Shortly after the May issue of the CLARION HERALD went into the mail word was received that Bro. Mitchell Lewis had been called to be with the Lord. After months of suffering this was, for him, a welcome deliverance.
    Loving hands faithfully cared for him AT HOME (as he had desired) until his upward summons came.
    A close and beloved friend of many years, I was honored by an invitation to speak to the honor of His Saviour's name at the service held to pay our final respects to his memory.
    Do remember to pray for this beloved family - that their devotion to the Lord may be more complete, and that they may find the Lord's grace sufficient to sustain them in this loss. E.G.


    The Lord willing, on July 22-27, this Editor will be speaking in a special series of meetings for Pastor Leonard C. Ford and the First M.B. Church, of Anchorage, Alaska. It would be a blessing to have other friends and brethren from the area to share with us in this time of study, fellowship and worship. E.G.

    It is doubtful that any other basic, biblical concept is more universally confused, perverted or misunderstood than that of the "priesthood" as set forth in the Word of God. Romanism claims that her priesthood is the divinely-authenticated successor of the Aaronic order: "Judaism, in full blossom, is Catholicism"; this is her claim. But, those who know the scriptures recognize that for which Rome claims divine authority as being, in reality, an abominable and blasphemous prevarication! Yet, few have ever made a diligent study designed to discern God's "true order" of priestly service for the present age.


    While categorically repudiating the concept of a "universal church" (composed of all the saved), multitudes of well-meaning Baptists unconsciously, inconsistently and unintentionally promote THAT VERY CONCEPT by the advocacy of what they term "the priesthood of the believer" - meaning all who have believed unto the experience of saving grace. If one will make a diligent study of a biblically

authorized priesthood, he will be forced to REJECT this over-simplified concept, or to accept the conclusion to which it inevitably leads - that the church is UNIVERSAL!


    Though prayer and intercession are an essential part of priestly ministry, there is no logical or scriptural reason for an over-simplified equation of "prayer" and "priesthood". The folly of such a conclusion is easily discernable in the Old Testament.
    Some of the most moving prayers recorded in the Old Testament were prayed by people who were not even of the priestly tribe: by Hannah, (I Sam. 1:10-11; 2:1-10); by David, (2 Sam. 7:18-19, etc.); by Solomon, (I Kings 8:22-53); by Jonah (2:1-9); and by Hezekiah, (Isa. 37:16-20). Thus, to argue that a restriction, or limitation, of the concept of priesthood would deny

to some saved people the privilege of prayer is nothing short of willful ignorance! A clear evidence that the one using such an argument has never really examined the concept of "priesthood" as set forth in the general tenor of the holy scriptures.


    Though space will not here permit a detailed consideration of the subject, any careful student of the word must soon discover a close relationship between: 1) the firstborn, 2) the birthright and 3) priesthood. Any over-simplification that fails to consider the biblical association of these concepts will lead to a perversion of the scriptures and distortion of the truth.
    While it is natural to assume that the FIRSTBORN involves the first (male) child of a particular father, the chief biblical significance is that of "priority of rank, privilege and authority". One of the birthright-privileges of the "firstborn", in the patriarchal age, was that of priestly succession over his father's household, (I Sam. 20:28-29). He would also receive a double portion of his father's inheritance. But, the eldest son might FORFEIT his position through unworthy conduct, or by a decision of the father to give the blessing to another. The birthright might be despised and bartered. And the priesthood might become so corrupted, or polluted, that God would no longer accept it.

    The scriptural exercise of a divinely appointed priesthood is possible ONLY in the place where God has appointed it - the place where He "has chosen to put his NAME" (suggesting His blessings, majesty, power, glory and divine attributes - His very presence among His people). So clearly was this set forth in God's dealings with Israel that there is no room for doubt. Here alone would God accept their sacrifices and offerings; thus, here alone could THEY themselves find acceptance in His sight.
    If the nation would walk in the path He had appointed, God would make of them "a kingdom of priests" - His instruments of spiritual blessings to all the nations of the earth. More than SYMBOLIC, the meticulously-appointed Aaronic Levitical priestly order, established in Israel, was designed to bring ALL NATIONS and people back to their Creator-God.
    Out of the nation of Israel ONLY the sons of Aaron and the tribe of Levi were chosen of God for priestly service - the Levites being chosen "in the stead of" the firstborn of every family. The PLACE of their service was divinely ordained and their duties clearly specified. Anyone who presumed to take upon himself the priestly function met the speedy judgment of the Almighty! (Num. 16-17; 2 Chron. 26:16-21).
    IF the nation satisfactorily fulfilled an initial period of probation, God purposed to make of

them "a kingdom of priests and an holy nation" (Ex. 19:5-6). This was never fully realized because of their constant rebellion, disobedience and unfaithfulness. Neverless, God blessed the faithful performance of the service He had appointed in Israel - clear down to the coming of the Messiah.


    When Jesus, the Son of God, became incarnate in human flesh, He established a NEW PRIESTLY ORDER - He Himself was made a High Priest "after the order of Melchisedec". This priestly service was as truly divinely ordained as was that under the law. It's exercise is specifically placed within "the house of God" - the church - which is likened unto a "household", "temple", "flock" and "bride". The priesthood of Jesus Christ is specifically declared to be "over the house of God", (Heb. 10:19-22) which, in this age, is "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth",(I Tim. 3:15).
    As "a chosen (elect) generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation (and) a peculiar people", we may "show forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light", (I Pet. 2:9) As living stones, we are "a spiritual house, an holy priesthood" whose purpose it is to offer up such spiritual sacrifices as will be acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, (I Pet. 2:5) - even "the sacrifice of praise", which involves such "fruit of our lips"

as give praise to His name, (Heb. 13:15-16).
    The only scripturally-authenticated priesthood to be found in the world today is that which our Lord has fashioned in THE CHURCH He established during His personal ministry on earth. As the "temple of God" (I Cor. 3:16-17), and dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:22), it is the privilege of every properly-functioning New Testament church to (corporately) offer up such sacrifice as will be well-pleasing to God. Nor may individual "Christians", apart from this relationship, rightly assume themselves "priests of God" simply because they have "believed" in Jesus as their Saviour. God ever accepts ONLY that which He has

commanded; then only as it is rendered according to the pattern set forth in His Word.


    Considerable doctrinal confusion, inconsistency and downright silliness would be avoided if one could remember that the New Testament is addressed to a special, New Covenant people. Any attempt to apply its principles, promises and blessings to ANY who opt for something LESS THAN TOTAL COMMITMENT to God's order is dangerously presumptuous. It involves nothing less than a god-playing spiritual INSANITY! E.G.


    From his prison cell in Rome, Paul wrote to his beloved Philippian brethren: "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, TO BE CONTENT", (Phil. 4:11). The scriptures urge contentment: with one's wages, (Lk. 3:14); with food and raiment, (I Tim. 6:8); and with such things as one has, (Heb. 13:5).
    To LEARN this secret is one of the most important lessons of life. A man's wealth is usually measured in proportion to the number of things he has learned to DO WITHOUT!
    In an age of luxury, most people have forgotten how to give thanks for the enjoyment of common necessities. Though we know the PRICE of most everything, we seem to know the VALUE of NOTHING!
    True joy and contentment will never come through an accumulation of things. Let us learn the REAL secret of contentment! E.G.