A priest was someone God chose to offer sacrifices to God. He did this for people because they could not do it themselves. Priests also did other things in the tabernacle or temple (see: Numbers 18:1-7). They prayed to God for the people. Priests could say whether someone or something was clean or unclean according to the law of Moses (see: Leviticus 13). Priests taught the law of Moses to the Israelites (see: Deuteronomy 33:10). They also helped people to be at peace with one another if they were fighting (see: Deuteronomy 17:8-13). When talking about all priests, the word “priesthood” is used.
In the Old Testament, God only chose Aaron and Aaron’s descendants to be his priests for the people of Israel. Aaron was the brother of Moses and a member of the tribe of Levi.
In the New Testament, Christians are called priests. In the same way priests went to God in the temple, Christians go to God when they pray. Christians also offer spiritual sacrifices to God by praising him and obeying him (see: Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 13:15-16; 1 Peter 2:5).
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