Studiesin

1 Peter Presentation 04

The Structure of the Book1v1-2 Salvation: grounded in the Godhead1v3-5 Salvation: accomplished in their hearts1v6-9 Salvation: confirmed by their suffering1v10-12 Salvation: anticipated through history1v13-21 Salvation: outworked in their lives1v22-2v3 Salvation: and the Word of Truth2v4-12 Living Stones - Chosen People2v13-17 Submission to the State2v18-25 Submission to Superiors3v1-7 Wives and Husbands3v8-17 The Believer and Suffering3v17-22 Christ’s Victory 4v1-6 Responding to Christ’s Victory4v7-11 Living for God4v12-19 Suffering for Christ5v1-11 Elders and Young Men5v12-14 Final Greetings

Living StonesChosen People

Chap 2v4-12

Introduction

In ch.1 some of the wonders of salvation have been unpacked and incentives for holy living have been given. In 2.4ff Peter reminds his Christian readership of their new status. He recognises the importance of answering the question ‘who am I?’ before exhorting believers to live a life of submission and humility.

Such a life can only be lived, when we feel secure with regard to our own identity. The secure person has nothing to prove. He does not need to be self assertive! He does not consider submission to human authorities something that would devalue his worth.

Living Stones - Chosen People

In v4 the person of Christ is presented as the prime example of one, who was of infinite value to God, though many men, and especially those in positions of leadership and influence, placed little value upon him. Notice the following:

1. The fact of Jesus' rejection came as no surprise to God cf. Ps118.22

2. The cause of his rejection was the unbelief in the hearts of men v7

3. God's assessment of worth and value is invariably the opposite of that of unbelievers.

Living Stones - Chosen Peoplein v6 Peter quotes Is. 28.16. The context of all O.T. quotations is very important. The princes of Jerusalem foolishly believed their city was secure against threat. Why? Because it contained the temple, which they believed God would never allow to be destroyed. 'The temple, the temple', was their cry. Cf. also Jer.7.4. But their confidence was misplaced.

There is only one building that can stand against the storms of destruction. It is the temple built on the sure foundation of the Lord Jesus. He alone can be trusted for eternal security. But the unbelieving Jews had rejected him. cf Matt.21.44.

Living Stones - Chosen PeopleScripture uses building imagery to describe the worth of Jesus. He is described first as the ‘cornerstone’ - one of two very important stones laid in ancient construction. Great care was taken to ensure that it was absolutely square and level. It became the datum used to regulate the laying of all subsequent stones. If the cornerstone was imperfect or wrongly laid the whole building would be unstable.

The second stone of equal importance was the ‘capstone’. It was the last stone to be laid at the top of an arch or pediment. It was used to lock the last stones in place. It required to be accurately cut in order to fulfil this function.

Living Stones - Chosen PeopleJesus is described as fulfilling both of these important functions. He is both a foundation cornerstone and the capstone that locks the whole building together - the alpha and the omega. If unbelievers discard him and place no value upon him then should we be surprised if they also write Christians off?

Men may reject us but God has chosen us. We have been quarried for a special purpose. We are laid between the first and last stone. Our worth is derived from Christ's worth. The word translated ‘precious’ was used to describe priceless gems. And if Jesus is precious to the Father then so too are we! Jesus is described in v4 as a living stone! A unique quality we also share v5

Living Stones - Chosen People

Christians are ‘living stones’ - part of a growing house. God's architecture is ‘biological'. His house grows as new stones are added and as existing stones are perfected. God’s people are described as a growing temple not an inert mass or rock!

The O.T. temple was designed for God to display his shekinah glory - the presence of God among his people.

Similarly, the church, Christ's body, is the dwelling place of God. In v5 Peter describes a ‘spiritual house’. Note he does not use the word temple for he is thinking of a household. And that is what the church is, those who have been brought near to God as his sons and daughters.

Living Stones - Chosen People

As God's dwelling place, the church has both a status and a ministry. In v5 Peter summarises these two points. First by describing our standing before God. We are a ‘spiritual house’ and also a ‘holy priesthood’ Cf v9-10.... Where again O.T. Language is applied to the N.T. people of God. Then after saying, who we are Peter tells us what to do. We offer spiritual sacrifices which God accepts [Rom. 12v1]. The term ‘priesthood of all believers’ is used to describe the N.T. church. Not just a select few but all believers serve in God’s presence.

Living Stones - Chosen PeopleCf Ex19.6.... Words spoken after Israel's deliverance from Egypt and before the publishing of the 10 commandments. God reminds Israel that they are a people distinct form all the other nations of the earth. The point of the passage is not to appoint Israel as a priesthood for the other nations. Rather to indicatethat Israel had been brought into such close fellowship with God that their access to him was priestly. They are a holy people precisely because the God with whom they had such close contact was holy. And so Israel is called upon to be what it is - Holy.

Living Stones - Chosen People

Now Israel broke covenant with God. They defiled themselves with idolatry and immorality and in consequence drew out the judgement of God cf. Hos.1.10... But even in the midst of Judgement God promised restoration Hos.2.23.... Is.61.6.

However, this restoration is not limited to Israel but God's covenant blessing will be shared with all the Gentile nations cf. Is 19.24-25...

It is the fulfilment of this thatPeter proclaims in v10...

Living Stones - Chosen People

The church is not only a holy temple and priesthood enjoying the presence of God she is also and ‘elect race’, a people of God's own possession v9. God dwells among those he has chosen. Does the biblical doctrine of election hint at elitism? No! The wonder of election is not that God chooses some but that he chooses any at all. Someone has said, 'Israel was a chosen people but not a choice people.'

This doctrine leaves no room for pride. Cf. 1Cor.1.29 God chooses the zeroes! We were chosen, when we had no Status. As such we were united to Christ and made members of 'the holy family‘!

Living Stones - Chosen PeopleAs such we are to offer spiritual sacrifices v5 and v9 ‘declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his marvellous light’. cf Heb 13.15. and Is. 43.21. The praises of the people of God focus upon praising God for who he is and for what he has done in Christ Jesus.

The Book of Psalms continually declares the mighty works of God both in creation and redemption.

The verb Isaiah uses in Is. 43.21 translated as ‘proclaim’ literally means ‘recount’. The pinnacle of devotion is to rejoice in God himself. Sadly, many modern hymns focus on the feelings and experience of believers and not upon the greatness of God.

Living Stones - Chosen People

This worship also involves putting on some ‘practical clothing’ and so in v11-12 we have Peter's exhortation based on his teaching. If we are truly the people of God, a holy nation, then we need to fight a holy war on the battlefields of our hearts.

As the people of God we are to live as strangers to the sinful lifestyle, that we see around us. We are to do so in a way that causes the world to takeNotice. When it does so, we should aim to draw its attention away from the believer to God himself. This is part of what it means to be a worshipping community