Priesthood of All Believers in the Early Church

1 Peter 2:5 Direct teaching

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.

1 Peter 2:9 Direct teaching

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;

Revelation 1:6 Direct teaching

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Ignatius, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians (Long Version) Direct teaching

...-bearers, bearers of holiness, adorned in every way with the commandments of Jesus Christ, being “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people,” on whose account I rejoice exceedingly, and have had the privilege, through this Epistle, of conversing with “the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.” I rejoice, therefore, over you, that you do not give heed to vanity, and love nothing according to the flesh, but according to God.

Victorinus, Connection to Revelation 1:6 Direct teaching

"And He made us a kingdom and priests unto God and His Father." That is to say, a Church of all believers; as also the Apostle Peter says: "A holy nation, a royal priesthood."

Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Heathen Direct teaching

We have become a consecrated offering to God for Christ's sake: we are the chosen generation, the royal priesthood, the holy nation, the peculiar people, who once were not a people, but are now the people of God;

Methodius, Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna Direct teaching

...or godliness, but who now have many children of faith. Hail, people of the Lord, chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, peculiar people. Show forth His praises, who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, and glorify Him for His mercies.

Methodius, Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna Supporting witness

Hail, and rejoice, you that wast once barren, and without seed unto godliness, but who hast now many children of faith, Hail, you people of the Lord, you chosen generation, you royal priesthood, you holy nation, you peculiar people — show forth His praises who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; and for His mercies glorify Him.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

.... We further offer to You for this people, that You will make them, to the praise of Your Christ, a royal priesthood and a holy nation; for those who are in virginity and purity; for the widows of the Church; for those in honorable marriage and childbearing; for the infants of Your people, that You will not allow any of us to become castaways. We further beg You also for this city and its inhabitants; for those who are sick; for those in bitter servitude; for those in banishment; for those in prison; for those who travel by water or by land; that You, the helper and supporter of all men, will support them. We further also beg You for those who hate us and persecute us for Your name's sake; for those who are outside and wander out of the way; that You will turn them to goodness and calm their anger. We further also beg You for the catechumens of the Church, for those who are vexed by the adversary, and for our brothers the penitents, that You will perfect the first in the faith, that You will deliver the second from the power of the evil one, and that You will accept the repentance of the last, and forgive both them and us our offenses. We further offer to You also for the good c

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

We further offer to You for this people, that You will render them, to the praise of Your Christ, a royal priesthood and an holy nation;

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

and being vehemently inflamed by the word of His calling, we are the true high priestly race of God, as even God Himself bears witness, saying that in every place among the Gentiles sacrifices are presented to Him well-pleasing and pure.

Tertullian, On Monogamy Supporting witness

(No); but when we are extolling and inflating ourselves in opposition to the clergy, then we are all one: then we are all priests, because He has made us priests to (His) God and Father.

Romans 12:1 Background

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.

Romans 15:16 Background

to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Clement of Alexandria, Fragments Direct teaching

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood." 1 Peter 2:9. It is very clear that we are a chosen race by God's choosing. He says "royal" because we are called to rule and belong to Christ. And he says "priesthood" because of the offering made through prayers and teaching, by which the souls that are offered to God are won.

Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching

Accordingly, Peter says, You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ;

Origen, Commentary on John Supporting witness

The body is the Church, and we learn from Peter 1 Peter 2:5 that it is a house of God, built of living stones, a spiritual house for a holy priesthood.

Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. James Direct teaching

... a revelation of heavenly mysteries, and has appointed us to this ministry by the power of Your all-holy Spirit: grant, O Sovereign, that we may become servants of Your new covenant and ministers of Your pure mysteries. Receive us as we come near to Your holy altar, according to the greatness of Your mercy, so that we may become worthy to offer to You gifts and sacrifices for our transgressions and for those of the people. And grant to us, O Lord, that with all fear and a pure conscience we may offer to You this spiritual and bloodless sacrifice. Graciously receive it at Your holy and spiritual altar above the skies as an odor of a sweet spiritual fragrance, and in answer send down on us the grace of Your all-holy Spirit.

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

You offer this sacrifice to God; you celebrate this sacrifice without intermission day and night, being made victims to God, and exhibiting yourselves as holy and unspotted offerings, as the apostle exhorts and says, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.

Irenaeus, Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenæus Supporting witness

For, “from the rising of the sun even to the setting my name has been glorified among the Gentiles, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure sacrifice;” as John also declares in the Apocalypse: “The incense is the prayers of the saints.” Then again, Paul exhorts us “to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” And again, “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of the lips.” Now those oblations are not according to the law, the handwriting of which the Lord took away from the midst by cancelling it;

Tertullian, On Prayer Supporting witness

For this is the spiritual victim 1 Peter 2:5 which has abolished the pristine sacrifices.

Tertullian, An Answer to the Jews Supporting witness

But of the spiritual sacrifices He adds, saying, And in every place they offer clean sacrifices to my Name, says the Lord.

