1 Peter 2

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

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

3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

This chapter starts out instructing believers to put aside the evil of their former life. Verses 2 and 3 tie together. The first verse compares new believers to newborn babies, that need milk to grow. The milk that believers feed on, is the word of God. The next verse says you have tasted the goodness of Gods grace. After tasting that goodness it should make you hungrier for the word of God.

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

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.

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.

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,

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.

This section compares both Christ and believers to stones. Jesus throughout the Bible is referred to as a rock ( Psalms 18:2, Matthew 16:18, 1 Samuel 2:2, etc.) Verse 4 calls Jesus a living stone, rebuked by men, but precious to God the father. The next verse is about believers and says: you are lively stones, you are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices. These are the attribute of Jesus Christ. Verse 6 talks about Christ being the chief corner stone, and all that believe on him will know that he is Lord. The next two verses deal with rejecting Christ. Christ is Precious to those who believe, but a stumbling stone and an offense to those who reject him. These people do not allow him to be the corner stone of there life.

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

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.

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

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.

This section dives into believers being separate from the world. Verse 9 refers to believers as a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people. This is a show to those around them, in spiritual darkness, the marvelous light of Jesus Christ. It is the duty of all believers to be a light like Jesus, because they once dwelled in darkness too. By the mercy of Christ were they taken out of this darkness and brought into the light. Verse 11 calls Christians strangers and pilgrims. This is because they are not to be a part of this world, but instead they are just passing through. It instructs believers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. Believers must not indulge in what the world indulges in. This way we are seen as pure and honest, when speaking against evildoers. Our good works will be seen and glorify God. This is powerful when winning people to Christ. They will see that you walk the walk, so to speak.

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

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.

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

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

Here we get into obeying rulers here on earth, for the Lords sake. Again this will be seen of all men and help the cause of Christ. Gods people should be seen as good and doing good. Do not abuse your liberty in Christ, but be servants of God. Give honor to ALL men and fear God. Be subject to all who are over you. God is thankful, if we endure suffering wrongfully, for his sake. It is one thing to suffer for doing wrong, but to suffer for doing right and take it patiently. This is pleasing to God. The next verses will explain why.

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

This section deals with Christ's suffering and the example he set. Verse 21 says that Christ also suffered for us, and that we should follow his steps. He was an innocent man. He did not retaliate when attacked, he committed himself to God the father, the righteous judge. It is the Fathers job to judge people. Remember that next time you are done wrong. Verse 24 discusses our salvation which Jesus paid for, as he suffered on the cross for all of our sins. Through the power of Christ, believers should live righteously. We were all lost sheep who were doomed, until Christ saved our souls.

I hope this study was a blessing to you, and I will leave you with the gospel.

I Corinthians 15

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: