Who are priests?

• They are guides to make the earthly to heavenly, and change those of a beastly nature to divine nature.

• They are Ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20)

• They are the ministers of the Holy Sacraments of the Church (Acts 6:4)

• They are ones who do not take this for oneself (Heb. 5:4)

• They are elected according to the will of God and have received the laying on of hands that is from Christ. (1 Tim. 4:10; Jn. 20:22,23; Act. 12:2,3; 2 Tim.2:2; Tit.1:50)

The name priest first appears in the Bible in Genesis 14:1-20. Malchizadech, priest of the Highest offered sacrifice with bread and wine. In the name of God, he blessed Abraham, and in the place of Abraham, he praised God.

Priest of the Old Testament (Ex.28:1)n was separated as the priest of God and they ministered between man and God. they offered a sacrifice as the representative of the worshipers and blessed them in the name of God. In the New Testament, the Christian priest ministered as Ambassadors of Christ and representatives of the faithful.

In the Old Testament Levite priesthood, there were three divisions namely. High Priests, Priests, and Levites. The duties were marked. (Lev.16:1,7; Num.3:4, 10; 13:3,6,8,37; Num.3;7-9)

In the New Testament, our Lord has established an organized ministry in His Church.

• He appointed Apostles as His representatives "whosoever receiveth you..." (Mat.10:40) "As the Father has sent me...." (Jn. 20:21)

• He appointed them rulers, the official teachers, and legislators. They were the center of unity. The first believers continued steadfastly in the Apostles' fellowship. (Act. 2:43)

• They were the ministers and stewards of Mysteries of God. (1Cor. 4:1) They were the agents through whom spiritual functions were exercised

• They were empowered to minister the Sacraments. "Baptise..." Do this in remembrance..." Whosoever sins ..." etc.

• When our Lord empowered them, He did it to enable them to pass on the spiritual authority to their Representatives and thro' them to their successors forever and promised them His eternal presence with them. (Mat. 28:20)

• The Apostles admonished them that they were appointed by the Holy Ghost. (Act. 20:28)

• The teaching authority in the Church was entrusted to them (1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:16; Tit. 2:1)

• They were appointed for the divine ministry and to rule the 'flock' of Christ. (1Pet.5:2-4) Apostles representatives were ordained to call to priesthood those who are worthy by laying of hands (2 Tim.2:2; Tit.1:5) and also stipulated their qualification (Tit. 1:6; 1Tim 3:1-10) and also showed them their reward. (1Tim.5:17)

• We see the beginning of the order of Deacons in Act.6:6. When the church was planted in any place, the Apostles ordained "Elders" (KASISAS) to minister to the local congregation. (Acts 10:30; 16:23; 20:17)

Apostles authorized some of the Elders to ordain others as we see in St.Paul's Epistle to Titus 1:5 When the Apostles passed away, the Order of the Bishops continued and has continued to the present day.

In Apostolic times, The Elders and Bishops (Overseer) were sometimes termed Elders, (Acts 20:17,28; Tit. 1:7-9; 1Tim. 3:1-7; 5:17,20) Thus during the time of the Apostles, we see three orders - Deacons, Priests and Bishops.

The manner of ordination was laying of hands, with prayers. Perfect obedience to the Priest by the laity was commanded by the Apostles. (Heb. 13:17, 1 Thes. 5: 12,13) St.Paul teaches the laity that they have to provide a living wage for their maintenance (1 Cor.9: 1-14) He also asks the clergy to "take heed to the ministry that thou hast received, that thou fulfill it."

The Offices of the Priest

1. Ruler (1Ti. 5:17)

2. Shepherd (1Pet.5:2; Eph. 4:11)

3. Ambassador (2cor. 5:18-20)

4. Co-workers of God (1 Cor.3:9)

5. Stewards (1Cor.4:1)

6. Fathers (1Cor. 4:15)

The Holy Church teaches that the Apostles were made Deacons when our Lord sent them two by two, and Priests when He breathed on them and said "Receive Ye the Holy Ghost" and Bishops when He lifted His hands and blessed them at the time of Ascension.

The Bishop ordains - the priests (Tit.1:5; 1Tim.5:22) -rebukes and judges them (1Tim.5:19) gives orders (1Tim. 3:1-13) lays hands upon (1Tim. 5:22) We see also authority over Bishops - for ex. Paul commands Timothy (1Tim. 6:14; 5:21)

The Priest, Elder, Kasiso - Apostles ordained Priests in the Church. (Acts 14:23) and asked bishops to ordain priests in each town (Tit. 1:5) They are also to fulfill their duties about their office as cited above.

The deacons Beginning (Act. 6:1-6) St. Paul list the qualification of the candidate. (1Tim 3:2)

Through valid Sacraments we receive Grace and as said earlier, the validity of the Sacraments rests upon the validity of the priesthood through valid ordination by a Bishop who has to receive power through Apostolic succession.

It is therefore imperative that there should be a valid Episcopate - in the absence of which there is no valid Body and Blood of Christ, no remission of sins, no Grace. Where there are no valid Bishops there is no Church.

As successors of the Apostles, the Bishops are the spiritual rulers of the Church, divinely appointed, and as such, subordination and loyalty from the clergy and laity are due. Rebellion against lawful Ecclesiastical Authorities is rebellion against Christ Himself and separation from them involves separation from On, Holy, Catholic Church.

In the Holy Church every Bishop, rightly consecrated can trace his spiritual lineage back to St. Peter, the head of the Apostles. At every period of the Church, the greatest care taken was that there should be no missing link in the chain of succession.

Rebellion and separation, voluntary or by ex-communication, break the chain. Sacraments administered by such 'priest', according to the teachings of the Church is invalid.

The Excellence of Priesthood

Far greater than Kingship (see 2 Cor. 26: 19 -21) For, kingship is an authority only on earth, whereas priesthood has authority on earth and in Heaven.

He is given the authority to be the representative of Christ and the one between God and Man.

He is authorized to give perfection and the seal of regeneration and to grant remission of sins and above all to take the Son of God in his hands. Even the angels are not endowed with these prerogatives.

That is why mar Jacob of Sarung sings - "If among the heavenly, the passion of envy, there exists, the Cherubims will envy those sons of men."