The office of the Priest who offered sacrifices on behalf of the people became defunct after Jesus’ sacrifice but it was revived by the Roman Emperor Constantine 300 years after Jesus’ ascension. Constantine saw a flaming cross in the sky and then decided to ban all other beliefs in the Roman empire and introduced his new religion that later came to be called the Roman Catholic Church. Constantine was actually the first pope and later appointed Priests from among the idolatrous religious leaders. This Roman Catholic system created special costumes like cassocks and ceremonies for its priests to perform that included splashing holy water, waving incense smoke about, receiving confessions and killing Christ afresh at each mass through the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. All these practices did not have any Biblical foundation. This was done to impress the followers and the people at large loved it but only their leaders really understood the religious phraseology and psychology used to control their followers who number close to one billion today.

In the New Testament, church leadership is not dealt away with but the offices mentioned do not include priests. The Church was given leaders by Jesus Christ, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). These five leadership offices are sometimes called the five-fold ministry with the apostles and prophets at the helm (Ephesians 2:20). These leadership offices are assisted by deacons and others in the helps ministry (1 Timothy 3:10). The local churches were planted by Apostles throughout the book of Acts and the Apostles either ministered in these churches permanently or appointed a team of presbyters or elders who were apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or teachers then moved on. When the veil was torn apart in the temple at Jesus’ death on the cross, it signified that the order and ministry of the Old Testament priests was dealt away with (Mark 15:38). Now every believer could enter into the Holy of Holies for themselves without the mediation of a Priest. Every born again Christian became a Priest as Apostle Peter elaborates, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5,9). This scripture sets us free from the yoke of a special class of Priests that the Nicolaitans tried to enforce. All Christians are referred to as kings and priests of Jesus Christ throughout the book of Revelation (Rev 1:6, 5:10 & 20:6). This universal priesthood of the believer gives every believer the liberty to offer their own sacrifices of worship and finances to Jesus Christ without need for mediation. The Roman Catholic Priests who preside over the sacrifice or death of Jesus at every mass are aptly described in the scriptures where, “every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (Hebrews 10:11). The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was made once and for all and does not have to be repeated by any priest. We can all partake of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross without the need for a mediator since the Holy of Holies and throne of grace are accessible to the universal priesthood of every born again Christian. As a Christian you are now your own priest with Jesus as your great High Priest. Away with the hierarchical religious priesthood!