priesthood of all believers -1 a booklet in the new beginning series by theodore cottingham

The Priesthood of All Believers -1

An Introduction

The New Beginnings Series

Dr. Theodore Cottingham

The University of The New Covenant Press

Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

www.unc.bz

http://www.unc.bz/

The Priesthood of All Believers - 1 www.unc.bz

2

The Priesthood of All Believers -1

An Introduction

Dr. Theodore Cottingham

University of The New Covenant Press

www.unc.bz

The Priesthood of All Believers ....................................................................................... 4

Invitation ................................................................................................................. 4

Introduction ............................................................................................................. 4

How to begin operating in it..................................................................................... 7

Adventure and Exploration ...................................................................................... 7

Jesus Our Pattern ..................................................................................................... 8

What priests do in the priesthood of all believers ............................................................. 9

We pray........................................................................................................................... 9

We pray for others ................................................................................................... 9

We pray with others ............................................................................................... 10

The Priesthood lets God speak to us; we write it, we share it ..................................... 11

Hearing God's voice............................................................................................... 11

Writing God's words .............................................................................................. 11

Sharing God's words .............................................................................................. 12

We serve communion .................................................................................................... 13

The practice of serving communion ....................................................................... 13

We anoint with oil ......................................................................................................... 15

We intercede for cities and nations......................................................................... 15

We offer sacrifices ........................................................................................................ 16

We offer ourselves ................................................................................................. 16

We offer the sacrifice of praise .............................................................................. 17

We forgive sins ............................................................................................................. 17

The practice of forgiving sins................................................................................. 19

Leadership ..................................................................................................................... 19

We are leaders ....................................................................................................... 19

We are learners ...................................................................................................... 21

We are local and global ......................................................................................... 22

We all are "all five" ............................................................................................... 22

Freely we receive, freely we give. .......................................................................... 23

Where to from here? ...................................................................................................... 23

Receivers ............................................................................................................... 23

Rejecters ................................................................................................................ 24

Explorers ............................................................................................................... 24

Surrender....................................................................................................................... 25

Reference ...................................................................................................................... 25

http://www.unc.bz/


3

The New Beginning Series

The New Beginning Series booklets provide a foundation for taking us beyond the past.

The groundwork is laid out for a new identity of who we are, what we are, where we

came from, and why we are here on earth. Ambiguity and imprecision give way to a

clarity of expression in the love of one that changes everything.

Jesus the Pattern - 1 The great commission is to do what Jesus did right here right now, regardless of our

vocation or label. Jesus did not give us a message, he became it, for us to do the same.

Jesus the Pattern - 2 Building on the Jesus the Pattern Booklet 1, Jesus the Pattern -2 opens our eyes to see

Jesus as a radical, a reformer, an educator, and a revolutionary. Jesus lived before us the

message that visible empirical reality is not reality at all.

The New Covenant - 1 The New Covenant is promise of process; interactive relationship with our father where

we are taught daily by GOD directly, his mind coming through ours to teach us and

become it. One with it, is one.

The Kingdom of Heaven - 1 The Kingdom of Heaven is true reality, our Promised Land, promised to every individual

of every nation tribe and tongue. Through the educational process of The New Covenant,

we experience transformation to enter before death triumphs over us.

The Trinity Revealed - 1 Definitions of God abound, and the concept of the Trinity has been a popular one. But

what is it? How does it operate, and what does it have to do with us today?

The Priesthood of All Believers - 1 Every woman, every man, every girl, and every boy; of every nation tribe and tongue,

have the privilege of operating in the priesthood of God to each other.

- - - - - - -

These publications and more are available free from the University of The New

Covenant. Tulsa, Oklahoma. See www.UNC.bz. Thank you.

http://www.unc.bz/


4

The Priesthood of All Believers

Invitation

This is an invitation to become a priest in the Priesthood of All Believers. This invitation

is issued to you, the reader of this document, the hearer of these words; and extends to

every man, woman, boy, and girl; of every nation, tribe, and tongue everywhere.

The priesthood of all believers is the priesthood of every believer. It is not a religion nor

can it be contained by one. No one has exclusive rights to this priesthood of God. It is not

Christian, Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, Bahai or framed by any other belief system; it

transcends religion, thus it crosses every line of demarcation.

The word "all", in the Priesthood of All Believers, means that no person is excluded by

thought of race, ethnic origin, gender, or practice of religion. The word all includes

peoples of every nation, tribe, and tongue; men, women, boys, and girls.

This is describing something new – never defined by man like this. This is not based on

what is right or wrong, but who you are, first and foremost. You are a child of God, the

child of God, and God is your father. Your father is God – regardless of what you name

you want to call the divine one; he, she, or it. You may have many names for God, many

do. Regardless of your name for God, regardless of what you have been baptized in or

immersed in, the teachings of the Real will come forth THROUGH the surrendered of

every nation tribe and tongue now, and it will not be demarcated by religion. It will not

bear religion's mark, though there will be some semblance to many who have sought to

know the holy and share it.

There are none holier than you. You are holy. The temple of God resides in you. You are

that temple, and that temple is holy. You are not separate from that temple or the holiness

of the holy that the most holy is. What you do with that holiness is up to you. Many have

discarded it, in the past, not knowing.

Based on the fact that every person on earth is son of God, no one can deny you the

priesthood of God in God to God and each other as the royal – heir not to flesh, but the

heavens. This is not about flesh ruling over flesh, but transcending it, becoming

something brand new – and this is your invitation into it, to be it, experience it, letting no

one deny you of your lineage.

