The qualifying criteria to live in the body of Christ

“The magnificent 19th-century 10-story bank building, known as the “Society of Savings,” located in Cleveland, Ohio, was built from unclaimed funds of people. Much of this money was deposited by poor people who died. The directors of the bank, after waiting for years for these depositors to claim that which was theirs, turned the money over to the building of this beautiful bank building. The unclaimed promises in God’s Word are sufficient, and over to build spiritual edifices in life.”

Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 509). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

The main verse that we are considering today is found in

This verse in the Greek text is one sentence. The main verb in this entire sentence is “the word “long for or desire”. In this long sentence, the word of God is teaching us valuable lessons that will help us to become healthy members of the body of Christ.

Peter when writing this exhortation, he began with the conjunction “so”. The conjunction is inferential conjunction. It is inferring the things that Peter was writing in the first chapter. There he mentioned about the new birth and about brotherly live. The Christins have seen the goodness of the Lord when they heard the Gospel of their salvation. The have opened their heart and have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Jesus has become the object of their faith. It is with these background that he is writing his exhortation.

Peters said, “laying aside” this kind of advice cannot be given to non-believers. The believer is a borne again new person. He has the seed of the Word of God in him. He is borne form above. He has a new nature. Therefore, he can get rid of the anything that is not in harmony with new nature. Peter boldly and clearly commands the Christians with a strong word “lay aside”. This verb is used of removing old clothing. Here Peter lists five vices that are detrimental to the life of the Christian community. These vices are detrimental to the brotherly love.

Peter lists five vices. The first two general vices. The last three are specific. These vices have the potential to destroy spiritual love.

1. “malice/ πᾶσαν κακίαν” The meaning is a feeling of hostility and strong dislike, with a possible implication of desiring to do harm—‘hateful feeling.’

2. “deceit πάντα δόλον” The meaning is to deceive by using trickery and falsehood—‘to deceive, to trick into, treachery ትሬቸሪ

3. “hypocrisy ὑποκρίσεις” This word is familiar to us. It means “to give an impression of having certain purposes or motivations, while in reality having quite different ones— ‘to pretend, to act hypocritically, pretense, hypocrisy”[1]

4. “Envy φθόνους” Envy is “a state of ill will toward someone because of some real or presumed advantage experienced by such a person ‘envy, jealousy”[2]

5. “Slander καταλαλιάς” Slander means “to speak against, often involving speaking evil of ‘to speak evil of, to slander, slander”[3]

When our heart and mind is captured by any one of these vices we will not have spiritual desire to feed the word of God. Several commentators suggest that Peter is here advising the Christins never to allow the old life to override the new life. He is advising them that their old life will not have a place in the new life. He does not hesitate that a truly borne Christian can and have the potential to get rid of these behaviors.

The five vices have in common the fact that all represent actions or attitudes which are in opposition to love. When these behaviors can exist in the house of the Lord there will not be harmony and love. That is why Peter is adamant (አደመንት) when he is demanding the believers to get rid of these attitudes and behaviors. He asked them to get rid of them as an old or dirty cloth.

[1] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 765). New York: United Bible Societies.

[2] I.b.d.

[3] I.b.d.

These characteristics are destructive. They are detrimental to the wellbeing of the Church. The church cannot survive when these characteristics are manifesting in the body of Christ. The Church is a holy community of believers.

The Church is a place where sinners are welcomed. A hospital which does not admit sick patients will soon be out of business. At the same time, a hospital that is not fighting disease causing agents cannot continue to function. It will be closed. Even sick people will stop going to that hospital. No one will go to that hospital. The same is true of the Church. The Church is like a hospital accepting sick and weak people. Sinners who have all kinds problems are welcomed. They are welcomed primarily not because of love only. They are welcomed because there is Jesus who can heal and cleanses them from their sins. The Church should exercise redeeming love. Not Just love! The love of God is displayed its depth and value on the cross. It is a redeeming love. Let sinners come and see our life. We need to fill the congregation of the Lord with aroma of his redeming love. That is why Peter is asking the believers to lay aside vices.

One Bible commentator says about this verse: “Such a high goal for loving community, however, is not achieved by either command or aspiration. Such movement comes only through grace and spiritual growth. This in turn can happen only with unadulterated spiritual nourishment. Peter next introduces the image of pure spiritual milk. They are to long or crave for such milk continually and intensely” The question is how can we be inspired to long for the spiritual milk, the pure word of God!

