Entering within the veil, a privilege now given to former sinners of the Gentiles, was beyond the first Century Jew’s wildest imaginings.
I don’t know about you, but at the time I had no idea. I remember walking outside into the night shortly after receiving Christ as my Saviour and looking up into the starry sky, thrilled to be a child of the God who created it all. Rejoicing in this new relationship, I had no idea of the scope and magnitude of God’s grace. The wonder of having my sins forgiven and being granted eternal life initially dominated my thinking. But as I read the Scriptures, I began to discover the extent of who I am in Christ.
Our new relationship with God is described in various ways, each expressing an aspect of the multifaceted grace of God. “Children of God,” “joint heirs with Christ,” “beloved brethren” are just a few of these. The Holy Spirit directed Peter to reveal a crucial aspect of our relationship with God—our priesthood.
The fact that each believer has been called into a holy priesthood, qualified and fitted to offer acceptable spiritual sacrifices, may be new to us. Peter presented this precious truth to suffering believers—pilgrims of the Dispersion—in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Knowing and believing the truth of their calling by God would give these Christians a proper perspective on life, enable them to endure trials, and instruct them in Christian service. To the extent that we understand the tremendous truth of our priesthood and accompanying privileges, our lives will gain greater spiritual meaning.
Here is a basic outline of 1 Peter chs. 1–2:
• Our great salvation (1:3-12)
• Our new way of life (1:13-25)
• Our priestly calling (2:1-10)
Peter encourages his readers to accomplish the plan and purpose God has for each one. He begins this topic in chapter 2 by using four different pictures to describe the Christian life: taking off old habits like removing soiled clothes, growing like newborn babies, being built up like a spiritual house, and serving as priests. The focus changes from the individual believer in the first two comparisons to a corporate view in the last two, culminating with the priesthood of the believer—our position, privilege, and responsibilities.
A holy priesthood:
As holy priests we are asked to offer up spiritual sacrifices. Earlier (1 Pet. 1:15-16) Peter referred to Leviticus 11:44,45 where God commanded His people, “You shall be holy because I am holy.” Holiness is a chief characteristic of God and it is to be a distinguishing feature of His people. God intended that all Israel be a kingdom of priests: “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Ex. 19:6). However, the golden calf debacle caused God to withdraw this national blessing. This grievous sin, this spiritual adultery, meant that they no longer qualified to function as holy priests to God. Aaron and the faithful tribe of Levi were subsequently chosen by God to serve Him in the tabernacle and later the temple, doing priestly work on behalf of the nation of Israel. Interestingly, the most common surname among European Jews today is Cohen or some variation of it. The name usually indicates a family claiming descent from Aaron, the first high priest (Hebrew, kohen).
As a redeemed people Israel was to be different from the nations around her, unique in her knowledge and worship of the one true God. She was to be a shining light in the midst of spiritual darkness. Those without would see and be drawn to the light of the knowledge of God. The Queen of Sheba and Naaman were two notable cases of those drawn to inquire about the God of Israel. However, Israel’s desire to be like the nations around her (1 Sam. 8:5) led to the loss of her special character and function. On the whole Israel failed to achieve the purpose God had for her. In a future day, Israel will fulfill her purpose but at present all believers in Christ are called to function as priests, offering up acceptable sacrifices and proclaiming the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Who are the priests?
The nature of the church and the responsibility of Christians are explained in this passage. Interestingly, the pictures Peter uses to describe the church originally referred to Israel. Although the Lord Jesus was rejected by His own nation racially, God created a new kingdom of priests—the church—to accomplish His purposes. The world will yet be blessed through Israel (Rom. 11). But here Peter is describing all true believers in Christ as belonging to a holy and royal priesthood. Whereas in the OT only Aaron and the tribe of Levi were chosen for priestly service before the Lord, in the NT every believer in is a priest unto God.
Thus the Spirit clearly dispels the notion that spiritual worship and service are the exclusive functions of an elite professional group known as priests or clergy. According to this scripture every believer is a holy priest and called to exercise his or her priestly function. No level of academic achievement, religious ordination, or special training is required prior to functioning as a priest before God. New Testament priests are both male and female, come in all ages and levels of maturity, and represent every ethnic group on earth.
A shortage of priests?
Some denominations are bemoaning the fact that fewer and fewer men are pursuing the “priesthood” according to their tradition. We may dismiss their concern since it is based on a misunderstanding of what constitutes a true priest. On the other hand, should we not be concerned that true NT priests are not functioning as God intended? The issue is not so much a shortage of priests as it is priests not understanding their function.
Believers who fail to comprehend their role as priests weaken the temple of God as a whole. Firstly, God is robbed of the worship due Him. If we do not offer up the spiritual sacrifice of our bodies, the praise of our lips, or our possessions, we are withholding something precious from our Lord. Remember the devotion of Mary as she poured out her fragrant gift on the Lord Jesus. His appreciation of her sacrifice was clear. Also recall the cold, pragmatic response of those who opposed her actions. We despise them as we read the story, but do our sacrifices overflow with generous praise and worship? To the extent that we worship, offer sacrifices, and proclaim the excellencies of the Saviour, we function as intended. Our priestly activities are a 24/7 occupation, not a Sunday-morning-only exercise.
What are these sacrifices?
Peter tells us that as holy priests we are to offer up spiritual sacrifices which God will appreciate and find acceptable through Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest. So, what are some of these sacrifices? William MacDonald summarizes this nicely:
As holy priests we offer up spiritual sacrifices to God by Jesus Christ (v. 5). These include: the sacrifice of our bodies (Rom. 12:2-3); the sacrifice of our praise (Heb. 13:15); the sacrifice of our possessions (Heb. 13:16).
As royal priests we show forth the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9). Every believer is expected to witness for Christ, both by life and by the spoken word.
As holy priests we go into the sanctuary to worship. As royal priests we go out into the world to testify.
Only through the power of the Spirit (Eph. 3:7, 20; Php. 4:13; Col. 1:29) can we offer these sacrifices properly. His mighty energy works in us, enabling us to serve God acceptably. How do we appropriate the power of the Spirit? By faith! When we rely without reservation on God, His power is made available for us to live holy lives of sacrifice and service as royal priests before God.
Conclusion:
If we appreciate our true identity in Christ as holy priests—called and qualified to offer sacrifices through Jesus Christ—our lives will change. The God of heaven is currently seeking worshippers on earth, who, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit, are able to offer acceptable sacrifices. In response, God will receive and appreciate our sacrifices because of the merit of the Lord Jesus. We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession called out of darkness into His marvelous light: we are a royal priesthood. Let’s believe it. Let’s enjoy it. Let’s live it.