Lesson 19: Partakers of a Holy and Royal Priesthood
 
 1 Peter 2:5 says we “like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

In the Old Testament there were 3 major duties for the priest – offer sacrifices, pray for the people, and teach the people God’s word. Since Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin was perfect, and needs never be made again, this duty for us as priests of God is not necessary. However, the other two still remain.

Through prayer, we invite God to act in the heart of another. Think of intercessory prayer as being the spiritual action four friends took on behalf of one they cared for in Mark 2:1-12. God acts in lives based on choices made – but this also means, since we are now made a “royal priesthood,” we can act in certain things for another individual. We cannot make the choice of accepting salvation on their behalf, but we can certainly place them into the presence of Almighty God so He can work in their lives.

The other part of being a priest Jesus asks of us is teaching – in Matthew 28:19-20 He called it “making disciples” – and the way to do this is to teach them about Jesus and who He wants to be in their life.