Journal: Southern Baptist Journal of Theology
Volume: SBJT 22:2 (Summer 2018)
Article: Restoring the Image of God: A Corporate-Filial Approach to the “Royal Priesthood” in Exodus 19:6
Author: David Schrock

SBJT 22:2 (Summer 2018) p. 25

Restoring the Image of God:
A Corporate-Filial Approach to the “Royal Priesthood” in Exodus 19:6

David Schrock

David Schrock is Pastor of Preaching and Theology at Occoquan Bible Church, Woodbridge, Virginia, and adjunct professor of systematic theology at Indianapolis Theological Seminary and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his PhD in systematic theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an associate research fellow for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He has written for The Gospel Coalition, Credo Magazine, 9Marks Journal, Desiring God, Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, Southeastern Theological Review, Criswell Theological Review, and is currently working on a book on the priesthood for Crossway’s Short Studies in Biblical Theology series.

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exod 19:5–6 ESV)

In the Bible “royal priesthood” or “a kingdom of priests” only appears two times—once in Exodus 19:6 (Heb. mamleket kohanîm; Gk. basileion hierateuma), once in 1 Peter 2:9 (Gk. basileion hierateuma).1 From such a scant number of occurrences one might assume the subject of royal priesthood is unimportant to storyline of the Bible.2 Such a conclusion, however, would be premature and misguided, because as this article will demonstrate, the

SBJT 22:2 (Summer 2018) p. 26

cohesion of priesthood and kingship, with the conjoining concept of sonship, provides a composite picture of humanity—e.g., Adam, Israel, Jesus, Church—that runs from Genesis to Revelation.

More than being just an idiosyncratic appellation for Israel and the Church, royal priesthood is a title of status given to God’s chosen people, an institution that permeates Israel’s history, a messianic description which identifies the heart of Jesus’ person and work, and a blessed vocation conferred on the new covenant people of God. In other words, far from being a title restricted to two passages of Scripture, the twin concepts of priest and king stand at the center of the biblical story, as well as numerous theological doctrines—e.g., Christology, ecclesiology, anthropology, and missiology, to name a few.You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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