In addition to being Jesus’ disciples, his followers are also identified as saints and priests in the New Testament. They are set apart for the purposes of God and have access to Him through the High Priest, who is Jesus. Throughout the New Testament Paul refers to believers as saints. He writes in his letter to the church in Colossae, “Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven” (Colossians 1:4-5a). Although the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches have altered the understanding of saints, it is clear that they are not to be the exalted and extraordinary, but rather the standard to which all believers strive.
Likewise, Christians are priests of God, identified under the High Priest, who is Christ Jesus. The Apostle John writes in his Revelation, “To [Jesus] who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever” (Revelation 1:5b-6a). Another Apostle, the disciple named Peter, explains that the collection of Christians from all time “like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). He continues, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
