesthood until I read some of the historical accounts of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. In that catastrophe, the temple was torn down, the genealogical records were destroyed, the city was razed, and surviving Jews were scattered everywhere. Since that destruction nearly 2,000 years ago, there have been no priests, no sacrifices and no temple worship.

The writers of the New Testament explain why. In numerous references throughout the book of Hebrews, in the epistle of 1 Peter and in the Revelation, it becomes clear that the nature and composition of the priesthood has changed under Christ. With the end of the Old Covenant and the fulfillment of the law of Moses, there has been a dramatic change: Christ has assumed the throne of a new kingdom (1 Tim. 6:15); He has become the Law Giver; He is the new high priest (Heb. 4:14). With these changes has also come a change in the composition of the priesthood: All believers are priests (1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6).

You see, God never intended for the fleshly, Levitical priesthood to go on forever. The intent of Christ is that His followers serve under Him as ministers of the gospel to a lost and misguided world. The ministry of some of us is to teach the gospel. For others it is to share the gospel. For all of us it is to LIVE OUT the gospel.

I have no idea why the Catholic church has retained a specialized priesthood that is separate and apart from the members. But I do know this: restoration congregations (communities intent on restoring first century worship and practices) stand in danger of replicating this flawed model if we insist on distinctions between members and the leadership with regards to our common responsibilities to know, share and live out the gospel message.

An active shepherding program, constant and loving teaching on the responsibilities we inherit when we become members of the New Testament priesthood, and continual accountability to each other on our words and actions will help us avoid this pitfall. It is a liberating thought to understand that God sees me as an important part of His grand plan to save the world. That I could serve others in the gospel of His Son -- sinful man that I am -- is a sobering, but energizing thought. That I could do it with a group of like-minded people who will help me is comforting indeed. We are truly a "kingdom of priests."

At the Open Door church of Christ, there are plenty of opportunities to grow, share and serve. Check us out.