The Priest
By any other name is still a Priest
My friends,
Bishop William here, of St. Michael’s Monastery, member of the Autocephalous Orthodox Catholic Churches of the Americas. St. Michael’s is the home of the New Warrior Ministries, which is an outreach ministry going back some 25 years seeking to bring all who have left the church back to Christ, back to Jesus, for whatever reason that you have left the church, God’s love will still be never ending. For all who are seeking the truth and do not yet know that Jesus is the truth, this is for you as well because Jesus is the truth.
This series is about spiritual warfare. We are currently filming video number 5 which is titled; SW5 The Priest, by any other name is still a Priest.
So, Oh boy, Priest, right? Today it appears, if you pay even a little bit of attention to news and the many tweets on the subject, that, priest is a dirty word to many people. This is sad, I am not saying that there are not many people who have a right to be greatly offended at some particular priest, but the issue and frustration should be kept to that particular priest and anyone who may be associated with that priest who was a participant with or knew of some transgression and remained silent and should not be related to all priests in general. Now of course there are those who just simply do not like priests and insist that in our time of Christianity that priests are against the B-i-b-l-e.
While it may seem like it is a large number of priests that are involved in some sort of scandal it is actually few in number compared to the number of Christian priests that have existed. So, let’s discuss this idea of Priest.
There seems to be at least three thoughts regarding the priest that are legal: 1. priest, ugh, good God ya’ll, what are they good for? Absolutely nothing, say it again.
2. Another has an opposite thought of a priest: you are my special angel, sent from up above. I’ll have my special angel here to watch over me.
3. Then of course there are those who could actually care less about a priest good or bad one way or another: hey yo, get away ya’ll, can you feel me? I don’t want to know yo. Don’t send me no news I don’t care yo, don’t cry me no blues I don’t care yo. Get outta my face I don’t care.
So just what is a priest? Here is a definition; Priest The Hebrew Word is kohen; (kō′ən), the Greek word is hierus; hee-er-yooce', the Latin word is sacerdos; sac-er-dos, it always denotes one who offers sacrifices. That is the basic function of a priest, to offer sacrifice.
Who was the first biblically recorded person to be called a priest in regards to our God? That was Melchizedek, correct? The Priest/King, Priest in Salem (Jerusalem) of the God Most High. Do you remember him? He met Abram after Abram had freed his nephew Lot who had been taken captive. Then after Melchizedek of course, as far as our biblical reference is concerned we have Aaron the brother of Moses, the first kohen gadol (high priest) of Israel, and his family who were appointed priests by God to serve at the altar, this became the Israelite Priesthood, from the tribe of Levi, Aaron, again, was the brother of Moses. This is not an in-depth study of the Israelite priesthood or an in-depth history lesson. We’re just barely skimming the highlights here.
This priesthood performed the animal sacrifices to the Lord God for Israel eventually in the Temple which was called Solomon’s Temple built approximately in the years 970 BC to 931 BC in Jerusalem until the time that it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II after the Siege of Jerusalem of 587/586 BC and then it was replaced with the Second Temple which was completed around the year 515 BC which the Romans eventually destroyed in 70 AD approximately 37 years after the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.
Jesus was born, He lived, He taught, He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hades or the grave and preached to and released the prisoners that were there. He arose on the third day and ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God. He opened the gates of heaven, until then the gates were closed. He appointed Apostles to carry on His message, so what happened next?
The Apostles of course began to spread the Gospel or the Good news of salvation through Jesus who is the Christ or Messiah and who is called Jesus Christ in the English language. Again, since this is not an in-depth history lesson and we are only discussing priests, we will begin here with the New Testament preaching of the Gospel and the manner chosen to establish houses of worship and build, lead, and grow congregations of followers of The Way, or Christianity.
The question then is this; is there a Priesthood in the New Testament? The answer is yes there is a Priesthood shown in the New Testament. There is only one High Priest, Jesus Christ, and where there is a High Priest you would expect to find lesser priests. Again what does a priest do? He offers sacrifice.
Remember that Jesus said; do not think that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy but to fulfill. Jesus fulfilled the law of the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament with the Sacrifice of himself on the Cross. Along with this fulfillment of the Law and being the final sacrifice, the Old Testament priesthood was abolished as far as Christianity was concerned. In the Epistle of 1 Peter chapter 2 verses 5-9 we find this passage regarding priesthood; 5:"You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood (ἱεράτευμα, hierateuma, hee-er-at'-yoo-mah), to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ …then up to
verse 9: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood (same Greek word as above), a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light".
