Overview
This lecture examines the priestly role of Adam, Christ, and the Church, focusing on how the Holy Spirit empowers and animates priestly functions throughout redemptive history.
The Priestly Role of Adam
- Adam was placed in Eden, seen as a garden temple, to serve as God's priest.
- His priestly duties included expanding and guarding the garden's holiness and purity.
- Adam was made holy by God's presence both in the garden and within himself through the Spirit.
- Adam's failure in his priestly duties led to judgment and separation from God's presence.
The Priestly Role of Christ
- Jesus became the new eschatological (end-time) temple, filled with the Spirit.
- The Spirit empowered Jesus to fulfill priestly duties: representing God to humans and humans to God.
- Jesus' defensive duties included keeping the temple (his body) pure and cleansing the Jerusalem temple.
- Offensively, Jesus expanded God's presence, making people clean and forgiving sins by the Spirit.
- Jesus' mediatorial work involved being both priest and sacrifice, offering himself through the eternal Spirit.
- Christ's priesthood continues eternally by the Spirit, mediating the new covenant and interceding for believers.
The Priestly Role of the Church
- The Church is now the living temple, indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
- The Spirit grants the Church a priestly status with duties such as worship, holiness, and intercession.
- The Church's defensive priestly role is to guard holiness and purity as God's dwelling place.
- Offensively, the Church expands God's presence, sanctifying spaces and bringing God's presence into the world.
- The Spirit empowers believers to maintain holiness and fulfill priestly responsibilities.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Economic Trinity — The roles Father, Son, and Holy Spirit play in history, especially redemption.
- Priestly Vocation — The duty to represent God to people and people to God, maintain holiness, and mediate God’s presence.
- Eschatological Temple — The final, Spirit-filled dwelling place of God, fulfilled in Jesus and the Church.
- Paraclete — The Holy Spirit, sent as a helper and advocate to believers.
- Mediation — Acting as a go-between for God and humanity, a key priestly function.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Genesis 2, John 1:14, John 2:19, and Hebrews 9:14 on priesthood themes.
- Reflect on how the Holy Spirit empowers priestly duties in your life or church context.