He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
Revelation 1:6
If your religion has no priest, then you have to doubt it because the kingdom of God is composed of priests. In fact, Jesus is the highest priests (Revelation 1:6), if Jesus is the highest priest, that means his apostles are priests. A priest can be a pastor, but a pastor cannot be a priest. A priest is ordained who is considered to be in apostolic succession, meaning he is a direct descendant of the apostles. While a pastor is a common title for the spiritual leader of a local church, often responsible for preaching, teaching, and pastoral care. Below are Biblical proofs that priests are important components of God’s kingdom.
QUOTED FROM TANAKH
1. [Leviticus 13:3] The priest will examine the affected area of the skin. If the hair in the affected area has turned white and the problem appears to be more than skin-deep, it is a serious skin disease, and the priest who examines it must pronounce the person ceremonially unclean.
2. [Leviticus 13:25] the priest must examine it. If he finds that the hair in the affected area has turned white and the problem appears to be more than skin-deep, a skin disease has broken out in the burn. The priest must then pronounce the person ceremonially unclean, for it is clearly a serious skin disease.
3. [Leviticus 13:27] On the seventh day the priest must examine the person again. If the affected area has spread on the skin, the priest must pronounce that person ceremonially unclean, for it is clearly a serious skin disease.
4. [Leviticus 14:36] Before the priest goes in to inspect the house, he must have the house emptied so nothing inside will be pronounced ceremonially unclean.
5. [Joshua 6:4] Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns.
6. [Joshua 6:6] So Joshua called together the priests and said, “Take up the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant, and assign seven priests to walk in front of it, each carrying a ram’s horn.”
7. [Judges 18:19] “Be quiet and come with us,” they said. “Be a father and priest to all of us. Isn’t it better to be a priest for an entire tribe and clan of Israel than for the household of just one man?”
8. [1 Samuel 22:11] King Saul immediately sent for Ahimelech and all his family, who served as priests at Nob.
9. [1 Samuel 22:17] And he ordered his bodyguards, “Kill these priests of the LORD, for they are allies and conspirators with David! They knew he was running away from me, but they didn’t tell me!” But Saul’s men refused to kill the LORD’s priests.
10. [1 Samuel 22:18] Then the king said to Doeg, “You do it.” So Doeg the Edomite turned on them and killed them that day, eighty-five priests in all, still wearing their priestly garments.
11. [2 Kings 12:9] Then Jehoiada the priest bored a hole in the lid of a large chest and set it on the right-hand side of the altar at the entrance of the Temple of the LORD. The priests guarding the entrance put all of the people’s contributions into the chest.
12. [2 Kings 23:4] Then the king instructed Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second rank and the Temple gatekeepers to remove from the LORD’s Temple all the articles that were used to worship Baal, Asherah, and all the powers of the heavens. The king had all these things burned outside Jerusalem on the terraces of the Kidron Valley, and he carried the ashes away to Bethel.
13. [2 Kings 23:8] Josiah brought to Jerusalem all the priests who were living in other towns of Judah. He also defiled the pagan shrines, where they had offered sacrifices—all the way from Geba to Beersheba. He destroyed the shrines at the entrance to the gate of Joshua, the governor of Jerusalem. This gate was located to the left of the city gate as one enters the city.
14. [1 Chronicles 16:39] Meanwhile, David stationed Zadok the priest and his fellow priests at the Tabernacle of the LORD at the place of worship in Gibeon, where they continued to minister before the LORD.
15. [2 Chronicles 7:6] The priests took their assigned positions, and so did the Levites who were singing, “His faithful love endures forever!” They accompanied the singing with music from the instruments King David had made for praising the LORD. Across from the Levites, the priests blew the trumpets, while all Israel stood.
16. [2 Chronicles 13:9] But you have chased away the priests of the LORD (the descendants of Aaron) and the Levites, and you have appointed your own priests, just like the pagan nations. You let anyone become a priest these days! Whoever comes to be dedicated with a young bull and seven rams can become a priest of these so-called gods of yours!