“The priesthood of all believers” is born; it is taught in many Christian groups today that there is no longer a need for priests because of this “priesthood of all believers’ idea. But yet all who make the claim still have Pastors and Ministers or elders, so what is the difference? If everyone is a priest why do we need shepherds? Notice that the Apostle Peter in these chapters is saying that we are living stones, building up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices… that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His Marvelous light.
So what is the meaning of being ‘living stones’ and building up a ‘spiritual house’? Well I will tell you. We are to sacrifice ourselves for God and for others; we are living sacrifices, a light to the world for Jesus.
Take a look at King David in the Psalms: Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice! This verse is also used in liturgies. Psalm 116:17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. Psalm 4:5
Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
Now remember King David was not a priest but his personal worship to God was considered as spiritual incense and sacrifice. This is the Spiritual priesthood of all believers. In the letter to the Romans the Apostle Paul says: Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
In his letter to the Hebrews Paul says; Hebrews 13: 15-16 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
How many people who declare this “priesthood of all believers” actually live a life of sacrifice for others? I personally know many that do not.
Gambling, adultery, homosexuality, pedophilia, foul speech, lewdness, hatred of others, pride; so much pride in everything that we own, in the secular work that we do, in our self proclaimed Christian perfection within our special groups that are better than everyone else’s.
These are things that I see in very many groups out there who are calling themselves Christian, not many are living sacrifices glorifying the name of Jesus in the world. I see a lot of materialism and selfishness, not a lot of giving and forgiving. I say these things not as a judge but as an observer, I am one who lives in this world also and have sinned just as much as anyone else. In Revelations/Apocalypse 1:5-6 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. This is a spiritual kingdom and priesthood, we are all not literally kings wearing crowns and running kingdoms and in the same manner we are not all priests serving at the altar.
Compare I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. With Exodus 19:5-6 5 Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”… So let me ask you this; did Israel have priests in the line of Aaron who served at the altar at the same time that the people who were God’s possession were told that they shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation? In the same manner the priests in the line of Melchizedek serve at the altar while the chosen people are also a kingdom of priests.
In our Old Testament we read that the people, the kingdom of priests became a demanding people and spoke against Moses and Aaron claiming that all of the people were holy and therefore served the same as Moses, Aaron and all of the priests. What happened to these people who suddenly decided that the priesthood did not matter? Numbers 15:32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men that belonged to Korah and all their goods. Again in 2Peter 2:1 we read: But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. There are those who do not like blessings form a priest, I would think that when one gets blessed that one would be appreciative but there are many who are not because they insist that blessings come from God, which of course they do but are we not the instruments of God? Did not the elder Simeon bless the Virgin Mary and Joseph her husband? Matthew 5:44 Does our Lord say; love your enemies, bless those who curse you? Does holy scripture say: Romans 12:14 bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse?
Let’s take a look at the word used for the “priesthood” in the “priesthood of all believers”. The New Testament was written in Greek and the word used for priesthood in this verse of 1 Peter is hierateuma (hee-er-at’-yoo-mah) or basically a priestly fraternity or priesthood.
Since using the Greek in the New Testament we will also use the Greek in the Old Testament Septuagint. The word used there when speaking of the priesthood of Aaron is; hierateuo (hee-er-em-ee’-as) which is to be a priest or to perform the functions of the priest as did Aaron, his sons and all priests who followed in that line. Also we read in the book of Numbers 3:10; But you shall appoint Aaron and his sons over the service of priesthood (hiereus, hee-er-yooce). The stranger that approaches to minister, shall be put to death. So no one else who was not appointed could perform the service of the priest. A slight variation on the word priest in these examples from the old and the New Testament. However both uses are from the same Greek word; hiereus (hee-er-yooce), a priest or high priest.
I cannot make anyone hear or understand what I am attempting to bring forth here, I can only break it down to the simplest understanding that I can, which can take some time for explanation, it isn’t up to me to convince you, just to make the understanding as easy as possible, it’s up to those who choose to listen, to actually listen, meditate on and speak to Almighty God Himself about these things, because all hate and prejudice must cease. Don’t we read in I Thessalonians to test all things and to hold fast to what is good? Seek wisdom. Listen, like it or not, we will be chastened for everything that we neglect. If you want to stay comfy in your world of Christianity where you hate others and claim that they do things that are not in the Bible and yet you actually never investigate these things, we will be corrected for this and anything that we have neglected, whatever we do not know will be shown to us. I don’t know what else to say to you.