Hebrews 7:27 Background

He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 7:21 Background

(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...head. They also provoke Christ Jesus to anger, who has made this constitution. They also grieve the Holy Spirit, and make His testimony void. Therefore, since we know beforehand the danger hanging over those who do such things, and the neglect of the sacrifices and eucharistical offices that will arise from their being impiously offered by those who ought not to offer them—men who think the honor of the high-priesthood, which is an imitation of the great High Priest Jesus Christ our King, is a matter of sport—we have found it necessary to warn you about this also. For some have already turned aside after their own vanity. We say that Moses, the servant of God—to whom God spoke face to face, as if a man spoke to his friend; to whom He said, "I know you above all men"; to whom He spoke directly, and not by obscure methods, or dreams, or angels, or riddles—this man, when he made constitutions and divine laws, distinguished what things were to be done by the high priests, what by the priests, and what by the Levites, giving to each one his proper and fitting office in the divine service. And the things assigned for the high priests to do were not to be meddled with by the priests. T

Ignatius, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (Long Version) Direct teaching

For the priesthood is the very highest point of all good things among men, against which whosoever is mad enough to strive, dishonours not man, but God, and Christ Jesus, the First-born, and the only High Priest, by nature, of the Father.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

From these things it is clear that all the prophets declared about Christ that, at some time, being born in a body from the line of David, He would build an eternal temple in honor of God, which is called the Church, and gather all nations to the true worship of God. This is the faithful house. This is the everlasting temple. And if anyone has not offered sacrifice in this temple, he will not have the reward of immortality. And since Christ was the builder of this great and eternal temple, He also had to have an everlasting priesthood in it. And there can be no approach to the sanctuary of the temple, and to the sight of God, except through Him who built the temple. David also teaches the same thing in Psalm 110, saying, "Before the morning star I begot You. The Lord has sworn, and will not repent: You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." Also in the first book of Kings, 1 Samuel 2:35: "And I will raise up for myself a faithful Priest, who shall do all things that are in my heart; and I will build Him a sure house; and He shall walk in my sight all His days." But Zechariah teaches most plainly who this was to be, the one to whom God promised an everlasting priesth

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...nation, Hebrews 12:23. You, therefore, are the holy and sacred Church of God, enrolled in heaven, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, a bride adorned for the Lord God, a great Church, a faithful Church. Listen carefully now to what was said before: oblations and tithes belong to Christ our High Priest, and to those who minister to Him. Tenths of salvation are the first letter of the name of Jesus. Hear, O Holy Catholic Church, you who have escaped the ten plagues, and have received the ten commandments, and have learned the law, and have kept the faith, and have believed in Jesus, and have known the decad, and have believed in the iota, which is the first letter of the name of Jesus, and are named after His name, and are established, and shine in the completion of His glory. Those things that were sacrifices then are now prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings. Those things that were first-fruits, tithes, offerings, and gifts then are now oblations, which are presented by holy bishops to the Lord God through Jesus Christ, who has died for them. For these are your high priests, just as the presbyters are your priests, and your present deacons are in place of y

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

who stand at the altar of the Lord your God, and offer to Him reasonable and unbloody sacrifices through Jesus the great High Priest.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Direct teaching

Moreover, let those think carefully about what this great father and holy martyr sets forth here, those who say that bishops may give up their Sees and still keep the dignity of the priesthood. For if indulgence is scarcely granted even to clergy who willingly offered themselves to the contest of confession, and who, when tortured, failed in constancy and gave way, and afterward returned to the contest, because they delayed carrying out their ministerial duties; and if, in the opinion of this divine father, nothing else is objected to them except that they deserted the brothers when, in adverse and turbulent times, they might have been useful in confirming them in the faith, and after they had been counted worthy to bear testimony to the faith and to carry in their flesh the marks of Christ; then how can a pastor, who ought to lay down his life for the sheep, be thought worthy to keep the dignity of the sacred ministry, when he has deserted the flock committed to him, rejected its care and administration, and, as far as it lies in him, given it over to the wolf? Should he not rather be judged worthy of the severest punishments for deserting the people entrusted to his care? No, he

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

...ne chair founded on the rock by the word of the Lord. Another altar cannot be set up, nor can a new priesthood be made, besides the one altar and the one priesthood. Whoever gathers elsewhere scatters. Whatever is appointed by human madness, so that the divine arrangement is violated, is adulterous, impious, and sacrilegious. Stay far away from the infection of men like these, and flee from their words, avoiding them like a cancer and a plague, as the Lord warns you and says, "They are blind leaders of the blind. But if the blind lead the blind, they shall both fall into the ditch." Matthew 15:14 They block your prayers, which you pour out with us to God day and night, to appease Him with righteous satisfaction. They block your tears, with which you wash away the guilt of the sin you have committed. They block the peace which you truly and faithfully ask for from the mercy of the Lord. And they do not know that it is written, "And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, that has spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, shall be put to death." Deuteronomy 13:5 Let no one, beloved brothers, lead you astray from the ways of the Lord. Let no one, Christians, snatch you away

