The Priesthood of the believer was replaced by the Church

Today, when the subject of a "priest" is discussed, most think of the Catholic or Episcopal (Church of England) Churches.1 However, God's Word declares that we (the saints) are a "royal priesthood" to offer up "spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1Peter.2:5-9, Rev.1:6; 5:10)  What the Levitical priesthood did under Aaron the high priest is a "shadow" (i.e. a blueprint Heb.9:1-26; 10:1-10) for our everyday Christian walk before the Lord in the true Tabernacle that the Lord pitched (Heb.8:1-5) in heavenly places. (Col.3:1-3, Eph.2:6)

1.  Priesthood replaced by the Church. (approx. 185 - 210 A.D?)
     (Review: Phase.2 "What happened to the Church can be compared to the life of Samson) 
     As the Church declined down into the Dark Ages, there developed an acute distinction between  
     the clergy and laity. 210 AD.(?) The "priesthood" of all believers was replaced with designated  
     priests (185 A.D.?) in direct opposition to God's Word and they became the interpreters of 
     the Word of God to the people. (The Bible pattern is the Holy Spirit is the interpreter not a man.  
     John.16:12, 1John.2:27, 1Cor.2:1-14)
    
2.  The Priesthood of the believer was restored during Reformation.
     a.  "During the 16th-century Protestant  Reformation, the Reformers rejected the Roman Catholic  
          doctrine of the sacrifice of the mass and the conception of the priesthood that went with it."  
              (Encyclopedia Britannica) 
          (1)  The Roman Catholic Church was the only Church from the time of the spiritual decline 
                 of the Church until the Reformation.
          (2)  The restoration was not by committee or by a made made organization, it was the 
                 Sovereign move of God amongst people that had a "hunger and thirst after righteousness."
                 (Matt.5:6)
     b.  "The priesthood of all Christians was emphasized. Consequently, ministers were substituted 
          for priests in Protestant churches. (Encyclopedia Britannica) 
          (1)  The Church of England Reformers retained the title priest in The Book of Common 
                 Prayer, in order to distinguish priests, who can celebrate Holy Communion, from  
                 deacons, who are not entitled to do so." (Encyclopedia Britannica) 
          (2)  Note: As God began to restore His Church, man still held on to many of his traditions and  
                 doctrines which were added to the Word of God during the decline and dark ages. God's  
                 Word to us is to "come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and   
                 touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." (2Cor.6:17-18)
     c.  "Ministers were generally called clergymen until the 19th century, when the Roman Catholic  
          heritage of the Church of England was emphasized and priest again became the common  
          term."  (Encyclopedia Britannica
   
                     (Click here for explanation of Church History."What happened to the early Church?")

       
       

Who were the "Priests?"

The priesthood began in the Old Testament, when God separated the family of Levi out from the congregation of the children of Israel to keep the charge of the Tabernacle at Mt. Sinai (Num.1:47-54)
                                                   
                                                       (Click here for explanation of Israel's journey)
   
                                                        ( These numbers are found in Num.1-4)

Why did God choose Levi?

The answer is simple. It was God's choice! (1Cor.12:27-29, 1Sam.16:7) God's Words says,"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isa 55:8-10, Rom.9:20 / Isa.29:16, 1Chron.21:13)

1.  A background check on Levi 
     a.  His mother was Leah. (Gen.29:1-34) Leah was the daughter of Laban which he used to 
          deceived  Jacob. Rachel was supposed to be given to Jacob first.
     b.  Levi caused a stink in the land with his actions. (Gen.34:25-31)
     c.  It was prophesied the Simeon and Levi are instruments of cruelty. (Gen.49:5-7) 
     d.  Moses came from the lineage of Levi. (Exod.2:1-4)
     e.  Levi joined themselves with Moses against the sin in Israel, even though part of  
          it. (Exod.32:25)
      f.  Levi was appointed by God over the Tabernacle. (Num.1:47-54)
     g.  Levi was taken instead of the firstborn. (Num.3:11-13)