I will say this regarding myself; I despised the things that I now teach. I’ve said this before but it is worth repeating. Many years ago I was full of pride in my knowledge of Jesus and how those others just didn’t understand, I sat down and told God himself that I was ready to preach the Gospel, to preach the truth because I had been taught by the church and the books of education that I had studied and learned. I said to Almighty God Himself; test me, prove me, show me where I am wrong, and then send me out. Friends, make sure that you know what you are asking for when you speak to Almighty God, make sure that it is what you want when you ask for truth and wisdom. Make sure that there is no pride in your attitude when standing before Almighty God.
I have been dragged to the gates of hell and back, I have stood at the abyss staring into the darkness and begging Almighty God for the soul of the one that He had sent me to see in agony, I have been in a fight with the demons for the souls of others, I have been sent, in spirit, hundreds of miles away from where I was at, to anoint ones who were coming near death and had not been baptized. You can believe what you choose to believe but I tell you that this change in me did not come easily, I was dragged kicking and screaming at times, and at other times I found myself in places where I had no clue what I was doing there and why I was even there, the Holy Spirit showed me the task at hand. I am a sinner; I was full of pride and prejudice. Almighty God knocked the stuffing out of me and I am no longer the same person that I was then, and yet I still have a long way to go to reach perfection, like everyone else I will be standing in the fire.
If you want the truth, you have to ask, it will take a lot of perseverance and a lot of correction and a great change of heart. If you are not willing now to know, then do not ask but I can only say this again; we will be chastised for not seeking and we will be taught in spirit and corrected where needed before we can enter into heaven. We will all stand in the fire and be tested and tried, we will be purified, and no one enters Paradise without being purified, the more that we do now, the less painful it will be later. What does this mean? Should we become PhD’s in Christ? No, the more baggage that we get rid of now; hate, prejudice, pride, lying, stealing, envy, jealously etc. and the more we learn discernment, love for God and others, the closer that we become to our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ here and now in the flesh, the less heat in the fire later.
In the Epistle to the Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15 we see that Jesus is called in the Greek language; archiereus (ar-khee-er-yuce’) or Chief Priest or High Priest. Also in chapter 5 of Hebrews verses 1-6 we see; For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4 And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten You”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest for ever, after the order of Melchiz′edek.”
We see the duties of the priest as offering sacrifice for the people and for himself and that this High Priest who has offered Himself as the sacrifice and stands before God as our Great High Priest and only mediator and advocate is none other than Jesus the Christ. Since Jesus Christ is not beset with weakness and has no need to offer sacrifice for Himself we can see that the scripture is speaking of Jesus as High Priest before God on our behalf, and then the men who are appointed to stand before the altar and offer the sacrifice for himself and others.
However, Jesus is not a High Priest in the line of Aaron (animal sacrifice), Heb 7:17 (cf Heb 5, 6, 7) He is “a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Melchizedek Priests offer the same sacrifice as Melchizedek did: Gen 14:18. “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth Bread and Wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.” Jesus used bread and wine: Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. 20 And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Prophecy concerning the priests; Isaiah 66:19-21 19 and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Put, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations. 20 And they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their cereal offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD. 21 And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the LORD.
Also Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts. Also Isaiah 19:19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. Also an instruction regarding the altar from Jesus Himself; Matthew 5:24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. The apostle Paul also said this about a Christian altar; **Hebrews 13:10 we have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.
So the Apostle is saying that those who serve the law, or actually anyone who is not serving Jesus has no right to eat at His Christian altar. When Isaiah in his prophecy above speaks about an altar in the midst of Egypt what can he mean? The Jewish law forbids any altar anywhere in the world outside of Jerusalem so it cannot be that type of altar, since we are speaking of the Christian God this altar cannot be any type of pagan altar, it can only be an altar to Almighty God through Jesus the Christ.
So what else besides a sacrifice happens at an altar? Nothing at all, absolutely nothing. So this is a Christian sacrifice being offered by a Christian priest.
