Summary
In this episode of “Between Heaven and Earth,” hosts Justin and Amy Howard embark on an exploration of the scriptural foundations for healing and deliverance, focusing particularly on the concept of the “priesthood of all believers.” They delve into how this identity has shaped Christian understanding and practice from the time of Adam and Eve through the Reformation and into contemporary life. The discussion highlights God’s original intention for humanity to serve as priests who mediate between heaven and earth, ul...
Summary
In this episode of “Between Heaven and Earth,” hosts Justin and Amy Howard embark on an exploration of the scriptural foundations for healing and deliverance, focusing particularly on the concept of the “priesthood of all believers.” They delve into how this identity has shaped Christian understanding and practice from the time of Adam and Eve through the Reformation and into contemporary life. The discussion highlights God’s original intention for humanity to serve as priests who mediate between heaven and earth, ultimately discussing how this theme reemerges with Jesus and carries forth through the Apostolic church, encouraging listeners to embrace their roles in bringing God’s kingdom into their various spheres of influence. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s identity in Christ to effectively participate in God’s mission of restoration.
Highlights
🌟 Hosts’ Background: Justin and Amy Howard discuss their roles as church planters, parents, and mission leaders in New England, emphasizing community engagement.
📖 Identity as Priests: The episode highlights the transformative nature of understanding believers as priests, integral to fulfilling God’s purpose on earth.
🔥 Healing and Deliverance Ministry: The Howards stress the connection between one’s identity and the practice of healing and deliverance, suggesting it flows from understanding who we are in Christ.
🔄 Old Testament Foundations: The hosts draw parallels between the calling of Adam and Eve as the first priests and the establishment of the Levitical priesthood in Exodus, highlighting humanity’s inherent priestly roles.
✨ Transformation Through Jesus: Discussion centers on how Jesus redefined the priestly function, making holiness contagious and empowering ordinary people to act as agents of healing and reconciliation.
🙏 Active Participation: The hosts encourage listeners to actively engage with their communities, bringing the healing power of Jesus through prayer, service, and shared faith.
🌍 Global Movement: They highlight the contemporary movements led by ordinary believers to spread the Gospel and establish communities that reflect God’s kingdom on earth.
Key Insights
🌱 Fundamental Human Roles: The foundational understanding of humanity as priests in the Garden of Eden establishes the telos (ultimate purpose) of being in continuous communion with God. Adam and Eve’s role in tending creation illustrates humanity’s calling to govern and sustain the world in alignment with divine order.
💡 Reformation’s Impact on Believers: Martin Luther’s assertion on the “priesthood of all believers” revolutionized Christian thought, emphasizing that every follower of Christ holds the potential to mediate God’s presence, moving away from a strictly professional clergy and allowing grassroots ministries to flourish.
⚡ Cleansing and Authority: The historical responsibilities of the priests—as seen in the Old Testament—reveal that they not only facilitated sacrifices for atonement but also diagnosed spiritual and physical ailments, showing that understanding the source of suffering is crucial to healing.
🔥 Jesus as the Great High Priest: The understanding of Jesus as the great high priest reshapes the nature of priesthood, illustrating how His holiness and authority to heal are now accessible to all believers, who are tasked to continue His mission in their lives.
🌍 Ongoing Mission of Restoration: The mission of restoration is not limited to a select few; it is a collective endeavor where every believer actively participates in mending relationships, advocating healing, and demonstrating God’s love in everyday interactions.
🌊 Transformative Community Building: The podcast stresses the emerging trend where ordinary believers are planting churches and creating communities where the principles of healing, love, and restoration are enacted, countering the thirst for professional-led ministries.
📣 Direction for Contemporary Believers: The Howards challenge listeners to engage effectively in their realms of influence, asserting that understanding one’s identity as a priest enables proactive involvement in bringing heaven and earth together in their day-to-day lives.
Overall, this episode emphasizes the significant and accessible role that all believers play in God’s grand narrative, calling them to live out their identities as priests to bring healing and restoration to a world in need. The conversation weaves biblical theology with practical application, encouraging a transformative lifestyle rooted in Christ’s example and empowerment through the Holy Spirit.