Introduction

Isaiah 61:6 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of

our God….


5

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye

should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall

ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

The priesthood of all believers realizes that all peoples are called to be priests; priests to

God and to each other. The word priesthood encompasses the functions and activities of

an operating priest as given to us in the bible. This includes living a life of prayer,

praying for others, listening to God's voice and sharing his words, serving communion,

forgiving sins, operating leadership that is servanthood, and a servanthood that brings out

each one's leadership.

The law was fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus brought a change in the law, fulfilling the old

covenants and establishing The New Covenant. This brought about a change in the

priesthood.

Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also

of the law.

Why did the priesthood change? The old law was administrated by a Levitical priesthood,

after the order of Aaron. It is recorded throughout the Old Testament and consisted of a

hierarchy with many rules and regulations to exercise its authority. John 6:32 Jesus said

unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but

my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

The law changed from the Old Testament rules and regulations to The New Covenant as

spoken of in Jeremiah and Hebrews.

Jeremiah 31:31 The time is coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new

covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

Jeremiah 31:33 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,

declares the LORD. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be

their God, and they will be my people.

Hebrews 8:8 The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant

with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. Hebrews 8:10 This is the covenant

I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws

in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my

people.

Why was the priesthood changed?

Hebrews 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the

people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after

the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Hebrews 7:18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless


6

Hebrews 7:19 for the law made nothing perfect, and a better hope is introduced, by

which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 10:1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the

realities themselves.

Hebrews 10:4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Hebrews 10:5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: Sacrifice and offering

you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me.

Each one of us have the privilege of preparing ourselves, our own bodies, to let Christ be

revealed in us, the sanctuary not made with hands.

Hebrews 10:10 …we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus

Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:14 …by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made

holy.

We are each one called to operate in the priesthood of The New Covenant, the Covenant

that includes everyone as priests who receive it. This is the Covenant that God has

promised to reveal directly into us, into our thoughts and our minds, directly, without any

other person between us and God.

1 Peter 2:5 You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy

priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people

belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness

into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God….

People often think of a priest as one who wears a robe, is employed by a religious order,

and is given authority by someone else to do what priests do. It is often thought that the

only people that can be priests, or do what priests do, are those who have specific formal

education in a school of religion. This term is now expanded to its biblical intention by

seeing that God desires all people to operate together, as one, as a kingdom of priests.

Exodus 19:5-6a If you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall

be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people, …and you shall be unto me a kingdom of

priests, and an holy nation.

No person or organization can exclude another person from operating in the fullness of

the priesthood that God established for each person directly.


7

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten

of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed

us from our sins in his own blood,

Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be

glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

How to begin operating in it

You enter this priesthood by beginning to operate in it. By your very actions to begin

operating in it, you begin exercising your privilege to know God in a more intimate way,

a way in which he will reveal himself increasingly to you directly. You begin where you

are, what you are, who you are; with no pretense whatsoever. With no approval needed

from anyone else, this is something you begin operating in, in meekness, with all the

anticipation of a child exploring his father's kingdom.

We operate as the priest God made us to be, first in the temple not made with hands. Each

one of us is a temple not made with hands.

Acts 17:24 The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and

earth and does not live in temples built by hands.

2 Corinthians 6:16 For you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell

in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

1 Corinthians 3:17 God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

Adventure and Exploration

Relationship in the priesthood is dynamic and one of adventure. The aspect of adventure

and exploration cannot be understated. Adventure and exploration are integral and

foundational to the relationship with God where God himself leads you into the fullness

of his love for you. It cannot be fully explored by rules or formula given by others,

though others can be of great value.

The very nature of adventure involves risk. The very nature of exploration is discovery.

The process of development and maturity embodies risk and discovery, for to embark on

an adventure and go exploring is to learn and experience things new. Operating in the

fullness of the priesthood of all believers may be a whole new frontier just waiting for

you.

In the pages that follow, enjoy examining this little booklet that may help you discover

that which you are born for: to become a kingdom of priests, a chosen people, a royal


8

priesthood, a holy nation, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus

Christ.

Jesus Our Pattern

The priesthood of all believers begin to see that Jesus is our pattern for us to model our

lives on. Jesus was a human being. He came in the flesh. He valued the scriptures. He

learned to pray. He became a person of prayer as a child, and while being a carpenter.

Jesus learned to hear the voice of his father and his father then taught Jesus how to see

what father was doing. Through this relationship of interaction with father directly, Jesus

learned father's love, father's heart, and how father desires to show us the kingdom of

heaven so we will participate in that which Jesus showed us, and begin to do the things

that he did.

Jesus often referred to himself as the son of man to help us realize that he in every way

was just like we are; born of flesh. Instead of us ascribing special powers to Jesus and us

thinking we can never be like him, let us move into the maturity of what Jesus' desire was

all along: to show us how we have the privilege to do what he did.

Jesus said I of my own self can do nothing.

John 5:19 I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself;

Jesus said that he did not do the works, but that his father did them.

John 14:10 …the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Jesus said that he did only what he saw the father do.

John 5:19 the Son can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever

the Father does the Son also does.

Jesus said that he said only what he heard from the father.

John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The

words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in

me.

Jesus said that he had given us the glory that father had given to him.

John 17:22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as

we are one.

Jesus said that he had given to us the words that father had given to him.

John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me.

1 John 2:6 tell us that whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

John 14:12 states, In solemn truth I tell you, anyone believing in me shall do the same

miracles I have done, and even greater ones, because I am going to be with the Father.

