PRIEST

A priest is one who offers sacrifice and ministers in services pertaining thereto (cf. Heb. 5:1). This term implies recognition of sin and the need for atonement, in some fashion or another. (a) The term is used of pagan priests who sacrificed to false gods (Acts 14:13). (b) In the earliest age of human history (Patriarchal period), the father of each family served as priest, offering sacrifices on behalf of his people (Gen. 8:20; Job 1:5). Melchizedek, a contemporary of Abraham, was not only a king, he was a priest as well (Gen. 14:18). (c) During the Mosaic era, a special priesthood of the family of Aaron (Moses' brother) was appointed by God; those priests, divided into twenty-four orders (1 Chron. 24:4ff), served on a rotating basis (cf. Lk. 1:8-9). (d) With the termination of the law of Moses (Col. 2:14ff), the priesthood system was changed (Heb. 7:12). By virtue of the shedding of his blood, at the time of his ascension Christ entered heaven to function as a high priest for the people of God (Heb. 4:15; 5:5, 15, etc.). He is a "great high priest" (Heb. 4:14), who, after the order of Melchizedek, is a king as well (Psa. 110; Heb. 5:10). (e) Under the administration of Christ, all Christians are priests (1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:5, etc.) who offer their own sacrifices in worship (Rom. 12:1; Phil. 2:17; Heb. 13:15); they need no physical priesthood to stand between them and God. There are several ideas in the modern community of "Christendom" that are erroneous. (a) Both Roman Catholic and Mormon theology allow for an unauthorized physical priesthood. (b) The "dispensational" theory alleges that the Levitical priesthood will be "resumed, nationally, on behalf of Gentiles, in the Millennial Kingdom" (W.E. Vine). This idea has no biblical support.