How do we know the principle of the priesthood of all believers is true?

The doctrine of the priesthood of all believers is firmly supported by Scripture, particularly in 1 Peter 2:9, which states that all believers are a royal priesthood. This means every member of the church is equally responsible for serving God and ministering to others. The early church exemplified this principle by operating without a rigid clergy-laity distinction, as each member was empowered by the Holy Spirit to contribute to the life and ministry of the body. This egalitarian approach reinforced that spiritual authority is found in Christ and not confined to a specific class of clergy.