Who Are We?

Sometimes Christians have an identity problem. That is, the world may not identify us as having been “called out” of the world. This is especially true if our lifestyles and habits do not distinguish us from the world. When this is the case the world sees no difference in us. In 1 Peter 2:9-10, Peter clearly shows the qualities and characteristics that set New Testament Christians apart from the world and make us a distinctive people.

Christians are an elect, or chosen people (v9). Paul wrote that Christians are elected, or chosen to be saved from the beginning, or before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). This fact has been tortured and twisted by much of the religious world. Biblical teaching concerning election is very plain and simple. Christians are elected to salvation and they are called by the gospel (II Thessalonians 2:13,14). The gospel is God’s power to save mankind and it is to be preached to all people (Romans 1:16; Mark 16:15). All those who obey it will be saved. Those who do not obey it will be lost. Therefore, those elected, or chosen from the beginning to be saved, are those who obey the gospel which is for all people everywhere. Any person who obeys the gospel is a person who has been elected, or chosen to be saved. Conversely, persons who are elected to be saved are only those who obey the gospel which is God’s power to save mankind.

Christians are a royal priesthood (v9). Each Christian is a priest, and our High Priest is Christ! This fact is not understood by much of the religious world. Under the Law of Moses, God appointed priests who were of the tribe of Levi, and high priests who were sons of Aaron. Under this system, people could approach God only through a priest, and once each year through the high priest. This system, often called the Levitical priesthood, served its purpose and was taken out of the way at the cross (Matthew 5:17,18; Colossians 2:14).

Some religious groups today try to hold on to this old and imperfect system. They appoint men, and sometimes women, and designate them as priests. As declared in the text, each Christian is a priest; and Christ is our High Priest. Therefore, each Christian offers spiritual sacrifices to God through Christ our High Priest (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 4:14-16).

Moreover, we can approach God, through Christ, at any time—since Christ “ever lives to make intercession” for us (Hebrews 7:25).

Christians are a holy nation (v9). It is an honor and a privilege to be a citizen of America, which is the greatest nation on earth. However, with all its greatness, it is not a holy nation. Only God’s people (Christians) are a holy nation. Israel was a holy nation under the law of Moses. They were God’s “called out” people. Today, God’s Israel is the church. The church is the called out people of God. The Lord’s church (Christians) is the only holy nation on earth today.

Christians are “a people for God’s own possession” (v9). Paul wrote to Titus that Christ “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from

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