Articles
Word Of The Week: Priest
Throughout early ages, God provided for a special class of men to serve as priests. These were to be godly men who interceded between their sinful fellow humans and God. These men were not morally superior to others “since he himself is also beset by weakness, [thus] he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins” (Heb. 5:2-3).
The Law of Moses defines most clearly the role of a priest. God set the parameters of priestly qualifications (of the tribe of Levi, the family of Aaron, unblemished in physical form, etc.). Only by meeting the most stringent regulations could a man serve in this role, and most especially as the high priest. It was considered a high honor to so serve the God of heaven on behalf of His people.
But in Christ, this system of priesthood has changed. Now, no person stands between the Christian and God -- only our “merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God," Jesus Christ (Heb. 2:17-18; 4:14-16).
Under the current arrangement, all believers are priests (we can go directly to God in prayer, worship, etc. -- see I Pet. 2:5, 9). A religious hierarchy -- a priesthood or clergy -- is unknown in the New Testament.
