A movement of priests

If there is one distinctive that separates movements from everybody else, it is the practice of the priesthood of every believer.

Somewhere in Rajasthan, there’s an 80-year-old grandmother who can’t read or write. Yet, she goes out sharing her story, sharing the gospel, praying for the sick, sharing stories from Scripture, making disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to follow Christ. I’ve met the young woman, who’s been doing the same, since she was twelve. This is what sets movements apart. They practice the priesthood of every believer.

When Jesus called fishermen to be his disciples, he called them to follow and fish for others. He gave them something to do. They were ordinary, unqualified men.

The woman at the well was the first missionary to her Samaritan village. The demoniac was the first missionary into the Decapolis.

God chose all Israel to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation that, through their obedience to the covenant, they would bear witness to him throughout the world (Exodus‬ ‭19‬:‭4‬-‭6).‭‭ Tragically, Israel fell well short of God’s intention. Jesus fulfilled God’s plan for Israel and brought into being renewed Israel made up of Jews and Gentiles who put their faith in the Messiah.

Christ is our Priest and all believers share in his priesthood through union with him. There is no priestly class.

The Great Commission was given to all of God’s people. Our Priest and risen Lord gave us the authority to make disciples of the nations by going, baptizing, and teaching them to obey what he has commanded.

The royal priesthood is on display in Acts as the priests of the new covenant baptize, pray, worship, read and obey the Scriptures, love one another, celebrate the Lord’s Supper, give sacrificially, and take the gospel from Jerusalem to the world (Acts 2:36–47).

This is what Peter means when he declares, ‘You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light’ (1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9).

In John’s vision of heaven, he sees the Lamb that was slain who, with his blood, has purchased people from every tribe and language and people and nation. For what purpose? That they would be a kingdom and priests to serve our God for all time (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬-‭10).

The gospel goes out in the power of the Spirit, through these royal priests. God’s people are being gathered from every tribe and language. For all eternity, they will be a kingdom of priests, God’s chosen people, declaring his glory.