The great commission is to walk as Jesus walked, regardless of our vocation, doing the

things Jesus did, giving others the words our father gives to us, bringing the kingdom of

heaven into this earth, even now. We do this not by faith, prescription, or profession; but

only by surrender.


9

Jesus instituted the sharing of bread and wine for all of us to give bread and wine to each

other.

Jesus let the words, desires, and power of the father flow through him to forgive sins

Jesus let the words, desires, and power of the father flow through him to heal others

Jesus let the words of the father flow through him to teach others

Jesus gave to us all that the father had given to him.

Jesus thus commissioned us common people to do what he did.

Jesus is our pattern for the priesthood of all believers.

Freely we have received, freely we give.

What priests do in the priesthood of all believers

We pray Prayer is central in the life of every priest. Prayer is that direct connection with God

allowing us to communicate in a dialogue that facilitates the exchange of our heart and

mind with his as we pour out our lives before him and he pours his life into us.

Setting aside an hour a day with God will yield results unimaginable. Another section of

this booklet addresses our letting God speak to us and writing and sharing the words he

gives us. This section focuses on the aspects of prayer that focus on other individuals,

cities, and nations.

We pray for others

The priesthood of all believers recognize the power of prayer for other people. Whereas a

person's prayers often tends to be self-centered, a priest recognizes the role of

intercession for others as a great privilege. Intercession for others can be as simple as

calling a person's name in prayer to God, lifting that person in love to Love himself.

It is recommended to each one to have some kind of book to list the names of your family

and friends in, along with the names of their children, and to call their names each day in

prayer. Some type of three ring binder works well for this, though it can be a small spiral

bound tablet or whatever seems to work best for you. Imagine the power of hundreds of

other people calling the names of your family and friends in prayer each day.


10

Synergy is defined as that which takes place when something causes the whole to be

greater than the sum of its parts. When we pray for others, especially consistently, a

Godly synergy comes into play that affects all of us, for we must always remember, we

are not individuals apart from each other, but we are members one of another. We all

have the same father.

We pray not only for those of our family and friends, but also for those who seem to be

our enemies, even those who mistreat us or use us wrongfully. For we can harbor no

unforgiveness whatsoever, but allow our prayers to be heard by God for all those around

us.

Matthew 5:44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Luke 6:28 Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

We pray with others

In addition to praying for others during our own personal prayer times, we pray for other

people often when we are with them. Whether at the beginning of a conversation or time

together, during the time together, or at the ending, a prayer offered for another is often

of tremendous value. As in all the functions of the priesthood of all believers, we want to

be consciously open to God leading us in all these things.

Jesus said that he said what he heard the father saying and did what he saw the father

doing. This will increasingly be the same for us as we learn to operate from that internal

guidance system that God placed inside of us. As we become increasingly willing to

operate in all that God desires for us, our sensitivity to the opportunities for God to speak

through us to others will come more often, and more confidently. Prayer for others can

offered almost everywhere as it is not necessary to kneel, to close your eyes, or act

religious in any way whatsoever. God sees our heart and is fully cognizant of the

thoughts and motives to honor and acknowledge him, while making a prayer for those

you are with.

"Can I say a short prayer before we go?" can be a means of introducing your desire to

pray with a person, asking God to intervene on their behalf. Pray softly. Be meek. Let

God be God and let the love of God flow between you. Offering a prayer of thanks just

for the time you have together with another person can be very powerful. It's not always

about intercession or for needs to be met, but simply the bringing of God directly into the

conversation that is so meaningful to both parties. Praying a prayer only a few seconds

long may be more "right" than offering a long prayer with a person, especially in more

public places. God will lead you.

"Do you want to pray first?" is a way to allow others to pray also. Others may want to

offer a prayer for you. And even if they decline at first, after you have prayed, they may

then want to say a prayer after you have modeled before them a quick prayer in which

they felt your love for them. Always honor the people you are with.


11

The Priesthood lets God speak to us; we write it, we share it

Hearing God's voice

The priesthood of all believers recognizes that God has placed himself in every person,

that God speaks and every person can hear him. This is declared in the following bible

verses:

Joel 2:28-29 And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and

daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see

visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those

days.

This passage is repeated in Acts 2:17-18 In the last days, God says, I will pour out my

Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see

visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I

will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Revelation 19:10 …the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

God speaks into our mind multiple times every day. To operate in the priesthood that God

has called us to, we must learn to get to know him beyond what scripture tells us, we

must decide to know him for who he is in the now of our lives.

At the core of the process to really know God is to embrace what Jesus gave us in

Matthew 4:4, Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of

the mouth of the father. Jesus learned that as much as he valued the previously written

scriptures, there could be no substitute for learning the voice of father God.

The priesthood of all believers surrender to the idea that God desperately desires to make

himself known to people, and will do so, with those who take the time and earnestly seek

to know his voice. A key scripture is Psalm 46:10, Be still, and know that I am God.

Recognizing that there is a time for worship, praise, adoration, petition, thanksgiving,

etc., we must understand that in most of those activities we are doing the talking. Our

mind has not been still'd. Because the practice of becoming still before God is of

paramount importance in learning to know his voice, we emphasize this quite strongly.

Writing God's words

It is important to begin writing down on paper what God begins to reveal to you. At first

it may be things that you think are great ideas that come to you as you are quiet before

Him. It may be that you begin to have additional insight into certain scriptures. Then


12

often there will be the times that you will suddenly see the linkage between various

scriptures. So it is important to keep a tablet and pen handy at all times, especially during

times of just listening. The more value we show to what God reveals to us, the more there

will be that will be revealed.