How can we be developing the desire to seek the pure spiritual milk? Peter gives an answer for this. There is an insight in verse three where it says, “if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good”. Testing the goodness of the Lord is the only reason for us to desire and long for the pure spiritual milk. Can anyone suggest that another reason for reading the Bible? The Bible can be longed after as a pure spiritual milk that nourishes the soul because of the goodness of the Lord. In Psalmist says “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” The words of the Lord are sweet. In we read “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts”. The Word of the Lord is sweet like honey when we are in love with Jesus. Our spiritual nourishment is not gained out of a mere reading of the Word. It comes only when the motivating reason is the goodness of the Lord. Peter is asking them to long for the pure spiritual milk. This longing is deeply connected to the passion and live we have for the Lord. The only outcome of the Bible is Jesus Christ. Nothing else. If a person does not love Jesus he cannot have the desire to read the word of God. Leave alone to desire it as the pure spiritual milk it will be cumbersome and difficult to read it for another reason. I know that professional theologians can teach it without accepting it as the Word of God. They are professors and teachers. Their passion is teaching not Jesus. Their motive to teach is driven by financial need.

Peters exhorts us lay aside vices. He is asking this because vices are killers of our spiritual appetite. If we take his advice and do what he commands as then the Word of the Lord becomes a pure spiritual milk for us. Our love for the Lord will be revived. Our soul will have a spiritual affinity to seek the Lord. Let us remember that it is the goodness of the Lord is the one and one single reason that makes us to desire to feed on the Word of the Lord.

How can we be developing the desire to seek the pure spiritual milk? Peter gives an answer for this. There is an insight in verse three where it says, “if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good”. Testing the goodness of the Lord is the only reason for us to desire and long for the pure spiritual milk. Can anyone suggest that another reason for reading the Bible? The Bible can be longed after as a pure spiritual milk that nourishes the soul because of the goodness of the Lord. In Psalmist says “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” The words of the Lord are sweet. In we read “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts”. The Word of the Lord is sweet like honey when we are in love with Jesus. Our spiritual nourishment is not gained out of a mere reading of the Word. It comes only when the motivating reason is the goodness of the Lord. Peter is asking them to long for the pure spiritual milk. This longing is deeply connected to the passion and live we have for the Lord. The only outcome of the Bible is Jesus Christ. Nothing else. If a person does not love Jesus he cannot have the desire to read the word of God. Leave alone to desire it as the pure spiritual milk it will be cumbersome and difficult to read it for another reason. I know that professional theologians can teach it without accepting it as the Word of God. They are professors and teachers. Their passion is teaching not Jesus. Their motive to teach is driven by financial need.

Peters exhorts us lay aside vices. He is asking this because vices are killers of our spiritual appetite. If we take his advice and do what he commands as then the Word of the Lord becomes a pure spiritual milk for us. Our love for the Lord will be revived. Our soul will have a spiritual affinity to seek the Lord. Let us remember that it is the goodness of the Lord is the one and one single reason that makes us to desire to feed on the Word of the Lord.

The purity of the milk is very important. The metaphor here is showing us the unadulterated word of the God. The Gospel that shines the glory of Jesus Christ is the only word that is pure. The purity of the word is measured by its content. If the content of the Gospel is Jesus Christ we can feed our soul on it. It this spiritual food that sustains our spiritual life and makes us healthy Church.

Peter tells us that we need to be feed the pure spiritual milk to grow in salvation. Growing into salvation. Spiritual growth is a sign of a healthy life. Salvation is not static. It is dynamic, and it incorporates life and fellowship with the living God. The new birth is a reality that requires real growth. Reconciliation is a restored relationship with God. We grow in our relationship with our Savior and with heavenly father. We grow in fellowship with other unbelievers. These growths are not static. It is dynamic because it is happening by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our spiritual growth is multidimensional. But all of growth is possible if we grow first and foremost in Christ. If we do not come closer to him we cannot see change in our life. Jesus is vitally and critically important here. As we have received Jesus for our redemption we need Jesus for our sanctification. The only way we can grow into salvation is by coming closer to Jesus. Peter reminds us that if we feed the pure spiritual milk we will come to the living stone Jesus.

Peter calls Jesus in this letter “the corner stone”. “Among Semitic peoples a special sacredness was supposes to belong to the corners of structures, and this probably lies at the root of the metaphor” Grant, W. M. (1916–1918). Corner, Corner-Stone. In J. Hastings (Ed.), Dictionary of the Apostolic Church (2 Vols.) (Vol. 1, p. 260). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

The corner stone is used when a bundling is constructed. Its purpose is to unite two sides of a wall together. In the Old Testament, the Jewish people call the chief of their nation as corners.

