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To: Iscool

As you point out, there IS a word for priest in Greek - and it is NOT “presbuteros”. The Greek word for priest is never applied to a christian apart from Jesus Christ himself.

presbuteros was: “a term of rank or office

among the Jews: members of the great council or Sanhedrin (because in early times the rulers of the people, judges, etc., were selected from elderly men)

of those who in separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice

among the Christians: those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably”

http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/presbuteros.html

Paul referenced christians making sacrifices:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. - Rom 12.1

I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. - Phl 4:18

In the general epistles:

15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. - Heb 13.15

Indeed, Hebrews 13 is arguably all about the sort of sacrifices we are to offer as Christians!

That is pretty much it. We have no priests but Christ, because there is no other sacrifice than Christ - and He has already offered Himself:

“But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself...But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God...” - Hebrews

What is a “presbuteros”?

“Again and again, reference is made to a plurality of elders in each of the various churches. In fact, every place in the New Testament where the term presbuteros (“elder”) is used it is plural, except where the apostle John uses it of himself in 2 and 3 John and where Peter uses it of himself in 1 Peter 5:1...

...The primary responsibility of an elder is to serve as a manager and caretaker of the church (1 Tim. 3:5). That involves a number of specific duties. As spiritual overseers of the flock, elders are to determine church policy (Acts 15:22); oversee the church (Acts 20:28); ordain others (1 Tim. 4:4); rule, teach, and preach (1 Tim. 5:17; cf. 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 3:2); exhort and refute (Titus 1:9); and act as shepherds, setting an example for all (1 Pet. 5:1-3). Those responsibilities put elders at the core of the New Testament church’s work. “

http://www.gty.org/resources/Questions/QA203/Why-Elder-Rule


10 posted on 08/01/2015 7:01:21 PM PDT by Mr Rogers (Can you remember what America was like in 2004?)
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To: Mr Rogers
Titus 1:5-16 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

1 Timothy 3:1-13 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

15 posted on 08/01/2015 7:58:10 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: Mr Rogers
As you point out, there IS a word for priest in Greek - and it is NOT “presbuteros”. The Greek word for priest is never applied to a christian apart from Jesus Christ himself.

True, and with the only priesthood (hieráteuma) in the NT church being that of all believers, but we know that the lack of Scriptural warrant is no reason to reject anything for a Cath, th weight of Scriptural substantiation is not the basis for Cath doctrine in the first place.

And surely over 12,000 words will make up for what the Holy Spirit does not provide, but refutes, in Scripture.

17 posted on 08/01/2015 8:00:30 PM PDT by daniel1212 (Turn to the Lord Jesus as a damned and destitute sinner+ trust Him to save you, then follow Him!)
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To: Mr Rogers

Thanks for the detailed description of presbyteros...


27 posted on 08/01/2015 8:59:29 PM PDT by Iscool
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