← Vault 5: Topical StudiesAll 33 Truths
Truth 19 of 33

33 Truths at Salvation for Every Believer

A Holy and Royal Priesthood

Key Verse: 1 Peter 2:9  ·  NASB1995

Key Verse

“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;”

1 Peter 2:9

Under the old covenant, only priests could approach God directly, and only after careful preparation. In Christ, that entire arrangement has changed for every believer.

What This Means for You

I.

Holy Priesthood

“you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 2:5 · NASB1995

Peter says believers, as living stones, are being built up “as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5). This priesthood isn’t a title for its own sake — it exists to offer worship and service that God receives only because it comes through Christ.

II.

Royal Priesthood

“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;”

1 Peter 2:9 · NASB1995

“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.”

Revelation 1:6 · NASB1995

Peter goes further still, calling believers “a royal priesthood” outright (1 Pet. 2:9), and Revelation 1:6 confirms this is a permanent status: Christ “has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father.” Under the old covenant only priests could approach God directly; in Christ, every believer already has that access built in.

Reflect

  1. Do you actually approach God as someone with priestly access, or do you still hold back as if you need a mediator to reach Him?

Read the full chapter for context

Read 1 Peter 2 · NASB95 on Blue Letter Bible

Adapted from “The Riches of Grace in Christ Jesus” by Lewis Sperry Chafer, from Salvation (Sunday School Times Company, 1917, public domain).

Scripture quotations are from the NASB1995 (New American Standard Bible, 1995 update), © The Lockman Foundation.

← Truth 18All 33 TruthsTruth 20: A Chosen Generation, a Peculiar People →