A NEW NATION (1 Peter 2 )

A NEW NATION (1 Peter 2 )

STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS (1 Peter 2)

Purity of life (ver. 11).

Honesty in word and deed (ver. 12).

Subjection to law (vers. 13–15).

Walking in liberty, not license (ver. 16).

Reverence for God and consideration for men (ver. 17).

Obedience to masters (ver. 18).

Enduring grief (ver. 19).

Patient under false accusations (ver. 20).

Following Christ’s footsteps (vers. 21–23).

Dead to sins and living unto righteousness (ver. 24).

Owning Christ’s authority, and under His care (ver. 25).

These are the characteristics of the new life which we who are saved have received by our second birth. - H. A. IRONSIDE

We are told in 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8 to “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” This is that of which Peter exhorts as this new section opens. - H. A. IRONSIDE

One of our hymns says:

“Lord, since we sing as pilgrims,

Oh, give us pilgrim ways;

Low thoughts of self, befitting

Proclaimers of Thy praise.

Oh, make us each more holy,

In spirit pure and meek,

More like to heavenly citizens

As more of heaven we speak.”

Peter’s two Letters were based upon two great events in his life, two high and precious experiences which he was never able to forget. The First Epistle links definitely with that confession of Christ as the Son of the living God which Peter made in the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, The Second Epistle is linked just as definitely with the glorious vision on the mount of transfiguration - H. A. IRONSIDE  

The house is the Church. The Rock upon which it is built is Christ Himself, the Living Stone. Every believer is also a living stone (made such by grace), builded upon Christ and cemented to his fellow-members by the Holy Spirit. So, too, teaches the Apostle Paul in the closing verses of Ephesians 2. - H. A. IRONSIDE

“View the vast building; see it rise.

The work how great; the plan how wise!

Nor can that faith be overthrown

Which rests upon the Living Stone.”

In Israel of old there were three special groups: the priesthood, the Levites, and the warriors. In the Church, or assembly of God, all are priests, to go unto God as worshipers; all are Levites, to serve their brethren in holy things; all are soldiers, to fight the good fight of faith. There is no separate priesthood now, no clerical order recognized by God as distinct from and with authority over those who are content to be called and call themselves mere laymen, or the laity. - H. A. IRONSIDE  

1 Peter 2:14.—“Unto governors … for the punishment of evildoers.” Human government has been established by God that evil may be checked and righteousness encouraged. The fact that some rulers act contrary to the divine ideal does not absolve the believer from obedience to the powers that be. All human government manifests imperfection, but without its restraints society would be shipwrecked and anarchy would prevail. In principle, all constituted authority is intended to prevent crime and encourage honesty and good living. - H. A. IRONSIDE  

1 Peter 2:17.—There are four admonitions in this verse. The third really covers all the rest. He who fears—that is, stands in awe of—God will not dishonor any man, and will love his brethren, and give due recognition to constituted authority. “Honor all men.” No man is to be despised. All are among those for whom Christ died. “Love the brotherhood.” This refers, not to the world in general, but to those who have been saved out of the world—those born again into the family of God. “Fear God.” Reverence Him whom we now know, not only as Creator, but also as Redeemer. “Honor the king.” Show due respect to the head of the government as one set by God in that very place, who is therefore accountable to God for the right exercise of the authority committed to him. - H. A. IRONSIDE