Sometimes we should begin writing a note or letter to God. This process centers our mind

on God and helps us focus on him alone. Often God will come and begin writing to us,

through our very own handwriting, as we are writing to him. We suddenly begin writing

the thoughts in our mind that did not originate in our mind but came from the source of

light and truth within us, breaking through, into our mind, and then coming through our

own penmanship. The more we "let" this occur the more comfortable we will become that

God does actually speak to us this way.

As our writings increase we have them as permanent records to constantly reread and

review and underline and highlight. Frequently examine them and question them with an

openness before God, trusting that he will make himself known to you, even in the

manner of correcting something that you wrote previously that may not have reflected his

heart. Getting your writings onto a computer is of great value, for then they are

searchable and can be easily cross referenced.

Sharing God's words

As we learn to recognize God's voice directly inside of us and let him teach us directly,

we will also learn the value of sharing what he gives us with others. We must not think of

the priesthood just in terms of traditional definitions; not just in doing something, but

being something, being someone that lets God speak, sharing however God may lead us.

Today we have a wide spectrum of venues to make use of in sharing what God gives us.

Sharing with your friends and close associates is always a possibility. Beginning a home

share group is another. You can meet periodically in a coffee shop or restaurant. Begin an

email subscription list. Utilize voice over the internet to share with individuals or groups

that may be even in different continents. Open your creative ability to God's creativity by

releasing his voice inside you and see the fruits of the words he gives you.

Never be defensive about the words God gives you. Never protect them. Let them do and

be what they are and recognize that each of us go through a maturing process in learning

to know the voice of God and share what we are given. We must learn to be lenient and

encouraging where people are sincerely trying to hear and mature, even when they seem

to be out there somewhere.

Recognize that you may encounter some people that will be criticizers, dream-chokers,

vision-destroyers, and sometimes use their supposed spiritual authority to crush others.

Listen to others but be sensitive to God.


13

This is a new day and God is revealing himself as never before. Realize that you are

moving into a frontier opened by God's heart, a frontier he desperately wants you to

explore and share with others.

We serve communion

What some call communion and some call the Eucharist was given to all of us as symbols

acknowledging The New Covenant. Old Testament sacrifices involved the sacrifice of

animals on the altar and the recognition of the blood cleansing the sins of people. When

Jesus came, he offered himself once and for all as the eternal sacrifice for all of us, and

by his shed blood on the cross of Calvary brought all of us forgiveness of our sins.

The very act of communion is your acknowledging that you accept what Jesus has done

for you. By taking bread and wine, or whatever elements you might have on your table,

and using them to acknowledge what Jesus blood has done for us, and what his broken

body brought us, we exercise one of the great privileges granted to every single person

who will surrender to what Jesus' life and death now gives them.

The priesthood of all believers recognizes that taking communion, leading communion,

participating in communion, is given to every believer; every man, woman, boy, and girl,

who desires to acknowledge the life of Jesus.

Jesus instituted the sharing of the bread and wine and commissioned us that we should do

likewise. Luke 22:17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide

it among you. Luke 22:19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to

them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

"Do this in remembrance of me" is to all people, you and me. Let us not forget the

commonness of those he spoke this to. Jesus disciples consisted of fishermen, a tax

collector, a physician; people that represented the entire spectrum of all common people.

They were not an elite group of people that we should see as above us, but that in Jesus

selecting the common, and often referring to himself as son of man, that all peoples are

included in what he has shown us.

The practice of serving communion

Realize most of all that God looks on the heart, not some ideal of the perfection of an

activity. In other words, you cannot serve communion wrongly. With a meek heart, we all

come before God as a child, learning to know him and operate in ways that reflect his

heart and the kingdom of heaven. The exact words are not precise nor of great

importance. The important things is the act of operating in an action that reflects your

desire to acknowledge Jesus and in doing so, to know that Jesus will increasingly make

himself known to you in this very process.


14

You might begin by taking communion alone. If you don't have bread and wine, realize

the elements that you take are symbols of the real and therefore are not of special

importance. You can celebrate communion with water and a cracker, milk and bread, tea

or coffee and cake. What transforms these actions into something spiritually significant is

your heart. Your motive in celebrating communion is much louder to God than the words

you speak or the particular elements that you use.

It is not necessary to be in any particular place. This privilege of celebrating communion

is given to all peoples in all places, whether on a street corner, sitting on a sidewalk, in an

airplane, in the place you live, in any restaurant, and wherever you find yourself.

It is not necessary to speak out loud. God hears your heart and your motive speaks louder

than words. You need not close your eyes or act out behavior that seems spiritual. What

matters is your heart and mind being given to God and enjoying a privilege that God has

given to every person, young and old, rich and poor, of every nation, tribe, and tongue.

Though you might begin by enjoying communion alone and speaking silently, consider

still enjoying it alone but speaking out loud the words in your heart that speak of the body

and blood, the bread and wine, as well as what words and scriptures come to you in the

process. Don't let it be a rigid process but one of dynamic relationship. Trust God that he

is guiding you in the process of revealing himself to you as you begin to operate in the

priesthood God has given to you.

There will come a time when you feel in your heart to have communion with another

person, or even several people. Don't resist it but simply let the process flow very

naturally. Do not act like you "know what you're doing" but freely acknowledge with

those you may be with that this is something that God has placed in your heart to do and

that you are just trying to fulfill the privileges given to you.

Encourage others to participate and even lead in communion, sharing your own

experiences with them. If they are hesitant then do not push them nor insist on your own

ways, or that they do anything particular. Let God be God.

