Approaching God

Approaching God in the Old Testament times, to any degree, was reserved for a chosen few from a special line. It was also a very tenuous and scary proposition that was not entered into lightly, but required the utmost care to correctly administer the duty of priests to God on behalf of the people. The act of presenting the sacrifices received of the people of Israel was given careful attention to detail. The bloody sacrifices demanded according to the law were fulfilled in full by Jesus Christ’s offering of His body once for all upon the cross (Hebrews 10:1-13). Through faith in Christ’s blood, a new priesthood has been established. There no longer exists a special priestly class in the New Testament Church. Each member of the church has been made a priest to God in order to offer up bloodless and spiritual sacrifices before the living God (1 Peter 2:5, 9). Now, what once struck fear in the hearts of people and priests of the O.T. times, has become a joyful experience for N.T. believers to participate in “by a new and living way” (Hebrews 10:14-22).

As believer-priests we have the privilege to make our petitions and confessions directly to God through Jesus Christ as the great high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 1:9-2:1; 1 Timothy 2:5). It is a high honor to further offer up ourselves wholly as living sacrifices to the service of our wonderful Lord (Romans 12:1). With our lips we willingly and readily give the sacrifice of praise to God on a continual basis (Hebrews 13:15). With our hands we assist those that are in need and share what we have with them, and in addition, we give of our resources for the advancement of mission work (Hebrews 13:16; Philippians 4:15-18). With our feet we go while having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, as performing our priestly duty, that people may be presented to God as ones fit to please Him that are called by Him to salvation (Romans 15:15-16).

All have a responsibility of service in Christ’s church in these specific ways, without distinction. There is no hierarchy within the Baptist churches. No one is better or more important to God as we humbly serve Him together.