The concept of believers being a “royal priesthood” comes from 1 Peter 2:9, which states: “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.” This verse packs a lot of meaning into just a few words, so let’s break it down to understand what Peter is communicating here.
We are chosen by God
First, Peter says that believers are a “chosen race.” This conveys the truth that those who trust in Christ do so because God chose them and drew them to Himself. We did not choose God or earn our way into His family; rather, He predestined us “for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ” solely by His grace and will (Ephesians 1:5). This status as chosen ones gives us a great sense of dignity and valor as Children of God.
We have a royal identity
In calling believers a “royal priesthood,” Peter associates us with royalty. Just as kings and queens have rank and honor in an earthly kingdom, God confers a royal status on those who are in Christ. Revelation 1:6 further develops this theme: “[Christ] has made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father.” Through faith in Jesus, we are made into a kingdom of priests who serve God. What an incredibly lofty identity for sinners saved by grace!
We have direct access to God
In the Old Testament, only the Levitical priests could enter God’s presence in the tabernacle and temple. But now, because of Christ’s sacrificial death, all believers have access directly into the throne room of God. We can approach Him at any time, without a human intermediary or earthly temple. We are all priests in His kingdom!
We declare God’s praises
Peter notes that God chose us so “that [we] may proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light.” As priests, we have the honor and responsibility of declaring the praises and glories of God. We publicly magnify Him and make His attributes known through our words and lives. Our royal identity calls us to enthusiastically worship and share about our glorious King.
We are set apart by God
Peter refers to believers as “a holy nation.” Just as Israel was set apart from other nations to belong to God under the old covenant, the church is now God’s special possession under the new covenant. First Peter 1:15-16 confirms this: “As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” We are sanctified and made holy in God’s sight through Christ.
We belong to God
The last part of 1 Peter 2:9 states that believers are “a people for [God’s] own possession.” What an intimate statement! God chose us, redeemed us, and set us apart so that we would belong to Him as His treasured possession. Titus 2:14 calls the church “a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.” We eagerly do good out of love and gratitude to the God who claimed us as His own.
We enjoy security, significance, and purpose
This royal priesthood status confers great spiritual blessings on believers in Christ. We are secure as God’s chosen ones; we are significant as royalty in His kingdom; and we have purpose as priests who declare His praises. While we did nothing to deserve this privileged position, God by His sheer grace has granted it to us through faith in Jesus. What an awesome, humbling truth!
In summary, as a royal priesthood, believers have a chosen, royal, priestly identity. We belong to God, have direct access to Him, enjoy intimacy with Him, and declare His glory as His special possession. This truth was radical for the early persecuted church to whom Peter wrote, and it remains a stunning privilege for believers in Christ today. The doctrine of the royal priesthood continues to motivate Christians toward greater worship, holiness and service for the King.
Old Testament Background
It helps to understand the Old Testament background related to the concepts of a royal priesthood. In the OT, royalty and priesthood were distinct roles that did not overlap. The kings came from the tribe of Judah while the priests came from the tribe of Levi. But some verses combine these roles in a prophetic, typological way that finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
For example, Psalm 110:4 predicts, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.'” Melchizedek was both a king and a priest (Genesis 14:18), foreshadowing Christ’s eventual high priestly ministry as the royal Messiah. Hebrews 5-7 explains how Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of being a priest-king.
Isaiah 61:6 also blends the king and priest roles when speaking of end-time blessings: “You shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God.” God’s people will function as royal priests in the messianic kingdom. Now in the church age, believers experience those blessings through Christ.
So Peter picks up on this prophetic, blended theme of royalty and priesthood and applies it to the church. Because we are united to Jesus, the royal high priest, we share in His anointing as a royal priesthood.
Implications for the Church
This doctrine contains several important implications for believers and the church today:
- It gives us confidence before God – We can draw near with boldness into God’s presence because of Christ’s work on our behalf (Hebrews 4:16). We serve as priestly mediators between God and the world.
- It motivates us to holiness – As God’s special possession, we should seek to live holy lives that match our elevated status in Him (1 Peter 1:15-16).
- It spurs us to service – We are not passive royalty; as royal priests we actively serve God and declare His praises through word and deed.
- It promotes unity – Though diverse, we are one chosen race and kingdom of priests unified in Christ (Romans 12:4-5).
- It assigns us dignity – Our identity is rooted in who we are in Christ, not earthly status. Social, racial or class distinctions do not constrain our priestly role.
- It assigns us responsibility – Priests must be pure, so we cannot indulge in sin. Priests must represent God, so we must reflect His character.
Overall, this royal priesthood truth is incredibly empowering. It gives average believers direct access to God and a significant role in His kingdom purposes. Fulfilling this role requires holiness, service, worship and proclamation of the gospel. As the redeemed of the Lord, we gladly embrace this privileged identity and calling.
Connection to Other Concepts
The idea of the royal priesthood intersects with several other biblical concepts:
1. Priesthood of all believers –
This truth that all Christians are priests is fundamental to the Protestant doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. The dividing wall between laity and clergy is torn down. We all have equal standing before God.
2. Election –
God chooses and predestines those who will trust in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-5). Our royal priestly status is grounded in God’s sovereign election, not human merit.
3. Covenant theology –
God’s covenant with Israel foreshadows the new covenant with the church. We are now God’s elect, priestly people just as Israel was, but in an even greater way through Christ.
4. Ecclesiology –
This royal priesthood truth shapes our understanding of the nature of the church. The church is God’s priestly kingdom, His temple, His chosen possession.
5. Union with Christ –
As believers, we are united to Christ and share in His privileges as the great High Priest. Our royal priest status is possible only because of this profound spiritual union.
Parallels to Israel
It is also helpful to see how Peter’s description of the church mirrors God’s description of ancient Israel:
- Israel: “You shall be my treasured possession among all peoples”
- Church: “a people for his own possession”
- Israel: “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation”
- Church: “a royal priesthood, a holy nation”
- Israel: “You shall be called the priests of the Lord”
- Church: “a royal priesthood”
While discontinuities remain between Israel and the church, it is clear the church now experiences the realities Israel foreshadowed. This helps explain why the New Testament applies “royal priesthood” and other such phrases to believers in Christ.
Non-Christian Perspectives
While Christians have historically affirmed this doctrine, some modern theologians have reinterpreted or opposed the idea of the royal priesthood. For example:
- Liberal theologians tend to reject the concepts of divine election and predestination underlying this doctrine. They argue humans have no privileged status, but are simply working toward a this-worldly utopia.
- Feminist theologians criticize the royal priesthood concept for continuing a patriarchal hierarchy. They believe all privilege and hierarchy should be eliminated.
- Pluralist and universalist theologians believe all humans without exception are already children of God. There is no unique chosen status for believers in their view.
While these perspectives may seem appealing from certain viewpoints, they all ultimately diminish core biblical teachings about God’s sovereign election, redemption, and adoption of believers in Christ. The doctrine of the royal priesthood remains theologically vital.
Conclusion
This rich metaphor of a royal priesthood gives believers great insight into their identity in Christ. God has conferred royal status and priestly access on those who trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. This truth was especially encouraging for the marginalized, persecuted believers to whom Peter originally wrote. And it remains a profoundly empowering doctrine for Christians today. As royal priests, we can boldly come before the King of Kings, proclaim His excellencies, and serve His Kingdom purposes in the world. To God be the glory!