1. The Priesthood July 10, 2010

2. Memory Verse “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 2:7)

3. We are Soldiers in God’s Army There is a Battle that is between God and Satan!! What side are you on? If you are a soldier in God’s army who is guiding us to follow the orders ?? Jesus is our General who gives the orders The priests are the captains who guide us and teach us to fight our spiritual enemy !!!

4. Who is the High Priest? (Hebrews 9:11) Our Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church. He commanded them to go forth and baptize people everywhere and teach them to observe His commandments. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28: 9,20) He chose the 12 apostles and set them apart from everyone else. “He called His disciples to Him, and from them He chose twelve whom He named apostles” (Luke 6:13)

5. The Apostles were given Power The power to forgive sins and withhold forgiveness You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16: 18-19) The power to work signs and wonders in His name. So that even handkerchiefs (of Paul) or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. (Acts 19:12)

6. What does Abouna do in Church? Handles Communion Confessions Holy Liturgy on Sundays Prays for the forgiveness of our sins We kiss Abouna’s hand because he touches the Body and Blood of Christ He is a “man of God” and a “man of prayer” He is a leader set a side for the work of the Lord to serve the people of God

7. He tells all about God’s Love for the World The Liturgy is the center of his service. He Leads his children TO CHRIST & Cares FOR THEIR SALVATION

8. How to send God’s Love Helping the people The poor The needy The sick Working for what is fair Supporting those who do the work of God

9. How does this man become a Priest? It’s a Sacrament! The Bishop lays his hands on the head of the elected Abouna. The Holy Spirit descend on him and grant him the priestly order.

10. Priest of the Lord Ooab = coptic for priest comes from ethoab = saintly / righteous A righteous man, adorned by holiness and purity.

11. It is an Honor to Serve the Lord To work for the salvation of the souls of the people of God. “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the Mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:1,2)

12. Priesthood is … A calling from God A choice made by God A consecration A stewardship – God put in his hands a duty of caring for the people’s salvation.

13. Ranks of Priesthood The order of Deacons Deacons = servants The order of Priests Priests = teachers The order of Bishops Bishops = overseers and shepherds

14. Deacon According to St. Paul in his 1st Epistle (letter) to Timothy (3:8-13): “Likewise deacons must be: Reverent Holding mystery of faith with a pure conscience Ruling their children and their houses well Should be tested first and then proved and found blameless so they can be ordained.” (1 Timothy 3:10)

15. Priest An Intercessor someone who prays on our behalf before God on the altar (the Holies of Holy) A Teacher Teaches the people the word of God Leads them to Jesus Christ – the Only Way to heaven: Virtues Mysteries of the sacraments Explaining the word of truth of the bible, and church traditions handed down from the apostles.

16. Bishop Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd An overseer and pastor A shepherd pasturing the good sheep Like the Lord Jesus, he is teaches and defends the true faith in the church. He is responsible before the throne of God. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. (John 10:11)

17. Our Lord Jesus is the High Priest in heaven and on earth He granted priesthood to His disciples and those ordained by them in the future generations by the Holy Spirit.

18. St. John Chrysostom said… It is the priests who can do baptism = our spiritual birth By priests we put on Christ, and are united to the Son of God, and become members of that blessed head. So we should honor themmore than princes and kings, and give them respecteven more than our parents! Because our mom and dad gave us physical birth - of blood and the will of the flesh But priests are the cause of our spiritual birth - of our true freedom and son-ship according to grace of God.

19. Questions ?