AP

1 Peter Studies (5)                                                                                       1 Peter 2:4-17

New Israel in a Hostile World                                                                                                       

Verses 4-8 Peter makes a contrast between being rejected by men (the unbelieving strangers among whom they lived) and being the ‘chosen-out ones’ and precious in the sight of God. The ‘as you come to him’ is not the first coming to God at conversion, but the continual coming to God in prayer and in the awareness of his presence, seeking communion and fellowship with him.

God is ‘Living Stone.’ When the noun is used without the article (the) in the Greek, it refers to God’s character—he is not a literal living stone. It is a metaphor for his strength and as a firm foundation for the believers and a stumbling block for those who reject God.

Peter quotes: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Psalm 118:22). Jesus refers to this Psalm saying: “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes’? Therefore, I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed” (Matthew 21:42-44).

Isaiah also mentions the cornerstone: “So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic’” (28:16). When the Son of God came to earth, he offered himself as its Messiah. The leaders of Israel repudiated Jesus; he was not the kind of Messiah they wanted or were expecting. They stumbled on the cornerstone and were crushed by the Romans in AD 70. They ‘disobeyed the message,’ in contrast to the large number of priests who later became ‘obedient to the faith’ (Acts 6:7). Thus, unbelievers find the Living Stone, which is precious to believers, an obstacle against which they strike, and a scandal, which offends them (see also Daniel 2:34-35).

Verse 5 notes that the believers are ‘living stones’ being built into a spiritual house. There are many references in the New  Testament to Christians meeting in a house. As a body of believers, they are a ‘spiritual house,’ a household of God, in each location as well as collectively. Paul explains: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household” (Ephesians 2:19). To Timothy he writes, “if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1Timothy 3:15). The writer to the Hebrews states it this way: “But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory” (Hebrews 3:6).

The believers are also ‘a holy priesthood.’ In Old Testament times only men from the tribe of Levi could become priests. The endless sacrifices of animals were not satisfying. In Christ we can all become priests, young and old, male and female. We can offer up the sacrifices of praise, prayer, and our whole life. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews13:15-16). These spiritual sacrifices are acceptable to God.

Verses 9-10 Peter next tells us what our true identity is: “But as for you (plural), you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” In the OT the Israelites were his special people: “the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise” (Isaiah 43:21). After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Christians are God’s special people. Note that it is not our individual identity but a communal one. Not: ‘You in your small corner and I in mine’ but always in relationship with fellow Christians. Together we may ‘declare the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light.’ The ‘praises’ here are the ‘excellencies, gracious dealings, glorious attributes.’  In other words, we should tell the world about God’s wonderful character and works.

Verses 11-12 Peter appeals to his readers, calling them ‘dearly beloved.’ It has the same root word and meaning of agape love, which is often sacrificial, divine love. These dearly beloved ones are pilgrims or sojourners as well as foreigners living alongside the unbelievers in the world. Peter makes an urgent exhortation, beseeching them to abstain (literally: hold back) from sinful desires, which will damage the soul. Verse 12 describes what should be the motivation for holy living; to be a witness among the pagans. Of course, our love for God is also a motivation for holy living, but here Peter emphasizes the fact that the pagans will be watching us and accusing us of anything that does not conform to our profession.

Our behaviour should be in accordance with what we are inwardly – cleansed, regenerated children of God. When Christians fail to live up to God’s standards, unbelievers are quick enough to call us hypocrites. When we behave as we should, we show that we are separated, set apart from the world. The sanctified life of a Christian is one of the most powerful means God has of convincing the world of sin. The Romans in the early Christian centuries noted how the Christians rescued the ‘unwanted’ babies who were left to die, and the women saw how the Christian women were valued and cherished. These and other factors made the Christian faith very attractive.

Today, the world hates the Christians for being set apart. Holiness is no longer seen as attractive. We are called ‘bigots’ and worse for not going along with the current sinful lifestyle and culture. The call to holiness is therefore even more urgent. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). To be counter-cultural may yet result in envy of the Christian’s lifestyle and result in conversion. God is able! The pagans ‘may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of his visitation.’ This could be the day of deliverance for the Christians or the day of judgment for the unbeliever. Either way, every knee shall bow.

Verses 13-15 These verses are a further exhortation to living a Christian life. Submission to authorities is difficult when living in an evil empire. There may come a time when we have to say with Peter: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5:29). See also Romans 13:1-7, where Paul spells out similar duties. We are to submit for the Lord’s sake. We can honour people in authority on the basis of their office, even if we cannot agree with them. Verse 14 indicates what the task of the government is: to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. Most states have expanded their rights to cover all sorts of matters that should be left to the conscience of the citizens. In verse 15 Peter tells us why we should submit: by doing good we should silence (muzzle!) the ignorant talk of foolish men by showing ourselves to be good citizens.

Verses 16-17 Living as free men and women does not mean we are free to sin. We are free to serve the Lord, as slaves of God. There was a great cultural distinction between slaves and freedmen. The freedman could become the willing slave of the one who freed him and become part of the family, even receive part of the inheritance. We should have an attitude of willing service, following the example of Jesus, the Servant-King.

Questions:

Christians used to talk about ‘personal holiness,’ but now they talk about their ‘spiritual formation.’ How do you explain the difference? 

Should we be able to see a greater contrast between authentic Christian living and the surrounding pagan culture in contemporary Australia?

How, and where, would you draw the line between obeying God and obeying the government?

– Alida Sewell