In the Old Testament there was a distinction between the priesthood and the common people. In the New Testament the priesthood is composed of all Christians. "But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Pet 2:9). In the Old Testament all sacrifices given to God were slain at the door of the tabernacle. He pressed his hand up to the head of the sacrifice, confessed his sins over it and then cut the animal's throat. The priest sprinkled the blood upon the altar and burned its carcass on the brazen alter (Lev 1:1-8). Christ's sacrifice was similar to this. He also was slain on the cross at the door of the tabernacle (Acts 2:23). Christ as a dead sacrifice to God ended all bloody sacrifices for the redemption of man (Heb 10:10). Christian's sacrifices to God are living sacrifices (Rom 12:1-3). Our sacrifices are living hands to work for God and our neighbors. Christian sacrifices are living feet to walk in God's righteousness and to stand in the gospel's faith. Our sacrifices are living lips to sing God's praises and preach God's word. Finally, our sacrifices are living minds to meditate on God's will (Eph 5:1-2; Heb 13:15).
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