-By: Askel Dela Cruz,
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"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" - 1 Peter 2:5
The Church is defined as a group of people called and taken out of the sinful world now living in holiness under the supervision of the apostles of Christ. Just as the Israelites were freed from the Egyptian oppression to serve God, the believers were freed from the oppression of sin to truly and faithfully serve God. Thus, the early believers devotedly worship God.
The Church is the temple of God. According to Paul,
"Ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit." -Ephesians 2:22
As the Holy Spirit dwells in the body of Christ, the Church is given the power and majesty to worship the Father. Against persecutions an trials the early disciples continues on their service to God.
The body of Christ is a royal priesthood. Each Christian is expected and blessed to serve the Lord. In the Old Testament, only a privileged few were given the right to come directly to God. But through the sacrificial blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, the Church can directly access to the throne of grace through the mighty same of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:20).
The disciples of Christ are a holy nation. We were separated from the world of sin to be a holy community of God. All our activities will point towards the most Holy Father. Our thoughts, actions, strengths and body are a manifestation of our service and worship to God. Through us, the Church, the Father will be glorified.
