A PECULIAR PEOPLE

[Doug]

Deuteronomy 14:2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

Deuteronomy 26:18 And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;

The Lord called Israel chosen to be a peculiar people above all the nations.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Peter calls the believing remnant of Israel a peculiar people. Peter is not speaking of the church in this dispensation, the body of Christ. Peter is speaking of the Israel of God, the remnant. Peter identifies the remnant of Israel as being a holy nation which God says are above all the nations. The body of Christ is never said to be a nation. Peter is saying the remnant will keep his commandments as opposed to Paul saying the body of Christ are zealous of good works. Peter calls this peculiar people a royal priesthood in Exodus 40:15 and Revelation 1:6; Paul never calls the body of Christ a priesthood.

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Paul here does call the body of Christ a peculiar people as well. The Bible can use the same word in the scriptures, but they don't always have the same meaning or application; their use depends on context. Both Peter and Paul speak of a peculiar people but they are not the same people. Peter's people are the believing remnant of Israel; Paul's peculiar people are the body of Christ.

 

[Stumpmaster]

Peter's people are the believing remnant of Israel; Paul's peculiar people are the body of Christ.

You raise an interesting topic for discussion.

I had a nagging thought about the Gentile believers being endowed with nationhood along with the redeemed of Israel, and found some material to suggest they are, whereas unredeemed Israel are stripped of it. [Hos 1:8-9 Now when she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son. (9) Then God said: "Call his name Lo-Ammi, For you are not My people, And I will not be your God.]

Quote From Matthew Henry's Commentary;

2. Those who received him were highly privileged, 1Pe_2:9. The Jews were exceedingly tender of their ancient privileges, of being the only people of God, taken into a special covenant with him, and separated from the rest of the world. “Now,” say they, “if we submit to the gospel - constitution, we shall lose all this, and stand upon the same level with the Gentiles.”
(1.) To this objection the apostle answers, that if they did not submit they were ruined (1Pe_2:7, 1Pe_2:8), but that if they did submit they should lose no real advantage, but continue still what they desired to be, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, etc. Learn, [1.] All true Christians are a chosen generation; they all make one family, a sort and species of people distinct from the common world, of another spirit, principle, and practice, which they could never be if they were not chosen in Christ to be such, and sanctified by his Spirit. [2.] All the true servants of Christ are a royal priesthood. They are royal in their relation to God and Christ, in their power with God, and over themselves and all their spiritual enemies; they are princely in the improvements and the excellency of their own spirits, and in their hopes and expectations; they are a royal priesthood, separated from sin and sinners, consecrated to God, and offering to God spiritual services and oblations, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [3.] All Christians, wheresoever they be, compose one holy nation. They are one nation, collected under one head, agreeing in the same manners and customs, and governed by the same laws; and they are a holy nation, because consecrated and devoted to God, renewed and sanctified by his Holy Spirit. [4.] It is the honour of the servants of Christ that they are God's peculiar people. They are the people of his acquisition, choice, care, and delight. These four dignities of all genuine Christians are not natural to them; for their first state is a state of horrid darkness, but they are effectually called out of darkness into a state of marvellous light, joy, pleasure, and prosperity, with this intent and view, that they should show forth, by words and actions, the virtues and praises of him who hath called them.

Eph 2:11-22 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— (12) that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (13) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (14) For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, (15) having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, (16) and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. (17) And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. (18) For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. (19) Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (20) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, (21) in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, (22) in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

 

[Doug]

whereas unredeemed Israel are stripped of it. [Hos 1:8-9 Now when she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son. (9) Then God said: "Call his name Lo-Ammi, For you are not My people, And I will not be your God.]

[Lev 26:9, 12 KJV] 9 For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you. ... 12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

Israel had to keep the commands of the covenant....they failed so God made a new covenant

[Jer 31:33 KJV] 33 But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

 

[Doug]

You raise an interesting topic for discussion.

I had a nagging thought about the Gentile believers being endowed with nationhood along with the redeemed of Israel, and found some material to suggest they are, whereas unredeemed Israel are stripped of it. [Hos 1:8-9 Now when she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son. (9) Then God said: "Call his name Lo-Ammi, For you are not My people, And I will not be your God.]

Quote From Matthew Henry's Commentary;

2. Those who received him were highly privileged, 1Pe_2:9. The Jews were exceedingly tender of their ancient privileges, of being the only people of God, taken into a special covenant with him, and separated from the rest of the world. “Now,” say they, “if we submit to the gospel - constitution, we shall lose all this, and stand upon the same level with the Gentiles.”
(1.) To this objection the apostle answers, that if they did not submit they were ruined (1Pe_2:7, 1Pe_2:8), but that if they did submit they should lose no real advantage, but continue still what they desired to be, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, etc. Learn, [1.] All true Christians are a chosen generation; they all make one family, a sort and species of people distinct from the common world, of another spirit, principle, and practice, which they could never be if they were not chosen in Christ to be such, and sanctified by his Spirit. [2.] All the true servants of Christ are a royal priesthood. They are royal in their relation to God and Christ, in their power with God, and over themselves and all their spiritual enemies; they are princely in the improvements and the excellency of their own spirits, and in their hopes and expectations; they are a royal priesthood, separated from sin and sinners, consecrated to God, and offering to God spiritual services and oblations, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [3.] All Christians, wheresoever they be, compose one holy nation. They are one nation, collected under one head, agreeing in the same manners and customs, and governed by the same laws; and they are a holy nation, because consecrated and devoted to God, renewed and sanctified by his Holy Spirit. [4.] It is the honour of the servants of Christ that they are God's peculiar people. They are the people of his acquisition, choice, care, and delight. These four dignities of all genuine Christians are not natural to them; for their first state is a state of horrid darkness, but they are effectually called out of darkness into a state of marvellous light, joy, pleasure, and prosperity, with this intent and view, that they should show forth, by words and actions, the virtues and praises of him who hath called them.

