The Book of 1ST PETER

          The epistle of 1^st Peter has 5 chapters, 108 verses and 2,482 words.  

            It was written by the apostle Simon Peter around 60 A.D.  He wrote to the born again Christians during his time, most of which were Jews. Many believe that the epistle of 1^st Peter is written only to Jews, and applies only to the tribulation.  They say that Peter only preached to Jews, and Paul only preached to Gentiles.  But, this won’t fit for several reasons.

          First, Peter and Paul preached to both Jews and Gentiles. Peter was a contemporary of Paul, and in Acts chapter 15, they met each other in Jerusalem.  Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13), but his manner was to preach to the Jews first wherever he went (Acts 17:1,2).

          Peter’s ministry was to Jews and Gentiles also. Peter preached to Jews in Acts 10.  Peter also preached to Cornelius and his family, who were Gentiles, and the Lord saved them. 

          Secondly, Peter is clearly addressing born again Christians.  In 4:16, he writes “If any man suffer as a Christian.”  It doesn’t say if any man suffer as a Jew in the tribulation.  Peter also uses the term, “born again”  in 1:23.  And, Jews aren’t born again in the tribulation. They must “endure to the end” (Matt. 24:13). 

          So, the Book of 1^st Peter is historically written in the Church Age to Christians, but some of the verses can and do have a double application, and can be applied to both Christians in the church age and Jews in the tribulation.   

When reading the Bible, always remember that every verse can have three applications: 

            Peter and the rest of the saved Jews and Gentiles at this time are looking for the immediate return of Jesus Christ (2nd Advent), and expect him back at any time to set up the Millennial Kingdom of Heaven.  They didn’t know about the rapture of the church until they read it in Paul’s writings.  (See what Peter says about Paul’s writings in 2 Peter 3:15,16).  So, when Peter writes, he writes as a Jew who is looking for the prompt return of Jesus Christ at the 2nd Advent, just as the Jews in the tribulation will be looking for their Messiah.

          The theme of 1st Peter is “The suffering of a Christian.” The term Christian  means Christ like.  A saved person in the Church age is called a Christian because his has Christ’s righteousness imputed to him when he gets born again.  A Jew in the tribulation that follows Christ could be called a Christian in the sense that he to will have to suffer for Christ to be like him.

          Also, one must realize that God has arranged the New Testament in order. 

          Now, we are ready for a verse by verse exposition of the First Epistle of Simon Peter.

1st Peter Chapter 1

1 Peter 1:1  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithnia.

          Notice how Peter starts out his epistle.  “Peter” in Greek means “a rock.”  So, Peter boldly proclaims, “I am a rock and an apostle.”  Now, contrast this with 2nd Peter 1:1 and you’ll see a change in Peter’s character.

          Also look at the 5 territories mentioned here:

            All of which are Gentile territories.  So, the “strangers” is a reference to Gentiles scattered abroad.  But you could also apply it to Jews in the tribulation, who are strangers to Israel, because they are scattered abroad. 

 1 Peter 1:2  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

          Right away we seem to have a mess on our hands if the Holy Spirit doesn’t guide and lead us into all truth (John 16:13).

          Notice,  the word elect in this passage. This does not apply to those predestinated to be saved, as John Calvin and those who follow him, called Calvinists, would have you believe.  No, the antecedent is Peter.  Peter is one of the elect.  How did he become one of the elect?  By faith (Titus 1:1).

          Calvin believed that election is not conditional, and that God just eternally decreed some to be saved--or elected, and some to be lost.   But, according to this verse, election is conditioned on  the foreknowledge of God...  

          Somewhere out in eternity past, God determined a plan to save mankind by dying for their sins. And that whosoever will trust in Him will be saved (Rom. 10:13, Rev. 22:17), that’s the foreknowledge of God!!!  That’s not all, man has the freewill to either choose or reject the free gift of salvation that God offers.  A man that trusts in Christ’s shed blood and righteousness is then declared to be one of the elect!   After a man is born again in the Church Age, he is in the elect, and a part of the body of Christ.  He is then predestinated to be conformed to God’s image, according to Romans 8:29.

1 Peter 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

          This verse undoubtedly is written to a Church age saint.  “Begotten us again” is a reference to the new birth.  See John 3:3-7.

