I love 1 Peter 2:9-12. Lots of neat concepts there. One of the ones that has jumped out to many Protestants is Peter’s statement that we are a royal priesthood. The idea of “the priesthood of all believers” has been important in the last few centuries, especially among those who would see no difference between “clergy” and “laity.”
Here’s what’s bugging me. What Peter says in 1 Peter 2 had previously been said to the assembled nation of Israel at Mount Sinai:
“Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5–6)
Then, just a few chapters later, God establishes the Aaronic priesthood, the line of priests that began with Aaron and included his descendants.
So this concept of all of us being priests wasn’t new to Christianity. It was basic to Judaism. And… it didn’t preclude some being named priests to the exclusion of others.
How should we look at “priesthood”? Should there be a group of people called to special status (“clergy”) or are we all the same in Christ?
I’m offering questions today, not answers. What are your thoughts?
Tim,
i haven’t done the homework, but i think there’s some relevant etymology here. i think “priest” is a shortened version of “presbyter.” Am i wrong about that? If so, i wonder if there are just two senses of “priest” here that have been unfortunately translated using the same word.
(Either way, i can tell you that the Orthodox church affirms both the priesthood of all believers and that there are clergy who are priests in a special sense.)
–guy
Just thinking off the top of my head today, but might it be that we can speak of two concentric circles here? Just as Abraham’s descendants were told they would be a blessing to all people, might it be that the Israelites were to be the “priests,” or intercessors, for the world, while the Levitical tribe, and in particular the descendants of Aaron would be the intercessors for Israel? Thus, as a “fulfilled” Israel, the church stands as intercessors for the world. Now, as to the “clergy/laity” divide, Paul clearly speaks of different roles that would be filled, but interestingly there is no distinction of “priest” in the sense of specific intercessor among disciples. Perhaps that is why disciples are told to intercede for one another, as we serve as priests one to another in the sense that the Levitical tribe played for Israel.
As a Christian in Salt Lake City, Utah, I use 1 Peter 2:9 frequently in discussions with Mormons. The LDS church teaches that there is a priesthood authority that was taken from the earth after as punishment for the death of the first century apostles, and therefore there was no true church until Joseph Smith brought it back in the 1830’s. They believe that without this priesthood authority, no one has the ability to act in God’s name on earth. At age 12, all baptized LDS boys receive the Aaronic priesthood, which gives them the authority to pass the sacrament in their Sunday meetings. By age 18, LDS men are eligible to receive the Melchizedek priesthood. This higher priesthood gives them the authority to lead a congregation, baptize, give blessings to members, preach the restored gospel, and receive revelation from God.
Since I’m not LDS, one of the main questions Mormons ask me is how I have the authority to act in God’s name. I tell them that Jesus told his apostles that he has all authority in heaven and on earth, and that he commanded them to make disciples and baptize, and to teach the disciples to do the same. Jesus said “go”, so I have the authority to “go”. We know that Jesus is our only high priest, and the only one who came in the likeness of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7). He is the only mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5). The priests of the old covenant acted as mediators as they gave offerings on behalf of the people, but since Jesus is now the mediator of a better covenant, we don’t need a priesthood like the old covenant’s anymore. Like the writer of Hebrews says, the things of the old covenant were a “shadow of things to come”. In 1 Peter 2, Peter is likening all Christians to a living temple of God. We were chosen, we were called out of the world, and therefore we live united as a nation under God. Instead of offering physical sacrifices as the old priesthood did, we as a holy priesthood offer spiritual sacrifices to God through our high priest and mediator Jesus. Yes, scripture is clear that God uses us in different ways and provides us with different gifts in order to build up the body of Christ, but we all have been given the authority to do good in His name through Jesus alone.
Sorry that was so long, but that is kind of how I see the priesthood as mentioned in 1 Peter 2:9. I’m very interested in this discussion and further posts. Thanks! – Dana