The immediate practical consequence of being born again spiritually ought to be the putting away of all obvious forms of evil in daily life, such as lying, hypocrisy, jealousy and abuse of others (2:1). In 2:2-3 Peter uses a very homely comparison for the desire for new spiritual life which Christians ought to have. Christians ought to want to grow in the spiritual life just as eagerly as babies want the life-giving milk of their mothers. Without proper feeding the baby will not grow well and without spiritual feeding the Christian will not become mature. Peter quotes from Psalm 34:8 to show that the more the Christian turns to God, the more spiritual strength will he receive.

In 2:4-8 Peter takes the idea of 'stone' and uses it in very interesting ways. He speaks first of the Lord Jesus Christ as the living foundation stone (of the Church). Although the 'living Stone' was rejected by men, he was chosen by God (2:4). Isaiah 28:16 and Psalm 118:22 are quoted as prophecies which found fulfillment in Jesus Christ (2:6--7). In 2:8 another prophecy referring to a different thought about the living Stone, is seen to be fulfilled in Christ (Isaiah 8: 14-15). 'Because of my awesome holiness I am like a stone that people will stumble over. .. many will stumble; they will fall and be crushed.' The idea here is that those who reject the revelation of God in Jesus Christ bring God's judgement on themselves (compare John 12:44-48): The thought of 2:7-8 is rather like that of Paul in 1 Corinthians 1: 18-15 although Paul expresses himself differently. According to the gospels Jesus himself used the comparison of the stone which was rejected by men (Mark 12: 1 0-11 and parallel passages) and it is also quoted by Peter in a sermon, in Acts 4: 11.

Peter moves from the idea of Jesus Christ, the living foundation Stone of the Church, to the idea of Christians as 'living stones' with which the Church is built up, 2:5. Those who are reborn spiritually are to build up the spiritual temple of the Church (John 4:21-24). Another comparison is added and Christians are pictured as holy priests in the spiritual temple of the Church, offering spiritual sacrifices to God. Although Peter does not describe Jesus as the great High Priest of God's Church, an idea that is very important in the letter to the Hebrews, the idea is implicit in the pictures he gives of the Church and its Lord.

In 2:9-10 Peter presents more rich word pictures of who Christians are and what the Church is. The language and thought of the Old Testament are reflected in Peter's words. In 2:9 references can be traced to Exodus 19:5-6, Isaiah 43:20-21, Deuteronomy 4:20, 7:6, 14:2. Isaiah 9 :2. In 2: 10 the words of Hosea about the renaming of the prop children, are reflected (Hosea 2:23).

2 :11-3 :12. Christian behaviour and holy living 2:11-17. Christians and pagan authority

Peter now moves to very practical instruction about Christian behavior He deals first with how Christians should behave in the pagan society in which they had to live and in which they were 'strangers and refugees (2:11). That pagans may be led to praise God by the example shown them by Christians (2:12) reflects the teaching of Matthew 5:16. Peter teaching in 2: 13-17 is very realistic for the situation in which the Gentil were living and shows the teaching of the early Church on the issue how Christians should relate to the state and the political structures with which they had to come to terms. The sayings of Jesus in Mark 12:1- recognizes the necessary existence of political structures and authority which are allowed by God for the preservation of order in society, b also affirms that the Christian's primary loyalty is to the claims of God for everything comes from God. The Christian has a kind of 'dual citizen-ship'. He is a citizen of the worldly state in which he lives and also a citizen of heaven, but the whole teaching of the Church makes it clear that the claims of his heavenly citizenship take precedence over the claims of his worldly citizenship. Jesus acknowledged the worldly authority of Pilate (John 19:11) but reminded Pilate that his authority had been granted to him by God; it was God's will that Jesus stood before him on trial. Paul deals with the issue of the Christian and the state in Romans 13:1-7, saying that no state exists without God's permission and therefore the Christian should co-operate with the state. Peter takes the same view as Paul in 2: 13-14. If Christians uphold the legitimate work of those in authority and witness to God by their good living, there will not be foolish and ignorant talk against God's Church (1:15). 'For the sake of the Lord, submit to every human authority' (2:13). Those who are God's slaves have spiritual freedom in Jesus Christ and they should have no dealings with evil (2: 16). 2: 17 is a remarkably terse summary of what practical Christian living meant for the Gentile Christians.