There are no Christian "priests" or "Pope" in the New Testament

[lady_arwen]

Just pointing out: There isn’t the word “Trinity” in the New Testament either.

 

[Erich]

The Scriptures are clear that if you are a true follower of Christ and belong to Him, you ARE a priest of the Lord God. Now if you wish to say that the Scriptures are wrong, that’s up to you.

The Scriptures are also clear that no man can take the responsibility or title of “pastor” to himself. Rather, he must be sent by God, either indirectly (via succession), or directly (via extraordinary calling). If he claims the latter, his mission must be accompanied by miracles, signs and wonders as proof of his Divine vocation.

If you do not take the responsibility or title of “pastor” to yourself, are you certain that the man who shepherds your soul is a legitimate leader? Or are you following a self-appointed shepherd who is in rebellion against God’s appointed authorities?

Please read By What Authority in its entirety and then answer these two questions.

 

[guanophore]

"Crimson Seraph:

Of course there are Christian priests. We are all supposed to be priests. Yet sadly, not all Christians act like priests in the way that they live their lives…

This is why I devote my life to Christ as though I were a priest, because that’s what I’m supposed to be. Holy, sanctified, set apart as an example for all the world to look upon. If people see you living a clean life and worshipping God in humility and grace, they will know something is different about you.

Unfortunately for you, unless you have been ordained , all you are doing is pretending to be “priestly”

i think this is unfair CW. Crimson is right, we are all called to witness Christ in the world. this is the universal priesthood belonging to all Christians.

Crimson is also right that, if we all behaved as priests, understanding and demonstrating that we are to live holy, sanctified lives, worshipping God in humility and grace, the kingdom of God would be growing much faster.

Crimson did not claim to be a minsterial priest, but this is the kind of life we should all be living, Christians, and the priests called to minister to them.
Crimson Seraph:

According to the Apostles, I am a priest of the Most High God. And besides that, I’m just as chaste as any Catholic priest.

Sadly, you are probably more chaste than some! living a chaste live is one of the best witnesses we can have in this world.

The reason that Catholic church prefers to call for priests those who have also been called to celibacy is that we need this generative spiritual power in the Church.

 

[guanophore]

This is what happens when people take single “proof texts” way out of context. What about the laying on of hands for Apostolic Succession? (See the naming of Matthias in Acts as the successor of Judas Isacariot) Without sanction of Holy Mother Church, simply saying “I am a priest” means nothing. I too am chaste, but I am no priest.

There are many levels of priesthood. The nt priesthood is foreshadowed in the old. there was a high priest, a minsterial priesthood,and the priesthood of all the believers.

So it is in the nt. There is our Great high priest jesus, the ministerial priesthood, and the priesthood of all believers, as referenced in the verses Crimson gave.

 

[guanophore]

smiles

The Holy Ghost has ordained me a priest. Why should I care what man thinks about me?

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;" - 1 Peter 2:9

"And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." - Revelation 1:6

According to the Apostles, I am a priest of the Most High God. And besides that, I’m just as chaste as any Catholic priest.

This kind of priesthood is not the ordained kind. it is the universal priesthood that belongs to all believers as a result of baptism.