Our responsibility as a royal priesthood and a kingdom of priests is to become holy as God is holy, exceeding the holiness of the Levitical priesthood.

It is time to prepare ourselves for the role of a priest, teaching a way of life to the world, serving as a mediator, blessing or conferring good upon people.

The primary function of a priest is to assist people in accessing God so that there can be unity with God. A priest is a bridge-builder between man and God.

We have a much bigger reason for developing godly character than merely make it into the Kingdom. We are rehearsing our roles as a royal priesthood.

We must endure chastening and correction to grow in holiness and become priests. In the qualifications of a Melchizedek priest, zeal and holiness are mandatory.

God is training us as a holy priesthood, called to offer unblemished sacrifices, honoring His name, putting down pride, presumptuousness, and arrogance.

As future priests, we are going to be given rigorous, hands-on jobs to teach people righteousness and holiness, distinguishing between the sacred and profane.

Old Testament activities picture New Testament realities, elevated to their spiritual intent. The church has been chosen as a royal and holy priesthood.

Because God is holy, His people must also be holy, displaying the character of God. Holiness designates God-like qualities found in those sanctified by God.

I Peter 2:5 says that we are to offer up spiritual sacrifices. Here is what that means and how we can do it acceptably before God.

In I Peter 2:5-9, God's people are called a chosen generation and a royal priesthood, God's own distinctive people, commissioned to offer sacrifices.

In Numbers 16-18, God performed several miracles to demonstrate conclusively that not everyone is called to the same function and that He remains the Boss.

Dathan and Korah agitated for a democratization of priestly responsibilities. God shows that not everybody set apart is holy in the same way.

Jesus Christ's priesthood is superior to the Aaronic priesthood because Christ tenure is eternal rather than temporal, guaranteeing both continuity and quality.

As God's priesthood, we must draw near to God, keep His commandments, and witness to the world that God is God. God is shaping and fashioning His new creation.

The ancient Israelites resisted the gospel, refusing to mix it with actual obedience. What they heard never became a part of their lives; Egypt never left them.

Jesus experienced the same temptations and suffering we do, qualifying Him for the role of High Priest, the bridge-builder between man and God.

The burnt offering is completely consumed on the altar. This type of offering teaches us about Christ's total dedication to God—and how we should emulate it.

Jesus blazed a trail, giving a pattern for qualifying (through suffering and resisting sin) for our responsibility as priests, reconnecting man and God.

In the combined history of Judah and Israel, when the leaders abandoned the covenants with God, the citizenry generally followed suit.

For us to take on the glory of God, we must have the same kind of access to the Father as Christ did, taking on the responsibility of behaving like His sons.

Christ's sacrifice was not merely substitutionary, but representative, with Christ giving us a pattern for life - mortifying our flesh and putting out sin.