          The “lively hope” also called the “blessed hope” in Titus 2:13, refers to the rapture, when born again Christians in the Church age will be called out. 

(1 Thess. 4:18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.   

          1 Corinthians 1:3 is a cross reference (written by Paul) which says: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.”

1 Peter 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

          This is a reference to the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10).  A saved, born again Christian will receive an inheritance (Col. 3:23-25) for what he did for Jesus Christ after he was saved. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 explains this. 

1 Peter 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

          To a Christian in the Church age, this is an excellent verse on eternal security.  A man is saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8,9) and is kept or sealed (Eph. 4:30) unto the last time (the day of redemption).

          Notice it says, “unto salvation.”  This has two interpretations. 

          First, it applies to the salvation of the soul.  When a man or woman is born again in the Church age, their soul is saved (James 1:21).  So, according to this verse, if you are saved, your soul is kept by the power of God.

          Secondly, the “unto salvation”  refers to the salvation of the body (Romans 8:23).  All men are born with a body, soul, and spirit according to 1 Thess. 5:23.  An unsaved man has a live body and a live soul, but his spirit is dead.  Thus, he is 2/3 of a man, or in fractional form,  .666. 

          When a man is born again, his soul is circumcised from his flesh (Col. 2:11), is melded with God’s Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30), to form a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17).    But, he still has a sinful nature which he is to reckon dead (Rom. 6:11).  He is still 2/3 of a man who is waiting for the “salvation” of his body at the rapture (1 Cor. 15:50-56) so he can be made complete. When Christ comes, the Christian gets a glorified body like Christ (1 John 3:2).  But, until then, a born again Christian has a saved soul, and a live spirit (the Holy Spirit),  but a dead body with a sinful nature.   

1 Peter 1:6  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

          Here Peter says that they rejoice “greatly.”   A Christian should always rejoice in the fact that his soul is kept by the power of God (vs5).   Paul instructs us  in 1 Thess. 5:16. to “Rejoice evermore”

          Notice also where he says, “For a season.”  The reference for this is 1 Thess. 5:1,2.  Paul writes, “but of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write...for yourselves know... that the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night.”  Peter is expecting Jesus Christ to return any minute, as is evident from what he says at the end of the next verse.

 1 Peter 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

          The “trial of your faith” is a reference to tests and trials that God will allow you to go through, like Abraham was tested with his son (Gen. 22).

          Spiritually, this verse is a reference to the Judgment Seat of Christ.  In 1 Cor. 3:11-15, a Christian’s works are likened unto 6 things:  “gold, silver, precious stones,  wood, hay and stubble.”  

          Gold, Silver, and Precious stones are things that are done for Jesus that will abide the fire; and the wood, hay and stubble are things done for the flesh which will burn up. 

          “Gold” in the Bible usually represents deity, but it also is likened unto faith.  In Rev. 3:18, God counsels the fleshly church of Laodicea (that walks by sight and not by faith) to buy of him “gold tried in the fire,”  (i.e. faith!!!)

          The “silver”  represents your witness (or witnessing) for Jesus Christ.  In the Old Testament tabernacle, the sixty pillars around the outer court were made of silver.  They were a witness of what was inside -- The Holy of Holies, or God. 

          Silver is also the price of Redemption.   Exodus 30:12-16 shows they were to give shekels for atonement money as a ransom, and Leviticus 27:3-7 tells us that these shekels were made of silver.   Eph. 5:16 and Col. 4:5 tell us that we should redeem our time.  How?  By witnessing for Jesus Christ.   A born again saint will be rewarded at the Judgment Seat for every thing he did for Jesus Christ down here.

          The “precious stones” would be the souls you won for Jesus Christ.  Zechariah 9:16 likens people unto stones when it says, “And the Lord their God shall save them in that day... for they shall be as the stones of a crown...”   One old hymn asks, “Will there be any stones in your crown?” 

          The wood, hay, and stubble are dead works that you did for yourself and they will burn up.

          The “appearing of Jesus Christ” to a Christian would be the rapture.  To a Jew in the tribulation, it would apply to the 2nd Advent.

          1 Peter 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

          The  “whom” refers to Jesus Christ in the last verse.   We as Christians today have never seen Jesus Christ physically.  Paul said in  2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”  And, God demands faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please him...” 

