What does the new testament say about priests

The New Testament does not use the term "priest" to describe the leaders of the early Christian church. Instead, it uses terms such as "apostle," "elder," "overseer," and "pastor" to describe these leaders.

However, the New Testament does contain several passages that discuss the role and responsibilities of Christian leaders, including those who are often referred to as "priests" in modern Christian tradition. Here are a few examples:

  1. 1 Peter 2:5-9: This passage describes believers as a "holy priesthood" and encourages them to offer spiritual sacrifices to God. It also emphasizes the importance of living a holy and righteous life.
  2. Revelation 1:6: This passage describes Jesus Christ as a "high priest" who has been exalted to the right hand of God.
  3. Hebrews 5:1-6: This passage describes Jesus Christ as a "high priest" who has been appointed by God to offer sacrifices for sin. It also emphasizes the importance of Jesus' humanity and his ability to sympathize with human weakness.
  4. Hebrews 8:1-6: This passage describes Jesus Christ as a "high priest" who has been appointed to minister in the heavenly sanctuary.
  5. 1 Timothy 3:1-7: This passage describes the qualifications and responsibilities of Christian leaders, including the importance of being a good example to others and of teaching the truth of God's word.

In terms of the role of Christian leaders in the New Testament, the following passages are relevant:

  1. Ephesians 4:11-12: This passage describes the role of Christian leaders as being to equip the saints for the work of ministry.
  2. 1 Timothy 3:1-7: This passage describes the qualifications and responsibilities of Christian leaders, including the importance of being a good example to others and of teaching the truth of God's word.
  3. 1 Peter 5:1-4: This passage describes the role of Christian leaders as being to shepherd and care for the flock of God.
  4. Acts 20:28: This passage describes the role of Christian leaders as being to oversee the flock of God and to guard it against false teachers.

It's worth noting that the New Testament does not provide a detailed description of the role and responsibilities of Christian leaders, and different Christian traditions have developed different understandings of these roles over time.