17. [2 Chronicles 23:14] Then Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders who were in charge of the troops, “Take her to the soldiers in front of the Temple, and kill anyone who tries to rescue her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be killed in the Temple of the LORD.”
18. [2 Chronicles 26:17] Azariah the high priest went in after him with eighty other priests of the LORD, all brave men.
19. [2 Chronicles 26:20] When Azariah the high priest and all the other priests saw the leprosy, they rushed him out. And the king himself was eager to get out because the LORD had struck him.
20. [2 Chronicles 31:19] As for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who were living in the open villages around the towns, men were appointed by name to distribute portions to every male among the priests and to all the Levites listed in the genealogical records.
21. [2 Chronicles 29:34] But there were too few priests to prepare all the burnt offerings. So their relatives the Levites helped them until the work was finished and more priests had been purified, for the Levites had been more conscientious about purifying themselves than the priests had been.
22. [2 Chronicles 35:8] The king’s officials also made willing contributions to the people, priests, and Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the administrators of God’s Temple, gave the priests 2,600 lambs and young goats and 300 cattle as Passover offerings.
23. [2 Chronicles 35:14] Afterward the Levites prepared Passover offerings for themselves and for the priests—the descendants of Aaron—because the priests had been busy from morning till night offering the burnt offerings and the fat portions. The Levites took responsibility for all these preparations.
24. [Jeremiah 52:24] Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, took with him as prisoners Seraiah the high priest, Zephaniah the priest of the second rank, and the three chief gatekeepers.
25. [Ezra 6:20] The priests and Levites had purified themselves and were ceremonially clean. So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves.
QUOTED FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. [Matthew 2:4] And having gathered-together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he was inquiring from them as to where the Christ was [to be] born.
2. [Matthew 8:4] And Jesus says to him, “See that you tell no one. But go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them”.
3. [Matthew 12:4] how he entered into the house of God and they ate the Bread of Presentation which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for the ones with him, but for the priests alone?
4. [Matthew 12:5] Or did you not read in the Law that on the Sabbaths, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?
5. [Matthew 16:21] From that time on, Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day.
6. [Matthew 20:18] “Behold— we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be handed-over to the chief priests and scribes. And they will condemn Him to death,
7. [Matthew 21:15] But the chief priests and the scribes— having seen the marvelous things which He did, and the boys crying-out in the temple and saying “Hosanna to the Son of David”— were indignant
8. [Matthew 21:23] And He having come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came-to Him while He was teaching, saying, “By what-kind-of authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”
9. [Matthew 21:45] And having heard His parables, the chief priests and the Pharisees knew that He was speaking about them.
10. [Matthew 26:3] Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the courtyard of the high priest, the one being called Caiaphas.
11. [Matthew 26:14] Then one of the twelve, the one being called Judas Iscariot, having gone to the chief priests,
12. [Matthew 26:47] And while He was still speaking, behold— Judas, one of the twelve, came. And with him was a large crowd from the chief priests and elders of the people with swords and clubs.
13. [Matthew 26:51] And behold— one of the ones with Jesus, having stretched-out his hand, withdrew his sword. And having struck the slave of the high priest, he took-off his ear.
14. [Matthew 26:57-59] Now the ones having seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. And Peter was following Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest. And having entered inside, he was sitting with the officers to see the outcome. Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false-testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death.
15. [Matthew 26:62] And having stood up, the high priest said to Him, “Are You answering nothing? What is it these ones are testifying against You?”
16. [Matthew 26:63] But Jesus was being silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I am putting You under oath by the living God that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God”.
17. [Matthew 26:65] Then the high priest tore his garments, saying, “He blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See— now you heard the blasphemy.
18. [Matthew 27:1] Now having become early-morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus so as to put Him to death.
