Worshipping “in spirit and in truth” emphasizes spiritual worship that replaces dead sacrifices and material things that were merely shadows of realities to come. Jesus Christ, our King, appoints us as His own royal priests. He builds us into the new, living temple. What the Spirit reveals through Peter is so revolutionary that we should reexamine it, noticing especially the adjectives (italicized).
You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
Remember that Peter was raised as a Jew. He was well acquainted with the religious arrangements established by Moses. Given that familiar background, here are four contrasts:
- When Peter says “living stones” in a “spiritual house” he is making a clear contrast with the lifeless stones of the old temple.
- Peter’s readers are Christians from various nations (1 Peter 1:1). Yet he calls them priests in obvious contrast with the traditional priests from the single fleshly family of Aaron.
- The new priesthood offers “spiritual sacrifices” in contrast with the old, physical offerings.
- The New Covenant introduces the only effective channel for reaching God: “through Jesus Christ.”
Do you see the change? Remember how Jesus speaks of a new place of worship— no longer the temple in Jerusalem but “in spirit and truth” instead (John 4:21-24). Now we see His prediction come true: “living stones… a spiritual house… spiritual sacrifices” (1 Peter 2:5). The new priesthood has (and is) a new temple with new sacrifices. What are those sacrifices? Peter agrees with Hebrews that Christ Himself is the once-for-all sacrifice that removes sins (1 Peter 3:18 cf. Hebrews 9:26; 7:27; 9:12, 26; 10:10). Therefore, any sacrifices that we believers offer are not the sacrifices for sin and guilt. Instead, our sacrifices are more like the thank offerings and free will offerings of the law. We fulfill those shadowy offerings when we serve and worship through Christ. The New Testament often borrows Old Testament pictures to help us understand our new services in Christ. Here are examples:
- Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1)
- [Paul is] a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the Gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:16)
- I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18)
- For we are the aroma of Christ to God. (2 Corinthians 2:15)
- Through Him [Christ] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. (Hebrews 13:15)
- Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:16)
- Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. (Philippians 2:17 cf. 2 Timothy 4:6)