Bible Study Priesthood

[Jesse]

When I first moved here, I volunteered a few times with some refugees from Somalia. They were very interested in God and indicated they wanted to know more about the Bible. I would share with them what I knew and then it grew into a regular Bible study. Since then a few college students have joined. This time as I put the Bible study together, I thought I’d bring it here. I am NOT a teacher, only a student, and I am hoping those of you who are more seasoned can share their wisdom and give me feedback. I would appreciate it.

The study I’d like to undertake has to do with our Priesthood. It seems if we are called priests, and the tabernacle and all that was done in them was a shadow of things to come, then I got to thinking perhaps it’d be beneficial to know what is and what will be expected of us as priests of the Kingdom.

I would like to look at New Testament scripture and compare them to their shadow in the Old. I believe the Israelites understood the concept of a shadow, but there was no way for them to fully comprehend what cast the shadow. Basically, we can say we know more now just because we know Christ is the shadow caster.

 

[Willie T]

You're more of a teacher than you know.

 

[Jesse]

You're more of a teacher than you know.

lol
Being a teacher comes with responsibility and so I remain a student. Maybe you will be one of the wise, seasoned teachers in this thread! :yes

 

[Jesse]

This study will focus on the shadow of the priesthood of Aaron the high priest and the tribe of Levi. The Levites were a chosen, separated people and I see they as being a type for believer’s today. We are called to also be a priesthood, set apart for the Lord’s service, just as they were. Their service was in the Tabernacle, our service is in the Lord. Someone said sometime and somewhere that the Levites would say "To live for me is the Tabernacle", but to the Christian it would be "To live for me is Christ" - that really sunk it in for me.

From this scripture, we can see we are called into a holy and royal priesthood, in service to Jesus Christ our Lord, we, a chosen generation, holy nation and a peculiar people.

1 Peter 2:5-9 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;


We know that much of what happened in the OT was a shadow to come:

Col 2:17 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day--17things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

It was a glance of what was to come and what is to come.

 

[Willie T]

Yeah, right!

 

[Jesse]

Yeah, right!

Are you laughing at the study or that you're a teacher.........

 

[Willie T]

Are you laughing at the study or that you're a teacher.........

At me being a teacher. Although, as the PM I just sent you will show, I think this will be a study that may not go where some expect.

 

[Jesse]

At me being a teacher. Although, as the PM I just sent you will show, I think this will be a study that may not go where some expect.

In that case, it might be even more interesting. I may learn even more than what I expected.

 

[reba]

Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

 

[Jesse]

Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

AMEN!

 

[Willie T]

Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Can we break all that down some before the train gets too far down the track?

Now therefore

Most of you have been trained, as I have, to go hunting for the "Wherefore", when you read those words. I have not done that. Has anyone else?

There are numerous words and phrases I would dissect more completely in those two verses above....... BUT, not without first finding out why a "therefore" was placed here as a qualifier. See you later... I'm going to go and do that now.

 

[Jesse]

Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Can we break all that down some before the train gets too far down the track?
Most of you have been trained, as I have, to go hunting for the "Wherefore", when you read those words. I have not done that. Has anyone else?

There are numerous words and phrases I would dissect more completely in those two verses above....... BUT, not without first finding out why a "therefore" was placed here as a qualifier. See you later... I'm going to go and do that now.

Because it was a conditional statement....there has and now are conditional statements everywhere. The fact is Aaron was the true High Priest and true Levites served the Lord in the Tabernacle and true Christians serve God through Christ.

There will always be some who don't meet that qualifier.

 

[reba]

The scriptures are written to give us life The scripture feeds us all one will
see on his plate steak some will only see the potato all are being fed...there is much meat in understanding the priesthood.

 

[Willie T]

What I came up with was that God is saying to the children of Israel, "Since you have seen that I protect you from your enemies, AND you have been experiencing my protection under the covenant ALREADY established with you, (NOT the 10 Commandments, BTW.... They had not yet been given), then things can continue just like they are right now.... IF... or, "therefore".