19. [Matthew 27:3] Then Judas (the one handing Him over)— having seen that He was condemned, having regretted it— returned the thirty silver-coins to the chief priests and elders,
20. [Matthew 27:6] But the chief priests, having taken the silver-coins, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple-treasury, since it is the price of blood”.
21. [Matthew 27:12] And during His being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
22. [Matthew 27:20] But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they should ask-for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
23. [Matthew 27:41] Likewise also the chief priests, mocking Him with the scribes and elders, were saying,
24. [Matthew 27:62] Now on the next-day which is after the Preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together with Pilate,
25. [Matthew 28:11] And while they were going, behold— some of the guard, having come into the city, reported all the things having taken place to the chief priests.
26. [Mark 1:44] And He says to him, “See that you tell no one anything. But go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them”.
27. [Mark 2:26] how he entered into the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high-priest and ate the Bread of Presentation which is not lawful for anyone to eat but the priests, and he gave it also to the ones being with him?”
28. [Mark 8:31] And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and rise-up after three days.
29. [Mark 10:33] that “Behold— we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be handed-over to the chief priests and the scribes. And they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles.
30. [Mark 11:18] And the chief priests and the scribes heard it. And they were seeking how they might destroy Him. For they were fearing Him, for the whole crowd was astounded at His teaching.
31. [Mark 11:27] And they come again into Jerusalem. And while He is walking around in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders come to Him.
32. [Mark 14:1] Now the Passover [Feast] and the Feast of Unleavened-Bread was after two days. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how, having seized Him by deceit, they might kill Him.
33. [Mark 14:10] And Judas Iscariot, the one from the twelve, went to the chief priests in order that he might hand Him over to them.
34. [Mark 14:43] And immediately, while He is still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrives. And with him is a crowd from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders with swords and clubs.
35. [Mark 14:47] And a certain one of the ones standing near, having drawn his sword, hit the slave of the high priest and took-off his ear.
36. [Mark 14:53] And they led Jesus away to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes come together.
37. [Mark 14:54] And Peter followed Him at a distance, as far as inside in the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting-together with the officers, and warming himself toward the light [of the fire].
38. [Mark 14:55] Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. And they were not finding it.
39. [Mark 14:60] And the high priest, having stood up into the middle, questioned Jesus, saying “Are You not answering anything? What is it these ones are testifying against You?”
40. [Mark 14:61] But the One was being silent. And He did not answer anything. Again the high priest was questioning Him. And he says to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”
41. [Mark 14:63] And the high priest, having torn his clothes, says “What further need do we have of witnesses?
42. [Mark 14:66] And Peter being below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest comes.
43. [Mark 15:1] And immediately, early-in-the-morning, the chief priests (with the elders and scribes) and the whole Sanhedrin having made a consultation, having bound Jesus, took Him away and handed Him over to Pilate.
44. [Mark 15:3] And the chief priests were accusing Him as to many things.
45. [Mark 15:10-11] For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. But the chief priests stirred-up the crowd in order that he might release Barabbas for them instead.
46. [Mark 15:31] Likewise also the chief priests, mocking Him to one another with the scribes, were saying, “He saved others— Himself He is not able to save!
47. [Luke 1:5] There was a certain priest— Zechariah by name, from the division of Abijah— and a wife for him from the daughters of Aaron. And her name was Elizabeth.
48. [Luke 1:8-9] And it came about during his serving-as-priest before God in the order of his division, that according to the custom of the priestly-office, he obtained-by-lot that he might offer-incense, [after] having entered into the temple of the Lord.
49. [Luke 3:2] in-the-time-of the high priest Annas and Caiapha— the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.
50. [Luke 5:14] And He ordered him to tell no one, “But having gone, show yourself to the priest and offer the things for your cleansing just as Moses commanded, for a testimony to them”.
51. [Luke 6:4] how he entered into the house of God, and having taken the Bread of Presentation, he ate it and gave it to the ones with him, which is not lawful for anyone to eat but the priests alone?