What are the names or titles of the ones who stand at the altar in our New Testament scripture? 1 Timothy 3: 1-2 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer (episcope, ep-is-kop-ay, bishop), he desires a noble task. 2. Therefore an overseer (episkopos, ep-is-kop-os, bishop) must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
1 Timothy 5:17 "The elders (presbuteros, pres-boo’-ter-os) who direct the affairs of the church well, are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (episkopos, ep-is-kop-os). Be shepherds (poimaino, poy-mane, tend to or feed) of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood… We see in these few verses overseers and shepherds, doing the same job, different name or expression but the same position.
Back to the bread and wine
Let’s look back in the Old Testament again real quick. 2 Sam 6:19 “He [David] distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of Bread and a measure of Wine.” At the Last Supper, with these words “this do you, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me”, Jesus Ordained His Priests to offer a twofold Sacrifice (Bread & Wine which are His Body and Blood).
We are ending part 1 here, we’ll see you back for part 2.
Be blessed and be a blessing, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Continue to praise and worship Jesus the Christ and the Father through Him. Never cease to pray and live according to the gospel. Allow the Holy Ghost to guide you. Love God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind, and with all of your strength; love your neighbor as yourself. You never know whose life you will change because of this love of God in you.
The light has entered the world and the times are changing, the war rages ever stronger. If one does not have love for the soul of mankind and the desire that all come to the truth than one does not have Christ in them fully.
Little children, love one another; because this is our Lord’s command and if you fulfill this, nothing else is needed. Through love and because of love we will follow all of the commandments that we have been given. They are written on our hearts by the hand of Almighty God. We simply need to see them within us and follow.
Remember; if we confess our sins and repent, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.
May the peace of our Lord Jesus the Christ be with you throughout this day and the rest of your life. May the Holy Spirit fill us all to overflowing so that everyone in whose path we cross may receive a blessing from our Lord Jesus the Christ.
Be blessed and be a blessing, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In Christ,
+William
Member of the Autocephalous Orthodox Catholic Churches of the Americas
St. Michael’s Monastery and the New Warrior Ministries Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW8XyPtkmtu6a1vVg6MEiNg
Many Blessings!
+William
By any other name is still a Priest
My friends,
Bishop William here, of St. Michael’s Monastery, member of the Autocephalous Orthodox Catholic Churches of the Americas. St. Michael’s is the home of the New Warrior Ministries, which is an outreach ministry going back some 25 years seeking to bring all who have left the church back to Christ, back to Jesus, for whatever reason that you have left the church, God’s love will still be never ending. For all who are seeking the truth and do not yet know that Jesus is the truth, this is for you as well because Jesus is the truth.
This series is about spiritual warfare. We are currently filming video number 5 which is titled; SW5 The Priest, by any other name is still a Priest.
So, Oh boy, Priest, right? Today it appears, if you pay even a little bit of attention to news and the many tweets on the subject, that, priest is a dirty word to many people. This is sad, I am not saying that there are not many people who have a right to be greatly offended at some particular priest, but the issue and frustration should be kept to that particular priest and anyone who may be associated with that priest who was a participant with or knew of some transgression and remained silent and should not be related to all priests in general. Now of course there are those who just simply do not like priests and insist that in our time of Christianity that priests are against the B-i-b-l-e.
While it may seem like it is a large number of priests that are involved in some sort of scandal it is actually few in number compared to the number of Christian priests that have existed. So, let’s discuss this idea of Priest.
There seems to be at least three thoughts regarding the priest that are legal: 1. priest, ugh, good God ya’ll, what are they good for? Absolutely nothing, say it again.
2. Another has an opposite thought of a priest: you are my special angel, sent from up above. I’ll have my special angel here to watch over me.
3. Then of course there are those who could actually care less about a priest good or bad one way or another: hey yo, get away ya’ll, can you feel me? I don’t want to know yo. Don’t send me no news I don’t care yo, don’t cry me no blues I don’t care yo. Get outta my face I don’t care.
So just what is a priest? Here is a definition; Priest The Hebrew Word is kohen; (kō′ən), the Greek word is hierus; hee-er-yooce', the Latin word is sacerdos; sac-er-dos, it always denotes one who offers sacrifices. That is the basic function of a priest, to offer sacrifice.