Allow God to speak into your mind as you begin to celebrate communion, whether alone

or with others. Praying beforehand is encouraged but not necessary. Praying afterward is

great but not necessary. This is not a formula driven process. It is all about relationship

and getting to know God through a meek and humble heart, giving yourself permission to

explore the words that Jesus gave us that truly direct us in the things he gave the pattern

to operate in. God through the words that Jesus gave us, and the life Jesus lived before us,

commissioned us and authorized us to operate in the priesthood that he leads.

There will come a time that, however it may come about, you lead communion with

others in a group, that you lead communion at religious meetings in your home, your

coffeeshop, your place of worship with others. When those opportunities come, do not

shrink back nor let some performance standard affect your actions. Simply let your heart


15

come through and let God manifest his presence in your actions and through whatever

you say and do. Trust God that God will do what only he can do, and that God will accept

your actions to honor him throughout the process.

Be sensitive to others when it may be wisdom to let them lead communion. Let them. Let

them know it is not by formula nor procedure, but that it stems out of one's heart. Let

others freely lead and if they happen to say something you don't agree with, know that it

is still okay. Let people learn. Help them maybe with instruction periodically as God

leads you.

We anoint with oil The priesthood of all believers recognizes the value of anointing others in prayer.

Anointing oil may be something like olive oil or anything that you may have available

and acknowledge as such. Using anointing oil is not a formula and should be used when

God leads you. Plus it is advisable to first ask the people you are with if it is okay with

them for you to anoint them with oil. And if they say no, respect their wishes in great

meekness.

If they give you permission to anoint them with oil, then just barely touching your finger

to the anointing oil and then barely touching one's forehead to apply the anointing oil is

very sufficient. Sometimes God may lead you to anoint a person's hands or feet rather

than their forehead. Again, be led by God, not by formula; yet being very sensitive to

every individual and situation.

Mark 6:13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and

healed them.

Exodus 30:26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the

ark of the testimony.

Exodus 40:9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that

is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.

Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou

anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

We intercede for cities and nations

The priesthood of all believers recognizes the power of just one person's prayers, and

how God looked for even one person to stand in the gap for a whole nation so that he

would not destroy it.

Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and

stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.


16

Including even the mention of our cities and nation in our prayers each day is not a

burden but a privilege.

We offer sacrifices We don't just offer sacrifices, we become the sacrifice, offering our lives as a living

sacrifice to God. Prayer is not only something we do in times we set aside for prayer,

praying alone or with others, prayer is something we become. The more we learn how

much God loves us and cares for us, how meek he is and how he has prepared all things

for us, the more we allow his thoughts to be our thoughts bringing forth in us the

behavior that reflects God's values of love, joy, peace, meekness, kindness, gentleness,

and self control. We care increasingly about keeping our word to other people and letting

integrity permeate all that we do in our families, our work, and every area of our lives.

1 Peter 2:5 You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy

priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

We offer ourselves

First and foremost the sacrifice we offer is ourselves. We become a living sacrifice. As

we begin to explore what all God has given us with a sincere heart before him, he will

make himself known to us more and more, often starting in the smallest ways. As we

offer ourselves in prayer we will come to know peace. We will begin to experience times

where we realize God is in fact asking us to give him our attention, to focus on him and

have a time of exchange, letting love flow between you.

There are many voices in the world and all of them seem to be clamoring to be heard,

stating that they are important and you need to hear them. In truth most of those voices

are simply doing whatever they can to perpetuate their own interests. Our maturity must

increase to discern this and be able to say no to the things that simply rob us of the better

thing, time with our creator. What we say yes to and what we say no to will determine the

rate of our ability to operate in the fullness of God's design for us.

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your

bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O

God, you will not despise.

John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it

remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

There are many times that desires will be felt to just spend time "vegging out" or

watching television or reading the news. Recognizing that there may be times God will

lead you to do certain of these things to connect you with certain information, we alone

are responsible for our choices of how we spend our time and make our decisions.


17

There are many things we may need to set aside to make knowing God in an intimate

relationship our number one priority. Seeking to have an hour a day with God in quiet

involves a major quest for some people, yet it can open the doorway to the kingdom of

heaven in ways that would not open otherwise. Seeking to actually operate in the

priesthood of all believers in the fullness of God's desires for us involves sacrifice. We

don't run from it; we can't. We each one must face head on that which stands between our

present habits and daily routines and that to which we are called by God to operate in.

We offer the sacrifice of praise

Our physical senses often want to recognize the physical world and our apparent

circumstances as representing truth and true reality. Words that others say to us may

contradict our desires to be pressing into knowing God intimately. During these times and

experiences, it is easier to cave into the desires and criticisms of others than it is to keep

our eyes on our goal of knowing God and operating in the fullness of what his design is

for us. It is during these times that we take all those words from others, all our apparent

contradictory circumstances, and as it were, lay them on the altar before God. We submit

and surrender all those things to God, and we choose to offer the sacrifice of praise every

day and night unto God through all of these things.

The sacrifice of praise may be in the form of praising God out loud with words, maybe

singing songs, even dancing before him. Praise may be given silently in our thoughts

where we intentionally pull our mind away from that which would pull us, and center our

being again in God. Our sacrifice of praise before God will take a myriad of forms,

thoughts, and actions as we decide to offer ourselves to God and trust that our father in

heaven will lead us into his fullness.

Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of

praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people

belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness

into his wonderful light.

We forgive sins For centuries priests have stood before congregations and spoken forgiveness of all the

sins committed by all the people in front of them.