52. [Luke 9:22] having said that “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day”.
53. [Luke 10:31] And by coincidence, a certain priest was going down on that road. And having seen him, he passed-by-on-the-other-side.
54. [Luke 17:14] And having seen them, He said to them, “Having gone, show yourselves to the priests”. And it came about during their going that they were cleansed.
55. [Luke 19:47] And He was teaching daily in the temple. And the chief priests and the scribes and the leading ones of the people were seeking to destroy Him.
56. [Luke 20:1] And it came about on one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and announcing-the-good-news, that the chief priests and the scribes with the elders stood-near.
57. [Luke 20:19] And the scribes and the chief priests sought to put their hands on Him at the very hour. And they feared the people. For they knew that He spoke this parable against them.
58. [Luke 22:2] And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking as to how they might kill Him, for they were fearing the people
59. [Luke 22:4] And having gone, he talked-with the chief priests and [temple] captains as to how he might hand Him over to them.
60. [Luke 22:50] And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and took-off his right ear.
61. [Luke 22:52] And Jesus said to the chief priests and captains of the temple and elders having come against Him, “Did you come out with swords and clubs as-if against a robber?
62. [Luke 22:54] And having arrested Him, they led Him, and brought Him into the house of the high priest. And Peter was following at-a-distance.
63. [Luke 22:66] And when it became day, the Council-of-elders of the people was gathered together— both chief priests and scribes. And they led Him away to their council [chamber],
64. [Luke 23:4] And Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man”.
65. [Luke 23:10] And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vigorously.
66. [Luke 23:13] Now Pilate, having called-together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
65. [Luke 24:20] and how the chief priests and our rulers handed Him over for condemnation to death, and they crucified Him.
66. [John 1:19] And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews from Jerusalem sent-out priests and Levites to him in order that they might ask him, “Who are you?”,
67. [John 7:32] The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things about Him. And the chief priests and the Pharisees sent out officers in order that they might seize Him.
68. [John 7:45] Then the officers went to the chief priests and Pharisees. And those ones said to them, “For what reason did you not bring Him?”
69. [John 11:47] So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together a council. And they were saying, “What are we doing? Because this man is doing many signs!
70. [John 11:49] But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being the high priest of that year, said to them, “You do not know anything—
71. [John 11:51] Now he did not say this from himself, but being the high priest of that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation.
72. [John 11:57] And the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commands that if anyone came-to-know where He was, he should disclose it— so that they might seize Him.
73. [John 12:10] And the chief priests planned to kill Lazarus also,
74. [John 18:3] So Judas— having received the [Roman] cohort, and officers from the chief priests and from the Pharisees— comes there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
75. [John 18:10] Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and hit the slave of the high priest, and cut-off his right ear. And the name for the slave was Malchus.
76. [John 18:13] And they led Him to Annas first. For he was the father-in law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest of that year.
77. [John 18:15] Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest.
78. [John 18:16] But Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, the one known by the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought in Peter.
79. [John 18:19] So the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching.
80. [John 18:22] And He having said these things, one of the officers standing near gave Jesus a slap, having said, “In this manner do you answer the high priest?”
81. [John 18:24] Then Annas sent Him forth, having been bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
82. [John 18:26] One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one of whom Peter cut-off the ear, says, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?”
83. [John 18:35] Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your nation and the chief priests handed You over to me. What did You do?”
84. [John 19:6] Then when they saw Him, the chief priests and the officers shouted, saying, “Crucify, crucify!” Pilate says to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I do not find a charge in Him”.
85. [John 19:15] Then those ones shouted, “Take Him away, take Him away, crucify Him!” Pilate says to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We do not have a king except Caesar”.
86. [John 19:21] So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’, but that that One said, ‘I am King of the Jews’”.
87. [Revelation 1:6] He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
88. [Revelation 5:10] You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.
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