[CynicalBear]

>> just as the ancient Israelites had ministerial priests set aside (Levites), so too do we have in the Church<<

Then show from scripture that New Testament church leadership was given a separate title of priest.

[RobbyS]

Of course, priest is just a variant of presbyter, or elder. The new order is the order of Melchizedek, of the unbloody sacrifice.

[Cronos]

the English term “priest” is simply a contraction of the Greek word presbuteros (presbyster/elder) — these have the responsibility of teaching, governing, and providing the sacraments in a given congregation (1 Tim. 5:17; Jas. 5:14–15).