John 20:21-23 Again Jesus said, Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am

sending you. And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If

you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not

forgiven.


18

Forgiveness of sins has often been taught with the restriction that you can only forgive

sins committed against you. We often have been encouraged to forgive another person

but rarely has forgiving their sins been encouraged.

The priesthood of all believers recognizes that Jesus wanted all of us to know specifically

that all people had the power to forgive sins when he gave us the following example.

Matthew 9:2-8 Some men brought to Jesus a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw

their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." At this,

some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?

Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But so that

you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." Then he

said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." And the man got up and went

home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who

had given such authority to men.

Recognize that Jesus frequently used the term son of man to refer to himself not as

drawing attention to himself as deity, but the very opposite; identifying himself as one

just like we are.

In practice that means that when we communicate with people who are seeking to know

God and operate in the fullness of all that God has provided for every person, that we

have been given authority to forgive other people's sins, and we are compelled by Jesus

to do so. As we operate in the priesthood desired by God we will increasingly feel in our

hearts when this is appropriate. God will guide us in all of this if we simply open to him

and allow him to prompt us in these actions.

Before God there are no restrictions on the priesthood of all believers from operating in

all the priestly functions stated in the bible.

Even the function that was reserved only for the high priest in the Old Testament where

he went into the holy of holies just once a year for the forgiveness of the sins of the

people, is now granted to every believer. The veil separating the holy of holies in the Old

Testament was torn in two, from top to bottom at Jesus' death, signifying to all people for

all time that the common man and woman, boy and girl now has direct access into all of

God, bringing all into the priesthood once thought to be reserved only for the few.

There is now no intermediary between the father and us. There is one priesthood ordained

by The New Covenant, the priesthood of all believers. Each one of us can now operate in

the fullness of all that Jesus walked in, doing what he modeled for us, and in so doing,

bringing the kingdom of heaven now to earth.


19

The practice of forgiving sins

There is no special language that performs this desired result. There is the action of the

heart that then overflows with words that speak of what love is doing for those you are

with. It is imperative that we understand that this is something we "let" come through us;

we "let" forgiveness flow through us. We bring it into the lives of others that "let" us do

so. We approach this as a child entering the kingdom of heaven where there is no

unforgiveness and no sin present. We are helping others know, see, and feel no barriers to

heaven real.

In practice we can introduce this with the simplest phrasings like telling one, I forgive

your sins, will you forgive mine? You can state what you've been experiencing in your

practice of the priesthood of all believers and how you have read that the bible actually

authorizes us to forgive each others' sins. There is no value in ever debating this, or even

defending it; but simply being meek with those you may be with and offering this in love.

It need not even be brought up in discussion unless you feel in your heart that God

compels you to do so. Understand that people may have qualms about this and there is

never a need to make them uncomfortable. We let God guide, we let others decide.

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that

you may be healed.

If we confess our sins to each other, and pray for each other, do we then pray to be healed

from sinning? Rather, let us forgive each others' sins when one confesses before us

sincerely.

John 20:23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them,

they are not forgiven.

Leadership

We are leaders

The priesthood of all believers are no longer looking to other people to know God for us,

we have accepted the leadership given to us by God that matures by operating in the

quest to know God directly. Regardless of whether we are a man, woman, boy, or girl, we

know that God has placed himself in us, that each of us are his temple, and all of are

anointed by God to operate in The New Covenant.

1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do

not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as

that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him.

2 Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the

letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.


20

Our leadership begins with self leadership, leadership that acknowledges that Jesus is our

pattern in loving God, loving people, being a leader, being a servant, revealing the

kingdom of God. We seek to walk as Jesus walked, do what he did, and live by every

word that proceeds from the mouth of our father, becoming the fullness of God's heart.

We recognize the cost of true discipleship of the master. Luke 14:26-27 Anyone who

wants to be my follower must love me far more than he does his own father, mother,

wife, children, brothers, or sisters--yes, more than his own life--otherwise he cannot be

my disciple. And no one can be my disciple who does not carry his own cross and follow

me. Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has

cannot be my disciple.

Do not think of leadership only in terms of leading others, for the foundation of Godly

leadership is laid while you're alone. Godly leadership has to be birthed internally first,

and nurtured internally. What you let yourself think about, look at, read, hear, becomes

increasingly important in your walk with God. You may find yourself becoming more

and more selective. And the words he gives you in times of listening to him will become

more and more valuable.

But just as surely as there will be a time or season of being hidden, there will be times

God directs you to speak with people, interact with them in various ways, maybe pray

with them, maybe begin sharing in some consistent way with a group. There will always

come a time where God will speak to us and say "go" or "do" that will take us out of our

comfort zone. Our leadership grows every time we obey, even when we feel like we

failed. For we have the tendency to look at things in the natural and judge ourselves.

Scripture compels us to judge, but to judge righteously (John 7:24). And to judge

righteously is to judge not by apparent circumstances or appearances, not even by our

sight or the hearing in our ears (Isaiah 11:3), but with righteousness.

Do not think in terms of letting your leadership come out in traditional places, like your

church, but think in terms of allowing the spirit of God complete freedom in you to direct

you in creative ways. God may open opportunities for you in your church, but don't count

on it; don't even "want" that. Remember the power of "I shall not want," and giving all

the wants to God. Trust God that he will always lead you into more than you would have

chosen for yourself.

Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant,

then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me, above all people.

Begin to see yourself as a leader; again, not in traditional terms, but in the eyes of God.

