The book of 1 Peter was written to members of the Church of God spread throughout Asia Minor, or modern-day Turkey. But, since it’s part of the New Testament canon, Peter’s words apply to God’s people in all times. In the second chapter of the book, Peter directly addresses what God’s people, the Church, are called to be and do. He writes:
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
In this verse, Peter gives four descriptions of what God’s people are to be:
- A chosen generation
- A royal priesthood
- A holy nation
- His own special people
A chosen generation. When we think of a “generation”, we usually think about people who lived at the same time. This, however, isn’t what Peter was referring to in this verse. He wasn’t limiting God’s chosen people to a single generation who lived during the first century (when he wrote these words). In this context, the word means kindred, offspring or family. So, this phrase could be translated, “you are a chosen family.” Peter wasn’t emphasizing God’s people as coming from the same time period, but from the same family—of the same kindred! In the case of the Church, God calls people from around the earth—from various ethnicities and nationalities—and brings them into a spiritual family.
A royal priesthood. What exactly does Peter mean by calling God’s people “a royal priesthood”? First, we need to understand the Old Covenant priesthood’s basic functions. The priest’s essential duty was to make fellowship possible between a holy God and a sinful people. They served as intercessors, or mediators, between God and the people. They did that by:
- Presenting various sacrifices and offerings from the people to God
- Praying to God on behalf of the people
- Maintaining the tabernacle, which included burning incense before God and making sure the altar and grounds were cared for
So, how are the people of God “a royal priesthood”? The answer is that Christ’s sacrifice and the giving of the Holy Spirit make a direct relationship with God possible under the New Covenant. Christians no longer need a physical priesthood as an intercessor between us and God. Christians don’t approach God through physical priests or a physical temple. God’s people today can set that example and prepare to lead in the world to come as a “royal priesthood.”
A holy nation. Christians are to be different. We are to personify holiness in our lives. Every day. Holiness, when applied to people, essentially means the quality of being set apart by God to live morally upright and righteous lives based on the Word of God. To be holy, Christians must model our behavior after God Himself. Because holiness doesn’t come naturally to human beings, people who live holy lives are automatically different from those around them.
His own special people. The Church is to be different. Instead of blending in with the rest of the world, Church members are to stand out. We are to “become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world”. (Philippians 2:15)
Blameless. Harmless. Without fault. Lights in the world. That is how God’s people, His “holy nation,” are to be a truly special people. Those attributes make us distinguishable from any other people on the face of the earth.
What God’s special people do. After identifying four characteristics of God’s people, the Church, Peter went on to describe what those people are to do in their lives: “that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”. Perhaps the most powerful and important way we can “proclaim the praises” of God is to set an example of His way of life in action through our daily conduct.
Peter’s words in 1 Peter 2:9 are packed with meaning for God’s people today. I hope to see you in church this week to hear Pastor Andy Lunt preach on this passage.
Peace, D.C.
