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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Priests in the New Testament Joseph Monday, February 18, 2013

Question:

Brother,

I was listening to NPR the other day. There isn't any talk radio on FM anymore so until I find something else it's all I got. Well there was this " expert" who started off justifying the pope's decision to retire so I thought this might actually be someone I could listen too. So a few minutes in he starts talking about his book and begins to mention how we don't need priests because they were not mentioned in the New Testament. He goes on to quote Paul and how he even sent women to do his work.

Well I am wondering when did we start calling priests priests? How did we distinguish the apostles from them and others being sent? I assume it has to do with Tradition more than the actual word being used. i do remember Jesus or St. Paul saying how we were all priests in some way but I do not remember the context. Thank you any God bless.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r)

Dear Joseph:

Well,. NPR is a dangerous station to listen to. It is liberal to say the least. NPR cannot be trusted to report on anything concerning the Church.

This "expert" is correct that St. Paul sent women out to do the apostolate. But, these women were not ordained priests or deacons. They were ordinary laity who did the work of the apostolate and assisted the clergy like we all can to do. Some even preached on the street or to groups outside of the Holy Mass. St. Paul, made it abundantly and crystal clear that women were not to speak in the Church. That refers to speaking in the liturgy (e.g. preaching). Only clergy are to speak officially in the liturgy of the Holy Mass. This has not changed since A.D. 33.

Priests are mentioned in the New Testament. The Greek words found in the New Testament that translate to "priests" are presbyteros and presbyter. As the Catholic Encyclopedia states, these words have "taken the meaning of "sacerdos", from which no substantive has been formed in various modern languages (English, French, German). The priest is the minister of Divine worship, and especially of the highest act of worship, sacrifice."

In the old Catholic Encyclopedia, see the articles Priesthood (scroll down to section, "The Christian Priesthood") and Priest.

As for not needing priest, I suppose that Protestants do not need priests since they have man-made inventions and novel ideas about Ecclesiology and the Sacraments. Protestants do not have "Churches" as they have no valid Holy Orders. (See Responses To Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects Of The Doctrine On The Church) They are but ecclesial fellowships. So, I guess denying the need for priests is true for them since they make up their own rules, apart of God, as they go along. With 32,000+ ecclesial fellowships out there the number of man-made inventions on the faith and Ecclesiology is endless. I think it is best to stick with what Jesus wanted and established

The one Church that Jesus established requires ordained Priests to administer the Sacraments and a Pope to to be His Prime Minister. All Seven of the Sacraments of the Catholic Church are mentioned in the Bible, including Confession.

See the Encyclopedia articles, Church, Hierarchy in the Early Church, Sacraments, and an Outline of Articles on the Seven Sacraments. Also, see Index Catholic Apologetics. from the Biblical Evidence for Catholicism website.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary