The Nature Of God’s People
by H. E. Phillips

God’s people are described as both a “called out” people and “kings and priests” who shall reign on earth. We have the description of both in the word of God. The church and the kingdom are two terms describing the same people in their relationship to God through Christ.
The royal priesthood would be meaningless without the High Priest. Christ became our high priest to offer his own blood for our sins (Hebrews 8:4). He is a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 6:20; 7:17; 3:1). Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of the most high God at the same time. (Hebrews 7:1), He had none who preceded him and none who would follow him in his priesthood.

Christ was a priest after this order. He was of the tribe of Judah, of which tribe Moses said nothing concerning priesthood (Hebrews 7:15). His priesthood will be for ever after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:17). We have such an high priest now in the heavens, and he is Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14).

Christ became high priest after he ascended into heaven, because he could not be a priest on earth (He. brews 8:4). But when he ascended into heaven to the right hand of God, he received dominion, and glory, and a kingdom (Psalm 110:1-4; Daniel 7:13,14). When Christ sat down on the right hand of God and began to rule as king, and he would be a priest on his throne as he reigned. “Even he shall build the temple of the Lord;” (the church -HEP) “and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both” (Zechariah 6:13).

Christ died to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works (Titus 2:14). This “peculiar” people are all those purified unto him as his own possession. They are his people, all of his people. They are a “chosen generation” - an elect race. They are built up a spiritual house on the elect foundation, Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:4-9). They are called a “royal priesthood.” Christ is High Priest and every saint a priest, composing a royal or kingly priesthood.

They are called a “holy nation,” who were not a people, but now are the people of God. (1 Peter 2:9).

I cannot understand how “royal priests” can be so indifferent to their obligations to offer “spiritual sacrifices” unto God through Christ (Romans 12:1) as some professed Christians are. Under the law of Moses, the priests who dared to offer unscriptural sacrifices in a profane manner were totally rejected. We are to offer our bodies as a “reasonable” or “spiritual” sacrifice (Romans 12:1). That means to yield to every requirement of Jesus Christ in our obedience every day of our lives. Being a Christian is a 24-hour-a-day life, offering our praise and diligent obedience to the High Priest, Jesus Christ, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

- Preacher of the Word, March 1998

Some Believed Not
by H. E. Phillips

“And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not” (Acts 28:24).
The above are the words of the Holy Spirit describing the results of Paul’s preaching and teaching Christ from “his own hired house” (Acts 28:30) in Rome as various ones came to him and he expounded the teachings of the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. As a prisoner he was permitted to dwell by himself with a soldier who kept him (Acts 28:16). It is strange indeed that so many will hear the convincing evidence from the Book of God and then believe it not. However, it is as true today as when Paul preached in Rome.
We may inquire why so many people do not believe the things that are written and get as many answers as people ask, but one thing is sure: no man in this day and country can stand in the judgment and claim he had no opportunity to learn the truth. He may not know it, or he may know it and not believe it, but he will have no excuse when he stands before God.
Perhaps the four greatest reasons why people do not believe the word of God are: (1) The great claims for man’s wisdom that overshadows the Bible. This claim for human wisdom influences many to rely upon it rather than upon what God has SAID. (2) The desire to do as we please. Man has always sought to be freed from any restraint when it comes to walking after our own lusts, and when the Bible seeks to direct his step into more noble and righteous conduct, he rejects it and believes it not. (3) The state of denominational division. Nothing is more compelling in making unbelievers than professed religious people standing divided and each claiming authority from the same book. It is usually the conclusion that the Bible is to blame for the terrible state of division and many will not believe it. (4) Professed believers in the Bible do not practice what it teaches. This causes people to lose confidence in it as a true guide to life. The Word of God is the only way to know the Mind of God.
- Preacher of the Word, June 1996