How did the early church understand the priesthood?

Protestantism reject the idea of a *sacerdotal priesthood*, embracing instead the idea of *priesthood of all believers*(cf. 1 Peter 2:9). Protestant Reformers like *Martin Luther* and *John Calvin* also claim these ideas are not an invitation but actually represent historical Christianity. However if one looks at early *Church Fathers* such as *Cyprian of Carthage* seem to believe in the sacerdotal priesthood. Consider Cyprian’a words: > Does he think that he has Christ, who acts in opposition to Christ's > priests, who separates himself from the company of His clergy and > people? He bears arms against the Church, Treatis 1, 17 How are these two reconciled? Did the apostles see themselves as priests?