The biblical identity of all believers as priests to God under Christ the great High Priest. 1 Peter 2:9: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Peter applies to the church what was said of Israel at Sinai (Ex 19:6: a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation). Under the new covenant, every believer has direct access to God through Christ (Heb 10:19-22) and bears priestly functions: offering spiritual sacrifices (1 Pet 2:5), interceding for others, mediating God's blessing into the world. The doctrine of the priesthood of all believers does not abolish ordained office (elders and pastors remain, 1 Pet 5:1-4) but it does abolish a separate priestly caste mediating between God and lay believers. Christ is the only such mediator (1 Tim 2:5).