Bible Class Outline

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
 
THE PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS.
1. How does a man become a priest?
IN New Testament times, a man became a priest solely by the act of Christ, the great High Priest in heaven, as we read: "Jesus Christ... hath made us priests." And note the Lord Jesus has made us priests, not of any particular Church, or even to the Church at all—but "priests unto God and His Father.," (Rev. 1:66And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:6).) Everyone who is loved by Jesus Christ, and whose sins have been washed away by Him in His own blood, is a priest. "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us... priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
2. What the person whom Jesus Christ has made a priest, does.
(1) He offers up sacrifices—"spiritual sacrifices." In the material sacrifices offered up to God in Old Testament days, God had "no pleasure" (Heb. 10:66In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. (Hebrews 10:6)); but the "spiritual sacrifices" are "acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:55Ye 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 Peter 2:5)) The ancient sacrifices were types of Christ, but in themselves they possessed no value-therefore, they could neither satisfy God (Heb. 10:88Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; (Hebrews 10:8)) nor man (Heb. 9:9; 10:49Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; (Hebrews 9:9)
4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (Hebrews 10:4)). Had they been of value to effect the forgiveness of sins, they would have ceased to be offered upon the forgiveness being effected. (Heb. 10:22For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (Hebrews 10:2).) The order of the Christian priesthood is one of offering continual sacrifice-spiritual, not material, sacrifice. "By Him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually." (Heb. 13:1515By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15).)
(2) The priest of Christ's making is also a royal priest (1 Peter 2:99But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9)). These priests are enjoined to show forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. The majesty of praise is theirs to render to God—not mere outward religious service, but real, true praise for what God has done in redemption.
Unless there be true spirituality there cannot be efficient priestly service. God is satisfied with nothing less than reality.