DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2022

UNDERSTANDING THE FOUR LEVELS OF THE PRIESTHOOD

BIBLE READING: EXODUS 28; ISAIAH 61:6; ACTS 6:1-7; 1TIMOTHY 3:8-13

"A people dedicated to Me alone, you will serve Me as priests." Exodus 19:6(Good News Translation)

The highest and most noble call any Christian believer can have the privilege of responding to is the call to the priesthood. The stark reality is that the pursuit of economic empowerment or political prominence to the detriment of one's priestly duties is essentially a demotion. James Abram Garfield (1831-1881), the 20th president of the United States of America bluntly told someone on the day of his inauguration that he actually felt demoted since he was also a clergyman. Little wonder the Bible says "And no man takes this honour to himself but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was." Heb. 5:4(NKJV)

According to the Holy Scriptures, there are Four Levels of the Priesthood which are revealed or expressed in both the Old and the New Testaments:

(1.) The Episcopate: This refers to the position of the high priest or bishop (derived from the Greek word "Episkopos" which literally means "overseer". The Lord Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest and Bishop of our souls Who leads His Church through general overseers. (Heb. 6:20; 1Pet.2:25).

(2.) The Presbytery: This refers to the body of ordained priests or spiritual elders (derived from the Greek word "Presbuteros" which literally means "elder". These were originally Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar (the sons of Aaron) in the Old Testament then later priests or associate pastors who have been assigned a duty to assist the overseers in the Church. (Ex. 30:3.

(3.) The Diaconate: This refers to the Levites in the Old Testament and the deacons in the New Testament (derived from the Greek word "Diakonos" which literally means "helper" or "minister". These are the ministers whose primary duty is to help ease the burdens of the priests by handling the business and administrative aspect of the Church. (Acts 6:2-4).

(4.) The Ecclessia: This refers to the general priesthood of all Christian believers (derived from the Greek word "Ekklessia" which literally means "the called-out ones" or "the Church".

During the time of the Old Testament, the Levitical tribe was the priestly tribe but according to God's Divine Counsel, every Israelite was called by Him to be a priest to every nation on the face of the Earth. (Ex. 19:6). This same principle applies to the Church or the Body of Christ whereby every Christian believer is called to be a priest, thereby authorizing us all to discharge our priestly responsibilities for His Glory. (1Pet. 2:9; Rev.1:6).

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, we exalt Your Holy Name for granting us the privilege of serving You as priests after the Order of Melchizedek. O Lord, please help us with the Grace to faithfully discharge our priestly duties that we might not undermine this Holy Calling in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.