Theory question 109
Interpersonal Relationships(a) What did Peter mean when he referred to Christians as a chosen race? (b) How did he expect them to behave to civil authorities?
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(a) Believers are like living stones built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:4-5).
"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people" (1 Peter 2:9).
They are chosen to declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).
Once they were no people, but now they are God's people; once without mercy, now they have received mercy (1 Peter 2:10).
As God's special people, they are aliens and exiles in the world and must abstain from fleshly passions and keep good conduct (1 Peter 2:11-12).
(b) Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to the emperor as supreme or to governors sent by him (1 Peter 2:13-14).
Governors punish those who do wrong and praise those who do right (1 Peter 2:14).
By doing right they should silence the ignorance of foolish men (1 Peter 2:15).
Live as free men, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil, but as servants of God (1 Peter 2:16).
Honour all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the emperor (1 Peter 2:17).
Explain 1 Peter 2:9-10, then 2:13-17.