These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but were not found, therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. Nehemiah 7:64
We were visiting another Assembly one time many years ago when a strange thing happened during the Breaking of Bread. A man stood up to pray, and during his prayer spoke at length about baptism as a requirement for salvation. Apparently, this man had recently been brought into the Assembly fellowship, and there had been very little screening of his background because he was a son of one of the elders. After that strange prayer, the other elders took him aside and questioned him at some length. They discovered the man believed in baptismal regeneration, and had never been truly saved. So he was removed from the fellowship, just like the people in our text today in the temple worship in Jerusalem.
Our text is speaking of some people who assumed they were qualified to serve as priests in the temple. But when a search was made of the genealogies, they were found to be lacking the necessary qualifications. Priests who served in the temple needed to be of the tribe of Levi, and of the family of Aaron. None others had any right to serve as priests. Those who serve as priests in God’s Assembly today must also meet specific requirements. Primarily, they must be born again, must be members of the family of God. There were certain things that could disqualify a descendent of Aaron from serving as a priest, such as a physical deformity or an immoral character. So too can people who are Christians be disqualified as priests in God’s Assembly. For example, Those who hold false doctrine concerning the person of Christ, or those known to be drunkards, or those who have committed immoral acts, cannot serve as priests in God’s Assembly. That being said, all those who are qualified ought to take up their responsibilities as priests, so that God will receive the glory that He deserves.
The importance of having only qualified priests is evident when we consider the holiness of God and the reverence that is due in His presence. There is no place as we gather to worship our Lord for those who do not own Him as Lord or for those who are living in flagrant disregard for His lordship. Whether it is the men who stand and lead the Lord’s people in worship, such worship can be expressed only by those who appreciate the Lord. Whether it be the sisters who sit in silent Scriptural submissive order with covered heads, such worship can come only from those who are submissive to His lordship. Otherwise, our worship becomes but a ritual and a mockery.
As the redeemed of the Lord, we appreciate our qualification to serve as believer priests in His presence. And we must reject those who lack that qualification. -Jim MacIntosh