1PETER 2:5 -AN HOLY PRIESTHOOD.
“ 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.”
In the verse above , let's dive in the metaphor, holy Priesthood and why Peter used that word. Peter I believe in writing this letter had in mind the life and functions of the priest in the old Testament. Let’s figure this out.
The priest in the old Testament enters into the Holy place accomplishing some rituals for the redemption of Israel with the high priest entering into the most Holy place once every year for the people . This means the priest in the Tabernacle stands as an intermediary between God and the people for their uncleanness . With this the ordinary people have no access to the most holy place. The high priest stands in place of the people for their forgiveness, worship and service due to the uncleanness of the people and its done not without blood.
" But into the second went the high priest alone once every year , not without blood , which he offered for himself and the errors of the people" (Hebrews 8:7).
Therefore all these people from the tribe of Levi separated unto God for this purposes is called the Priesthood ,a community of priests, whose function is to stand in place of the people and themselves before God engaging in ritual services for their forgiveness, service and worship.
1Samuel 22:19, records , " And Nob the city of the priest, smote he with the edge of the sword both man and woman, children and suckling, oxen and asses and sheep's with the edge of the sword . Saul killed the priests when they enquired of God for David."
But now, after Christ's ascension to the cross through His death has wrought eternal redemption for all.
No more priest to act as an intermediary but has direct access to God in service, worship & praises and also as ambassadors of Christ in this world who speak of His mercy, greatness and power.
Hallelujah.
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