2.  There is nothing in the background check of Levi that qualifies him 
     a.  It was God that called and qualified Levi to maintain the House / sanctuary of God, 
          (Num.1:47-54) to teach, guard, protection, supervised the copying of the Word of God
          (1Peter.2:5-9, Rev.1:6; 5:10, 2Tim.2:15; 4:2, Deut.17:8; 24:8; 31:9-13, 2Chron.15:3; 34:15,  
          Neh.8:2) 
     b.  The same is true today! "Now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, 
          as it hath pleased him. (1Cor.12:18-19) God has called us out and made us "kingdom of 
          priests" (Exod.19:1-6, 1Peter.2:5 -9) "as it hath pleased Him."

     
The Priests the sons of Levi had responsibility for teaching
the Word of God.
         
Moses "wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and unto all the elders of Israel. And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law." (Deut 31:9-13)

1.  As Priests we are to "go teach all nations." (Matt.28:19)
     "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,  
     and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded 
     you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matt 28:19-20)
     a.  Teaching requires preparation!
           (1)  Study (do (give) diligence, be diligent), endeavor, labour, study. Show yourself 
                  approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the 
                  word of truth. (2Tim.2:15)
           (2)  Sanctify "the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready (as a Priest) always to give an 
                  answer to every  man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness  
                  and fear" (1Peter.3:15)
      b.  What did Jesus command?
           (1)  Jesus commanded all through the Gospels. (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)
           (2)  Jesus did not stop commanding after the Gospels. (John.16:12-15, 1Cor.2:1-14) 
                  He continued through the Book of Acts and the Epistles. (Gal.1:11-12)
           (3)  In fact Jesus is giving commands throughout the whole Bible. He is the "Word made  
                  flesh!' (John.1:1-14)
          
2.  The Hebrews Christians should have teachers (Teaching Priests)
      "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be  
      the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of  
      strong meat." (Heb 5:12-13) This was written to the Hebrew Christians, not just to the "teachers"  
      (Eph.4:11) that God had set (1Cor.12:18, 28) amongst them.
      a.  There is the gift of a "teacher" that God has set in the Church.
           (1)  When Jesus ascended He "gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,  
                  evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers." (Eph 4:11-12)
           (2)  Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all (Eph.4:11) teachers? are all workers of  
                 miracles? (1 Cor 12:29-30)
                
                  Note: The Eph.4:11 "teacher" is given "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of   
                  the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the  
                  faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of
                  the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Eph.4:12-14, 1Cor.13:9-12) This ministry to the  
                  Church is universal (world wide) as foreshadowed by the Church in the wilderness.            
                  (Num.10:1-10)

                                                    (Click here for explanation of chart below)

 

           (3)  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as  
                  Barnabas, and Simeon..."  (Acts 13:1)
      b.  Every member of the Body of Christ has the responsibility to teach the Word of God
           because it is our responsibility as a "priesthood," but not all have the responsibility to the 
           entire Church world wide. (Review: The Feast of Trumpets)
           (1)  The sons of Levi were to teach. (Deut.17:18; 24:8; 31:9-13,2Chron.15:3; 34:15, Mal.2:7)
           (2)  The time "ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you." (Heb.5:12)    
      c.  Then there are those that are false teachers. 
           (1)  Desiring to be "teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they  
                  affirm." (1Tim.1:7-8, 2Peter.2:1)
           (2)  For the "time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts  
                  shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their  
                  ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2Tim.4:3-5)

3.  Timothy was told to teach, so they would teach others
      Timothy was told,"the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same 
      commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2Tim. 2:2) 
      a.  Many today still see this as instruction to Pastors only, and not to the congregation. God's 
           original intent is that all the Church is to do "the work of the ministry." (Eph.4:12, 1Peter.2:9) 
      b.  In the blueprint the "Church in the wilderness" (Acts.7:38) was called out to be "kingdom of  
           priests." (Exod.19:6)  Levi was chosen (Num.1:47-54) because they refused their call.  
           (Heb.12:19-21)  

Levi was not chosen because of he was a scholar
    
There is no record of Levi being a "scholar." A learned person, or specialists in a given branch of knowledge of the Egypt culture. There is no record of him being "a classical scholar." One who attended a school or studies with an Egyptian  teacher. In fact both Moses and Paul spent years in the desert to come to the place where they counted all of man's wisdom "but loss." Why then do we insist on being qualified by man in order to have a legitime ministry to lead God's people?

