The Priesthood: Not All Are Equal – Part 3
The lecture affirms that equality among people is a fixed faith principle, but it is not equality in priestly roles. Priesthood is a divine order with specific ranks, authorities, and responsibilities, while all remain equal before God in commandments, spiritual life, and purity of heart.
📖 Clarifying the Concept of Equality
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Biblical equality means no discrimination based on gender, race, or social status.
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This equality does not cancel church ranks or different roles within the Church.
🕊️ Priesthood as a Divine Order
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God Himself established the Church’s structure: apostles, bishops, priests, and deacons.
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Not all believers are apostles, teachers, or shepherds, because that would lead to chaos, not edification.
🔑 Priestly Authority
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Priesthood carries specific authority: binding and loosing, forgiveness of sins, ordaining servants, teaching, and governance.
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This authority is not given to all people, but to those whom God appointed for the Church’s edification.
🤲 Spirit of Service, Not Domination
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Although priesthood has authority, it must be practiced with humility and a spirit of service, not control.
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The priest is a shepherd and a father, offering himself as a living example to the flock.
👨👩👧 Spiritual Fatherhood
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The Holy Bible clearly witnesses to spiritual fatherhood: the apostles called believers their children in faith, though they were celibate.
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The phrase “Call no one your father on earth” is not understood literally, but within its specific instructional context to the apostles.
🏛️ Necessity of Church Order
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Absence of leadership and order leads to spiritual chaos.
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The Church is one body with many members, each having a role appointed by God.
🌿 Spiritual Conclusion
True equality lies in holiness, obedience, and love, while priesthood is a divine calling and responsibility, granted to some for the edification of all, according to God’s wise dispensation.
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