“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”[1] Believers who are feed the pure spiritual milk will say like peter “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life”[2] (). The Church is not where we gather to learn about religion. It is a place of feeding upon the heavenly manna. In Amharic one of the name that is given to a Pastor is “Megabi”. The direct translation of this term is “Feeder”, one who is feeding the sheep of the Lord. This brings a heavy burden on my heart. When I consider this responsibility, I am always the sacredness of serving the word of God. Our Lord in said to Peter “feed” my sheep. What is the food the sheep of the Lord are feeding this days? Do you feed on the heavenly manna Jesus? Do you have the desire and the longing to study and learn the word of God. Are you feeding your soul with the word of God?

Michaels, J. R. (1998). 1 Peter (Vol. 49, p. 83). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

[1] The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

[2] The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Peter tells us that we need to be feed the pure spiritual milk to grow in salvation. Growing into salvation. Spiritual growth is a sign of a healthy life. Salvation is not static. It is dynamic, and it incorporates life and fellowship with the living God. The new birth is a reality that requires real growth. Reconciliation is a restored relationship with God. We grow in our relationship with our Savior and with heavenly father. We grow in fellowship with other unbelievers. These growths are not static. It is dynamic because it is happening by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our spiritual growth is multidimensional. But all of growth is possible if we grow first and foremost in Christ. If we do not come closer to him we cannot see change in our life. Jesus is vitally and critically important here. As we have received Jesus for our redemption we need Jesus for our sanctification. The only way we can grow into salvation is by coming closer to Jesus. Peter reminds us that if we feed the pure spiritual milk we will come to the living stone Jesus. “The result of this relationship is growth, and the goal of growth is “salvation.” Peter’s language here is drawn from the same cycle of early Christian reflections on the gospel as (“let us grow up to him … who is the head, Christ”), or more elaborately, 4:13 (“until we all attain … to the perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”)”

Michaels, J. R. (1998). 1 Peter (Vol. 49, p. 83). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

Peter calls Jesus in this letter “the corner stone”. “Among Semitic peoples a special sacredness was supposes to belong to the corners of structures, and this probably lies at the root of the metaphor”

The corner stone is used when a bundling is constructed. Its purpose is to unite two sides of a wall together. In the Old Testament, the Jewish people call the chief of their nation as corners.

Grant, W. M. (1916–1918). Corner, Corner-Stone. In J. Hastings (Ed.), Dictionary of the Apostolic Church (2 Vols.) (Vol. 1, p. 260). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

Michaels, J. R. (1998). 1 Peter (Vol. 49, p. 83). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

The corner stone is used when a bundling is constructed. Its purpose is to unite two sides of a wall together. In the Old Testament, the Jewish people call the chief of their nation as corners.

Michaels, J. R. (1998). 1 Peter (Vol. 49, p. 83). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.The corner stone is used when a bundling is constructed. Its purpose is to unite two sides of a wall together. In the Old Testament, the Jewish people call the chief of their nation as corners.

In we read

The term corner stone is

“Among Semitic peoples a special sacredness was supposes to belong to the corners of structures, and this probably lies at the root of the metaphor” Grant, W. M. (1916–1918). Corner, Corner-Stone. In J. Hastings (Ed.), Dictionary of the Apostolic Church (2 Vols.) (Vol. 1, p. 260). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

The conrer stone is used when a budling is constructed its purpose is to unite two sideds of a wall.

In the Old Testament the Jewish people call the chief of their nation corners. In we read

Judges 20:2 ESV

And the chiefs of all the people, of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, 400,000 men on foot that drew the sword.

The term “chiefs” that is emplyed here in hebrew is means corner. The chiefs of all the people are different from the rest of the people. They are leaders that help their kings and are the support of thier community. The Jewish people use the term corner to name principal people of their community, specially those who are supporting the king. Those who are reliable defenders of the people.

For beauty

Isaiah 28:16 ESV

therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

For solidity

In we read Paul saying to gentile Christians:

Ephesians 2:19–20 ESV

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

Citizenship in the kngdom of God

Household of God

The Jews and gentile Christians became citizens and housel hold of God by Jesus Christ. He is the corner- stone. He is the one holding the two together and made them one family of God. He is the maker of one kingdom of God. We see Jesus uniting the Jews and the Jentiles. He draws together Jews and Gentiles. The family of God is made out of this two group of people. Jesus is hodling us togther to form a single unity. He bondes them together.

For beauty

Isaiah 28:16 ESV

therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

For solidity

Psalm 118:22–23 ESV

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

The builders are the ones who are rejecting him. The builders first formost responsbility are two.

The Jewish people use the term corner to name principal people of their community, specially those who are supporting the community by t

The builders first formost responsbility are two.

