What does Tribe teach about priesthood of believers?
Drawn from the messages where it was actually addressed: the words said from the front, the passages taught, and where to hear the whole thing.
At Tribe, the teaching on the priesthood of believers starts with the long story of Levi and ends with what that story means for anyone who follows Jesus today. Justin traced how the tribe of Levi, born out of violence and a prophecy of scattering, was set apart by God after the sons of Levi stepped forward when Moses called out for anyone on the Lord's side. God designated them as a kind of redemption price for Israel's firstborn, tasking them with carrying the tabernacle, protecting the priesthood, and speaking the law among every tribe where they lived. That scattered calling turned out to be less a curse and more a purpose.
The system broke down over time. By Malachi, the priesthood was corrupt, the offerings were compromised, and instruction that was meant to draw people near to God was causing them to stumble instead. But Malachi also carried a promise: a messenger would prepare the way, and then the Lord himself would come to refine the sons of Levi like a refiner purifies silver. Justin pointed to an old devotional image of a refiner knowing the work is done when he can see his own reflection in the metal. The point was that the refining continues until Christ sees himself reflected in us. As Justin put it, "as we behold Jesus, we become more like him."
The New Testament, particularly 1 Peter 2 and the book of Hebrews, is where that thread lands for believers today. Jesus is the great high priest who entered the most holy place not with animal blood but with his own, and through him every believer now has direct access to God. The veil that separated people from God's presence is gone. Justin noted that taking that veil off can be disorienting, and he said it plainly: "taking that veil off of our hearts can be really painful, but as you step into the light, bear with the brightness for a bit." The priesthood of believers is not a title but an inheritance, received through the one who is, as Justin said, "the way, the truth, and the life, and there is no way to the Father except through Jesus."
Taught from 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9 · Hebrews 4:14-16 · Hebrews 9:11-14 · Malachi 3:1-4 · 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
“As we behold Jesus, we become more like him.”
From Levi, Leviticus, and Us ｜ Justin
The passage taught · 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9
4 coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.
5 You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
World English Bible
Messages that go deeper
- March 24, 2025 Levi, Leviticus, and Us ｜ Justin A Wyoming church traces God's story from Levi through Moses to Jesus, showing how Christ fulfilled and replaced the Old Testament priesthood for all believers.
- March 23, 2025 Levi, Leviticus, Levite, and Us A guest speaker traces the tribe of Levi from Genesis to Jesus, showing how Christ fulfilled the priesthood and what it means for ordinary believers to live as priests today.