Eph 2:11-22 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— (12) that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (13) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (14) For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, (15) having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, (16) and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. (17) And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. (18) For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. (19) Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (20) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, (21) in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, (22) in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Gentiles could always join Israel by being subject to covenant

[Exo 12:48 KJV] 48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

During the preaching of Jesus and the twelve Gentiles could be blessed by blessing Israel

[Gen 12:3 KJV] 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Gentiles who believed Peter's preaching would be saved into the believing remnant of Israel

[Act 10:45 KJV] 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Gentiles saved by believing Paul's gospel in this dispensation of grace are placed into the body of Christ

 

[Doug]

You raise an interesting topic for discussion.

I had a nagging thought about the Gentile believers being endowed with nationhood along with the redeemed of Israel, and found some material to suggest they are, whereas unredeemed Israel are stripped of it. [Hos 1:8-9 Now when she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son. (9) Then God said: "Call his name Lo-Ammi, For you are not My people, And I will not be your God.]

Quote From Matthew Henry's Commentary;

2. Those who received him were highly privileged, 1Pe_2:9. The Jews were exceedingly tender of their ancient privileges, of being the only people of God, taken into a special covenant with him, and separated from the rest of the world. “Now,” say they, “if we submit to the gospel - constitution, we shall lose all this, and stand upon the same level with the Gentiles.”
(1.) To this objection the apostle answers, that if they did not submit they were ruined (1Pe_2:7, 1Pe_2:8), but that if they did submit they should lose no real advantage, but continue still what they desired to be, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, etc. Learn, [1.] All true Christians are a chosen generation; they all make one family, a sort and species of people distinct from the common world, of another spirit, principle, and practice, which they could never be if they were not chosen in Christ to be such, and sanctified by his Spirit. [2.] All the true servants of Christ are a royal priesthood. They are royal in their relation to God and Christ, in their power with God, and over themselves and all their spiritual enemies; they are princely in the improvements and the excellency of their own spirits, and in their hopes and expectations; they are a royal priesthood, separated from sin and sinners, consecrated to God, and offering to God spiritual services and oblations, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [3.] All Christians, wheresoever they be, compose one holy nation. They are one nation, collected under one head, agreeing in the same manners and customs, and governed by the same laws; and they are a holy nation, because consecrated and devoted to God, renewed and sanctified by his Holy Spirit. [4.] It is the honour of the servants of Christ that they are God's peculiar people. They are the people of his acquisition, choice, care, and delight. These four dignities of all genuine Christians are not natural to them; for their first state is a state of horrid darkness, but they are effectually called out of darkness into a state of marvellous light, joy, pleasure, and prosperity, with this intent and view, that they should show forth, by words and actions, the virtues and praises of him who hath called them.

Eph 2:11-22 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— (12) that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (13) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (14) For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, (15) having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, (16) and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. (17) And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. (18) For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. (19) Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (20) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, (21) in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, (22) in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

As a side note I dont agree with Matthew Henry saying all believers are a holy nation a priesthood,,,,Paul never calls the body of Christ either one

 

[Lambano]

 

[Stumpmaster]

Paul never calls the body of Christ either one

That's not surprising given his call to the Gentiles and his analogy of corporal unity.

In his letter to the Ephesians Paul addresses the removal of the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles. This concept is central to his theology of unity in Christ.

Ephesians 2:14-16:
"For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility."

In this passage, Paul explains that through Jesus' sacrificial death, the barrier (or "dividing wall") that separated Jews and Gentiles has been broken down. This act creates a new, unified community of believers, emphasizing reconciliation and peace.
This message was revolutionary in the context of the early church, fostering a sense of unity among believers from diverse backgrounds. It underscores the inclusive nature of the Christian faith and the idea that salvation is available to all, regardless of their ethnic or cultural origins.

By contrast both James and Peter were more concerned with the scattered descendants of the Twelve Tribes that were taken from the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel as follows: [Very interesting subject to keep in mind]

The earliest diasporas of the Twelve Tribes of Israel occurred in two major waves:

1. Assyrian Exile (circa 733-722 BCE): The Northern Kingdom of Israel, consisting of ten of the twelve tribes, was conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians deported many Israelites to various regions, including the Medes, the region of Halah, and the Habor River. This event is often referred to as the Assyrian Captivity or the Exile of the Ten Lost Tribes.
2. Babylonian Exile (597-586 BCE): The Southern Kingdom of Judah, which included the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, along with part of the tribe of Levi, was conquered by the Neo-Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar II. The Babylonians deported portions of the population of Judah in two waves, first in 597 BCE and then in 586 BCE after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This event is known as the Babylonian Captivity or Exile.

Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.

1Pe 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,