1.  Look at the parallels of Moses and Paul
     Moses was  "learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds."  
     (Acts.7:22) Paul said, "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh  
     that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of  
     Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 
     Concerning zeal, persecuting the church;  
     touching the righteousness which is in the 
     law, blameless. But what things were gain 
     to me, those I counted loss for Christ." 
     (Phil 3:4-8)
     a.  Moses and Paul were both Called    
          of God. (Exod.4:1-17, Gal.1:11-12,  
          Acts.9)
     b.  Both were not accepted by their 
          brethren. (Exod.2-4, Acts.9:1-22)
     c.  They both spent time in the desert to 
          purge themselves from man's wisdom
          (1)  Moses came back "slow of speech."  
                 (Exod.4:10, Acts.7:22) 
          (2)  Paul says, "my speech and my 
                 preaching was not  with enticing  
                 word's of man's wisdom." 
                 (1Cor.2:4-14)
     d.  Paul considered his worldly education  
          but "dung." (Phil.3:1-8) Moses "esteemed the  
          reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. (Heb.11:26, Acts.7:22)
     g.  Moses recieved the blueprint (type, shadow, model) Paul (the wise master builder / architect)
          received the revelation to interpret. (i.e. read the blueprint) 1Cor.3:10-15

          Note: This study is not saying that education and degrees are not neccessary. In this world  
          they are neccessary for success and prosperity. However in the Kingdom of God they are  
          but "dung" (Phil.3:8) and are "eminity against God." (Rom.8:4-8)

2.  Jesus - "having never learned letters"
     The "Jews marveled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Jesus  
     answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." (John 7:15-17)

3.  Peter and John
     Now "when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned   
     and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with  
     Jesus." (Acts 4:13-14)


The Priests were responsible to offer the sacrifices

In the Old Testament "ensample"(type, shadow, figure) "the priests, Aaron's sons. shall bring the blood and sprinkle the blood..."(Lev.1:5, 7, 11; 2:2, 9; 3:2, 8; 4:7)

1.  The pattern continues in it's fulfillment today   
     The priesthood. (1Peter.2:5-9) i.e. those that are "born again" into the family of God have the  
     responsibility (stewardship) to offer "spiritual sacrifices." 
             .
2.  There were five offerings that the sons of Levi offered.
     As a "royal priesthood " today, (1Peter.2:5-9, Rev.1:6; 5:10) the Church is to offer these same 
     offerings in their reality. (completion, fulfillment)
     a.  There was the Sin Offering. (Atonement for our Sin)
     b.  There was the Trespass Offering.  (Our faults towards God and each other after salvation)
     c.  There was the Burnt Offering. (Our Consecration and separation after salvation)
     d.  There was the Meal (Meat, Grain) Offering. (Our good works / giving of materials things) 
     e.  There was the Peace Offering. (Our worship and thanksgiving)
          (Click here for fully explanation of each offering)

