THE PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS.
1. How does a man become a priest?
IN New Testament times, a man became a priest solely by the act of Christ, the great High Priest in heaven, as we read: "Jesus Christ... hath made us priests." And note the Lord Jesus has made us priests, not of any particular Church, or even to the Church at all—but "priests unto God and His Father.," (Rev. 1:6.) Everyone who is loved by Jesus Christ, and whose sins have been washed away by Him in His own blood, is a priest. "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us... priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
2. What the person whom Jesus Christ has made a priest, does.
(1) He offers up sacrifices—"spiritual sacrifices." In the material sacrifices offered up to God in Old Testament days, God had "no pleasure" (Heb. 10:6); but the "spiritual sacrifices" are "acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:5) The ancient sacrifices were types of Christ, but in themselves they possessed no value-therefore, they could neither satisfy God (Heb. 10:8) nor man (Heb. 9:9; 10:4). Had they been of value to effect the forgiveness of sins, they would have ceased to be offered upon the forgiveness being effected. (Heb. 10:2.) The order of the Christian priesthood is one of offering continual sacrifice-spiritual, not material, sacrifice. "By Him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually." (Heb. 13:15.)
(2) The priest of Christ's making is also a royal priest (1 Peter 2:9). These priests are enjoined to show forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. The majesty of praise is theirs to render to God—not mere outward religious service, but real, true praise for what God has done in redemption.
Unless there be true spirituality there cannot be efficient priestly service. God is satisfied with nothing less than reality.