[kosta50]

It differs in being retrograde, so to speak:

That's one way to look at it. But not the only way.

From the earliest days, the Church understood itself as being meant for all men

So is Judaism. The difference is that the Jews are the ordained clergy-nation, while the Gentiles are the Noachide congregation.

When St. Peter tells his audience "you are a priestly nation" who is he addressing, given that he was an apostle to the circumcision?

[maryz]

That's one way to look at it. But not the only way.

There's more than one way to look at most anything -- I thought it was clear that I was merely stating how I look at it! ;-)

So is Judaism. The difference is that the Jews are the ordained clergy-nation, while the Gentiles are the Noachide congregation.

Judaism got to that point, but it didn't start out there, and progress was . . . let's say "uneven."

When St. Peter tells his audience "you are a priestly nation" who is he addressing, given that he was an apostle to the circumcision?

I'm not sure what your point is here.