Truth #329 - We have equal faith, in the body, but not equal roles - 2 Peter

2 Peter 1:1 (ESV Strong's)

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

Truth:  Everyone in the body is equal of faith, even if they are different in roles.

There are some faith-based organizations and churches that put the head of the organization of great status within their faith than others.   Peter in this second letter to the church wants them to know, right off the top, that the people he is writing to are "equal" in faith.   There was a different role that Peter played in the church than that of the recipients of this little letter, however.   The faith we have in Christ, as believers, is equal.  One is not seen "better" than the other by Christ.  We are equal in standing in Christ, because our faith, as stated above, is based upon the work of Jesus Christ.  Since it is not based upon our performance or our heritage, we have an equal faith.   In the early church the Jewish born believers, at first, thought they were higher on the Christian "food-chain."   Peter debunks that with this first verse.   However, it is important to know, that in the Christian church we have equal faith and complimentary roles, but not inter-changeable roles.  Paul states this thought when he writes to the Corinthian and Roman believers (1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12).   He states in those passages we are different parts of the body: Complimentary but not interchangeable.  So, the woman's faith in the Body of Christ is equal to the man's faith: In Christ they are equal.   But, the roles of the male and female are not interchangeable.  God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit are equal in the Godhead.  But, their roles are different, as seen in the Son's submitting to the Father and the Spirit submitting to them both.   Yet, all three are equal.   We have equal faith, but not equal roles.   Peter demonstrates this in his letter.  He declares to them equal faith and then instructs them as the Apostle.   Equal faith, different roles.