3.  There was an order for these offerings
     The priest's were responsible for offering these offerings in the correct order. (1Cor.14:40) If  
     these offerings were out of order, they will be rejected as Cain's was. (Gen.4:1-4, 1John.3:12-  
     16, Jude.1:11) 
     a.  The Compulsory Offerings
          (1)  The Sin Offering. (Atonement for our Sin)
          (2)  The Trespass Offering  (Our faults towards God and each other after salvation)
          (Click here for fully  explanation of each offering)
     b.  The voluntary (free will) Offerings
          (1)  The Burnt Offering. (Our Consecration and separation after salvation)
          (2)  The Meal (Meat, Grain) Offering. (Our good works / giving of materials things) 
          (3)  The Peace Offering. (Our worship and thanksgiving)
          (Click here for fully explanation of each offering)
     c.  Cain offered a correct offering but...
          Cain offered the "fruit of the ground," (the voluntary meal /meat / food / grain offering) and 
          ignored the compulsory the Sin Offering. (The "firstlings" (lamb) of the flock) Watch out! 
          (Watch and pray) for the Cain doctrine in these last days. (Jude.1:5-11) The first fight was 
          over religion, (Gen.4:1-4) so will the last fight. (2Thes.2:3-11, Rev.13:4; 16:12-16)  
          (1)  This world has a counterfeit Sin Offering. (Goodness towards humanity and 
                 the enviroment) 
             (2)  This world has a counterfeit Trespass Offering. (Appeasing)
             (3)  This world has a counterfeit Burnt Offering. (Consecrating themselves to causes)
             (4)  This world has a counterfeit Meal Offering. (announcing their giving and good works)
             (5)  This world has a counterfeit Peace Offering. (Praising the gods of silver and gold)

           Applying the pattern:
           You can consecrate yourself to God, (Burnt Offering) give your tithe (Meal Offering) and 
           worship with great enthusiasm, (Peace Offering) but if you ignore (disregard) Christ's sinless  
           blood (The Sin Offering) and have unforgiveness towards another (Trespass Offering) 
           you offering rejected. 

The priests were responsible to sacrifice on the only Altar

Today, most think of "the altar" as being a bench in the front of the Church. However, the "Most High dwelleth not in Temples made with hands."(Acts.7:47-48) There is no sacred property in the New Testament. We are the sacred property, the "holy Temple."(Eph.2:20-22, 1Peter.2:5) We are the 
ground.(2Cor.4:7)  The "altar" that God recognizes under the New Covenant (Testament) is the Lord Jesus Christ. (Heb.13:10) The altar was the only place of sacrifice. (Lev.17:1-11, 1Peter.1:18-20)   The altar was the only place where blood was shed to provide atonement. (Lev.17:1-11, Exod.30:9, John.14:6, 1Tim.2:5) Man-made "altar's" in the front of the Church could never do this! Even in the Tabernacle model, God said that He had "no pleasure" because it could never take away sin. (Heb.10:1-10)

                                              (Click here for explanation of Tabernacle structure below)
  .

1.  Every offering (sacrifice) must be placed on the true Altar
     Peter wrote that the Church (the Body of Christ) "as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, 
     an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (The Altar)
     (1Peter.2:5-6)
     a.  All five offerings must be placed on the true Altar
          (1)  The Sin Offering. (Atonement for our Sin)
          (2)  The Trespass Offering.  (Our faults towards God and each other after salvation)
          (3)  The Burnt Offering. (Our Consecration and separation after salvation)
          (4)  There was the Meal (Meat, Grain) Offering. (Our good works / giving of materials things) 
          (5)  The Peace Offering. (Our worship and thanksgiving)
                 (Click here for fully explanation of each offering)
     b.  This is our responsibility as stewards of God's Word.
          How is our stewardship? The Spirit has placed us as "a house-distributor (i.e. manager), 
          or overseer"3 over the Word of God. Will our reward be "Well done, thou good and faithful  
          servant," (Matt.25:14-30, Note:v.21) or are we being a "slothful" with your responsibilities 
          as a priest?
     c.  Are our sacrifices lame, blemished?
          "And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings (or any of the offerings) unto the Lord to
          accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted;
          there shall be no blemish therein. 
          (1)  Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer 
                 these unto the Lord, nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto the Lord." 
                 (Lev 22:21-23) Review: Offerings, Page.1 for the reality of each of these "blemishes."
              (2)  During the time of the Prophet Malachi, the priesthood had this problem. (Mal.3:8; 1:6-14)
                 They were offering the "left-overs." They were offering sacrifice, but they were not
                 being "good and faithful servants." (Stewards) There is no place for any "blemish" in 
                 our Sin Offering, (Atonement for our Sin) our Trespass Offering, (Our faults towards God 
                 and each other after salvation) our Burnt Offering, (Our Consecration and separation after 
                 salvation) our Meal (Meat, Grain) Offering (Our good works / giving of materials things) and
                 our Peace Offering. (Our worship and thanksgiving) If there is a "blemish" we are robbing 
                 God! (Mal.3:8) Click here for fully explanation of each offering
     d.  Do your sacrifices have that "sweet smelling savor?"
          The Lord smelled a sweet savour; (of Noah's sacrifice) and the Lord said in his heart, I will not  
          again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil    
          from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done." 
          (Gen 8:21-22)
          (1)  The "sweet savour" made the offering acceptable. (Lev.1:9; 2:2, 9, 12)
          (2)  That "sweet savour" is Christ. God's Word says, "walk in love, (1Cor.13:1-8) as Christ 
                 also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a 
                 sweetsmelling savour. (Eph 5:2-3, Matt.5:17-19, Heb.10:1)
          (3)  The offering (i.e. The meal / Grain Offering) from the Philippians was a "odour of a sweet 
                 smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God." (Phil 4:18-19) As a priesthood the 
                 preeminence of Christ (Col.1:18) must be in our offering / sacrifice. This makes us  
                 acceptable to God! Not as the "hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that     
                 the may have glory of men." (Blemish!) Matt.6:1-4     