Look at scriptures that continuously speak of God's heart lifting you to operate beyond

your natural means and apparent circumstances. As your confidence grows that God

desires your leadership to increase, recognize that your meekness and humility must

increase in at least the same measure as your leadership ability. In God, these things are

inextricably linked together.


21

Where you see arrogance, recognize the immaturity. Where you see leaders controlling

people, see the opposite of God's heart. Honor all people at all times. Look at Jesus our

pattern: all the words father gave him, he gave us. All the glory father gave Jesus, Jesus

gave to us. Jesus is our pattern, leader foremost, and he laid down his life for us. That is

Godly leadership.

We are learners

God seems to be into process. Rather than releasing everything into us at one time, many

concurrent process seem to interact to bring us increased knowledge, wisdom, and

understanding. God himself will teach us how to learn, and that learning process may

involve very untraditional methods of teaching. God not only teaches us in words and

pictures and by interaction with others, but it seems he leads us constantly into

experiences where we have the choice to see him and hear him in the experience.

In the experiences we allow ourselves to see and hear him, and let him provide us the

wisdom to respond, we gain Godly confidence and increased spiritual maturity. In the

times that we fail, we often get another opportunity.

The more we begin to let God speak to us directly as individuals, the more he teaches us,

and the more ways he uses to teach us. He is the unlimited infinite creator.

Jesus said in Matthew 18:3, I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little

children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Children are constant continuous

learners.

The priesthood of all believers read the scriptures, value the scriptures, cross reference

and learn the linkages that exist in scriptures to see how the scriptures were written and

what they really mean, what pictures they form, and begin receiving the fullness of how

God meant them to be received. We become familiar with various translations of the

bible and utilize them, learning how to discern various passages that reflect God's heart.

We begin to utilize computer programs that help us understand the shades of meaning in

Hebrew and Greek words and how the translators of any given bible chose certain words

to represent what they felt were the most accurate at that time of their writing.

The priesthood of all believers recognize that even with God revealing himself more and

more to us directly, that we always can learn from other people. We are not always trying

to lead, but we are always open to learning; hearing that which God will reveal to us

through others

The priesthood of all believers are constantly experiencing their world getting

expanded.


22

We are local and global

The individuals in the priesthood of all believers are both local and global people. It

seems that regardless of how long God may have a person hidden away, talking with

them and revealing the kingdom of heaven to them, eventually God will direct them to

step out of their routine and begin to move in circles, groups, or communities that they

would have never had the confidence to do before their season of time alone with God.

Will you allow God to use you on a larger scale, one that may involve your entire city,

even your entire nation? God does not limit us, we limit ourselves.

As we mature in our priesthood God may begin directing us to increase our knowledge in

various areas. But be careful in this that God is directing this and not just the influence of

another person that wants your help. God will confirm his word to you in various ways

and usually, a number of times.

In allowing God to reveal more and more of the kingdom of heaven to you, along with

his ways, his values, he will eventually connect you with more and more of his friends

around the world. The people he may connect you with may span a variety of different

cultures, speak different languages, and may or may not have any idea at first why you

are being connected. Be led by the peace of God and let God expand your sphere of

being.

We all are "all five"

There is no one not ordained to operate as an able minister of The New Covenant.

Jesus said in John 15:16 You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained

you.

No higher authority exists that can ordain you than that which has already ordained you.

No one is restricted from operating in all of the five "offices" related in Ephesians 4:11,

those of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. All of these offices are given to

all people to operate in the fullness of God's design.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists;

and some, pastors and teachers.

All of these functions have been given to each of us to operate in all the time. How much

we operate in each one depends on our surrender to God. One reason so few have

operated in these "offices" is that we have been taught that they are only for the selected

few. In the past we have let people interpret these scriptures in light of previous teachings

that seek to restrict and control, and forfeited much of what God has given to us.

We now choose to come into the fullness of recognizing God has given to each of us the

fullness of himself, with no limit; without measure!


23

John 3:34 …God gives the Spirit without limit.

Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the

gift of Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's

Spirit lives in you?

1 John 4:4 …the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Colossians 2:9-10 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you

are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.

As you begin to dwell on what these scriptures are really telling you, you will see more

and more, plainer and clearer that you are the royalty of heaven. We see it, we enter it,

and we operate in it only by complete surrender to father's love.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him.

2 Corinthians 4:4 …Christ, who is the image of God.

Genesis 9:6 for in the image of God has God made man.

We are made in the image of God, Christ is the image of God, therefore we are made in

the image of Christ. Christ and God are one and the same. Yet there is only one body and

we are it. We are the body of Christ. There is only one body yet that one body has many

members. We are unlimited.

The priesthood of all believers begin to mature in intimacy with God, in power and

authority, as we see ourselves without limit. God has given each of us the ability to

establish, reproduce, receive and share his words, nurture others, and teach what God

gives us. Everything Jesus had has been given to us. Jesus is our pattern. Every believer

is "all five" and no one can take them away from you.

Freely we receive, freely we give.

There is no charge for forgiveness.

There is no charge for prayer.

There is no charge for communion.

There is no charge for intercession.

There is no charge for God's words.

There is no charge for anointing with oil.

There is no charge for the sacrifice we have made to become who he is.

Freely we have received, freely we give.

Where to from here?

Receivers

There will be receivers and rejecters of this message concerning God's desire for all

people to operate fully in the priesthood of all believers. The receivers will progress and


24

mature and know intimacy with God in ways now unimaginable. It is imperative that

meekness always reign in our lives and regardless of what we experience, that we never

belittle or decry our brethren that reject this message. Jesus turned the other cheek and

Jesus is our example.

