Four new names are given to Christians, terms that are now even more fitting for the New Covenant people God has created.
A New Royal Priesthood
Historically, the roles of king and priest were to be kept separate for the people of Israel. However, prior to this in the time of Abraham, there was Melchizedek who served both as a king and a priest, and he holds priority over the long-standing Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 5, 7).
Later on we read about the future, unique, powerful combining of the roles of king and priest in Psalm 110 in anticipation of the Messiah. In verse 4 it is declared, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Additionally we are given the examples of kings David and Solomon, both of whom on occasion served minor priestly functions; together they give us a glorious preview of the coming Christ, our Lord Jesus.
On top of that, the “royal priesthood” was a role the whole Old Covenant people of God were to play--sometimes they did well, sometimes not so well. But now, in the New Covenant, the people of God play the role much better, being empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Here is yet another way we are made like Christ--sharing in His royalty and priestliness. See Jeremiah 33, especially verses 14-18, and then verse 22, “As the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant, and the Levitical priests who minister to me.”
Our royal priesthood, however, is a derived one, coming from our relationship to the King of the universe. And we live to serve Him and His interests and His eternal Kingdom.
Our Three Dimensional Priesthood
Saint Augustine wrote, “In ancient times only one high priest was anointed, but now all Christians are anointed.” Think about the extraordinary honor, along with the expectations of the duty, of belonging to this “new royal priesthood!”
1 Peter 2:9 ESV “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”The terms “chosen race,” “royal priesthood,” “holy nation” and “a people” are packed with meaning, being rooted in Old Testament history in God’s powerful dealings with Israel, most notably in their times of the Exodus and the Exile.
Exodus 19:5-6 ESV “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. . . .””
Isaiah 43:20-21 ESV “. . . my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”(See related blog entries: A New Chosen Race, A New Holy Nation, A New People Of God.)
A New Royal Priesthood
Historically, the roles of king and priest were to be kept separate for the people of Israel. However, prior to this in the time of Abraham, there was Melchizedek who served both as a king and a priest, and he holds priority over the long-standing Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 5, 7).
Later on we read about the future, unique, powerful combining of the roles of king and priest in Psalm 110 in anticipation of the Messiah. In verse 4 it is declared, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Additionally we are given the examples of kings David and Solomon, both of whom on occasion served minor priestly functions; together they give us a glorious preview of the coming Christ, our Lord Jesus.
On top of that, the “royal priesthood” was a role the whole Old Covenant people of God were to play--sometimes they did well, sometimes not so well. But now, in the New Covenant, the people of God play the role much better, being empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Here is yet another way we are made like Christ--sharing in His royalty and priestliness. See Jeremiah 33, especially verses 14-18, and then verse 22, “As the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant, and the Levitical priests who minister to me.”
Our royal priesthood, however, is a derived one, coming from our relationship to the King of the universe. And we live to serve Him and His interests and His eternal Kingdom.
Revelation 5:9-10 ESV “And they [angels] sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you [Jesus Christ] to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.””Moreover, the significance of the “royal priesthood” role has grown much larger in the fuller purposes of God now revealed. Our mediatorial role for the nations and peoples of the world is to bring them the Gospel of Christ and His Kingdom (Romans 15:16)!
Our Three Dimensional Priesthood
- We offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:4-5). These include cooperating with all the influences of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and giving Him all the glory for the transformations He has worked and is still working in our lives.
- We serve one another in the church, praying for and ministering to one another. We need one another. The well-known phrase “priesthood of all believers” is not about the removal of authority structures in church, which would be a great misunderstanding, but about our serving one another and using our spiritual gifts.
- We exist for the benefit of the world. We alone have access to the One True and Living God because of the Lord Christ. We declare His Gospel and live it out. And we seek to bless the world in a multitude of wonderful ways because of receiving such a blessing.
Saint Augustine wrote, “In ancient times only one high priest was anointed, but now all Christians are anointed.” Think about the extraordinary honor, along with the expectations of the duty, of belonging to this “new royal priesthood!”
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