Principle Five

OUR PRIESTHOOD

 

We have learned about the sacrifice of praise. This sacrifice becomes our duty as New Testament Priests. The New Testament Priesthood is not that difficult of a subject to understand. It is quite simple in fact.

A priest in the first Covenant took an animal and killed it on the behalf of the one offering it. The priest was a go-between. The people who were offering the animal did not do the actual killing, nor did they ceremoniously offer the sacrifice to God. The priest did everything on their behalf.

In the New Testament, we as Christians, become priests unto God and Jesus is our High Priest:

Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order  of Melchizedek                                                                                   Hebrews 6:20  

What is the deal with this mysterious priestly person, Melchizedek? And why is there a change in priesthood between the Old and New Testaments?

The most significant difference between Jesus the Melchizedek High Priest, and the Levitical High Priest is God anointed and appointed Jesus to sacrifice Himself. He voluntarily sacrificed his life, shedding his blood for the remission of all sins.

Jesus could not be a priest and offer animal sacrifices in the Temple because he was from the tribe of Judah. The official priesthood that performed service in the temple came from the tribe of Levi, better known as the Levitical Priesthood.

It allowed only Levitical priests to offer animal sacrifices for the sins of the people and themselves; and they needed to do it daily, year in and year out. Also, The Levitical Priesthood would not be the means whereby Jesus the lamb, would be sacrificed.

Since Jesus could not offer his blood as a Levitical High Priest there had to be a new Priesthood created for this one purpose. God established the new Order of Melchizedek to serve as the vehicle which facilitated this purpose. Also, Jesus provided the one and only sacrifice ever needed to take away sins.

He shed His blood on our behalf as the ultimate blood sacrifice for sin. Then He took the blood into the heavenly holy of holies. He arbitrated on our behalf. Because of this blood sacrifice, he reconciled and restored us to God the Father.

So, as High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, Jesus accomplished the following:

     He started a new priesthood in the order of Melchizedek. 

     HE became the one and only blood sacrifice. 

     This satisfied the need for remission of sin.  

     He suffered in the worst hell possible, Tartarus!  

     He arose from the dead.  

     Then, as the Melchizedek High Priest, presented his blood in  the holy of holies in           Heaven.  

     The Father accepted his sacrificial blood. Adams’ sin is wiped out, remitted, forgiven.

     Now he sits as the high priest in the order of Melchizedek, not as a Levite.  

     There is no longer need for Levitical priests and animal sacrifice.

We become priests who offer only the sacrifice of praise.

Because we are priests, our order of priesthood is also after the order of Melchizedek and not Levitical.

We only offer the sacrifices of praise and good works.

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 marvelous light:                                         1 Peter 2:9

    Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.                               1 Peter 2:5

  And 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  

So, the priesthood of the New Testament is nothing more than this: each born-again, Spirit-filled believer in the Body of Christ serves as a priest along with Jesus, who is the High Priest.

We offer and minister to the Living God praises and thanksgiving, glory, and honor with our whole Spirit, Soul, Body. There is no pomp and ceremony, form, or ritual that we must perform. Pure and simple. No candles to light, no incense to burn, no bells to jingle nor shofars to blow.

Nothing of the sort. No special clothing to wear other than the white robe of righteousness that the Lord has already provided through His ultimate sacrifice.

Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise.

There is also the sacrifice of good works:

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb 13:15-16   

Summing Up

The principles n this booklet layout what God truly desires to do in the Church. He wants to manifest His mighty power, glory, and anointing.

He wants to sing in our midst through our hearts and voices

We praise the Lord with the sacrifice of praise by faith and not by feelings.

Holiness unto the Lord. Not strict rules and regulations but heartfelt love and devotion.

We follow the Psalmists paradigm of Instruments and physical expression.

WE are priests who wish to serve our High Priest with surrendered hearts and wills.

I do trust that this booklet has been helpful.