Marcus Jackson & Madeline Jackson

Christians, God Says You Are Priests! 1 Peter 2:9 has been many years in the making. Authors Marcus A. Jackson and Madeline C. Jackson have proven God’s will with experience and accomplished his desire to create a Bible-based study that lays the foundation for understanding the priesthood that all followers of Jesus are called to fulfill. Their story of what brought this book about is one we can all relate to—trials, triumphs, doubts, and determined trust. God remained faithful throughout the entire journey and taught them about himself along the way. We pray that you are inspired by their story, and ultimately, whether you are a lay person or in the Office of Ministry, are challenged by Christians, God Says You Are Priests! 1 Peter 2:9 to live in a way that is pleasing to God and accurately represents his Kingdom.

Though Madeline had health, family, status, and provision, she felt deeply unsatisfied—because only God can fill the human heart, and she had not yet truly experienced His perfect love. She wrote this book after realizing many professing Christians likewise lack a daily, intimate experience of God’s love—an experience that gives real testimony of Christ’s presence (John 3:33; Rev. 12:11). Having received personal assurance of her salvation, she desired others to know and experience that same love (John 17:3).

Through years of prayer, she asked why so many churchgoers lacked this reality. In response, God led her co-author, Marcus, to observe church communities, where he found many unsure of or not led by the Holy Spirit. after decades of prayer, asking why many who call themselves Christians lack a genuine testimony of Jesus’ love, character, and example—one affirmed by God, not mere words. This confirmed God’s call for her to write about the Holy Spirit—through the lens of Jesus, since the Spirit is received through Him (John 14:15–17). This book is God’s answer the authors’ pursuit.

Madeline understood that truly receiving Jesus results in a lived, expressed experience of His love. After her draft, Marcus expanded the work, strengthening its focus on Christ. Through writing, God revealed the crucial importance of understanding the difference between the Old and New Covenants—especially the priesthood: why it was established, why Jesus is the eternal High Priest, and how this impacts humanity’s ability to know God and His love.

Both authors testify that Jesus’ love transforms life from within, compelling believers to share it. Through the Holy Spirit, they learned to die to worldly living, walk daily with Christ, and live in obedience. God reshaped their lives, granting them a new life in His kingdom and ongoing testimonies as evidence of their walk with Him (John 15:26–27; 1 John 5:6–12).

A Promise Fulfilled: Christians, God Says You Are Priests! 1 Peter 2:9

Christians, God Says You Are Priests! 1 Peter 2:9 is the first of Marcus and Madeline’s books to be released to wide-spread audiences. It was a full-circle moment when, midway through the editing process of their manuscript, the Holy Spirit prompted Marcus and Madeline to change the book title to its current name. After making the title change, the Holy Spirit brought back to their remembrance the certificate Marcus had received recognizing his ordination into the ministry of Jesus Christ from his parents, given him nearly 30 years ago (Isa. 46:10; John 16:13). The Holy Spirit revealed through Marcus' ordination, God had previously announced the message he desired their later book content would carry to the masses.

Marcus and Madeline pray this book is a resource of great inspiration, motivation, and action for everyone who reads these pages.