1 Peter 2:9
Have you ever wondered if there is any connection between God’s chosen people in the Old Testament and present-day Christians? In his first letter to the Church at large, Peter answers that question. In chapter two verse nine Peter writes “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (NASB, 1995 update).
Since Peter wants to encourage fellow believers, he uses language from the Old Testament that they are familiar with. Here are a few examples from the Old Testament.
♦ Exodus 19:6 – A Holy Nation.
♦ Exodus 19:5 – A people of His own possession.
♦ Isaiah 43:20 – My chosen people/ A royal priesthood/ Whom I formed for myself.
♦ Isaiah 61:6 – You will be called priests of the LORD.
Peter’s thoughts are echoed by other writers in the New Testament
♦ 1 Peter 2:9 – We are a Chosen Race/ a Royal Priesthood/ A Holy Nation/ A People for God’s own possession.
♦ Titus 2:14 – He redeemed us to be a people of “…his own possession…”
♦ Revelation 1:6 – Priests in His Kingdom.
♦ Revelation 5:10 – We are made to be “…priests to our God.”
Although Peter’s letter was written to the Church during Nero’s persecution of Christians, it still applies to us today. We are not just members of a church, we are a Holy Nation, Priests in His kingdom, a people of His own possession. Our connection to God reaches back into the depths of the Old Testament. We are His Children!
Note: The foundation for this post is a Bible Study written by Pastor Scott Wiles of Calvary Community Church, Lincoln, Nebraska