Lesson 5 All believers are priests!

 Photo above of Castle Church in Wittenberg - the same church where Luther posted 95 Theses (Photo by author)
 (Text below part of presentation to musicians, artists and worship leaders in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 2017)

 . . . you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5 (ESV)

 The important concept of the 'priesthood of all believers' comes out of the idea of Solus Christus.  1 Peter 2:5 is a key verse. The priesthood of all believers means that all believers can go directly into the presence of God. It was one of the most provocative and controversial beliefs of the reformers. Since every Christian is considered to part of the “priesthood,” there was no Scriptural basis for the office of priesthood as the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches understood it. This remains a key distinction with these branches of Christianity to this day. 

The belief that every Christian, regardless of his vocation, is called to be a personal representative for God, resulted in sweeping changes in the church and in society.  Therefore, even the most menial task or occupation was viewed as a sacred calling. Before this, the only work that could be considered a sacred calling was a church related vocation.  Now every occupation or action was considered a sacred calling and that included the actions of the congregation in worship—whether in song, prayer, offerings or listening to the Word and obeying. Now every one was a priest.

​This also changed the view of church music and church musicians. Catholic music reflected the view of the church as an institution separate from, and above the congregation. However, Luther viewed the congregation as the church.  Therefore, it was only logical that music in the service should be, for the congregation an expression of faith, a vehicle of prayer and praise, an act of worship.[1] 

Sometimes praise teams act as if they are a select ordained, specially gifted, specially skilled group above the congregation. Their actions are not always focussed on helping the congregation express their faith and worship God.  Instead, the focus is on presenting an incredible concert worship experience designed to display their musical, theatrical and  performance skills.  At times they seem more concerned with their own personal worship experience and turn their time on stage into a spiritual entertainment concert.

No, as worship teams we are at the same level as all the other believers in the congregation.  We are part of the congregation.

Luther believed that all not only should believers be able to participate in public worship, they should be able to do so in their own vernacular language. The restoration of congregational singing in German required  songs in German that were easy to sing—hymns with simple syllabic melodies.  This need sparked a time of great hymn production following Luther’s lead.  We will comment more on this later.

What does it mean to be a priest?
Eugene Peterson in his book,  Leap Over a Wall - Earthy Spirituality for Everyday Christians, p. 20 describes it this way: "A priest presents a person to God, or presents God to a person.  A priest makes the God-connection verbal or visible. A priest represent human needs before God, set God’s word before men and women.  God and humans have something to do with one another, everything to do with one another.  A priest says and acts that reality.”

As leader or member of a praise and worship team, choir or instrumental conductor, accompanist, soloist - do you represent God to the congregation? Or do you (and your group) feel you are an essential intermediary? 

Do you make the God-connection real? Do you help the congregation present their needs to God?  

Do you set God's word before the people?

Is the connection between God and people a beautiful reality? 

​Does your leadership, creativity and worship allow believers to meet and worship God?

​Does your leadership help believers to enter directly into the presence of God?  

[1] Nettl, Paul. 1948. Luther and Music. Philadelphia: The Muhlenberg Press p6