Living Stones

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE | Shane Carrington | Sulfer Springs, Texas

“We are New Testament Christians, so we do not need to study the Old Testament.”

Perhaps we have heard someone make this claim. Then we actually read our New Testaments and discover the many Old Testament references – examples, quotations, prophecies, wisdom statements, allusions, etc. – revealing our need to study the Old to receive full enlightenment regarding the New.

Peter’s first letter is an excellent example of this. Note the following sampling of allusions to the Old Testament:

“inheritance” (1 Peter 1:4) – Old Testament Jews had Canaan; we have heaven
“the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you…” (1 Peter 1:10-12) – they heralded the coming of Christ Jesus
“You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16) – eternal principle straight out of several passages in Leviticus, including 11:44, 45
“as of a lamb unblemished and spotless” (1 Peter 1:19) – Christ, the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system
“…you also, as living stones, are being build up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices … you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession…” (1 Peter 2:5-9) – many references to Old Testament Israel and New Testament Christians as the ultimate fulfillment of these.

This is only a taste, but a proper understanding of the Old Testament is essential to fully understanding the New Testament. May we dedicate ourselves to that task.

“Living Stones”
The original “house of God” was a portable structure befitting a nomadic people: a tent (Exodus 23:19; many times in 1 Chronicles). It was elaborate and beautiful, but it was still a tent. In the course of time, David wanted to honor God with a permanent structure. Since David had blood on his hands, God did not allow him to build it, but with the materials both he and Solomon gathered, Solomon headed up the construction of the permanent house for God (1 Chronicles 28-29). Yet even it turned out to have a temporary nature, for the Babylonians destroyed it and it had to be rebuilt. Whether tabernacle or temple, these only foreshadowed God’s true temple: His people, the church. The tabernacle gave way to the temple and the temple gave way to the church (1 Peter 2:4, 5). This shows what a blessing it is to be a part of God’s great blessings and work!

Whether tabernacle or temple, they had several features:

They were centrally located in the nation, showing that God’s will and presence were central to that nation’s life.
They were places where the people approached God in worship.
They were places from which God made His word/will known to the people.
They were places where God made His glory known.
They were constructed of valuable materials, showing the preciousness of their relationship with God.
They stood as a testimony to God’s presence among them, etc..

The temple was constructed of stones: things dead, lifeless. But as God’s New Testament temple, we are “living stones” – alive, active, praising, serving. We are God’s house/dwelling/family, fulfilling in Christ that old structure foreshadowed.

Yet in its rudimentary nature, the temple was still glorious and it was the place were God manifested His glory in powerful ways (see the inauguration of the original tabernacle, Exodus 40:34-38, and of Solomon’s temple, 1 Kings 8:1-11). Today, as Christians, we are God’s new, holy temple, and we manifest God’s glory to the world.

When Peter wrote these words the world demeaned and persecuted those early disciples. This might have diminished their view of themselves as God’s sees them, but suffering should enhance that glory by bringing to full realization the understanding that we are not of this world (1 Peter 2:9-17). Indeed, “if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name” (1 Peter 4:16). “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right” (1 Peter 4:18). The old temple was glorious, but may we never lose sight of the fact that through Christ – regardless how the world treats us – we are more glorious.

Through prejudices some people attack and ostracize others due to differences in race, culture, gender, economic status, physically disability, religion, etc.. Christians sometimes experience these attacks (1 Peter 4:16). Society may shame and reject us for following Jesus, but we are in good company for they also treated the Lord this way:

“And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God” (1 Peter 2:4).

God is the one who determines true value and honor, declaring Jesus as “choice and precious.” Since we are built upon Him, regardless how the world views us, God declares us “living stones” composing His holy temple/house (1 Peter 2:5)! Truly, as God exclaims, “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed” (1 Peter 2:6).

Conclusion
The rich layers describing God’s work – even from days of old – in bringing His Son to save us pervade the Old Testament canon. A solid understanding of the New Testament requires familiarity with the Old.

The story of God’s ancient people, Israel, actually includes us in at least two ways. Their story of slavery, redemption, God’s gracious provision, and struggle toward the promised land of old foreshadows our deliverance from bondage in sin, redemption through Jesus, provisions of tools to help us in our sojourn through this world, and our struggle toward our home in heaven. Secondly, their story/history was to bring Jesus to this world to bless all families of earth with hope, and in Christ we are recipients of what God was working toward throughout that ancient time (Galatians 3:26-29).

In a world where the profane surrounds us, may we in Christ stand as “living stones” founded upon the “precious corner stone” (1 Peter 2:5, 6) – “the stone which the builders rejected … the very corner stone” (1 Peter 2:7). In Him we find salvation, purpose, stability, mission, and hope. May we radiate these to the world by offering “up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).

19.01.01 | GROW magazine