Priesthood of All Believers - 1 Peter 2:5, 9

The Priesthood of All Believers - Does this mean women may be priests?

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

The priestly function of all believers, both men and women, is to "offer up spiritual sacrifices". This has always been the case, even prior to Jesus' death. "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel" (Exodus 19:6). Believers during the time of ancient Israel were a kingdom of priests, even though only the male Levites were allowed to serve as official priests in the sanctuary.

God desires us to make sacrifices of ourselves. He wants us to lay all upon the altar of repentance and give up our pride, lusts, cherished sins and harmful habits. "For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise" (Psalm 51:16-17).

When a person becomes a member of Jesus' kingdom, he or she becomes part of a "holy nation", and is a representative of God. In the same way that this status did not eliminate the need for official earthly priests during the time of ancient Israel, it does not eliminate the need for official earthly elders today. It also does not negate that the official earthly priests and official earthly elders are to be male according to the Bible instruction.

Study Note: The word translated to "priesthood" is only used twice, both here in 1 Peter 2 in verses 5 and 9.

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