Priesthood

   One of the major differences between the Old and New Covenants is in who can be a priest. In the Old Covenant the priesthood was strictly limited. Any non- Israelite was automatically ineligible as were eleven of the twelve tribes of Israel. Only the Levites could be priests, and they had additional restrictions. No woman could be a priest nor a man younger than thirty or older than fifty. Nor could they have a physical defect such as blindness, lameness, broken foot or hand. And only those who were lineal descendants of Aaron could be high priests.
   In contrast to this sharply exclusionary approach, in the New Covenant there is one High Priest forever. "You (Jesus) are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." ( Hebrews 7:17) "For we do not have a High Priest (Jesus) who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15 NKJV)
   And all true believers are considered priests. Gender, age, physical characteristics or ethnicity are irrelevant.
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood..." (1 Peter 2:9) "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood..." (1 Peter 2:5)
     "To Him (Jesus) who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 1:5b-6 NKJV) "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second resurrection has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him for a thousand years." (Rev. 20:6 NKJV)
    This change in the priesthood is one of several reasons to question the idea of the clergy-laity distinction.