The Three Dimensions of Priesthood in the Church

THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF PRIESTHOOD IN THE CHURCH

By Ezekiel Kimosop

I came across a statement on social media that suggested that there is no priesthood in the church other than the priesthood of believers. My view is that there are in fact three levels of church priesthood revealed in the Bible. I will outline them below. 

A) THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD OF JESUS CHRIST 

Jesus Christ is revealed in Hebrews 4:14-16 and in several other passages of the Letter of Hebrews as a High Priest that is distinct from the Levitical priesthood. Jesus’ lineage can be traced to the tribe of Judah. This implies that he could not be a priest in the order of Aaron because he was not a Levite. His priesthood is identified with the priesthood of Melchizedek because of its uniqueness. Unlike the Levitical order, Jesus’ priesthood is devoid of the unbroken succession identified with the Levitical priesthood. 

Jesus is our High Priest who intercedes for us before the Father in heaven. His humanity offered Him a unique blending in that He understands our human frailty. He too was tempted in every way as we are but he overcame. Scripture proclaims in Hebrews 4:15: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but was in all ways tempted as we are, yet without sin” (NKJV). 

Paul also describes Jesus as a Mediator between God and men, thus underscoring Jesus’ High Priesthood (1 Timothy 2:5). This mediatorial role encompasses the priesthood function and His atoning death at the cross of Calvary. His uniqueness lies in His being the exclusive sacrifice; the Lamb of God that was delivered for the cleansing of our sin and the High Priest of God in interceding for us before the Father. These two features of Jesus' Priesthood are inextricably intertwined. 

B) THE PRIESTHOOD OF CHURCH MINISTERS AND ELDERS 

The second dimension of church priesthood is the priesthood of church ministers. This classification consists of pastors, overseers and elders in their collective and individual contexts (see Acts 6:3-4; 1 Timothy 3:1-7). 

Church elders/overseers on their part are required to exercise their priesthood over their church congregations. They are to admonish the people in the way of Christ and speak the mind of God to His people. This includes instruction and edification of God’s people through the teaching of Scripture (1 Timothy 3:2) and praying for the sick and attending to the needy within the church (James 1:27, 5:1-13). 

A church minister is a steward of God's grace (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). He cannot usurp the authority of Christ as the Chief Shepherd over His people (1 Peter 5:1-4). He should submit to Christ's High Priesthood.  

C) THE PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS 

The third dimension of biblical priesthood is the priesthood of all believers collectively and singly, in accordance with 1 Peter 2:9 and other relevant passages of Scripture. Believers are the body of Christ, a royal priesthood that ministers before God as His covenant witnesses and heralds of God’s kingdom on Earth (Matthew 10:32). 

Believers can intercede for themselves and for others either collectively or singly. In so doing, they exercise their priestly roles as God’s covenant people who stand before God.  This priesthood is further highlighted in 1 John 1:8-10 and James 5:16. 

My view is that the Roman Catholic confession box system is unbiblical in so far as it does not recognize the priesthood of believers and elevates the priestly role of the clergy above the confines of Scripture. 

Sin should be confessed by believers either within the community or fellowship of God's people or directly to God through Jesus Christ, as the context demands. God alone has the power to forgive sin. Jesus Christ is our mediator who exclusively stands between God and men.  No human being, not even Mary the mother of Jesus, a Pope, apostle or prophet has power to exercise this mediatorial function (see 1 Timothy 2:1-6). It is exclusive to Jesus Christ and is non-transferable. 

I am further persuaded by the view that there were no direct successors to apostle Peter or to any of the rest of the apostles. Apostle Peter, James, the brother of the Lord (not to be confused with Apostle James who was martyred in Acts 12:1-2), and Apostle John were the three key men who led the Jerusalem Church. Paul was the apostle to the Gentile church. 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2023