 1 Peter 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

          As afore mentioned in 1:5, there are two kinds of salvation for a Christian in the church age.

          1. Salvation of your soul.

          2. Salvation of your body.

            Peter tells us that "the end of your faith,” is the salvation of your soul spiritually, which you have now, if you are saved.  But, the physical salvation of the body comes later, at the rapture. 

1 Peter 1:10  Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

          This verse tells us that the prophets searched diligently (or studied 2 Tim. 2:15)  the Old Testament scriptures to try to understand what was written about the Messiah. 

1 Peter 1:11  Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

          Notice that according to this verse, the “Spirit of Christ” is in the Old Testament saint.  But, they were not immediately sealed for all eternally with the Holy spirit as a New Testament believer is today (Eph. 4:30).  In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came and could depart.  David for example, in Psalms 51:10 prayed to God, “take not thy Holy Spirit from me.”

            But, if the old Testament saint died in the faith, he went to Abraham's bosom, awaiting to be redeemed by Jesus at the Cross.

          The “sufferings of Christ” shows that they prophesied of Christ’s coming to die for sins (1st Advent) and “the glory that should follow” refers to Christ’s glory (2nd Advent).

1 Peter 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

          The “us” refers to Peter, James, John, Philip, and the rest of the apostles.   It also refers to Christians.  What is interesting to note is that according to this verse, the angels envy the opportunity that we have to study the Bible and learn more about the scriptures.

1 Peter 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

          “Gird up the loins of your mind” is good illustration of a figurative passage. 

          “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” can apply to the book of Revelation found at the end of the New Testament, and it can apply to what Jesus Christ reveals to us.  It can also apply to the rapture and 2nd Coming.

1 Peter 1:14  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

          God likes obedience.  If everyone in the world today obeyed God, we would not have any problems.  1 Sam. 15:22 says, “... to obey is better than sacrifice...”  God wants obedience. But with our sinful nature, it is hard to always obey.  God knew this, so he provided a sacrifice, which was Christ Jesus, to die for our sins.  He walked 33 years on this earth in total obedience to the Father. He was the only man ever to live a sinless life.  Philippians 2:8 tells us, “he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of he cross.”  That sacrifice of a sinless man took care of our disobedience (1 Peter 3:18), when we believe on him (Acts 16:30,31).

1 Peter 1:15  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

          “Conversation” here probably means action or lifestyle.  Ref. 1 Peter 3:2.

 1 Peter 1:16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

             Peter is quoting Leviticus 11:44.  God wants you to be like he is.

1 Peter 1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

          In this verse, Peter says that God the Father “[is no] respect[er] of persons” which is almost the exact wording of what he says in Acts 10:34.

          Then he commands to “pass the time...here in fear.”  The fear probably refers to the fear of the Lord, because in Acts 9:31 we find Christians walking in the fear of the Lord, as they pass the time.  Fear of the Lord is a good thing, because, according to the Bible, it is the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 111:10), and the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7).

1 Peter 1:18  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

          “Fathers” is a reference to the Old Testament Jewish fathers.

1 Peter 1:19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

          God demands blood for sin (See Lev. 17:11 and Hebrews 9:22).  In the Old Testament, God demanded the blood of an animal, usually a lamb, as a type of Jesus on the cross.

          When Jesus Christ came to this earth John the Baptist said in John 1:29, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world”  And in the Church age, our “redemption”  (vs 18) is in the blood of that lamb of God (Col. 1:14, Eph. 1:7)

          “Precious” means valuable.  The  blood of God (Acts 20:28) is valuable for many reasons:

            Notice also that the blood is said to be “without spot.”

           The word “spot” is found twenty five times  in the Bible, and is connected with the mark of the Beast. 

          The Church is said to not have any spot according to Ephesians 5:26,27.  In 2 Peter 2:13 spots and blemishes refers to unsaved people.   Jude verse 23 talks about a garment spotted by the flesh.  Also, Leprosy is connected with spots in Leviticus 13:14.  And, the mark of the Beast is connected with a sore (or spot) in Rev. 16:2

1 Peter 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

          “Last times” applies to the first coming (Jesus was God manifest in the flesh), and also applies to the 2nd coming (when Jesus returns after the tribulation).

