S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The term living stones in 1 Peter 2:5 is used as a metaphor to illustrate the secure and intimate relationship believers have with Jesus, who is described in the previous verse as the "living Stone...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Craig Mcelheny Christian Author

While it is true that we, as believers, are being built into a spiritual house – with Jesus as the cornerstone, I believe Peter had something else in mind when he used the term ‘living stones’. I think Peter had the ‘more excellent ministry’ of our Lord and the new (Abrahamic) covenant in mind (Hebrews 8:6), as opposed to the ‘first covenant’ – the Law as given to us in the form of ten commandments written on tablets of stone (Hebrews 8:4-5).

As it states in Hebrews 8:7-8, if the ‘first covenant’ (the Law) was adequate, there would be no need for a second. (The Abrahamic covenant actually preceded the Law by 430 years, Galatians 3:16-17, but in context the ‘first covenant’ here is the Law). Note that the new covenant is with the ‘house of Israel’ and the ‘house of Judah’ (Hebrews 8:8), and in Hebrews 8:11 it implicates the Millennium when all who dwell on the earth shall know the Lord as He will be among them.

This would lead you to believe that the ‘new covenant’ is only for the Jews during the Millennium, but that, of course, is not true. The Abrahamic covenant is for all who believe during this Age of the Gentiles (the Church Age) and those who live during the Millennium.

Now for a different understanding of what Peter had in mind, when he referred to us as ‘living stones’. It is best stated in 2 Corinthians 3:3:

2 Corinthians 3:3 (NKJV) 
Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

But it is also given in our text in Hebrews, Chapter 8:

Hebrews 8:10 (NKJV) 
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

We are ‘living stones’ with Gods Law of the Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2) guiding us and directing us by His Holy Spirit. We are not following laws written in stone, that can neither save us, nor give eternal life. They were written to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith in Him (Galatians 3:24-26).

God bless

October 07 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Beeker

Do a study on the words "son" and "stone." Look at them from the Hebrew perspective. You will see what they are. "ben" and "ibn" are clues. Take those thoughts and build upon them. The Messiah is the foundation stone. Everything else it built upon Him. He is built upon Torah. Do a study on the "bet" in Genesis 1:1 and you will see more in relation to your question.

August 14 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report