20161016 Sunday, October 16 2016
1 Peter 02: The Cornerstone Prophecy

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone"

The apostles Peter and Paul were very different in background and personality. They were however identical in strength of righteous character (see What Did Peter And Isaiah Say About Being Born Again? and the Fact Finder question below).

First, consider their contrasts:

As a Pharisee, Paul was a literate preacher and teacher, while Peter, as a layman, experienced a religious life of being taught and preached at - by people like Paul (see The Lay Preacher Who Built The True Church Of God).

Peter was chosen by the Messiah as one of the twelve apostles (see Why Were The First Apostles Fishermen Instead Of Carpenters?). As such, Peter personally and intimately witnessed the Messiah's Ministry during the time when Paul was yet unconverted and hostile to the Messiah. During the Messiah's human lifetime, Peter knew the Messiah as a friend, while Paul knew Him as an enemy.

Peter was chosen by the Messiah as the apostle to the Israelite tribe of Judah. Paul was chosen by the Messiah as the apostle to the world (see Paul, The Apostle To The World).

Peter developed a view of the one and only true Gospel (see What Gospel Did Jesus Preach?) from his own perspective, just as Paul did. But notice how what they believed, lived-by and taught was identical. Ironically, Peter's quoting of the famous "The stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner" (Peter quoted Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 8:14 in verses 6, 7 and 8 below) applied to Paul before his conversion - and was used by Paul later for those who await their conversion.

"2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

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

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,

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.

2:9 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: 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.

2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 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." (1 Peter 2:1-12 KJV)

Peter and Paul both faithfully taught from the true and actual Word of God. Continuing on from his previous quotes above, Peter quoted Isaiah 53:9 in verse 22 below. Everything that they taught was faithful to the Word of God (see Faith Is The Law).

"2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 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. 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 2:20 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. 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 2:24 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. 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (1 Peter 2:13-25 KJV)

Fact Finder: What is the Way that Peter and Paul taught?
See Strait And Straight and Which Way Is Right And Left?