A priest is a person who is set apart unto the special service of God. As long as men have worshiped God there have been those who have performed this work.

     The earliest mention of men who served God in this capacity comes in the first books of the Bible. Genesis 14:18-20 tells of a man by the name of Melchizedek. Verse 18 states—“he was the priest of God Most High” (NKJV). Abraham, the great man of faith, gave to this man a tenth of all his spoils after his defeat of Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:20 & Hebrews 7:4). Exodus 2:15-21 tells of a man named Reuel (or Jethro) who would go on to become Moses’ father-in-law. Verse 16 refers to him as the “Priest of Midian”. His advice to Moses later on removed a great burden from his shoulders (Exodus 18:1-27).

     When the Law of Moses was given God set apart a special class of men to serve as Priests. This priesthood involved a High Priest (Exodus 28:1) and those of the tribe of Levi who were descendants of Aaron (Numbers 3:3). These men attended to the tabernacle (and later the temple). They offered sacrifices for the people. Their lives were held to a special standard of conduct. They could marry only virgins (no divorced women) - Leviticus 21. And they could have no wine or strong drink - Leviticus 10.

     It is sometimes asserted that there is no true priesthood in the Christian age. That is not exactly true. It is correct that there are no men who serve as “clergy” through whom the common man approaches God. Nor men who alone can perform functions of worship while others observe. (Note: Catholics and Episcopalians falsely teach both of these notions).

     However the Christian age does in truth have both a High Priest and a priesthood. Hebrews 4:14,15 teach that Jesus Christ himself serves in the role of High Priest on behalf of Christians. The nature of His work is that of intercession. Scripture says—“He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). The Christian priesthood is made up of all true believers (men, women, old, young, black, white, Jew or Gentile). I Peter 2:4,5 teaches that believers are a “holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”.

     The question each of us must ask ourselves is if we are living our lives as “priests of God Most High”? As Christians we offer up spiritual sacrifices to God in our daily lives and in our worship to God. Just as the people of old were commanded to only offer the best they had to God, we must make certain our sacrifices are the best we have! As priests of God we are called to a special standard of conduct. The world should see the life of Christ in our conduct. Let’s recognize that we have been set apart to God as Christians and live up to this honor.

     “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).