What is the nature and purpose of the church?

In 1 Peter 2:9, the Apostle tells the church, “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.” The church fulfills all of these Old Testament motifs of God’s people. We have good news to proclaim to the world; that through Jesus Christ His Son, God has called us out of darkness and into His light.

Peter continues in verse 10, “For you were once not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” On the cross, Jesus received the wrath of God on our sin, so that we would receive the mercy of God. Through faith in Jesus Christ we are no longer children of the devil, but children of God.

Peter is speaking to us, not as individuals, but as the church. It is our collective nature to be light in the darkness and to speak out loud to all who will hear, the excellencies of God’s saving glory!