The priesthood of the last day Church

Ezekiel prophesied that "the priests the Levities, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord God: They shall enter into my sanctuary, (the last day Church) and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge." (Ezek 44:15-16)

1.  The apostle Peter said Ezekiel was speaking to us
     Peter wrote, that the prophets "have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the 
     grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of     
     Christ which was in them did signify when it (the Spirit of Christ) testified beforehand the  
     sufferings of Christ. (i.e. going to the Cross and paying the price for our sin. And the glory (the  
     restoration Eze.43:4; 44:4, 15-16) that should follow. (1Peter.1:10-13, Acts.3:19-24) Unto   
     whom (Ezekiel) it was revealed, that not unto themselves but unto us they did minister the things,  
     which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy  
     Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1Peter.1:10-13,    
     Matt.13:10-17, Matt.5:17-19, Rom.16:25-26, Acts.24:14)  Review: Phase 6  (1Peter.1:10-13)
                                      
                                        (Click here for explanation of how the Prophets are speaking to us)
     
  

    "Zadok" Continued on page.2     

Notes.
___________________________________________________________________

1. priest (from Greek presbyteros: “elder”), in some Christian churches, an officer or minister who is intermediate between a  bishop and a deacon. A priesthood developed gradually in the early Christian church as firstbishops and then elders, or “presbyters,” began to exercise certain priestly functions, mainly inconnection with celebration of the Eucharist. By the end of the 2nd century, the church's bishops were called priests (Latin: sacerdos). Although the priestly office was vested primarily in the bishop, a presbyter shared in his priestly functions and, in hisabsence, could exercise certain of them as his delegate. With thespread of Christianity and the establishment of parish churches, the presbyter, or parish priest, adopted more of the bishop's functions and became the principal celebrant of the Eucharist. In this capacity, as well as by hearing confession and granting absolution, the priest eventually assumed the role of the church's chief representative of God to the people. The development of eucharistic theology resulted in a further emphasis of the priest's supernatural powers and qualities. (Britannica)  During the 16th-century Protestant  Reformation, the Reformers rejected the Roman Catholic doctrine of the sacrifice of the mass and the conception of the priesthood that went with it. The priesthood of all Christians was emphasized. Consequently, ministers were substituted for priests in Protestant churches. The  Church of England Reformers retained the title priest in The Book of Common Prayer, in order to distinguish priests, who can celebrate Holy Communion, from deacons, who are not entitled to do so. Ministers were generally called clergymen until the 19th century, when the Roman Catholic heritage of the Church of England was emphasized and priest again became the common term.