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...refore, beloved, let us consider what kind of glory belongs to the rebellious, and what their condemnation is. For if a man who rises up against kings deserves punishment, even if he is a son or a friend, how much more does one who rises up against the priests? For as much as the priesthood is nobler than royal power, because it is concerned with the soul, so much greater is the punishment of the one who dares to oppose the priesthood than of the one who dares to oppose royal power, although neither of them escapes punishment. For neither Absalom nor Abdadan escaped without punishment, nor did Korah and Dathan. The former rose up against David and struggled over the kingdom. The latter rose up against Moses over preeminence. And both spoke evil. Absalom spoke against his father David as if he were an unjust judge, saying to everyone, "Your words are good, but there is no one who will hear you and give you justice. Who will make me a ruler?" 2 Samuel 15:3. But Abdadan said, "I have no part in David, nor any inheritance in the son of Jesse." 2 Samuel 20:1. It is plain that he could not endure to live under David's rule, David of whom God said, "I have found David the son of Jesse,

Ignatius, Epistle to the Magnesians (Long Version) Direct teaching

...d temples of idols, burned down the groves dedicated to demons, and not to God. He killed the false priests, as the corrupters and deceivers of people, not the worshippers of the Deity. Therefore, youth is not to be despised when it is devoted to God. But one of a wicked mind ought to be despised, even if he is old, and full of wicked days. Timothy the Christ-bearer was young, but hear what his teacher writes to him: "Let no man despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word and conduct." It is therefore fitting that you should also be obedient to your bishop and not contradict him in anything; for it is a serious matter to contradict such a person. For no one deceives him that is visible by such actions, but seeks to mock Him that is invisible, who cannot be mocked by anyone. Every such act concerns not man, but God. For God says to Samuel, "They have not mocked you, but Me." And Moses declares, "For their murmuring is not against us, but against the Lord God." None of those who rose against their superiors has remained unpunished. For Dathan and Abiram did not speak against the law, but against Moses, and were cast down alive into Hades. Korah, along with the t

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

for it is written: Search diligently for all the faults of him who is to be ordained for the priesthood.

Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. Mark Direct teaching

Preserve for us through many years our most holy and blessed Papas Δ, and our most pious Bishop Δ, while they, according to Your holy and blessed will, peacefully fulfil the holy priesthood committed to their care, and dispense aright the word of truth, with all the orthodox bishops, elders, deacons, sub-deacons, readers, singers, with the entire body of the holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

... “I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” From there, through the changes of times and successions, the ordering of bishops and the arrangement of the Church continues on. So the Church is founded upon the bishops, and every act of the Church is directed by these same rulers. Since this is founded on divine law, I am amazed that some, with reckless boldness, have chosen to write to me as if they were writing in the name of the Church, when the Church is established in the bishop and the clergy, and in all who stand firm in the faith. Far be it from the mercy of God and His unlimited power to allow the number of the lapsed to be called the Church, since it is written, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living,” Matthew 22:32. For we do indeed desire that all may be made alive, and we pray that by our prayers and groans they may be restored to their former condition. But if certain lapsed people claim to be the Chur

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

...of pure self-control that comes from reason. But if he goes beyond the rule he chose, he will then fall back into a lesser hope of glory. For just as chastity has its own duties and ministries, marriage also has its own duties and ministries that belong to the Lord. I mean the care of children and of a wife. For what properly occupies the man who is complete in marriage is the marriage bond itself, so that he may show care and foresight for everyone in the common household. Therefore, he says, bishops ought to be appointed from those who have first trained themselves in ruling their own house, so that they may also be able to preside over the whole Church. So then, each person, in whatever calling he was called, as 1 Corinthians 7:24 says, must carry out his ministry in deed, so that he may become free in Christ and receive the reward due to his ministry. And again, speaking about the law and using an allegory, he says, “For the woman who is under a husband is bound by law to the living husband,” Romans 7:2, and what follows. And again: “A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is free to marry, only in the Lord. But she is happier if she remain

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...what priestly authority and power are, saying, "Fear the Lord with all your soul, and reverence His priests," Sirach 7:29; and again, "Honor God with all your soul, and honor His priests," Sirach 7:31. Keeping these commands in mind, the blessed Apostle Paul, as we read in the Acts of the Apostles, when it was said to him, "Do you revile God's high priest like this?" answered and said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people,'" Acts 23:4-5. Moreover, our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, our King and Judge and God, even on the very day of His passion, kept honor toward priests and high priests, although they kept neither the fear of God nor the acknowledgment of Christ. For when He had cleansed the leper, He said to him, "Go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift." With that humility by which He also taught us to be humble, He still called him a priest, though He knew him to be sacrilegious. Also, under the very pain of His passion, when He had received a blow and it was said to Him, "Do you answer the high priest like this?" He said nothing insulting against the person of the high priest

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

A heavier labour is incumbent on the priests in asserting and maintaining the majesty of God, that we seem not to neglect anything in this respect, when God admonishes us, and says, And now, O you priests, this commandment is for you.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

and if any one be not with the bishop, that he is not in the Church, and that those flatter themselves in vain who creep in, not having peace with God's priests, and think that they communicate secretly with some;

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

For it behooves priests and ministers, who wait upon the altar and sacrifices, to be sound and stainless;