Who was the first biblically recorded person to be called a priest in regards to our God? That was Melchizedek, correct? The Priest/King, Priest in Salem (Jerusalem) of the God Most High. Do you remember him? He met Abram after Abram had freed his nephew Lot who had been taken captive. Then after Melchizedek of course, as far as our biblical reference is concerned we have Aaron the brother of Moses, the first kohen gadol (high priest) of Israel, and his family who were appointed priests by God to serve at the altar, this became the Israelite Priesthood, from the tribe of Levi, Aaron, again, was the brother of Moses. This is not an in-depth study of the Israelite priesthood or an in-depth history lesson. We’re just barely skimming the highlights here.
This priesthood performed the animal sacrifices to the Lord God for Israel eventually in the Temple which was called Solomon’s Temple built approximately in the years 970 BC to 931 BC in Jerusalem until the time that it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II after the Siege of Jerusalem of 587/586 BC and then it was replaced with the Second Temple which was completed around the year 515 BC which the Romans eventually destroyed in 70 AD approximately 37 years after the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.
Jesus was born, He lived, He taught, He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hades or the grave and preached to and released the prisoners that were there. He arose on the third day and ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God. He opened the gates of heaven, until then the gates were closed. He appointed Apostles to carry on His message, so what happened next?
The Apostles of course began to spread the Gospel or the Good news of salvation through Jesus who is the Christ or Messiah and who is called Jesus Christ in the English language. Again, since this is not an in-depth history lesson and we are only discussing priests, we will begin here with the New Testament preaching of the Gospel and the manner chosen to establish houses of worship and build, lead, and grow congregations of followers of The Way, or Christianity.
The question then is this; is there a Priesthood in the New Testament? The answer is yes there is a Priesthood shown in the New Testament. There is only one High Priest, Jesus Christ, and where there is a High Priest you would expect to find lesser priests. Again what does a priest do? He offers sacrifice.
Remember that Jesus said; do not think that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy but to fulfill. Jesus fulfilled the law of the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament with the Sacrifice of himself on the Cross. Along with this fulfillment of the Law and being the final sacrifice, the Old Testament priesthood was abolished as far as Christianity was concerned. In the Epistle of 1 Peter chapter 2 verses 5-9 we find this passage regarding priesthood; 5:"You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood (ἱεράτευμα, hierateuma, hee-er-at'-yoo-mah), to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ …then up to
verse 9: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood (same Greek word as above), a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light".
“The priesthood of all believers” is born; it is taught in many Christian groups today that there is no longer a need for priests because of this “priesthood of all believers’ idea. But yet all who make the claim still have Pastors and Ministers or elders, so what is the difference? If everyone is a priest why do we need shepherds? Notice that the Apostle Peter in these chapters is saying that we are living stones, building up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices… that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His Marvelous light.
So what is the meaning of being ‘living stones’ and building up a ‘spiritual house’? Well I will tell you. We are to sacrifice ourselves for God and for others; we are living sacrifices, a light to the world for Jesus.
Take a look at King David in the Psalms: Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice! This verse is also used in liturgies. Psalm 116:17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. Psalm 4:5
Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
Now remember King David was not a priest but his personal worship to God was considered as spiritual incense and sacrifice. This is the Spiritual priesthood of all believers. In the letter to the Romans the Apostle Paul says: Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
In his letter to the Hebrews Paul says; Hebrews 13: 15-16 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
How many people who declare this “priesthood of all believers” actually live a life of sacrifice for others? I personally know many that do not.
Gambling, adultery, homosexuality, pedophilia, foul speech, lewdness, hatred of others, pride; so much pride in everything that we own, in the secular work that we do, in our self proclaimed Christian perfection within our special groups that are better than everyone else’s.
These are things that I see in very many groups out there who are calling themselves Christian, not many are living sacrifices glorifying the name of Jesus in the world. I see a lot of materialism and selfishness, not a lot of giving and forgiving. I say these things not as a judge but as an observer, I am one who lives in this world also and have sinned just as much as anyone else. In Revelations/Apocalypse 1:5-6 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. This is a spiritual kingdom and priesthood, we are all not literally kings wearing crowns and running kingdoms and in the same manner we are not all priests serving at the altar.
Compare I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. With Exodus 19:5-6 5 Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”… So let me ask you this; did Israel have priests in the line of Aaron who served at the altar at the same time that the people who were God’s possession were told that they shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation? In the same manner the priests in the line of Melchizedek serve at the altar while the chosen people are also a kingdom of priests.