1 Peter 1:21  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

          The third word “Him” refers back to “the lamb” in vs. 19, which is Jesus Christ, according to John 1:29. 

          God “raised him up” (1 Cor. 15:4, 2 Cor. 5;15) and gave him “glory.”  Christ has glory now (present tense) in heaven.  But, he will also receive glory later at the 2nd Coming in his millennial kingdom on this earth.

1 Peter 1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

          In 1 John 4:21 we are commanded to love our brother. 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

          This verse tells how a man is born again.  It’s “by the word of God.”  James 1:21 says, it’s the word of God “which is able to save your souls.”  Romans 10:17 further  states that “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Salvation is by faith.  But, it is faith in what God says (his words).      

          The “born again” is not a reference to a physical birth, but of a spiritual birth (John 3:4-8).  When a man is born physically, he is born of “corruptible seed” because he gets his blood from his father which comes from Adam.  Thus, he is a man with a sinful nature and therefore spiritually dead.  But, when a man is born again by faith, he is born again spiritually by a living book. Jesus said that his words are “spirit and...life” (John 6:63).  So, you see how important the Bible is.  Lester Roloff used to call the Bible his “spiritual Momma,”  because it begat him spiritually unto life eternal.        

1 Peter 1:24  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

          In this verse, God likens flesh to grass.  Grass comes from a seed (vs 23).  But, without proper care, grass will die.  Grass needs sunlight and water to survive.  To a Christian, the Bible is “a light” (Psalm 119:105)  and “water” (Eph. 5:26).

          Also, this verse likens “the glory of man”  unto a flower.  There are some flowers that are very beautiful, but they usually only bloom at certain times and don’t last very long.  It is the same with man’s glory.  A man might be popular or well respected, but his popularity won’t last long.  But, God’s glory will last forever (Psalm 104:34).

1 Peter 1:25  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

          Notice that the verse says “word” with a small “w”.  The small “w” always refers to the word of God, the Bible, and the words which Jesus spoke, whereas the capital “W” always refers to Jesus Christ.  

 Mark 4:33 (KJV)  And with many such parables spake he (Jesus) the word...

See John 1:1 in a King James Bible.  The word and the Word are much alike, as seen below.  Both are:

1st Peter Chapter 2

1 Peter 2:1  Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

          “Malice” is a desire to harm another, “guile” is trickery, and “hypocrisy” means putting on an act.

1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

          “As newborn babes” means as those that have just received the new birth or have been born again.  There are 7 stages of growth for a Christian found in the Bible.  They are listed below with their references: 

            Just as a physical human must have nourishment to grow, so must the spiritual new creature be nourished by the word of God.  There are 7 different foods in the Bible that the word of God is likened unto for spiritual growth.  They are as follows: 

1 Peter 2:3  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

          Notice that it is conditional: “If...ye have tasted...”  Psalm 34:8 begs, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” 

          There is a correlation between believing or trusting Christ by faith, and tasting or eating him.  Romans 14:22,23 ties eating and faith together.  Also, in John chapter 6, Jesus tells those present that they must eat and drink his flesh and blood to get eternal life (vs 56).  Religionists take this literally, and believe that they are really eating the body and blood of Jesus Christ.  But, they are Cannibals.  No, it is a spiritual application.  Christ is using a simile or metaphor, to liken eating Christ to believing in Christ.

          When you eat something physically, you receive it inside you (specifically inside your belly). In the Church age, when you accept Jesus Christ by faith in his blood, you receive him spiritually inside your heart according to Ephesians 3:17.

Ephesians 3:17 (KJV) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith...

1 Peter 2:4  To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

          Here, Christ is likened unto a living stone, and a precious stone.

1 Peter 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

          Now we get to some heavy stuff !  The Bible likens us (Christians) unto “lively stones” and says we are “built up a spiritual house.”   

          Ephesians 2:19-22 tells us, “...ye are...of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the spirit.” 

          Notice that according to Paul, a Christian is builded into a holy temple.  It gets even wilder.  In Rev. 3:12 we read, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him...the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem...”  Somebody is going to made a pillar in New Jerusalem.

          That’s not all, in Revelation 21:2 John says, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”  The city of New Jerusalem is likened unto a bride (the Bride of Christ).   And, in Galatians 4:26 Paul tells us that New Jerusalem is the mother of us all. 

