The Royal Priesthood and it's Duties Chapter Eight

THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD AND ITS DUTIES


1 Pet. 2:9-10 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
10 Which in times past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
Heb. 7:12 “For the priesthood being changed, there is made
of necessity a change also of the Law.”

We begin now to look at the priesthood itself, particularly those of the priesthood who minister under the high priest, Jesus Christ our Lord. These verses tell us clearly who it is that makes up the priesthood. Peter says the priesthood is made up of people who were once not a people at all and who were in darkness, but have now obtained mercy. Thus he spoke of the church. The church is made up of all who he has called out of darkness, into the light of Jesus through His salvation. It is all of those who are the body of Christ, his temple, his house.
Oh precious child of God, can you see how wonderfully clear God's Word is and how often it answers our questions in such a straight forward manner, if only we will read with our hearts and minds open to the Spirit of God?
Notice that Peter did not say that the priesthood was made up of only pastors, teachers, apostles and ministers of music. But he does say that those making up the priesthood are a peculiar people.
In the Greek, this is the word eis - “ ... indicating the point reached or entered” and peripoiesis, per-ee-poy'-ay-sis; and one of its meanings is 'purchased'. (Strong's) Thayer's Lexicon gives the meaning: “possession, one's own property.”
The children of God are those he has purchased with his own blood and are now his possession. These are they who make up his priesthood today.
Gal. 3:27-29 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither JEW NOR GREEK, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Col. 3:10-11 “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him”
11 Where their is neither JEW NOR GREEK, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” (emphasis mine)
You, whoever you may be, who have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, by believing in him, repenting of your sins, and giving him lordship of your life, - YOU – are now of the household and priesthood of God!

ISN'T GOD GOOD?