We must also constantly be aware that many who reject this message at first will embrace

it at some point. We must do nothing to wound those who disagree with us but love them

and pray for them. We also must not be reticent to move with those who beget freedom in

others, while letting go of those who restrict it in others.

Rejecters

The rejecters may see the operation of all people operating and maturing in the priesthood

as a threat and challenge to established authority. There is no question that the priesthood

of all believers that now begins to flourish in every country of the world may bring about

profound changes in not just religious orders, but may bring about many changes in their

societies and diverse cultures. No religion, denomination, or culture can lay claim to

the priesthood of all believers. We must realize that this is part of God revealing himself

and calling his body to mature. And like Gamaliel told the other Pharisees:

Acts 5:38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them

go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.

Acts 5:39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find

yourselves fighting against God.

Explorers

The priesthood of all believers is not satisfied to operate in the status quo of the past. We

know that God is more than we have ever been told. We believe intently in the verse that

tells us that "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has

prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9. We believe that this speaks of what

God has for us to operate in right now.

Jesus is our pattern. He came in the form of a servant. He made of himself no reputation.

He laid everything at the feet of his father and allowed father to reveal the kingdom of

heaven to him by the words that father gave to him. Jesus gave us those words. Jesus

gave us the glory that father gave to him. Jesus did only what he saw his father do and

said only what he heard father say. Our quest is to do the same.

Jesus came as a servant and served, and in his servanthood became a leader. Our

meekness and humility before God will allow God to teach us directly revealing the full

measure of Christ within each of us. Our servantship becomes leadership; our leadership

becomes servanthood. Godly servantship and leadership are so intertwined as to be


25

inseparable. We recognize the leadership ability of every believer; men and women, boys

and girls; all who surrender to the love of God.

Surrender This booklet is an invitation for you to surrender to your priesthood that you have already

been given and ordained into. Surrender is not a statement of belief or set of words or

actions. Surrender is not accepting something that is external to you to come inside of

you. Surrender is the highest form of authority that you can exercise.

Inherent in surrender is the willingness to accept that which has been given to you, and to

operate in it. No one can keep you from it. It begins inside you. Studying the scriptures in

this booklet, investigate them, explore them, pray them, pray about them and most of all,

ask God about them. Enquire of God about these things and let God address this message

in your heart and mind.

Surrendering to your priesthood does not take you out of your vocation, but may change

many aspects of your life by the process you experience as you adventure into that which

has already been established for you. Decide to enjoy the process. Let yourself learn from

God directly. Be willing to risk. Be willing to learn. Learn to adventure and explore in

God with God.

Your priesthood begins in your temple.

Acts 7:48 The most high dwells not in temples made with hands.

1 Cor 3:17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is

sacred, and you are that temple.

Thank you for reading this booklet.

Reference

This is your invitation to study at the University of The New Covenant, in The New

Covenant, letting The New Covenant teach you as you birth it. You study it, you become

it. You enter it and it births you into it, that which is truth. You have carried it within you.

The word of truth is incarnate within you, as it is in every person of every nation tribe

and tongue. The courses at the University of The New Covenant help bring forth the

birthing of that word incarnate within you so that you'll birth to the world that which you

may have been waiting for.

Entrance into the University of The New Covenant is not based on previous academic

accomplishments, but a contrite heart, teachableness, meekness, and honor for all at all

times. The University of The New Covenant is tuition-free, but costs a great deal, for the


26

release of The New Covenant within you will let you learn that you have been given

everything; a kingdom is yours and a king you are in your priesthood that births brand

new creations in the reality that our father is.

The University of The New Covenant is a tuition-free school of prayer, leadership, and

practical creativity. Our theme is exploration and adventure. Admission is available not

on the basis of creed, religion, or previous academic achievement, but surrender to a

process that requires meekness and diligence to learn how to be taught by God who is

within every person.

God gives us our curriculum in the form of daily LESSONS. These LESSONS are the

core input into our learning system that teaches us to "see, hear, feel, become" what God

is teaching us. All faculty staff and students operate in the courses of this University.

We learn how to read differently than in the past. We use different methods for this is an

Educational System designed by God; so many things are very atypical. (1) We do many

"lookups". A linking system exists whereby certain words or phrases in the daily

LESSONS are linked to previous LESSONS as they build on each other as components

of a learning system specific to each person, (2) we interact daily with others in the

course forums where we write posts of what we see being said in the daily LESSONS,

and (3) write papers called for in the daily LESSONS, freely exchanging them with each

other. We all learn from each other as we "read, map, write, and lead" becoming what

God is teaching us we are.

Over 3,500 Lessons now form The Database of One, comprised of multiple Databases.

Each Database is organized by Database number, Volume number, then Lesson number;

and referenced easily in the form of "Database.Volume.Lesson number" e.g. (6.1.001).

A school like no other - the University of The New Covenant in Tulsa Oklahoma exists to

teach the surrendered of every nation tribe and tongue that what GOD is will teach all

peoples ALL things, from the inside out, to be transformed into something not subject to

the basic principles of this world. The teacher is already within you. Learn how to write

speak and record the first-person words of GOD in the University of The New Covenant.

Birth The New Covenant by becoming it.

See www.unc.bz for more information.

Thank you.

V1.1

http://www.unc.bz/

priesthood of all believers -1 a booklet in the new beginning series by theodore cottingham

Education

new identity

new beginnings series

new beginning series

new covenant press tulsa

gods words

theodore cottingham

hearing gods voice

practice of forgiving