And then it goes into the verses Reba posted.

 

[Jesse]

The scriptures are written to give us life The scripture feeds us all one will
see on his plate steak some will only see the potato all are being fed...there is much meat in understanding the priesthood.

Yes, I agree, at this point I have only scratched the surface, and sometimes I miss someone's point.

 

[Willie T]

Because it was a conditional statement....there has and now are conditional statements everywhere. The fact is Aaron was the true High Priest and true Levites served the Lord in the Tabernacle and true Christians serve God through Christ.

There will always be some who don't meet that qualifier.

Had Aaron or his sons been appointed to anything at this point? I honestly don't know, but I'm thinking it happened some time later... though I could sure be wrong. But, here is God telling the whole nation that He is going to make them priests over (or chosen in lieu of) "other" or "all" people. Did I get that near to right?

 

[Malachi]

Jesse,

Rather than study "Priesthood" your study should be "The Royal Priesthood of All Believers" (1 Pet 2:4-10; Rev 1:6). This is a teaching which is largely neglected in most churches, and this has had a detrimental effect on Christians and their understanding of their position in Christ.

1. What is the function of a priest? The Hebrew word for priest is kohen which is dervied from kahan, and that means "to mediate". So a priest is a mediator between God and men, and one who "attends upon God, to administer in things pertaining to the service of God". As applied to Christians as "mediators", we are to (1) pray for all men (1 Tim 2:1), and (2) we are to "offer up spiritual sacrifices" (1 Pet 2:5).

2. What was the preparation of the priest? When you study Exodus and Leviticus, you will note that the priests were (a) consecrated from the general population, (b) sanctified by the anointing oil and the linen clothing which the wore, (c) had blood applied to their right ear, right hand, and right foot, (d) commanded to abstain from wine and strong drink, (e) required to teach people the difference between the clean and the unclean, as well as God's laws. All of this can be applied to Christians who are "called out ones", sanctified by the indwelling Holy Spirit, with the blood of Christ applied to their souls. Christians are to be separated from the world, the flesh, and the devil (Ps 1:1-6; 1 Jn 2:15-17).

3. What are the spiritual sacrifices which God requires from the priesthood of believers?
1. Since God is a Spirit (Jn 4:24) a "spiritual sacrifice" is something which is offered to God "by Jesus Christ" (through the power of the indwelling Christ and the Holy Spirit -- 1 Pet 2:5).
2. A sacrifice in Scripture is something which costs you -- there is a cost involved, whether of time, of money, of energy, or of self-sacrifice (2 Sam 24:24).
3. A spiritual sacrifice is "acceptable to God" (1 Pet 2:5; Heb 13:16) -- God is "well pleased" with it.
4. The first spiritual sacrifice is a contrite heart and a broken spirit -- repentance toward God (Ps 51:19).
5. The next spiritual sacrifice is the offering up of the believer to God -- body, soul and spirit (Rom 12:1 where the soul and spirit are within the body) -- a living sacrifice.
6. The next spiritual sacrifice is non-conformity to the world -- self-denial (Rom 12:2; 1 Jn 2:15-17) which is tied to #5.
7. The next spiritual sacrifice is worship "in spirit and in truth" -- praise and thanksgiving to God (Heb 13:15).
8. The next spiritual sacrifice is good works -- to do good and to "communicate" (share by distributing to the necessity of the saints) (Rom 12:13; Heb 13:16).
9. The next spiritual sacrifice is hospitality -- having others in your home to share what you have (Rom 12:13; 1 Pet 4:9).
10. The next spiritual sacrifice is service to God by faith -- the use of your spiritual gifts (Phil 2:17)
11. The next spiritual sacrifice is righteousness before God -- justice, mercy, and humility (Mic 6:6-8).
12. The final and supreme spiritual sacrifices are to (a) love God with your whole being and (b) to love your neighbour as yourself (Mk 12:33).

