Chrześcijanie jako "królewskie kapłaństwo" (1 P 2,9)

In the First Letter of St. Paul as in John's Apocalypse, there exists a very elear tendency to link the universal priesthood of Christians with the concept of dignity of the Kingdom. This joining points out that even the universal priesthood ought to be understood prlmarily as the highest honor and distinction for Christians. This results from the direct closeness of God, similar to that which in the cult of the Old Covenant was reserved only for priests. As a result of Redemption, it became on the other band a participation of all baptized without exception. This closeness is for man the privilege comparable with royal dignity, and so the highest that man can reach. It is also an expression of the great love of God to man and that is why it comprises the challenge to the highest perfection and sanctity of life. The universal priesthood, which is a privilege of all the baptized, certainly must not be mistaken with the sacramental priesthood, set for the special service among the people of God. The above analyzed texts from the First Letter of St. Peter and John's Apocalypse do not contain teachings on this topic.