In our ongoing study of Baptist distinctives, we reach the letter "P" for the Priesthood of the Believer. This doctrine is the "unspeakably precious privilege" of every child of God to enter the throne room of the Father directly.
We believe the Bible teaches that all born-again believers have the privilege of direct access to God the Father without the need for an earthly priest, holy man, or religious agency to act as a channel.
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." — 1 Timothy 2:5
Key Concepts from Tonight’s Lesson
- The Old vs. New Covenant: In the Old Testament, priests represented man to God and acted as a barrier of separation. Today, Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest who intercedes for us.
- No Human Mediators: No human being—whether a pastor, priest, or rabbi—has greater access to God than you do. No one can "lord over" you spiritually or withhold God's grace from you.
- The "Rent Veil": At the moment of Christ’s death, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom. This symbolized that the wall of partition was broken down, granting us immediate access to the "holiest" by the blood of Jesus.
- Historical Evidence: Both the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds record that for the 40 years leading up to the destruction of the Temple, the heavy temple doors would be found "open wide" every morning. This serves as a physical representation that the door to God is now open to every believer.
- Our Royal Duty: As "living stones" and a "royal priesthood," we are called to offer up spiritual sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, and intercessory prayer.
What Are You Doing With Your Access?
Having direct access is a benefit of salvation, but it must be used. We encourage you to talk to God directly about your needs, confess your sins to Him, and seek His guidance daily. If you are born again, the door to the Father is swung wide open and will never shut again.
