Restoring the Priesthood: Unity in the Church

 

Summary

In reflecting on the theme of "War on the Word," I delved into the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, a concept that has been both misunderstood and misapplied in contemporary Christianity. This doctrine, rooted in the Reformation, emphasizes that all believers have direct access to God through Christ, negating the need for a clerical mediator. However, this has been misconstrued by some as a license for individualistic spirituality, detached from the communal and structured life of the church.

The priesthood of all believers is not about individual autonomy but about a collective responsibility to uphold and propagate the truth of the Gospel. It is a call to unity within the body of Christ, where each member serves as a priest to one another, interceding and proclaiming God's Word. This communal aspect is crucial, as it reflects the unity and diversity of the church, transcending cultural and social barriers.

In today's self-centered culture, the doctrine has been twisted to support a privatized faith that often rejects the authority and structure of the church. This misinterpretation aligns with the spirit of the age, which values self-expression and autonomy over communal accountability and submission to God's ordained structures. The church, however, is a unique institution, purchased by Christ's blood, and it stands as a testament to God's redemptive work in the world.

The church's value and uniqueness make it a prime target in the spiritual warfare against God's Word. The enemy seeks to disrupt the unity and dilute the distinctiveness of the church, using false doctrines and individualistic interpretations to sow division. Yet, the church remains the bride of Christ, and its mission is to proclaim the Gospel and embody the love and truth of Christ in a broken world.

Key Takeaways:

- The priesthood of all believers emphasizes communal responsibility rather than individual autonomy. It calls believers to intercede for one another and uphold the truth of the Gospel within the community of faith. [18:51]

- The doctrine has been misinterpreted in modern times, often used to justify a privatized and subjective spirituality that rejects the authority and structure of the church. This reflects a broader cultural shift towards self-centeredness. [21:49]

- The church is a unique institution, transcending cultural and social barriers, and it is the only entity purchased by Christ's blood. Its unity and diversity are a testament to God's redemptive work. [47:25]

- Spiritual warfare against the church involves distorting the truth and promoting division. The enemy seeks to disrupt the church's unity and dilute its distinctiveness, but the church remains the bride of Christ, called to proclaim the Gospel. [49:30]

- The priesthood of all believers is not a license for individualism but a call to a common confession and shared responsibility within the body of Christ. It emphasizes the importance of the church in God's plan of salvation. [50:33]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:39] - Personal Reflections on Ligonier Conference
[01:42] - Scripture Reading: 1 John
[05:34] - Reflections on September 11th
[06:45] - War on the Word: Strategic Targets
[08:23] - Encounter with a Young Couple's View on Church
[10:04] - Misconceptions of the Priesthood of All Believers
[12:00] - Churchless Christianity and Modern Trends
[14:03] - Historical Context of the Doctrine
[17:03] - Misinterpretations and Cultural Shifts
[20:44] - The Age of Self-Centeredness
[22:43] - Individualism vs. Church Authority
[27:30] - Examining 1 John 2:27
[33:40] - The Role of Teachers in the Church
[40:02] - The Importance of Religion and Rules
[46:06] - The Church's Unique Value and Unity
[50:33] - The True Meaning of the Priesthood of All Believers
[51:20] - Call to Action: Guarding the Church's Unity
[51:51] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 1 John 1:1-5
- 1 John 2:18-27
- 1 Peter 2:9

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 John 1:1-5 emphasize about the message that the apostles declared? How does this relate to the concept of fellowship? [01:42]
2. In 1 John 2:18-27, what warnings does John give about deception and the antichrist? How does this relate to the need for discernment within the church? [03:14]
3. According to the sermon, how has the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers been misinterpreted in modern times? [10:04]
4. What are some of the cultural shifts mentioned in the sermon that have influenced the modern understanding of the church and individual spirituality? [21:49]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the priesthood of all believers as described in 1 Peter 2:9 differ from the modern individualistic interpretation? [19:15]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of church authority and structure in maintaining the truth of the Gospel? [22:43]
3. How does the sermon describe the impact of cultural self-centeredness on the church's mission and unity? [21:49]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church is under spiritual attack, and how should believers respond to this? [49:30]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your understanding of the priesthood of all believers. How can you ensure that your interpretation aligns with the communal responsibility emphasized in the sermon? [18:51]
2. Consider your involvement in your local church. Are there ways you can contribute more to the unity and mission of the church, rather than focusing on individual preferences? [25:04]
3. The sermon highlights the danger of privatized faith. How can you balance personal spirituality with active participation in the church community? [10:04]
4. Think about a time when you might have prioritized self-expression over communal accountability. How can you shift your focus to better support the church's mission? [22:18]
5. The sermon warns against being deceived by false teachings. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the Gospel and protect yourself from deception? [30:02]
6. How can you actively participate in spiritual warfare by supporting the church's unity and distinctiveness in your daily life? [49:30]
7. Reflect on the value and uniqueness of the church as described in the sermon. How does this perspective influence your commitment to the church and its mission? [47:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Communal Responsibility in Faith
The priesthood of all believers is a profound doctrine that emphasizes the collective responsibility of Christians to uphold and propagate the truth of the Gospel. This concept, rooted in the Reformation, highlights that every believer has direct access to God through Christ, eliminating the need for a clerical mediator. However, this access is not meant to foster individualism but to encourage believers to serve as priests to one another, interceding and proclaiming God's Word within the community. This communal aspect is vital as it reflects the unity and diversity of the church, transcending cultural and social barriers. [18:51]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church community this week to support and uphold the truth of the Gospel?


