Priesthood of all believers

"The priesthood of all believers... means that in the community of saints, God has constructed his body such that we are all priests to one another. Priesthood of all believers has more to do with the believer's service than with an individual's position or status. We are all believer-priests. We all stand equally before God. Such standing does not negate specific giftedness or calling. It rather enchances our giftedness as each one of us individually and collectively does his part to build the body (Eph. 4:11-16). We are all priests. We are all responsible." (Daniel Akin in Perspectives on Church Government, p. 37)

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Biblical support

  • "you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ... But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Pe. 2:5 & 9, NIV)

Some theologians contend the tearing of the temple curtain at the time of Christ's death symbolized the invalidation of a disctinct priestly caste. The temple curtain (along with doors, 2 Chr. 4:22) seperated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple.(Ex. 26:33) According to Mosaic Law only priests could pass beyond the curtain. "(50) And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. (51) At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split." (Mat. 27:50-51, NIV)

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