We are Priests of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

(Romans 15:15-16, ESV) But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

(1 Peter 2:4-5) As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

(1 Peter 2:9) 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.

(Hebrews 7:11) Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?

We as born-again Christians are a priesthood of believers. Individually we are priests, and corporately we are a priesthood under the order of Melchizedek. Under the Levitical priesthood, only the sons of Aaron were priests. Under the Melchizedek priesthood, all disciples of Christ are priests. One of the roles of the priesthood is to teach the people the Word of God. The Apostle Paul in Romans 15 describes himself as doing 'the priestly service of the gospel of God.'

Another role of the priesthood was to teach the people how to properly bring and prepare sacrifices which are to be offered to God. The Apostle Paul in Romans 15 speaks of his priestly service in the gospel of God as having the result of making acceptable the offerings of the Gentiles. As a priesthood of believers, we are to train new disciples in how to be faithful priests, and together we are to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. As a result, those who come to faith in Christ can offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God.

(Romans 12:1) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

(Philippians 4:18) I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

(Hebrews 13:15) Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

We are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices through the obedience of faith by living according to the Spirit and doing righteousness. Let us offer up our sacrifices of praise to God, and our fragrant offerings from our gifts of love to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

We don't need priests in the church as found in Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox, but we ourselves are priests of God and of Christ. We are a priesthood of believers. The priests found in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions have no special significance according to the scriptures, for scripture declares that all disciples of Christ are priests before God. Jesus Christ is the only High Priest.

(Hebrews 6:19-20) We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Are you a faithful priest of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are you teaching the gospel to all people and teaching them how to offer up spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable and pleasing to God? When Christ returns, may you be found a faithful priest in the eyes of God. Amen.