In our Old Testament we read that the people, the kingdom of priests became a demanding people and spoke against Moses and Aaron claiming that all of the people were holy and therefore served the same as Moses, Aaron and all of the priests. What happened to these people who suddenly decided that the priesthood did not matter? Numbers 15:32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men that belonged to Korah and all their goods. Again in 2Peter 2:1 we read: But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. There are those who do not like blessings form a priest, I would think that when one gets blessed that one would be appreciative but there are many who are not because they insist that blessings come from God, which of course they do but are we not the instruments of God? Did not the elder Simeon bless the Virgin Mary and Joseph her husband? Matthew 5:44 Does our Lord say; love your enemies, bless those who curse you? Does holy scripture say: Romans 12:14 bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse?
Let’s take a look at the word used for the “priesthood” in the “priesthood of all believers”. The New Testament was written in Greek and the word used for priesthood in this verse of 1 Peter is hierateuma (hee-er-at’-yoo-mah) or basically a priestly fraternity or priesthood.
Since using the Greek in the New Testament we will also use the Greek in the Old Testament Septuagint. The word used there when speaking of the priesthood of Aaron is; hierateuo (hee-er-em-ee’-as) which is to be a priest or to perform the functions of the priest as did Aaron, his sons and all priests who followed in that line. Also we read in the book of Numbers 3:10; But you shall appoint Aaron and his sons over the service of priesthood (hiereus, hee-er-yooce). The stranger that approaches to minister, shall be put to death. So no one else who was not appointed could perform the service of the priest. A slight variation on the word priest in these examples from the old and the New Testament. However both uses are from the same Greek word; hiereus (hee-er-yooce), a priest or high priest.
I cannot make anyone hear or understand what I am attempting to bring forth here, I can only break it down to the simplest understanding that I can, which can take some time for explanation, it isn’t up to me to convince you, just to make the understanding as easy as possible, it’s up to those who choose to listen, to actually listen, meditate on and speak to Almighty God Himself about these things, because all hate and prejudice must cease. Don’t we read in I Thessalonians to test all things and to hold fast to what is good? Seek wisdom. Listen, like it or not, we will be chastened for everything that we neglect. If you want to stay comfy in your world of Christianity where you hate others and claim that they do things that are not in the Bible and yet you actually never investigate these things, we will be corrected for this and anything that we have neglected, whatever we do not know will be shown to us. I don’t know what else to say to you.
I will say this regarding myself; I despised the things that I now teach. I’ve said this before but it is worth repeating. Many years ago I was full of pride in my knowledge of Jesus and how those others just didn’t understand, I sat down and told God himself that I was ready to preach the Gospel, to preach the truth because I had been taught by the church and the books of education that I had studied and learned. I said to Almighty God Himself; test me, prove me, show me where I am wrong, and then send me out. Friends, make sure that you know what you are asking for when you speak to Almighty God, make sure that it is what you want when you ask for truth and wisdom. Make sure that there is no pride in your attitude when standing before Almighty God.
I have been dragged to the gates of hell and back, I have stood at the abyss staring into the darkness and begging Almighty God for the soul of the one that He had sent me to see in agony, I have been in a fight with the demons for the souls of others, I have been sent, in spirit, hundreds of miles away from where I was at, to anoint ones who were coming near death and had not been baptized. You can believe what you choose to believe but I tell you that this change in me did not come easily, I was dragged kicking and screaming at times, and at other times I found myself in places where I had no clue what I was doing there and why I was even there, the Holy Spirit showed me the task at hand. I am a sinner; I was full of pride and prejudice. Almighty God knocked the stuffing out of me and I am no longer the same person that I was then, and yet I still have a long way to go to reach perfection, like everyone else I will be standing in the fire.
If you want the truth, you have to ask, it will take a lot of perseverance and a lot of correction and a great change of heart. If you are not willing now to know, then do not ask but I can only say this again; we will be chastised for not seeking and we will be taught in spirit and corrected where needed before we can enter into heaven. We will all stand in the fire and be tested and tried, we will be purified, and no one enters Paradise without being purified, the more that we do now, the less painful it will be later. What does this mean? Should we become PhD’s in Christ? No, the more baggage that we get rid of now; hate, prejudice, pride, lying, stealing, envy, jealously etc. and the more we learn discernment, love for God and others, the closer that we become to our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ here and now in the flesh, the less heat in the fire later.