Day 2: Misinterpretation of Spiritual Autonomy
In modern times, the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers has often been misinterpreted to justify a privatized and subjective spirituality that rejects the authority and structure of the church. This reflects a broader cultural shift towards self-centeredness, where individual expression and autonomy are valued over communal accountability and submission to God's ordained structures. The church, however, is a unique institution, purchased by Christ's blood, and it stands as a testament to God's redemptive work in the world. [21:49]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed cultural values of individualism to influence your view of church authority and community? How can you realign your perspective with biblical teachings?


Day 3: The Church's Unique Value
The church is a unique institution that transcends cultural and social barriers, and it is the only entity purchased by Christ's blood. Its unity and diversity are a testament to God's redemptive work. The church's value and uniqueness make it a prime target in the spiritual warfare against God's Word. The enemy seeks to disrupt the unity and dilute the distinctiveness of the church, using false doctrines and individualistic interpretations to sow division. Yet, the church remains the bride of Christ, and its mission is to proclaim the Gospel and embody the love and truth of Christ in a broken world. [47:25]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity and distinctiveness of your church community in a way that reflects God's redemptive work?


Day 4: Spiritual Warfare Against the Church
Spiritual warfare against the church involves distorting the truth and promoting division. The enemy seeks to disrupt the church's unity and dilute its distinctiveness, but the church remains the bride of Christ, called to proclaim the Gospel. Believers must be vigilant in guarding against false doctrines and individualistic interpretations that threaten the church's mission. The church's role is to embody the love and truth of Christ, standing firm against the schemes of the enemy. [49:30]

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV): "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."

Reflection: What steps can you take to protect your church community from division and false teachings?


Day 5: A Call to Common Confession
The priesthood of all believers is not a license for individualism but a call to a common confession and shared responsibility within the body of Christ. It emphasizes the importance of the church in God's plan of salvation. Believers are called to intercede for one another and uphold the truth of the Gospel within the community of faith. This shared responsibility is crucial for maintaining the unity and mission of the church in a world that often values self-expression over communal accountability. [50:33]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: How can you actively engage in teaching and admonishing others in your church community to foster a spirit of unity and shared responsibility?

Quotes

In looking at this theme, the overall theme of War on the Word I’ve been given the task of taking up the particular doctrine of the priesthood of all believers and so for a point of reference I’d like to look at two portions of scripture from 1 John. First I’d like to look at 1 John chapter 1 verses 1-5 and then chapter 2 verses 18-27. [00:01:24]

And so as we look at this War on the Word, last night we discussed well whether or not in light of actual warfare is it extreme to use the metaphor of war to describe what’s taking place in evangelical church. My response is that, no it’s not extreme it’s if anything the language is not strong enough. [00:06:33]

In other words even though many people are not just dropping out of organized churches they do more and more share his views of the church. In other words there are more and more evangelicals whether they are within the ranking file of our churches or whether they are on the fringes that are convinced that organized religion restricts individual spirituality. [00:10:04]

The priesthood, the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers stands next in importance of according to one Lutheran writer, it stands next importance to the life and health of the church to the doctrine of justification by faith alone. I don’t know that might be a little extreme but I think it makes the point. [00:14:10]

In other words the reformers understood scriptures to teach that the clergy of the new covenant are not mediators of God’s grace in that they do not appease God’s wrath by offering special sacrifices. But rather all believers have access to God through Christ. [00:14:51]

For them it was never a question of a lonely isolated seeker of truth but rather of a band of faithful believers united in a common confession as a local visible, and I love his use of Latin here R.C., congregatial satoro. He says further for Luther the priesthood of all believers did not mean I am my own priest. [00:18:18]

Now he says of course the reformers emphasize private judgment but it was always informed judgment and it was always controlled, checked, and corroborated by the corporate testimony of the church. Indeed Calvin himself fully realized that uncontrolled private judgment means subjectivism, eccentricity, anarchy and chaos. [00:20:04]

I think the short answer or the shorter answer is that the church has been seduced by the spirit of the age and rather than being transformed by the renewing of our minds for an extended period of time we have seen a continual conformity to the thought patterns of the world. [00:21:06]

The priesthood of all believers calls us to a common ground under a common covering that we can make a common confession. It deals with our responsibilities as well as our privileges that we have in Jesus Christ. Now why is this an area of warfare? [00:44:40]

Brothers and sisters to you know that the church is the only thing God has ever bought. And the price that he paid for it is his own blood. My mother used to take us to different places. When I was she would take us to visit different peoples homes and they would have knick-knacks and fine things and she would say don’t touch anything. [00:46:15]

The church is the only institution in our culture where people can come together and be one. You stop being what you are in a sense and you are filtered through the blood of Christ and you become new creations. It’s unique in that way. There is no Jew, there’s no Gentile, there’s no Greek, there’s no free person, there’s no slave. [00:47:32]

The church should never be known just for its programs. It should not be known for its great buildings it should be know for it’s message and the unity of the church is that wherever you go if its truly the church it’s the same message and it’s that message that saves. [00:48:44]

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Transcript
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