Posted: 8/22/03
TOGETHER:
Baptists affirm priesthood of believer
As I have participated in the ordination of Baptist deacons through the years, one doctrinal conviction most often mentioned in their testimonies has been the priesthood of the believer. Baptists have cherished this biblical doctrine and have believed it to be a bulwark against any authoritarian religion that is pressed down on others by some formal or informal religious hierarchy.
The Old Testament role of priest was to serve the people, intercede with God on their behalf and lead in the worship rituals, including offering sacrifices. When Jesus offered himself as the perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the world, he brought an end to the sacrificial system. He became the Great High Priest and made those who believe in him priests who serve under him.
| CHARLES WADE Executive Director BGCT Executive Board |
It is not that Baptists do not believe in the importance of priests. Rather, we believe the role is so important that God has called all Jesus' followers to be priests. We have the privilege of standing beside one another, for we all need priests who can intercede in prayer for us, listen to us with spiritual ears, help us see the sin in our life, and love and serve as Jesus commanded us to do.
The relationship of pastor and people is one of mutual respect and submission to God. God gives the church spiritual leadership through his calling and gifting of some individuals. But the church must identify and call those people to be their spiritual leaders. No one stands in an authoritative role between God and us.
The doctrine of the priesthood of the believers means there is no division between clergy and laity. We all can do the work of God. Clergy are called by God to lead, and they are also called by the people to their particular place of service in the church. Laity are called by God as well. Their particular role is given to them by the church, as the congregation calls them to serve in accomplishing kingdom work.
Benefits of this doctrine are many. God's people are freed up for service. They are able to move out of a role of dependency on some spiritual leader. They are released from any narrow legalism some teacher or preacher might seek to impose. They are able to enter into the true mystery of God's grace and not into some artificial mystery concocted by ritual and tradition. The mark of every believer's calling into this priesthood is baptism.
Requirements that fall upon these believer priests are significant. A priest of God must seek the will of Christ. Decisions made individually and in the life of the congregation are determined not by one's preferences but by one's prayerful understanding of what God desires to be done. A priest of God has the invitation to come boldly into the presence of God and make one's petitions and intercessions known.
What we have been invited to do we must do faithfully and courageously. A priest of God must serve God passionately. Half-hearted service is never acceptable, but especially is it not acceptable for those who are called to be God's priests.
We love him, and we love one another. Those are commands, and we dare not ignore them if we are serious about our calling as priests in his kingdom.
We are loved.
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