All pigs is equal …*

The Church in Action (continued)

Acts: The Church adapts to the addition of Greek speakers to its numbers

One Peter:

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV-CE)

Commentaries

It is not right for us …

Acts 6:2

“2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.”

Misunderstood?

“It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.”

and:

“… you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, …

Are these signs of growing classism, or creeping clericalism, as some think?

Lets take a look

Service (Acts)

The Jerome Biblical Commentary Acts of the Apostles, Section 35

Though they are not called diakonoi (“assistants,” and later “deacons”), their task is a diakonia (6:1, “service”) and they are said to “serve” (diakonein). In this basic idea their ministry in the structured church does not differ from the “service of the Word,” which is the task of the apostles; both are to serve.”

Not a distinction between service of the word and of the table, but the inclusion of both Apostles and ‘diakonoi’ as servants.

The Jerome Biblical Commentary Acts of the Apostles, Section 30

Acts 4:31

The Jerome Biblical Commentary Acts of the Apostles, Section 35

ministry of the word: The spread of the Word or of the Christian message (see comment on

Royal Priesthood language (1 Peter)

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Purpose

Purpose

This epistle could be understood as a handbook written for

Roger M. Raymer

Peter addresses

Jews

by many OT references

and by using familiar themes - eg, diaspora, holy nation, royal priesthood

Gentiles

by emphasizing that they have entered into a new, and vastly superior life in Christ

holy nation, royal priesthood.

Not a higher class of human, as class is usually understood, but called to a nobler purpose.

The first words of the passage —

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:4

‘As you come to Him’ does not refer to the initial response of a sinner who comes to Christ for salvation. The participle’s tense and voice indicate that

And this references —

Exodus 19:4–6

“4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.””

The Jerome Biblical Commentary The First Epistle of Peter, Section 12

whatever the specific nuance of the title in its original context may be (see W. L. Moran, “A Kingdom of Priests,” BCCT 7-20), it at least designates the people of Israel as a nation dedicated to the worship and service of Yahweh, their king.

The Jerome Biblical Commentary The First Epistle of Peter, Section 12

This title is now

All of this is perhaps best understood in light of the audience and purpose of this epistle:

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Purpose

knowing persecution would arise, carefully prescribed conduct designed to bring honor to the One they represented.

So, then, Christians

Having experience salvation through Baptism

and the power of the Holy Spirit

are called into action

the service of the word of God

and of his people (the table)

witnesses to the transformation of their lives

into the living Christ

by their unassailable behavior

in the face of persecution.

*With apologies to George Orwell