          So, somehow, when a born again Christian gets to heaven he will become part of New Jerusalem, spiritually speaking, but still have a glorified body and be like Christ (1 John 3:2) . 

          Now you are probably thinking, “That’s the stupidest thing I have ever heard, that a person (a Christian) could turn into a stone, spiritually speaking,  and become part of a building.”   But, it is even more stupid for a college educated, narrow-minded bigot to believe that humans came from rocks (i.e. what Darwinism and Evolution teaches in every public school system in America).

1 Peter 2:6  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

          This passage is talking of Jesus Christ.   According to vs 4-8, Christ is: A living stone, a chosen stone, a chief stone, an elect stone, a precious stone, a head stone, a corner stone, and a  stumblingstone.

1 Peter 2:7  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

          “You therefore which believe” is a reference to Christians.  The “disobedient” are those who reject Jesus Christ (unsaved).

          Now, we get to another verse that has some heavy stuff in it.  Notice that Christ is called “the head of the corner.”   And that is where Christ is in relation to the universe.

          The Bible suggests that the universe is in the shape of a pyramid, with Jesus Christ at the head as the chief corner stone, or capstone.

          In Isaiah 14:13,14 Lucifer (Satan) said, “I will ascend into the heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.        

          A pyramid is the only shape, or structure, that has sides that ascend straight up it.  

            Also notice in Ezekiel 28:14, when God is talking to the Devil, he says, “thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.”  Here heaven is likened unto a mountain.  A mountain has a pyramidal shape, just as the universe is in the shape of a pyramid. 

          1 Peter 2:6 says the “corner stone” (Jesus Christ) is laid in “Sion”  or Zion, which is another name for  Mt. Sinai. The earthly Mount Sinai is a type of Mt. Sion in heaven (Heb. 12:22, Rev. 14:1).   Now, look at Mt. Sinai on any map and it is found at the head of a triangle or pyramidal land mass called the Sinai Peninsula.  Pure coincidence you might say.  But, wait there’s more.

          When Jesus came to this earth, he wore a garment that was a picture of the universe.  It was a “coat ...woven from the top throughout” (John 19:23,24).  It had no seams.  It was what we call a poncho, a long round garment with a hole in the center.  The wearer puts his head through the hole in the center, and drops the garment down around him. It looked something like this: 

          The Bible tells us in Psalms 102:25,26 that the heavens (inside the universe) shall “...wax old like a garment, as a vesture shalt thou [God] change them, and they shall be changed.”  Hebrews 1:11,12 tells us the same thing, but mentions that Christ will “fold them up” afterwards.

            So, what you have is a picture of the universe in the garment that Jesus Christ wore during his earthly ministry.   It was a pyramidal or cone shape with a hole in the top for the “Head” corner stone - Jesus Christ (Eph.4:15).  This  garment is also found in type in the Old Testament in the Priests robes.  See Deut. 22:12. 

1 Peter 2:8  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

          The reference for this “stone of stumbling” is found in Matt. 21:42-44.  Whosoever falls on this stone shall be broken, which is a picture of salvation by humbling yourself before Christ. And on whomsoever it will fall, it will grind him to powder, which is a picture of the 2nd Advent when Jesus Christ comes back and destroys the Kingdoms of this world and the unfaithful servants who rejected Him and took the mark of the beast.  This is the stone mentioned in Daniel2:34,43-45.

          Also, notice in this verse that Christ is called a “rock of offence.”  Now, there is a certain Church which is founded on Matt. 16:18, and says the rock is Peter, which they claim is their first Pope by the way.  However, this is a horrendous lie.  According to the Bible, the Rock is Christ.   Peter tells us so in this verse and Paul tells it to us in I Cor. 10:4.   Christ is the Rock!!!

          Not only does Peter tell us that Christ is a rock, but adds that Christ is a rock of “offence.”   Jesus Christ was an outrageous offence to the Jewish people.  And, he still is today.  See Romans 9:32,33. 

1 Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

          “Ye” refers spiritually to Christians. 
They are called four things: 

          1.  A chosen generation. 

          2.  A royal priesthood.

          3.  An holy nation.

          4.  A peculiar people. 

          A distinction should be made here. Israel and the church are not the same.    Israel is never called a “chosen generation.” They are however called a “chosen people.” The references are Deut. 7:6, Psalm 33:12, Isa. 42:20, and Daniel 11:15.    This “chosen generation” are the saved gentiles in the body of Christ.  See Romans 9:25,26.

