Faith Matters

The church is “being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). The church is also called “a royal priesthood” because it belongs to the King and serves Him (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 5:9-10). And, unlike the Levitical priesthood of ancient Israel, this priesthood includes every believer in Jesus Christ.

Through Jesus Christ, our great high priest, we all have independent access to God and are urged to “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14, 16). Such access to God makes us responsible to intercede on behalf of others (James 5:16) as Moses interceded for Israel and Samuel prayed for King Saul (1 Samuel 12:23).

As believer-priests, Christians are also to offer up “spiritual sacrifices.” We are urged to present our bodies to God as a living and holy sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). We should continually offer up “a sacrifice of praise” and thanks to God (Hebrews 13:15).

“Doing good and sharing” are sacrifices that please God (Hebrews 13:16a), and giving material things to meet the needs of others is “an acceptable sacrifice” (Philippians 4:18). The apostle Paul considered the Gentiles saved through his ministry as his offering to God (Romans 15:16). He even rejoiced that his martyrdom would be like a “drink offering” poured out in addition to the sacrifice of the church in Philippi by their service for Christ (Philippians 2:17).