Martin Luther-The monk who discovered that every believer is a Priest. “For whoever comes out of the water of baptism can boast that he is already a consecrated priest, bishop, and pope, although of course it is not seemly that just anybody shall exercise such office.” “Let the man who would hear God speak read Holy Scripture.” “You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1Peter 2:5, 10 The Priesthood of all believers.

Martin Luther-The monk who discovered that every believer is a Priest. 1) Direct Access to God “The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." Ps 110.1,4 Direct access to God, with nothing in your hand except Christ’s blood and righteousness. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”. 1 Timothy 2:5 God has given you boldness in your access to Him. Eph 3.12, Heb 10.19

Martin Luther-The monk who discovered that every believer is a Priest. 2) Freedom of conscience Scripture is the only authority in the believer’s life. “You break the command of God for the sake of your tradition. You nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition”. Matt 15.3,6 “A poor servant girl sweeping a room with a brush is in as good a position as the pope himself to understand the Bible. If she has the Holy Spirit to help her”. - Luther “God authoritatively addresses the human conscience only in His word and sets it free from all obligation to obey or believe any doctrine or teaching of men as are contrary to or in addition to His word.” A.A. Hodge’s - Westminister confession of Faith.

Martin Luther-The monk who discovered that every believer is a Priest. 3) Every work is service to God. The Roman Catholic Church divided the world into spiritual and secular. "The work of monks and priests, however holy, and arduous they be, do not differ one whit in the sight of God from the works of the rustic labourer in the field or the women going about household tasks , but that all works are measured before God by faith alone”. - Luther “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” Ps 24.1 “On that day HOLY TO THE LORD will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the LORD's house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar.” Zech 14. 20

Martin Luther-The monk who discovered that every believer is a Priest. 4) A corporate priesthood of service Priesthood of all believers does not mean “I am my own priest.” We stand before God as a body of priests. The priesthood of all believers is a call to ministry and service. “God .... gave us the ministry of reconciliation. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Cor 5.18