Bible Study—Priests and Kings

Introduction

Priests and Kings? Are these in the Bible? Yes.

In Revelation 5:9-10 MEV, the enraptured saints confess to our resurrected Savior. “You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your Blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made us kings and priests unto our God. We shall reign on the earth.”¹

What is a king?

A king is the top leader of a constituency. This can be your family or a neighborhood association. It can also be an organized business, a church group, a political club, or a civic organization. This does not suggest that a disciple of Jesus Christ has the right to control these units. No disciple should manage them in a tyrannical manner. In lieu of a dictatorial role, your kingship is meant to lead righteously, by example, and wisely.

What is a priest?

The doctrine of the priesthood of all believers states that all believers in Christ share in his priestly status; therefore, there is no special class of people who mediate the knowledge, presence, and forgiveness of Christ to the rest of believers, and all believers have the right and authority to read, interpret, and apply the teachings of Scripture.²

But the only priests in the Catholic faith are ordained by the church. Really? Read the Latin Bible, Apocalypsis 5:9-10.³ Verse 10 says, “et fecisti nos Deo nostro regnum, et sacerdotes: et regnabimus super terram.” Translation, “and you have made us to our God a kingdom and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

One can only conclude that all believers, whether Catholic or non-Catholic, are priests and kings, according to God’s Word. A Catholic priest functions much like a Baptist pastor. A Catholic priest is officially qualified for the title of priest by his ecclesiastical authorities of the church organization.

Application

Governmental Leadership

The Biblical concept of priesthood as a king applies to the republican form of government.⁴ This is stipulated in Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution.⁵ A simple definition of the title of king is one that holds a preeminent position.⁶

The earliest recorded instance of the republican form of government is found in the Bible, in the book of Exodus. Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, brought Moses’ family to meet him in the wilderness. While with Moses, Jethro noticed Moses laboring from dawn to dusk. He was answering questions and resolving disputes among the Jewish people. Jethro wisely counseled Moses to be a representative on behalf of the people to God. Jethro advised Moses to choose capable men from among the Jewish people. These men would lead small groups. The groups were united in a cascading tier structure.⁷

In our day, Republican leaders are chosen to lead small groups. These groups range from precinct chairs to county chairs. The highest position is the statewide chairperson (Moses’ equivalent).

Public School Systems Leadership

Texas public school districts generally follow the republican form of government

• A certified teacher leads each classroom of students.
• A principal leads each school.
• The Superintendent oversees subordinate principals.
• The Board of Trustees oversees the Superintendent.
• District voters oversee and hold accountable the Superintendent.
• The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees and holds accountable the entire school district.
• The Texas governor exercises the role of Moses as the top leader.

Church Leadership

Church leadership varies. Some follow the Moses model, where the Pastor is the highest authority. Others subscribe to a board of elders as the highest authority over the church.

A few churches are involved in community leadership; most are not. What about YOUR church?

What about the separation of church and state?

This phrase is neither a matter of law or is it constitutional. It’s a myth promoted by atheists to block church leaders from endorsing policies and politicians. The phrase is a corruption of the text of a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury, Connecticut Baptists. Jefferson was actually supporting the constitutional prohibition of a state-mandated religion. Our forefathers knew the pitfalls of state religions in England, France, and Spain.⁸ Amendment I to the U.S. Constitution prohibits the establishment of a government-controlled religion.⁹

An amendment to the federal spending bill by then Senator Lyndon B. Johnson served to silence preachers by threatening the tax-exempt status for speaking for or against a political candidate. This is known as the 1954 Johnson Amendment¹⁰. The amendment was and is wholly and unquestionably unconstitutional.

Why was the amendment proposed by Lyndon Johnson? He added the amendment to silence his worthwhile pastoral critics in Texas. LBJ was a corrupt politician and a womanizer. His pulpit critics publicly spoke against him and his sinful ways.

Why was it unconstitutional? First and foremost, it violated Amendment I. Second, such executive action is not within the scope of the enumerated powers of the federal government. These powers are listed in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution¹¹.

Presently, the 1954 Johnson Amendment is in suspense due to President Trump’s executive order¹².

Meanwhile, there are bold and informed pastors and preachers who harbor no fear of censorship. There are other bold preachers; these I know personally.

• Kason Huddleston of Freedom Place Church in Rowlett, Texas
• Marty Reid of Trinity Family Church in Terrell, Texas
• Dr. Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas

Kason Huddleston is the chaplain for the Rockwall County Republican Party and chaplain of the Texas State Republican Party.

Marty Reid regularly hosts conservative political candidates and causes, disseminating valuable information on elections, government issues, and constitutional principles.

Dr. Robert Jeffress is bold in the pulpit about conservative values and issues. His church features an amazing class called Equipped for the Times. A wide range of highly influential speakers report on issues affecting our lives now and in the future. This class is available in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Action

Biblical leadership goes beyond church walls. Have you not read how and where Jesus preached and healed the people?

Community leadership is beyond the church’s walls. Consider Jesus’ commandments to his disciples.

“In whatever city or town you enter, inquire in it who is worthy. And live there until you leave. When you come into a house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you, nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than for that town.“¹³

Stating the obvious, 100% of the cities in the entire world are outside the walls of your church.

John White
Rockwall, Texas

Footnotes

1. The Modern English Version, Revelation 5:9-10 ↩︎
2. The Gospel Coalition: The Priesthood of All Believers ↩︎
3. Biblia Sacra Vulgata, Apocalypsis 5:9-10 ↩︎
4. LegalClarity: What Is a Republican Form of Government? ↩︎
5. Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution ↩︎
6. Merriam-Webster Dictionary: king ↩︎
7. Modern English Version, Exodus 18:13-27 ↩︎
8. Encyclopedia.com: The State Church in Early-Modern Europe ↩︎
9. The Bill of Rights: Amendment I ↩︎
10. Free Speech Center of Middle Tennessee State University: Johnson Amendment ↩︎
11. US Constitution, Article I, Section 8 ↩︎
12. The National Law Review: President Trump Signs “Johnson Amendment” Executive Order Limiting Treasury’s Actions Against Religious Organizations Engaged in Political Campaign Activities ↩︎
13. Modern English Version, Matthew 10:11-15 ↩︎