1885 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

aptism, Luke 3:22; Acts 10:38.) but believers, justified by faith inChrist, had lived long before that. For instance-- Abraham believedGod, and was justified by his faith. (Rom. 4:2,3.) Though even thetype had not yet come in his day, yet Abraham as a justifiedbeliever was a member of the "household of faith," typified by theLevites. But none of the "Royal Priesthood" were selected untilafter the Chief or High Priest of this order was first initiated andinstalled in office; since then the initiation and installment of theunder priests has been the special work of this Christiandispensation. Thus, the priests now being installed and nowsacrificing, are being prepared as God's instruments for the blessingof the world.THE PRIESTHOOD.THEIR ANOINTING AND CONSECRATION.In this ceremony, as in every other, relating to the ordination andwork of the priesthood, it will be well to notice that Jesus was thefirst--the Leader, Captain, Forerunner--teaching clearly that nonepreceded him, hence that none of the Patriarchs or Prophets are ofthe "little flock," "the royal priesthood," "the Bride, the Lamb'swife." Though they will be greatly blessed as the Lord's servants,their service will not be so grandly high as that of the priests, northeir honor so great; though, as represented in the Levites, boththeir service and honor are great. "The narrow way to life"(Immortality) was not opened up until Jesus came. He was the firstto walk in it. He "brought life and immortality to light." (2 Tim.1:10.) And though all believers (Levites) shall become possessorsof everlasting life, and the world (Israel) also, if they will accept it--during the Millennial age; yet, only the priesthood, who overcomeand follow their Leader in the narrow way to life--sacrificing thehuman--thus seeking Glory, Honor and Immortality, will everbecome the possessors of that unlimited degree of life calledImmortality, as yet possessed only by Jehovah and our Lord Jesus.(See "Food for Thinking Christians," page 134, "The narrow way tolife.")Under the Law, the ANOINTING was the ceremony by which thePriests were installed in God's service. The Priests were anointed totheir office with a peculiar ointment, called the Holy Anointing Oil,used upon none but the Priests, and unlawful for any one else tohave or to make. (Exod. 30:25-33.) This oil typified the Holy Spiritof adoption whereby we the real, "Royal Priesthood" are sealed.Only the consecrated ones are ever to be anointed thus. Aaron, thetypical High Priest, represented Jesus the head, and the church, asmembers of the body of the great High Priest. Being but a sinfulman like others, he had to be washed in order to fitly represent thepurity of the antitype. Aaron was then clothed with the holygarments of "glory and beauty," (Exod. 28.) and then the anointingoil was poured on his head. Each article of this glorious apparel was