Priests And Priesthood - Extracted From 'Young Man's Corner' 1932

by J. Millar | Category: Voices From The Past | Nov 1975

A priest was one who held an office associated with the service of the house of God (see Luke 1:8,9; Exod. 29). The office of the priest is described by the word priesthood (Heb. 7:24). The word priesthood is also used to describe that thing in which priests are seen collectively (1 Pet. 2:5,9; this word is not quite the same as the original word in Heb. 7:24). Priests in the New Testament are not spoken of as being born priests, but made priests (Rev. 1:6).

We know how the Lord was made or constituted a priest. He is a priest by the word of oath - "The Lord hath sworn" We know too how Aaron and his sons were consecrated priests, and being thus consecrated to the priests' office, their office is an indivisible part of that which pertained to the house of God. In Rev. 1:6 the kingdom and the priests are viewed together, while in 1 Pet 2 the house of God and the priesthood are indivisibly associated. He made us a kingdom, priests. How and when? Who made us a kingdom? What is this kingdom? Evidently the passage means - He made us a kingdom to God - He made us priests to God. These are some of the points we must address ourselves to in seeking to interpret the types seen in the priesthood of the past dispensation. How were those in the seven churches made priests?

The Blood

The vital difference between the pascal blood arid the blood of sprinkling. or the blood of the covenant, requires to be clearly discriminated and emphasized. In the former we see Israel redeemed from death, which also meant redeemed from bondage to Pharaoh in Egypt, whilst in the latter they pledge themselves to obedience in all that the Lord has spoken, and were in consequence set apart as God's people. Based on their confession of obedience was the unfolding of the purpose of God with reference to the sanctuary and service of God. These~ two lines of truth - salvation and service - run throughout the Scriptures, and any confusing of them will and must lead to hopeless and endless contradictions. But where they are distinguished the unity and harmony of divine revelation will be seen and appreciated.

J. Millar | Nov 1975
Voices From The Past