We read about priesthood in...
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We read about priesthood in the Old Testament and the New Testament Hebrews takes that concept several steps higher on the altitude of Jesus' sacrifice and subsequent intercession. Jesus is the high priest. But that's not all there is to say. In fact, saying that calls for some other words.
I found those words in Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline, "The Scripture teaches us that all believers are priests before God. 'You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood' (1 Peter 2:9). At the time of the Reformation this was called 'the universal priesthood of all believers.' One of the functions of the Old Testament priest was to bring the forgiveness of sins through the holy sacrifice. The book of Hebrews, of course, makes clear that Jesus is the final and sufficient sacrifice. But he has given to us his priesthood, the ministry of making that sacrifice real in the hearts and lives of other human beings. It is through the voice of our brothers and sisters that the word of forgiveness is heard and takes root in our lives."
-- Barnhart
I found those words in Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline, "The Scripture teaches us that all believers are priests before God. 'You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood' (1 Peter 2:9). At the time of the Reformation this was called 'the universal priesthood of all believers.' One of the functions of the Old Testament priest was to bring the forgiveness of sins through the holy sacrifice. The book of Hebrews, of course, makes clear that Jesus is the final and sufficient sacrifice. But he has given to us his priesthood, the ministry of making that sacrifice real in the hearts and lives of other human beings. It is through the voice of our brothers and sisters that the word of forgiveness is heard and takes root in our lives."
-- Barnhart
