Universal priesthood (doctrine) facts for kids
In Christianity, different groups have different ideas about who can be a priest. A priest is someone who helps people connect with God.
Protestants generally believe that anyone who has been baptized can talk directly to God. They think that all believers are like priests. Sometimes, people who lead church services are called "Preachers" or "Pastors." They don't always need a special ceremony called ordination to do this.
However, the Roman Catholic Church has a different view. They believe that only men can become priests. These priests go through special training. Catholics believe these priests help people connect with God.
In 1964, Pope Paul VI wrote an important document called Lumen Gentium. In it, he explained the Catholic Church's view after the Second Vatican Council. He said that Jesus, who was a High Priest, made all baptized people "a kingdom and priests to God." This means that through baptism, Christians are made holy. They can offer spiritual sacrifices and show others God's goodness.
How Did This Idea Start?
The idea that all believers are like priests became very important during the Protestant Reformation. A key person who talked about this was Martin Luther.
In 1520, Luther wrote a book called To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation. He did not use the exact words "priesthood of all believers." But he explained that all Christians are priests. Before Luther, many people thought Christians were divided into two groups: "spiritual" (like priests) and "secular" (regular people).
Luther said that all baptized Christians are "priests" in God's eyes. He wrote that how a pope or bishop dresses does not make them more Christian. He said that all Christians are made priests through baptism. He used Bible verses from 1 Peter 2:9 and Revelation 5:10 to support his idea.
Two months later, Luther wrote another book called On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church. He continued to explain his point. He said that all baptized people are equally priests. He believed that church leaders, like ministers, are chosen by the people. They serve the community in the name of all believers. He saw their role as a "Ministry," not as a higher class of Christian.
What Does the Bible Say?
The main Bible verse that supports the idea of the "priesthood of all believers" is from the First Epistle of Peter, chapter 2, verse 9.
It says: But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
This verse means that all Christians are special to God. They are like priests because they can connect with God directly. They are called to show God's goodness to the world.
See also
In Spanish: Sacerdocio de todos los creyentes para niños
