Kings and Priests

By Roderick Breem

In Christian circles we throw around the terms “kings and priests” rather lightly. Positionally, all believers are truly kings and priests in God’s sight. We cannot simply brush past these truths without pausing and considering the magnitude. Rev 1:6 declares:

“And has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

The role of a king (at least in ancient times) was to rule with complete authority and to provide protection to the people of His kingdom. As kings in God’s kingdom, we have the authority Christ has given us. Jesus said to the disciples and to us:

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)

All authority. Sounds like a king to me. We exercise our rule based on the rules of the kingdom and not for our own favor or gain.

Now, priests, just for the sake of simplicity, had two main functions in the Old Testament.  They were set apart from the rest of the community in order to carry out certain duties associated with 1. worship and 2. sacrifice.

As New Testament believers we do not offer physical sacrifices. Jesus gave His life once and for all. But we do offer our lives as living sacrifices, as priests of the Lord.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)

Tomorrow I will go in depth about King Melchizedek, who had the duel role of King-Priest. We know the ministry of Jesus was likened to that of King Melchizedek. That should get our attention.