Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7700 Leadership and the people of God » 7766 priests » 7770 priests, tasks in NT times
The priests mentioned in the NT performed various functions, all of which are fulfilled in Jesus Christ and the church, which is his body.
Priests offered sacrifices
Sacrifices made by pagan priests
Acts 14:13
Jewish sacrifice
Hebrews 10:11
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ
Hebrews 9:14 Jesus Christ is both priest and victim: his own body takes the place occupied by sacrifices in the OT ritual. See also Hebrews 10:10
The Christian sacrifice of a surrendered life
Romans 12:1 See also Hebrews 13:16
The Christian sacrifice of praise
Hebrews 13:15
Priests made intercession
The burning of incense
Luke 1:9 See also Exodus 30:7-8
Christian intercession
Revelation 5:8 See also 1 Peter 2:5; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6
Priests were guardians of tradition
They were trained in the teaching and application of OT law
Matthew 2:3-6; John 1:19
The Christian “tradition”
1 Corinthians 15:1-5; 2 Timothy 1:13-14; Timothy 2:2; Jude 3
Priests declared people clean or unclean
They supplied ritual certification of cleansing
Matthew 8:4 pp Mark 1:44 pp Luke 5:14 See also Leviticus 13:2-3; Leviticus 14:2; Luke 17:14
Christians pronounce forgiveness
John 20:21-23; James 5:16
See also
5588 traditions 7020 church, the 7719 elders as leaders 7939 ministry 8611 prayer for others