Rev. 1:5-6 “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us,
and washed us from our sins in his own blood.
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Had Jesus not given his life for us, and washed us in his blood, we would not have been able to be part of this royal priesthood. The tribe of Levi, of the nation of Israel, would still be obligated to serve as ministers and priests under the Law. All other Israelites would still be obligated to support them through tithing. Since Israel, as a whole, has not accepted Jesus as their Messiah, they still believe they need that law. In fact, they are even now, preparing for the day that they will build the temple once again and once again begin the sacrifices. They mean well, but their minds have been blinded. When these people do begin the work of the temple again, they will use the Law of Moses as a guide and once again they will begin performing the many duties required of them in the Law, including the upkeep of the temple.
But as the scripture so plainly states, since the priesthood has been changed it was necessary for the law, also, to change
Now the New Testament priest have a temple to take care of also.
The way to care for God's house today, obviously cannot be the same as caring for a building built by men. But we can be sure scripture does not leave us altogether uninformed about what God wants of us concerning his temple today. For one thing, God's temple is to be kept clean. This, of course, has to do more with spiritual purity than physical, for we are called a “spiritual house.”
1 Pet. 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices ...”
We have already seen that the foundation of the temple is Jesus Christ. Therefore as ministers of the temple, we do not have to concern ourselves whatsoever with the upkeep of the temple foundation. HE is perfect, pure and indestructible. HE is eternal. HE does not need a heave offering in order to be supplied with food and clothes, for HE is the creator of all things, Jesus himself
Each of us, individually, being a temple of the Lord, are responsible to keep our own selves pure before God. Also, since believers, collectively, make up the body of Christ and his temple, we have a responsibility for each other to some degree, so we need to consider both aspects. Each member of God's priesthood, or, that is, the ministers of his temple, are responsible for righteousness and purity. Remember, it is an 'holy priesthood'. As a matter of fact, there is a cleansing that must take place before one can serve God in his temple. We must come through that veil of his flesh where the cleansing and separating take place.
Now there are scriptures that tell us that it is God who cleanses us and scriptures that tell man to cleanse himself, but again, we know that scripture does not contradict itself. So let's look into the Word and see the harmony and agreement that is there. Let's begin with a few verses that I believe will show both sides of the matter, and how they work together.
James 4:8 “Draw nigh unto God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
1 John 1:7-9 “But if we walk in the light, as he (God) is in the light, we have fellowship (Partnership [Strong's]) one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (added notation)
As you look over these verses, do you not begin to get a picture of how it works? Our part is to draw near to God and to confess our sins. God does not force us to come to him, but when we come to him, he comes to us. The word 'nigh' in the Greek, is the word eggizo, eng-id'-zo, “to make near, ... come (draw) near, ... “ (Strong's). It is up to us to choose to be cleansed, but the way we cleanse ourselves is to approach God and let him wash us. We cannot wash ourselves clean from sin. If you have dirty hands, you can put them into water, but it is the water that will cleanse them. We must turn from sin, renounce (disown ...[Webster]) it, and consecrate ourselves to God. In other words we chose to walk in the light, which is Jesus, and if we do this, his blood will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We do not have the power to live above sin on our own, but when the Holy Spirit of God comes to dwell in these temples, then HE enables us to do so.
Titus 3:4-6 “But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared
5 NOT BY WORKS of righteousness that we have done, but according to his MERCY he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (emphasis mine)
Salvation is a cleansing process, but after we are saved and enter the Holy Priesthood of God, we must continue to walk in the light, who is Jesus the Word, in order to be kept clean. We, the ministers of the temple, must see that it is kept clean.
Speaking of Jesus, Luke wrote,
Luke 1:78-79 “Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us.
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 2:32 “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
And Paul wrote this to the Ephesians.
Eph. 5:25-26 “ ... Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify it and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”
When we walk in, or live our lives, at all times, in Jesus, he will keep us clean. But keep in mind that Jesus is also the Word of God, and we are washed by the water of the Word. The more of the Word of God that is in us, the more we understand of God and his ways. The Holy Spirit makes the Word real and alive within us, and thus, we are more able to live a life of truth and to distinguish the things that are not of God, so as to be able to refuse and resist such contaminants.
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
The Levitical priesthood was busy about many outward observances in the keeping of the Law. As long as they did each of their outward works, and did them right, they probably considered themselves righteous, although in actuality, they could not keep all of the Law and the righteousness of the Law, perfectly. So these people carried a great burden. But today God's priesthood must tend to the spiritual matters of the heart. And we are blessed to have the Holy Spirit to work in us and for us. We have a help and strength the Levites did not have access to.
1 Cor. 6:11 ... but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Phil. 2:12-13 “... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
It is true that there are laws in the new covenant, but these are laws of love and boundaries of love. It is Christ who works in us and enables us to love as we ought to love and to keep our lives clean before him. God causes fruit to grow in our lives when we are yielded to him and put his Word into these temples. As we live in Christ, our characteristics begin to change and resisting the devil becomes easier. We are able to keep our bodies free from sin so God's Spirit can have his way in us.
Gal. 5:16,22-25 “ This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance, against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
For the word 'walk' the Lexicon gives the meaning: “Let us exhibit that control of the Spirit in our life.” The old temple built by man might have been beautiful, but how much more beautiful can the temple today be when the fruit of the Spirit is in it and is being exhibited and demonstrated! When the Spirit is in God's temple (you), good things flow out and God is pleased. When the fruit of the Spirit becomes part of your own character, God himself is seen and felt in his temple. Is anything more beautiful than God himself?
Our God looks at our deeds, but our deeds are a result of what is inside of us.
Heb. 10:22 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Remember what that pure water is. It is the Word of God.
Mark 7:18-21 “And he “Jesus” saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without ([external) ... [Strong's]) entereth into the man, it cannot defile (to make or consider) profane ..., pollute, unclean( [Strong's] ) him:
19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats.
20 And he said, that which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders.” (added notation)
The keeping of our individual temples pure is, then, a work done from the inside out and necessitates keeping ourselves in a right relationship with God, and allowing him to work in us. We must give him free reign in our lives, but resist and refuse the influences of Satan, as God gives us the ability. The sinful things done by men begin first on the inside with the thoughts. If we allow fear, hatred, bitterness, selfishness, lusts, etc., to remain in our thoughts and our hearts, these too will bear fruit and flow out from us. Sin and evil will be the results. We must never allow such things to remain in God's temple. If they appear, confess them to God quickly, repent, and let God wash you. His Spirit can keep you clean.
The enemy will sometimes bring thoughts to our minds that are not good, and/or are against God. Do not think God leaves you because this happens. Simply rebuke Satan in Jesus' authority, and refuse to dwell on such thoughts. Put your thoughts back on the things of God and allow him to work in you. He loves you and is always there to help you. God loves to work in his children. Remember that you were precious enough to him that he gave his only begotten son for you. With such love as this, you can be sure that he is willing to take care of you now. You are his beloved child, and you are the temple he wants to dwell in. The ministers of God are never alone. God is always present to help in everything we do.
Psalm 121:2 “ My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:8 “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Phil. 4:4, 6-9 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice
6 Be careful for nothing (to be anxious about ...)[Strong's] ); but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, THINK ON these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace SHALL BE WITH YOU” (emphasis) (added notation)
Although there is much more in God's Word to guide our lives, I think we have covered enough to give some understanding concerning where the work of God's priesthood begins today, and to show that there is a vast difference in its ministry and that of the Levitical priesthood. Now, let us consider, for a while, how all believers collectively make up the temple and body of Christ, and how this works.