One of the Greatest Mistakes

One of the Greatest Mistakes

One of the greatest mistakes that has ever been committed after Jesus’ work was finished is that, without realizing it, people have actually rejected these especially important scriptures: 1 Peter 2:9; Rev. 1:6; 1 Corinthians 14:26; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and 2 Corinthians 3:17.

Peter wrote to the church: “You . . . are a royal priesthood . . . .” It is perfectly plain that “you” is each individual, each member of the body of Christ, which is made up of born-again people, those who live a new life.

Going to school or to university in order to be educated as a “priest” is as unbiblical as it can possibly be. Nothing like this can be found in the Bible or among the first Christians!

However, according to the New Testament (1 Peter 2:9) each born-again Christian is a priest. All other kinds of priests are therefore the work of man.

What the priests of the new covenant are to proclaim is clearly and plainly written: “That you may proclaim the virtues of Him . . . .” 1 Pet. 2:9.

Paul’s revelation that all these are members of each other on the same body, of which Christ is the head, is amazing, as well as plain, and clear. Of course, we know that a body is made up of many members who automatically serve each other!

Therefore 1 Corinthians 14:26 is an obvious law of life for the church, which is the body of Christ on earth. “Whenever you come together, each of you has . . .” namely, something with which to serve, something for edification. This is incumbent on all the members of Christ, on all the New Testament priests. It is very pitiful and deplorable that this is completely unknown among converted people. However, the reason is unbelief in the aforementioned scriptures, and disobedience to them, and the lack of a keen interest in God’s Word.

And what have people done with 2 Corinthians 2:17??? “Where the Spirit of the Lord is [ruling], there is liberty.” Normally you do not find liberty in the assemblies. The so-called priests and pastors make sure of that.

According to the above-mentioned scripture, the Spirit of the Lord does not rule at meetings if the members of the body of Christ do not have the liberty to exercise their edifying ministry. Of course! For, it would be just as futile as if the various members of one’s own body would be put out of action.

Without people being aware of it, all these clear scriptures are rejected nearly everywhere in the entire world, almost without exception, from the conclusion of the era of the first churches until our time. This is so sad!

But—God be highly praised—now the light is beginning to shine more and more in many lands.