In the Epistle to the Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15 we see that Jesus is called in the Greek language; archiereus (ar-khee-er-yuce’) or Chief Priest or High Priest. Also in chapter 5 of Hebrews verses 1-6 we see; For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4 And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten You”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest for ever, after the order of Melchiz′edek.”
We see the duties of the priest as offering sacrifice for the people and for himself and that this High Priest who has offered Himself as the sacrifice and stands before God as our Great High Priest and only mediator and advocate is none other than Jesus the Christ. Since Jesus Christ is not beset with weakness and has no need to offer sacrifice for Himself we can see that the scripture is speaking of Jesus as High Priest before God on our behalf, and then the men who are appointed to stand before the altar and offer the sacrifice for himself and others.
However, Jesus is not a High Priest in the line of Aaron (animal sacrifice), Heb 7:17 (cf Heb 5, 6, 7) He is “a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Melchizedek Priests offer the same sacrifice as Melchizedek did: Gen 14:18. “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth Bread and Wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.” Jesus used bread and wine: Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. 20 And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Prophecy concerning the priests; Isaiah 66:19-21 19 and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Put, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations. 20 And they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their cereal offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD. 21 And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the LORD.
Also Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts. Also Isaiah 19:19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. Also an instruction regarding the altar from Jesus Himself; Matthew 5:24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. The apostle Paul also said this about a Christian altar; **Hebrews 13:10 we have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.
So the Apostle is saying that those who serve the law, or actually anyone who is not serving Jesus has no right to eat at His Christian altar. When Isaiah in his prophecy above speaks about an altar in the midst of Egypt what can he mean? The Jewish law forbids any altar anywhere in the world outside of Jerusalem so it cannot be that type of altar, since we are speaking of the Christian God this altar cannot be any type of pagan altar, it can only be an altar to Almighty God through Jesus the Christ.
So what else besides a sacrifice happens at an altar? Nothing at all, absolutely nothing. So this is a Christian sacrifice being offered by a Christian priest.
What are the names or titles of the ones who stand at the altar in our New Testament scripture? 1 Timothy 3: 1-2 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer (episcope, ep-is-kop-ay, bishop), he desires a noble task. 2. Therefore an overseer (episkopos, ep-is-kop-os, bishop) must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
1 Timothy 5:17 "The elders (presbuteros, pres-boo’-ter-os) who direct the affairs of the church well, are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (episkopos, ep-is-kop-os). Be shepherds (poimaino, poy-mane, tend to or feed) of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood… We see in these few verses overseers and shepherds, doing the same job, different name or expression but the same position.
Back to the bread and wine
Let’s look back in the Old Testament again real quick. 2 Sam 6:19 “He [David] distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of Bread and a measure of Wine.” At the Last Supper, with these words “this do you, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me”, Jesus Ordained His Priests to offer a twofold Sacrifice (Bread & Wine which are His Body and Blood).
We are ending part 1 here, we’ll see you back for part 2.
Be blessed and be a blessing, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Continue to praise and worship Jesus the Christ and the Father through Him. Never cease to pray and live according to the gospel. Allow the Holy Ghost to guide you. Love God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind, and with all of your strength; love your neighbor as yourself. You never know whose life you will change because of this love of God in you.
The light has entered the world and the times are changing, the war rages ever stronger. If one does not have love for the soul of mankind and the desire that all come to the truth than one does not have Christ in them fully.
Little children, love one another; because this is our Lord’s command and if you fulfill this, nothing else is needed. Through love and because of love we will follow all of the commandments that we have been given. They are written on our hearts by the hand of Almighty God. We simply need to see them within us and follow.
Remember; if we confess our sins and repent, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.
May the peace of our Lord Jesus the Christ be with you throughout this day and the rest of your life. May the Holy Spirit fill us all to overflowing so that everyone in whose path we cross may receive a blessing from our Lord Jesus the Christ.
Be blessed and be a blessing, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In Christ,
+William
Member of the Autocephalous Orthodox Catholic Churches of the Americas
St. Michael’s Monastery and the New Warrior Ministries Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW8XyPtkmtu6a1vVg6MEiNg
Many Blessings!
+William
No comments:
Post a Comment