The Priesthood Of The Faithful

"Explores the doctrine of the priesthood of the baptized and examines its significance for the spiritual growth of the faithful and the revitalization of the church"--Provided by publisher.

With the declining numbers of priests in the Catholic Church, the priesthood of the faithful, as defined in Lumen Gentium of Vatican II, is a sign of hope for the future of the church. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people set apart. 1 Peter 2:9. Growing numbers of ecclesial lay ministers are helping fulfill the needs of the Body of Christ. This book gives innovative suggestions for an expanded role of the laity in the mission of the Church.

This thought-provoking study reviews priesthood from a theological perspective and explores the theological value and significance of priests in Old and New Testaments. Richard D. Nelson reviews biblical concepts of priesthood and provides guidance and data for exegetes and systematic theologians as they work out the implications of the Bible's view of priesthood.

The book of Hebrews was written to magnify the greatness of our Savior and the importance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In nineteen sermons, late pastor Martyn Lloyd-Jones unfolds the riches and beauties of the gospel message found throughout this unique book of the Bible. Using examples and illustrations that remain relevant today, he seamlessly connects the truths found in the book of Hebrews to the whole scope of God's Word as he exhorts us to hold fast to our salvation and live according to the truth of the gospel.

Is there anything in the New Testament about the need for priests in the Church? Many Protestants would argue no. And if you point out that there is a priesthood in the Old Testament, they are likely to say it was a feature of the Old Covenant that was undone by Christ. How should a Catholic respond? In Jesus and the Old Testament Roots of the Priesthood, biblical scholar John Bergsma convinces readers that Jesus did, in fact, intend for a ministerial priesthood to be a key feature of the New Covenant. Bergsma shows how the priesthood is a major thread holding together the biblical story line—beginning with Adam’s loss of the gift of priesthood in the Fall and the long process of restoring his descendants to a priestly status over the centuries, culminating with Christ. With chapter summaries and discussion questions included, Jesus and the Old Testament Roots of the Priesthood can readily be adapted into a four-part study for personal or small group use.

The priesthood of all believers is a core Protestant belief. But what does it actually mean? Uche Anizor and Hank Voss set the record straight in this concise treatment of a doctrine that lies at the center of church life and Christian spirituality. The authors look at the priesthood of all believers in terms of the biblical witness, the contribution of Martin Luther and the doctrine of the Trinity. They place this concept in the context of the canonical description of Israel and the church as a royal priesthood that responds to God in witness and service to the world. Representing Christ is much more than a piece of Reformation history. It shows that the priesthood of all believers is interwoven with the practical, spiritual and missional life of the church.