1 Peter 2:6-10
1 Pet 2:6 (KJB)
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.
 
It is contained - To contain, surround, or encircle
Precious - Valued, highly esteemed, or held in honor
Confounded - Put to shame, dishonored or disgraced
 
(Isa 28:16 KJV) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. 1 Peter 2:6 contains a phrase from Isaiah 28:16. The corner stone which was laid in Zion is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Zion is another name for the body of believers. Christ is referred to as a sure foundation. (1 Cor 3:11 KJV) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11 confirms clearly that Christ is the foundation of the body of believers and every individual believer too. When one studies the Scriptures, one will definitely see this conclusion. Christ is the precious cornerstone and the elect. (Isa 42:1 KJV) Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. We see this great truth also in the book of Isaiah. A great truth which we are seeing in this verse is that all those who truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will never be put to shame or disgraced. The reason that so many Christians today have become disgraced or put to shame, is they have placed an idol between them and the Lord Jesus Christ. Many times one of the idols is a preacher or Bible teacher who has injected their own ideas into the Scriptures and have caused many to go wrong. There is a move afoot right now where a teacher believes that the end of the world is October 20, 2011 and the rapture of the Saints will be May 22, 2011. This has happened because he has injected his own ideas into the Scriptures and has also caused quite a number to stray from Bible truth to follow him. So these people have set up an idol between them and Christ. They will be confounded or put to shame when these dates do not come to pass. When we follow the admonition of Scripture to keep busy and let the Lord work out the timing, we will find we are much more at ease and will be more successful in ministry.
 
1 Pet 2:7 (KJB)
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,
 
Disobedient - Disobey or disloyal
Disallowed - Rejected or declared useless
 
He ends verse 6 by saying that those who do not believe in Christ will be confounded or put to shame but then Peter contrasts that with a straight address to the believers that those who believe on Christ deem Him precious. (Psa 118:22 KJV) The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. Those, however, who are the unbelievers who have rejected Christ, whether or not they approve He is still King. Peter makes this assertion back in the book of Acts. (Acts 4:11 KJV) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. The cornerstone is normally the first stone laid of a new building. Christ was the first to rise in the resurrection to die no more. Those He previously raised like Lazarus died again.
 
1 Pet 2:8 (KJB)
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.
 
Stumbling - Obstacle or hindrance
Offence - Snare
Stumble - Strike, beat against, or reject
Disobedient - Disobey or disloyal
They were appointed - Set or placed, or to put
 
Christ is not only the head of the corner but according to this verse He is also a stone of stumbling which carries with it the meaning of an obstacle or hindrance. To many people back then and now Christ remains an obstacle to their faith. Instead of accepting Christ for who He is, they explain Him away by removing His deity and then making Him just a teacher or preacher of righteousness. This reduction of Christ’s position has become a snare to these people because once they reduce Him, they cannot figure out what to do with Him when He is proclaimed as God. So these same people beat against or strike out against Christ and against those who truly proclaim Him. Now an interesting end to this verse tells us why these people fight against the Lord Jesus and that is because they are placed there. God has appointed them to take opposition against the Lord and His followers. God had these same type of people in the days of ancient Israel that opposed the prophets. (Isa 6:9 KJV) And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
 
1 Pet 2:9 (KJB)
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:
 
Chosen - Select or Elect
Generation - Race, offspring, or family
Royal - Kingly
Peculiar - Possession, special, belonging exclusively
Marvellous - Wonderful
 
Now God goes on to contrast the true believer with those appointed to oppose the Lord Jesus Christ. God calls us a chosen generation which means we are the elect of God and the word generation means a race or family. This means those who are chosen of God to be born again are His family because we become His offspring by salvation. He then goes on to say that we are not only family but a kingly priesthood which means we are royalty in His eyes. Then God states that we are a peculiar people which means we belong to Him exclusively as His special possession through the Lord Jesus Christ. The entire body of believers, whom God has redeemed, will now be able to bring forth the praises of God who has redeemed us from the kingdom of Satan and darkness and brought us into the wonderful light of the Gospel. (1 John 1:5 KJV) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
 
1 Pet 2:10 (KJB)
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.
 
The - the (definite article)
Obtained mercy - Having received mercy
 
This is one of the most overlooked verses in the New Testament which flat out state that the true, born again Christians are the people of God. If you notice how the text reads that in times past were not a people of God, but now, since we have received mercy we are “THE” people of God. Whenever the word “the” appears it is a definite article which gives no room for speculation. We keep hearing that the Jews are God’s chosen people but if they have not become born again, they are just sinners like every other sinner in the world. This verse makes it plain that when we become saved, we become a true child of God or the chosen people. Remember in verse 9, we were called “a chosen generation” when we looked at the word “generation” it carried with it the meaning of “race, family, or offspring.” This means that when we become born again, we are then joined to the family of God making us the true chosen people by regeneration. This one verse ends the argument of who the chosen people of God are. Outside of Christ there is no chosen people, inside of Christ are the chosen people. It is as simple as that but too often politics is thrown in to biblical interpretation and it muddies the waters of understanding. Keep politics out of the Bible and you will come to truth.

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