Its clear you don't understand the difference between mediator and intercessor. They are not synonymous. So youre wrong out of the gate. There is no ministerial priesthood in the new covenant. The priesthood of believers and Jesus' high priesthood. Thats it.
Hi,
I think you are saying that we are all "priest" since we are the priesthood of believers. If I understand you correctly, I agree. However when one looks at all of Scripture instead of
cherry picking certain passages we see that there is a "ministerial priesthood".
In
Acts 14:23 there were elders appointed by Paul and Barnabas for each church and they committed them to the LORD. These men were CLEARLY set apart from the "priesthood of believers". So the question is HOW are these men set apart. Well,
Scripture tells us HOW.
James 5:14 says that elders
administer oil to those that are sick. It doesn't say the "priesthood of believers" administer the oil.
In
1 Corinthians 10:16-22 Paul talks about communion being a "sacrifice". Wouldn't the person that offers the sacrifice and administers it to the participants of the communion be engaging in a
ministerial action? Clement of Rome, a student of the Apostles, makes it clear who these men are set apart.
1 Thess 5:12 tells us we are to respect and esteem very highly in love the work of those who labor among us,
and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you. These men are CLEARLY set apart from the "priesthood of believers". Part of their
ministerial duties is to
admonish us. If we, as "priesthood of believers", have a disagreement we are not to admonish each other. We are told to fulfill
Matthew 18:17.
Hebrews 13:17 tells us to
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls. If they are our leaders that means they are
set apart from the average "priesthood of believers". They are set apart because the are
ministers to our souls.
Philippians 2:29 Epaphroditus is sent by Paul as a "minister" and he risked his life to make up for those
services. We are told to "honor such people". Paul makes it clear Epaphroditus is being sent to
serve as a minister.
In post #1858 you stated you have no problem with the ECF's but
what you are saying now contradicts what the ECF's wrote/believed/practiced.
How do you explain your difference with them on this matter?
Curious Mary
PS....I am sure I left out some other examples from Scripture but maybe
@BreadOfLife @epostle or
@Philip James could share the ones I have left out.