The Priesthood Established

God established Old Testament Priesthood with Moses, Aaron and the sons of Aaron. The priesthood was later transfered to the Levi, and finally it is to be transferred to believers in Christ Jesus as a kingdom of priests. Today's priesthood of believers in Christ are equipped and anointed to serve as ministers of God's kingdom in this lost world. 1 Peter 2:5 - Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. The followings are discussed: Set Apart for God's Service; A Heavy Responsibility, and The Priesthood of believers

Set Apart for God's Service: God instructed Moses to anoint Aaron and Aaron sons to serve Him as His priests and stand before Him on behalf of the people. Moses was also instructed to make special garments for Aaron and his sons to wear as priests. The garments were to provide dignity and honour of the priests by their designs and they were to be made by wise craftsmen filled with the spirit of wisdom (Exodus 28:1-4). The priests were to stand before God as representatives of the people with their special appearance reflecting honour and dignity. Believers should identify God's calling and anointing in their lives and apply them to serve in the ministry of priesthood.

God's callings are diverse and can manifest in various ways; some are glaring, others are not often noticed. God's calling helps us identify His purpose for our lives and how we can be useful in His ministry. Those who are prepared to work in God's ministry must be consecrated for His service (Exodus 29:44-46). Consecration of believers to the Lord means they are set apart from sinful activities, and to belong to God.

A Heavy Responsibility: The priest were required to be fully committed to the religious activities and carry out the ordinances with perfect hearts (Exodus 28:26-30). They were to make sacrifices on behalf of the people and intercede for them before God . Likewise God wants those who are working in His kingdom to be dedicated to the tasks before them. They must conduct themselves very well and depend on God for progress of His ministry.Aaron would attach gold plate in which the words, HOLINESS TO THE LORD was engraved to headpiece of his forehead. That was to remind people that they represented the holy God and that they were to reflect His holiness in their lives (Exodus 28:36-38 ). The Israelites were to distinguish themselves from pagan nations around and be holy just as God is holy. New Testament Christians are to pursue holiness in response to God's promise that they have been made His children with His word written in their hearts.

In the old testament the priests were made from the tribe of Levi of the people of Israel. God's presence was confined to the tabernacle, and only the Chief Priest can go to His presence to intercede for the people. But today, God has made Christians His priests and representatives in this world (1 Peter 2:4-10). All believers who follow Christ and allow his presence to dwell with them now have direct access to God's presence to pray for themselves and intercede for others as well. Instead of the old practice that involved offering of animals as sacrifice, God now wants our sacrifices to be offered in spirit. Our consecration, service and worship of God would now be in spirit (Romans 12:1;Hebrews 13:15). Christ is the foundation, the cornerstone upon which our ministry should be built.

We should understand significance of our callings as Christians and remain committed to the task ahead in order to receive blessings that follow obedience. 

We are to proclaim the glorious gospel of salvation through Christ to all people. Before we found the wonderful light of God's presence, we were lost in darkness. Now that we have the light and work in the kingdom ministry, we should treat our callings with utmost respect and honour. Lesson texts: Exodus 28