"The New Israel" by Rick Nelson
Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Tags: #HolyPriesthood #LeviticalPriesthood #IsraelofGod

The context of this study is understanding we are spiritual Israel. The church was a combination of Jews and gentiles who came to Christ. Sometimes the Jews would lean back on some of the things they did for the Jewish religion (see Acts 15), but Peter reminds them in his first epistle that we must look to Christianity.

KEY SCRIPTURE
1 Peter 2:5-11

LESSON AT GLANCE

• The physical Israel is the one over in the Middle East. However, the bible also refers to a spiritual Israel, which is the church (see Galatians 3:7,29)
○ The kingdom would be given to another nation (see Matthew 21:43)
○ It would be given to a holy nation (see 1 Peter 2:5,9)
○ The rule of a new creature = Israel of God (see Galatians 6:15-16)

• (v. 5) In Matthew 3:9, Christ makes references to stones that God is able to raise up as children. These "lively stones" are Christians.

○ If you are a Christian, you are also a priest. A priest is able to take their sins to God. Through the blood of Christ, we are able to take our sins directly to God.

○ In the old testament, you had to come from the line of Levi to qualify as a priest. This is no longer the case for the holy priesthood.

• What sacrifices are we suppose to render as Christians?

○ Our Faith... Philippians 2:17
○ Our agape love... Mark 12:33
○ The fruit of our lips... Hebrews 13:15
○ Our bodies--everything we do must be in keeping Christ first... Romans 12:1

• (v. 6) Zion always references Israel or Jerusalem. Jesus is that chief corner stone--precious, chosen of God.

○ "Precious" refers to something more valuable than anything you can have, including silver or gold.

○ "Believeth on him" is used here because Peter is writing to Christians--there was no need to lay down again the foundation for salvation. Belief is predicated on everything we do in order to become a Christian. Without belief, one would not repent, confess, or be baptized!

• (v. 7-8) Christianity came out of the Jewish religion--they were the builders. The prophets came from the nation of Israel. The stone (Jesus) which they disallowed is made the head of the corner (see John 1:11)

○ The reason for all this is because the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they cannot see the light of the gospel (see 2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

• (v. 9) A "chosen generation" means that you have chosen to remain faithful to the gospel of Christ. If so, you are predestined for heaven. Holiness applies to two things: the holy Spirit in dwells in us (Acts 2:38), and that you have been set apart for a specific work. Peculiar means that we are different from the world.

• (v. 10-11) "Fleshly lusts" come from the body, and we are called to present our bodies as living sacrifice in order to please God. "Which in times past were not a people" -- Jesus discusses this with the house of Israel in John 10:14-16. The door would be open for the gentiles to come into the church, the "one fold" being the church. The one fold would allow anyone who obeyed the gosepl to be saved.


CALL TO ACTION
* God's Plan of Salvation... https://miamigardenscoc.net/salvation.php
___
RECOMMENDED LINKS:
* The Elect of God: https://youtu.be/sgjDGsUDF9A
* Destination Fulfilled: https://youtu.be/ZG-43KiAngg
* Website: https://www.miamigardenscoc.net