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Priest-ism Brought to the Touchstone
"Search the Scriptures."
(June 1834 – January 1892) Pastor, Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle London, England
Can your “priest” grant you pardon? Did you offend the priest? Then the priest
can forgive you for offending him; but he cannot forgive you for offending God
"gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" but never do we read of his giving priests. (Ephesians 4:11)
Simply because the office of priests was unknown in the primitive church; and, moreover, in no way needed, for the weakest and humblest believer may now enter with boldness, even “into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 10:19)
"touched with the feeling of our infirmities," and "ever liveth to make intercession for us," what need we of any earthly priest? (Hebrews 4:15; 7:25)
Priestly confession is not needed; for if we confess our sins to the Lord, "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Priestly absolution is not needed; because the blood of Jesus Christ, and that alone, "cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
Priestly intercession is not needed; for "if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1)
"No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron;" but this cannot be said of any humanly-appointed priest. (Hebrews 5:4)
"without shedding of blood is no remission;" but no such sacrifices are now offered, nor are they needed, Christ "hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself," and "by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 9:22, 26; 10:14)
, "to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6)
priesthood is a deceptive invention of man, and directly opposed to the teaching of Holy Scripture.
"To the law and to the testimony: if
they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
(Isaiah 8:20)
(No. 27.—From C. H. Spurgeon's "Sword and Trowel"
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