Privileges of Church Membership

GOLDEN TEXT: “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who bath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” —I Peter 2:9

I PETER 2:9, 10

THE title assigned to today’s lesson by the International Sunday School Committee is proper enough if we think of it as applying to the true followers of the Master, whose names are written in heaven; those who constitute the church, which is the body of Christ. (Heb. 12:23; Eph. 1:22,23) The “members” in this true church of Christ do not necessarily have their names enrolled in an earthly church register.

Indeed, they are more likely not to have their names so registered, for the reason that they find so many things in denominational churches which are out of harmony with the truth of the Bible, and so many precious truths of the Bible which are unknown, and therefore not taught in them. The true followers of Jesus sooner or later recognize that they must separate themselves from denominationalism if they are to maintain their liberty in Christ and continue to rejoice in the full Gospel of Christ as presented in the Bible.

Those who are recognized by God, and whose names are enrolled in heaven, enjoy various privileges of association in the divine plan for the reconciling of the lost world to Christ. Many of these privileges were foreshadowed by God’s dealings with his typical people Israel. Through Abraham, for example, Israel was a chosen generation, or family. The word used in God’s promise to Abraham was “seed,” the promise being that the “seed” of Abraham would bless all the families of the earth. Typical Israel was, indeed, a “chosen generation” for this purpose, God having said to them, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth.”—Amos 3:2

Conditional upon obedience to the Law given to the nation by Moses, Israel could also have been a “royal priesthood” and “an holy nation.” (Exod. 19:5,6) They were also to be a “peculiar people,” not an odd or queer people, but a very special “treasure” unto the Lord. These privileges which could have been Israel’s were lost through unfaithfulness, and Jesus said to this people, “The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (Matt. 21:43) Later, Paul wrote, “Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for.”—Rom. 11:7

The “nation” to which the kingdom was given when taken away from natural Israel is the “holy nation” of our Golden Text, which, to use another biblical title, is the “church,” and also “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood.” In verse 10 Peter explains that in “time past” these were not “a people, but are now the people of God.”

True, a remnant of natural Israel qualified for this high position, and these were the first to become members of the Gospel-age house of sons, the family, or generation, which will reign with Christ. (John 1:11,12; Rom. 11:5) Then, beginning three and one-half years after Pentecost, Gentiles began to be called into this precious fellowship, so that now these also are the “people of God.”—Acts 15:14; Heb. 4:9

And truly these are a highly favored people. They are God’s elect, or chosen family, his house of sons who, together with Jesus, will be the spiritual rulers in the messianic kingdom. They are a “royal priesthood”; that is, those who, through faithfulness in sacrifice, will be the spiritual guides and blessers of the people during the kingdom. They are a “holy nation,” a people who bring forth the “fruits” of righteousness through their faithfulness to the Lord, “fruits” which, in God’s due time, will result in the blessing of all nations.—Phil. 1:11

These are called to “show forth the praises of him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvelous light.” This is indeed a great privilege. All those who learn to know the truth concerning God delight in showing forth his praises. This is the present lifework of every true Christian.

II CORINTHIANS 9:6-8

WITHOUT question one of the privileges of every consecrated follower of the Master is to sacrifice in “ministering to the saints” (II Cor. 9:1), as indicated in this part of our lesson. Paul admonished the brethren to give liberally for this purpose, the occasion being the material needs of the brethren in and around Jerusalem.

Nor is it amiss to remind ourselves of the privilege of giving in support of any and every aspect of the Lord’s service. However, those who accept God’s call, and devote themselves to his service, will cheerfully give all they can.

QUESTIONS

What is the true church, and who are its members?

To whom did the various titles mentioned in I Peter 2:9 originally apply?

To whom do they now apply?

How do these titles suggest the privileges of true Christians?

Is the giving of money one of the principal privileges of a true Christian?

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