Royal Priesthood
The Body of Christ is a kingdom of priests who live to proclaim the praises of God. Peter tells us “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). Our new covenant priesthood is made possible by the Holy Spirit, who has anointed humanity (Acts 2:17; 1 John 2:20) for the purpose of glorifying Jesus.
The declaration of 1 Peter 2:9 is drawn from Exodus 19, in which God makes a prophetic promise to Moses on Mount Sinai regarding the future of the Israelites.
Exodus 19:5-6 (NIV) “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
Peter applies this promise to us. We have become the spiritual Israel of God (Galatians 6:16). We are spiritual priests who live and operate in the natural realm. John echoes this idea in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:6 (NASB) “and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father - to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Our priesthood is an essential function of our identity in Christ. Understanding who I am and what I have inherited in Christ are keys for living a transformed life. The most important task we have as priests of God is to host and reflect the the presence of God, whose sanctuary is now in our midst (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:22). We are “living stones, being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). The Body of Christ is the face of God’s manifest presence.
Our bodies have become spiritual sacrifices to the Lord (Romans 12:1-2). The purpose of this sacrifice is not to deny our humanity, but to supernaturally empowered it by the presence of the Living God. When we abide in holiness and purity, the Lord continually renews our mind to see and experience the world as He does. A renewed mind is key for allowing God’s manifest presence to flow in us and through us into our environments.
Spiritual sacrifices flow from a place of deep love and affection for God. We can not earn God’s love in any way. Rather, as we abide and grow in intimacy with Him, our spiritual eyes are opened to see the infinite depths of His love for us. Spiritual sacrifices are a response. They proceed from a revelation of identity - who we already are in Him. They help to steward and honor the Person who is already present within us.
The royal priesthood has full access to God (Colossians 2:9-10; Ephesians 3:19). We have become spiritually united with Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17). The royal priesthood’s purpose is to expand the global spiritual tabernacle of God by proclaiming the excellence of Christ and manifesting heaven (Romans 15:16-19).
Our purpose is to display and declare God’s glory in whatever way He leads us to. We are a people who were chosen before the world began, having been called out of spiritual darkness into Christ’s light (Acts 26:18; Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:13). Stewarding His presence transforms us spiritually and enables heaven to flow to earth.
