Clergy and Laity

1 Peter 2:5-10, Hebrews 8, 1 Corinthians 3, James 2                

Several Christians stood around my aunt’s hospital bed smiling. She was fine now, but weak from her heart attack the day before. This little group was committed to doing anything she needed in the days to come. Like Good Samaritans, they would go the extra mile. Later one man came to visit, stayed briefly, prayed with my aunt and left. His prayer was thought to be more important and necessary. He did pray well, but he wouldn’t be participating in my aunt’s care in the future. He did what he was paid to do and left to visit the next person on his list.

 Jesus abolished the system of religion that made the prayers of one person more valuable than another's. According to Jesus, all believers are priests and ministers. Paul taught that there is only One Mediator between us and God, but we often believe and practice something different. We think we need clergy but there's no division of laity and clergy in the New Covenant. We are all brothers and sisters. There's only One Shepherd and Teacher. When we believe and practice something different, we hurt ourselves. Many Christians never mature because we willingly or ignorantly ignore what God says is true. Sadly, we have put men between us and God. It's a sin. It's time to stop clinging to tradition and get closer to God.