          Israel is also never called a “royal priesthood” in the Bible.  As a matter of fact, Exodus 19:6 calls them a “kingdom of priests,” specifically the Levites.

          Born again Christians in the Church Age are priests spiritually.  Rev. 1:6 says, “And hath made us [Christians] kings and priests unto God.”  A born again Christian has no reason to go to church and confess his sins to a black robed Baalite priest, with a whited sepulchre on his throat.  Every Christian saved by grace through faith is a priest.  We confess our sins directly to God (1 John 1:9).   And, we have an advocate with the father named Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1), not some drunk, celibate, priest who trys to get you to drink wine on Sunday and abstain from meat on Friday.  Amen!  There is something wrong with a man who will preach against getting married anyway!!!  Well, for those of you still reading I’ll move on.

          Not only is the body of Christ a royal priesthood, they are also a “holy nation.”   Here the church matches Israel.  Israel is a “holy nation” according to Exodus 19:6.   But, they do not match on the fourth point.

          The church is called a “peculiar people.”  But, in Exodus 19:5, Israel is called a “peculiar treasure.”  They are not the same.  Israel is not the church, and the church is not Israel.  So, Peter is writing this to Christians in the Church age.   

1 Peter 2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

          Who in times past were not a people?  Why the Gentiles of course.  When the Jews rejected their Messiah,  Jesus Christ, then God took salvation to the Gentiles.

1 Peter 2:11  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

          The “dearly beloved” is a reference to Christians. Notice that Peter calls them two things:  “Strangers and  Pilgrims.”  

          A born again Christian is a stranger in this world, because it is not his home, his home is heaven.  He is also a pilgrim because he is on a journey or pilgrimage to heaven.  An old hymn says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world any more.”

          Also look at the word “war.”  The Christian life is not easy, it is warfare (2 Cor. 10:4).   Paul says at the end of his Christian life in 2 Timothy 4:7 that he had “fought a good fight.”  Paul also exhorts us in 2 Timothy 2:3  to “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

           The Christian  life is an all out war!  And, It’s a war against the flesh (Rom. 7:23) and against spiritual wickedness (Eph. 6:12).  So, “put on the whole armour of God” (Eph. 6) and “Fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12).

1 Peter 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

          “Having your conversation honest” is a participle in conjunction with vs 11.   It is a command to have your conversation honest while you are warring against the flesh. 

          The word “conversation” has two applications in the Bible.  It can mean your speech as in  Phil. 3:20.  But, the majority of the time, it means your lifestyle or how you live from day to day.  See how Peter uses it in 1 Peter 3:2,16, and 2 Peter 3:11.

          Paul also uses this word in the same way. In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul commands to be an example in word (speech) and in conversation (daily manner of life).   Some other references are: Gal. 1:13, Eph. 2:3, 4:22, Heb. 13:5, 13:7, and James 3:13.

          “The day of visitation” is a reference to the day of the Lord (Zeph. 1:7,2:7), or the 2nd Advent. 

1 Peter 2:13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

          Peter tells us to “submit” ourselves to “every ordinance (or law) of man.”  But, before this in Acts 5:29, Peter says, “We ought to obey God rather than man.”  It almost appears that Peter has contradicted himself.  But Peter said that because in Acts 5:28, the priest told him not to teach in the name of Jesus.  However, God commands all Christians to “preach the word” (2Tim. 4:2).

          So, a Christian is to obey the laws of the government that he is under because, “the powers that be are ordained of God,” (Rom. 13:1), except when those laws go against the word of God.

          He finishes by saying, “for the Lord’s sake.”  In other words, for a good testimony to the unsaved world, keep the laws of the land. Paul says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers” (Rom. 13:1).  See also the whole chapter of Romans 13.

1 Peter 2:14  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

          This is a continuation of verse 13.  Peter asks Christians to submit to Kings (vs 13), and Governors (vs 14).  

1 Peter 2:15  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

          It is the will of God that you submit to higher authority and do right (well).  Christians are commanded in Ephesians 5:17 to “...Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”   Romans 12:2 also tells to prove what is the “good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”