A Brief History of The Priesthood in the Scriptures

As we are developing a Biblical, Christ Focused worldview it is important to have a basic understanding of how the concept of priesthood is presented there.

It has long been observed that Adam and Eve – the first humans – were designed to be Royal/Kingly Priests. Humanity was created in the image and likeness of the Creator God in order to represent Him in Creation (Genesis 1:26-27). The Lord God blessed Adam and Eve so that they could be fruitful and fill the Earth and also rule over the Earth (Genesis 1:28).

Adam was given the responsibility of working and keeping (guarding over) the Garden in Eden. The Garden was the “temple” in which humanity would meet with the Lord and from which His rule would extend to the rest of the Earth. Eve was designed to be an “indispensable parter” to Adam in this responsibility and thus designed to complement him and thus be “one.”

But we know that these first two humans trusted the Serpent rather than the creator and brought sin, alienation, and death into the human experience. But the Lord did not completely reject humanity. Although they were expelled from the Garden, Adam and Eve were fruitful and multiplied and became the first father and mother of the whole human race. They would not be able, however, to fulfill their role as Royal Priests.

Through the descendants of Adam, the Lord set apart the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to bring a blessing to all the families of the Earth. The 12 sons of Jacob became the Nation of Israel and the Lord offered them the opportunity to become a “Kingdom of Priests” (Exodus 19:5-6). However, after their failure to trust the Lord at Mt. Sinai, the nation became a “kingdom with Priests.”

For the rest of the history of the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) the common people of the nation of Israel were kept separate from the presence of the Lord in their midst. The Priesthood mediated between the people and the LORD God through the rituals and sacrifices of the Law given at Mt. Sinai. Yet all of these things were simply “shadows of the good things to come” as the author of Hebrews says (see Hebrews 10:1ff).

The coming of Jesus changed everything. He provided an example of what it looks like to follow the Lord in complete faith and trust, even to the point of death. He gave himself as a blood sacrifice to remove the sins of humanity. His sacrifice also provided the means by which we are cleansed from the impurity of our sinfulness so that we can approach the Lord in faith and serve with Him and for Him.

It was the Lord’s intention from the beginning to be with His people fully and completely and rule Creation with them and through them. Although we are still waiting for the time when this will be realized completely, we know that that day is coming (see Revelation 21-22).

In the meantime, Father God is working in Christ through His Body – the Church – which is also multifaceted priesthood gifted to accomplish the work that He has set us apart for.

The Biblical Definition of Priest

Someone who is a mediator between God and humanity –
representing the Holiness and Grace of God to humanity,
and presenting the worship of humanity to God.

1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”