Brother Stephen emphasizes that as believers redeemed by Christ, we are called to serve God as a holy priesthood. Just as God delivered the children of Israel from Egypt to serve Him, we too have been set free from sin, darkness, and bondage through Jesus' finished work on the cross. Our freedom is not for self-indulgence but to serve God wholeheartedly. God’s original purpose was to make Israel a nation of priests, serving Him universally. Although in the Old Testament only the family of Aaron and the tribe of Levi served as priests, Christ’s redemption restores us to this divine purpose, making every believer a priest and a Levite. Our priestly duties include praising and thanking God continually, praying in faith and intercession, and offering spiritual sacrifices—our knowledge, experience, and sharing Christ with others. Simultaneously, we serve as Levites by caring for the house of God—helping with physical tasks, serving the needy, and practicing love through practical acts like washing feet and assisting others. Stephen urges all believers to actively fulfill both priestly and Levitical roles, doing everything in love, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and as unto the Lord, to honor God and build up His church.
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.