Believers, a Royal Priesthood

The concept of a "royal priesthood" is deeply embedded in both the Old and New Testaments. This theological notion is a central tenet of evangelical belief, rooted in God's promise to make Israel a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6). In the New Covenant, this promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in a spiritual sense for all believers, transcending ethnic boundaries as articulated in 1 Peter 2:9. This post explores the evolution of the royal priesthood from its Old Testament origins through its New Testament fulfillment and its implications for believers today.

The Royal Priesthood in the Old Testament

The Edenic Mandate

The Bible introduces humanity as God's royal priests, tasked with ruling and stewarding creation in Eden—a place teeming with life, abundance, and divine blessing. Genesis 1:26-28 portrays humanity as created in God's image, endowed with the responsibility to "fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth." This mandate reflects a royal function, suggesting that humans were intended to reign with God, serving as His representatives on earth.

The Fall and Its Aftermath

However, humanity was deceived by evil and subsequently exiled from Eden (Genesis 3). This disobedience resulted in the forfeiture of their calling as royal priests, introducing sin and separation from God. Yet, even in the midst of judgment, God promised redemption. Genesis 3:15 hints at a future descendant who would defeat evil and restore humanity's priestly role.

The Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants

God's redemptive plan began to unfold through His covenant with Abraham. Genesis 12:1-3 records God's promise to make Abraham's descendants a great nation through whom all the families of the earth would be blessed. This promise finds a partial fulfillment in the Mosaic Covenant, where Israel is designated as a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6). Here, the nation of Israel is called to mediate God's presence and blessings to the world, reflecting their priestly identity.

The Priesthood of Melchizedek and David

The figure of Melchizedek, introduced in Genesis 14:18-20, exemplifies a royal priesthood. Melchizedek, both king of Salem and priest of God Most High, blesses Abraham and receives a tithe from him, prefiguring the royal priesthood to come. Similarly, King David's reign also hints at a merging of royal and priestly roles. In Psalm 110, David speaks of a future priest-king who will rule in the order of Melchizedek, a prophecy ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

The Fulfillment of the Royal Priesthood in the New Testament

Jesus: The Ultimate Royal Priest

The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament's royal priestly expectations. The Gospels portray Jesus as the descendant of David (Matthew 1:1), the ultimate priest-king who inaugurates God's kingdom on earth. Hebrews 7 elaborates on Jesus' priesthood in the order of Melchizedek, emphasizing His eternal and perfect mediation between God and humanity.

Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection restore humanity's lost calling as royal priests. Hebrews 9:11-12 states, "But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent... He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus reconciles believers to God, reinstating them as royal priests.

The Believers' Royal Priesthood

In the New Covenant, the promise of a royal priesthood is extended to all believers, irrespective of ethnic background. 1 Peter 2:9 declares, "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." Here, Peter echoes Exodus 19:6, applying the priestly calling to the Church, the body of Christ.

The priesthood of all believers is further illustrated in Revelation 1:5-6, where John describes Jesus as "him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father." This indicates that all who are in Christ are part of this royal priesthood, tasked with representing God and serving as His ambassadors on earth.

The Role and Function of the Royal Priesthood Today

Living as Royal Priests

The New Testament believers, though not priests in the traditional sense, embody their priestly identity through their everyday lives. They are merchants, fishermen, soldiers, slaves, tax collectors, and the poor, yet they live and act as priests. Romans 12:1 exhorts believers to "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." This call to self-sacrifice reflects the priestly duty of offering oneself to God.

Believers are also called to intercede on behalf of others through prayers and blessings. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 urges, "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions." By praying for others, believers exercise their priestly role of mediation and advocacy.

Proclaiming the Gospel

As royal priests, believers are tasked with proclaiming the Gospel, the "excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). This evangelistic mission reflects the priestly duty of declaring God's truth and leading others into His presence. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) further underscores this calling, as Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations.

Serving in the Community

The early Christians demonstrated their priestly calling through acts of service and generosity. Acts 2:44-45 recounts how they "were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need." This communal sharing and care for the needy mirror the sacrificial offerings of the Old Testament priests, now manifested in practical love and service.

Theological Implications

The Priesthood of All Believers

The concept of the priesthood of all believers is a cornerstone of evangelical theology. It emphasizes that every Christian has direct access to God through Jesus Christ, without the need for a human intermediary. Hebrews 4:16 invites believers to "draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." This access is a privilege and responsibility, empowering believers to approach God confidently and to minister to others.

Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ

The royal priesthood also highlights the unity and diversity within the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 illustrates how believers, though diverse in their gifts and functions, form one body. Each member contributes to the whole, reflecting the varied yet unified nature of the priesthood. This unity in diversity is essential for the Church's mission and effectiveness in the world.

Conclusion

The concept of a royal priesthood is a profound theological truth that spans the entirety of Scripture. From humanity's initial calling in Eden to the promise given to Israel and its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the royal priesthood reveals God's desire for a people who will represent Him and extend His kingdom on earth. As believers today embrace their identity as a royal priesthood, they participate in God's redemptive mission, living out their calling through worship, service, and proclamation. This high calling, grounded in the finished work of Christ, invites believers to live as a holy nation, mediating God's presence and blessings to a world in need.