The office of the Priest who
offered sacrifices on behalf of the people became defunct after Jesus'
sacrifice but it was revived by the Roman Emperor Constantine 300 years after
Jesus' ascension. Constantine saw a flaming cross in the sky and then decided
to ban all other beliefs in the Roman empire and introduced his new religion
that later came to be called the Roman Catholic Church. Constantine was
actually the first pope and later appointed Priests from among the idolatrous
religious leaders. This Roman Catholic system created special costumes like
cassocks and ceremonies for its priests to perform that included splashing holy
water, waving incense smoke about, receiving confessions and killing Christ
afresh at each mass through the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. All these
practices did not have any Biblical foundation. This was done to impress the
followers and the people at large loved it but only their leaders really
understood the religious phraseology and psychology used to control their
followers who number close to one billion today.
In
the New Testament, church leadership is not dealt away with but the offices
mentioned do not include priests. The Church was given leaders by Jesus Christ,
"And he
gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers" (Ephesians
4:11). These five leadership offices are sometimes called the five-fold
ministry with the apostles and prophets at the helm (Ephesians 2:20). These
leadership offices are assisted by deacons and others in the helps ministry (1
Timothy 3:10). The local churches were planted by Apostles throughout the book
of Acts and the Apostles either ministered in these churches permanently or
appointed a team of presbyters or elders who were apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors or teachers then moved on. When the veil was torn apart in
the temple at Jesus' death on the cross, it signified that the order and
ministry of the Old Testament priests was dealt away with (Mark 15:38). Now
every believer could enter into the Holy of Holies for themselves without the
mediation of a Priest. Every born again Christian became a Priest as Apostle
Peter elaborates, "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. But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5,9). This scripture sets
us free from the yoke of a special class of Priests that the Nicolaitans tried
to enforce. All Christians are referred to as kings and priests of Jesus Christ
throughout the book of Revelation (Rev 1:6, 5:10 & 20:6). This universal priesthood
of the believer gives every believer the liberty to offer their own sacrifices
of worship and finances to Jesus Christ without need for mediation. The Roman
Catholic Priests who preside over the sacrifice or death of Jesus at every mass
are aptly described in the scriptures where, "every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes
the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins" (Hebrews 10:11).
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was made once and for all and does not have to be
repeated by any priest. We can all partake of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross
without the need for a mediator since the Holy of Holies and throne of grace
are accessible to the universal priesthood of every born again Christian. As a
Christian you are now your own priest with Jesus as your great High Priest.
Away with the hierarchical religious priesthood!
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