To build a building that is strong

To build an attractive building

The buildres of Isreal did not see in Jesus this two values. They did not belvie that thye will find strength and beauty form Jesus.

What was the reason for the rejection of the corner stone Christ?

The term “Chiefs” in hebrew is corner.

In the book of acts we read

Acts 4:11 ESV

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.

Peter used the term here used the term “ἐξουθενηθεὶς/ exoutenesis”. According to New Testament dictionary the term reject has the following meaning. It menas “to despise someone or something as worthless or of no value” Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 762). New York: United Bible Societies.

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The word rejected means “to despise someone or something on the basis that it is worthless or of no value”

The Jewish buildres did not see Jesus as worthy. They did not see in Jesus any value. Beauty and strength was not given to Jesus. He was despised and counted worthless.

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 762). New York: United Bible Societies. The Jewish buildres did not see Jesus as worthy. They did not see in Jesus any value. Beauty and strength was cannot be given to Jesus. He is despised and worthless. Peter in his letter used a diffrent term to descibe this. He uses the term “ἀπεδοκίμασαν/apodokimazo” which menas the builders have rejected Jesus after trying him.

Peter in his letter used a diffrent term to descibe this. He uses the term “ἀπεδοκίμασαν/apodokimazo” which menas the builders have rejected Jesus after trying him.

to judge someone or something as not being worthy or genuine and thus something to be rejected after by judging him. Their jugment was that Jesus was not worthy and genuine. He is not worthy to be the corner stone. Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 364). New York: United Bible Societies.

The builders who rjected Jesus do not see in him any value whatsoever. He is a stumbling stone to those who rject him. As a result of this action we see Jesus becoming a Rock of offence ans Stone of stumbling to the Jews.

In we read Paul saying to gentile Christians:

Ephesians 2:19–20 ESV

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society. Here Paul mentions to important things.

Citizenship in the kngdom of God

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Household of God

The Jews and gentile Christians became citizens and housel hold of God by Jesus Christ. He is the corner- stone. He is the one holding the two together and made them one family of God. He is the one making one kingdom of God. We see Jesus uniting the Jews and the Jentiles. He is the one drawing together Jews and Gentiles. The family of God is made out of this two group of people. Jesus is hodling them togther to form this unity. He compacts them together.

Conclusion

From todays lessons we have seen that the hiden treasure in the word of God is Jesus. If we do not forget him and seek to know him we will be blesses by the unclaimed promises that the Lord has promised for us. Our desire to read and study the word of God can only be restored if we can rememeber the goodness of the Lord. Our life can only be motivated when we conisder how we are loved by Jesus. If we rememeber his goodness and contemplate on the suffering he gone thorugh for us we will have enough reasong to be motivated to feed on his word and come closer to him will be bonded togheter and united by his spirit. It is his love that compels all his siants to bear thier corss and live a life that is worthy of their calling.

From todays lessons we have seen that the hiden treasure in the word of God is Jesus. If we do not foreget him and seek to know him we will be blesses by the unclaimed promises that the Lord has promised for us.

In the seventh centruy there was a hym that was written. This Hym was tnaslated by John Masone Neale

Christ is made the sure Foundation, Christ the Head and Cornerstone, Chosen of the Lord and precious, Binding all the church in one; Holy Zion’s help for ever, And her confidence alone. As we consider the to accept Jesus as the corner stone of the Church let us rememeber that he is the one who linkes us together as one family of God. As we trust in him and accept him we will develop an afinity one another. He as the corner stone of the Church will be the only conecting link that we have to become a strong community and house hold of God. There fore let us allow his glory to shine upon us. Howe, F. R. (2000). Christ, the Building Stone, in Peter’s Theology. Bibliotheca Sacra, 157, 43.

The qualifying criteria to live in the body of Christ

The qualifying criteria to live in the Body of Christ

Introduction

The main verse that we are considering today is found in

There are serious truths that we learn from these appeals.

What are the things that the Christians need to “lay aside”?

If the church refuses to lay aside this it will beocme a sick church

We need to have a critical balance here

How can Christians purge themselves of these destructive behaviors?

Those who have tested the goodness of the Lord have an inner motive to desire the pure spiritual milk.

The goodness of the Lord is the only motive for us to long the pure spiritual milk

What is the Pure Spiritual Milk

If we feed on the pure spiritual food we seek Jesus more and more

If we feed on the pure spiritual food we seek Jesus more and more

Why do we need the pure spiritual milk?

The corner stone is used for two purpose

The concept of the corner stone as it is emplyed to Jesus:

Who is rejecting Jesus?

What was the reason for the rejection of the corner stone Christ?