 

[Willie T]

This is, in effect, Mel, where I am headed.

But I guess I don't study like many people. I don't like any road behind me in a study that doesn't bear an unbroken path of footprints.

In other words, in describing how I got from New York City to Florida, my second paragraph can't begin with a description of New Jersey. My poor mind has to get us on canal street first, then take us through the tunnel so that we are all comfortable with just where we are.

 

[Jesse]

Jesse,

Rather than study "Priesthood" your study should be "The Royal Priesthood of All Believers" (1 Pet 2:4-10; Rev 1:6). This is a teaching which is largely neglected in most churches, and this has had a detrimental effect on Christians and their understanding of their position in Christ.

1. What is the function of a priest? The Hebrew word for priest is kohen which is dervied from kahan, and that means "to mediate". So a priest is a mediator between God and men, and one who "attends upon God, to administer in things pertaining to the service of God". As applied to Christians as "mediators", we are to (1) pray for all men (1 Tim 2:1), and (2) we are to "offer up spiritual sacrifices" (1 Pet 2:5).

2. What was the preparation of the priest? When you study Exodus and Leviticus, you will note that the priests were (a) consecrated from the general population, (b) sanctified by the anointing oil and the linen clothing which the wore, (c) had blood applied to their right ear, right hand, and right foot, (d) commanded to abstain from wine and strong drink, (e) required to teach people the difference between the clean and the unclean, as well as God's laws. All of this can be applied to Christians who are "called out ones", sanctified by the indwelling Holy Spirit, with the blood of Christ applied to their souls. Christians are to be separated from the world, the flesh, and the devil (Ps 1:1-6; 1 Jn 2:15-17).

3. What are the spiritual sacrifices which God requires from the priesthood of believers?
1. Since God is a Spirit (Jn 4:24) a "spiritual sacrifice" is something which is offered to God "by Jesus Christ" (through the power of the indwelling Christ and the Holy Spirit -- 1 Pet 2:5).
2. A sacrifice in Scripture is something which costs you -- there is a cost involved, whether of time, of money, of energy, or of self-sacrifice (2 Sam 24:24).
3. A spiritual sacrifice is "acceptable to God" (1 Pet 2:5; Heb 13:16) -- God is "well pleased" with it.
4. The first spiritual sacrifice is a contrite heart and a broken spirit -- repentance toward God (Ps 51:19).
5. The next spiritual sacrifice is the offering up of the believer to God -- body, soul and spirit (Rom 12:1 where the soul and spirit are within the body) -- a living sacrifice.
6. The next spiritual sacrifice is non-conformity to the world -- self-denial (Rom 12:2; 1 Jn 2:15-17) which is tied to #5.
7. The next spiritual sacrifice is worship "in spirit and in truth" -- praise and thanksgiving to God (Heb 13:15).
8. The next spiritual sacrifice is good works -- to do good and to "communicate" (share by distributing to the necessity of the saints) (Rom 12:13; Heb 13:16).
9. The next spiritual sacrifice is hospitality -- having others in your home to share what you have (Rom 12:13; 1 Pet 4:9).
10. The next spiritual sacrifice is service to God by faith -- the use of your spiritual gifts (Phil 2:17)
11. The next spiritual sacrifice is righteousness before God -- justice, mercy, and humility (Mic 6:6-8).
12. The final and supreme spiritual sacrifices are to (a) love God with your whole being and (b) to love your neighbour as yourself (Mk 12:33).

If we're told that there was a shadow, what is wrong with trying to extract what was shadowed?

 

[Willie T]

Very seriously, I am beginning to see this going off in every which direction like a spastic shotgun.

Jesse, can you give us a reasonably simple and succinct outline of maybe no more than a half dozen points you would prefer to concentrate upon, and the desirous outcome you hope such thinking might lead us to? Maybe we can cover that much, and then see where we should proceed from there?