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1Peter 2--Jesus Shepherd/Bishop

1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 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.
7 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,
8 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.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 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.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
(1 Peter 2:1-25, KJV).

Often, the last verse of this chapter of the Bible is used to verify the idea that pastors and bishops are Godly "offices" according to the new testament. But let's study this verse in it's context--and we will see what the Bible is saying in it's fullness--instead of our own "church experience".

We ought to not have malice,or any cunning (guile)--or envying or anything evil amongst ourselves. These verses are instructions for Christians--for the church as a whole.
We ought to desire the simplicity of the word--of the Gospel--not get too complicated in our doctrine or questioning. We ought to understand how the Lord was rejected of men--the word "disallowed" is used--the meaning was that He was in fact refused in His ministry with regard to the Pharisees and priests and scribes of Israel--they rejected Him--His ministry was not recognized by the leaders of Israel.
Note verse 5--we all together--as a church--are the building of God--the spiritual house of God (the new testament "house of God" is not a temple-it is people!!) And also--we are all priests--we all have a priesthood to live out as Christians--we all have a ministry to walk out for the Lord.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 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.

Again--ALL are the priesthood--not just some--not a group of specially ordained people who are "the ministry" of the church. Rather all of us are to have a priesthood. We have this priesthood--not by birthright--but by repentance. The common ground for all Christians is that we all are sinners saved by grace--"some" are not therefore better than others. The greatest obedient church of the Bible operated their ministry with "all things common amongst themselves"--what about us? Do we strive toward this high call?

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

We Christians are not of this world. We have been translated into God's kingdom--a kingdom of love and service toward others. The lusts of the flesh will war against this call. We ought to witness this to non believers with our good works--which is ministry.

To carry on this point, the word now declares specifically how to deal with the things of the world...

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

The first point to note. All the positions of authority and rule are in the world--and NOT in the church. The Bible is clear and consistent--we are NOT to exercise authority one over another amongst ourselves..

42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
(Mark 10:42-43, KJV).

25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
(Luke 22:25-26, KJV).

The bible consistently gives us the advice that we ought to submit to the ruling authorities which are in the earth--so far as they are enforcing the will of God and the laws of God. The book of Romans chapter 13 makes nearly this identical statement...

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(Romans 13:1-9, KJV).

But in 1Peter chapter 2 the Bible is telling us that, in fact we are set free from these worldly rules and concepts....

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

This is the key verse. We as Christians are free--set at liberty by simply receiving Christ. Yet we are told not to use this freedom "for a cloke of maliciousness". The word "cloak" has the meaning of "covering". Our freedom is not meant to be used with malice--not meant to cover others--not meant to control and rule ourselves. In fact, then we would be just like the world. The world operates in this fashion--kings and rulers cover with their authority--instead we are told to be "servants"--which lines up perfectly with the teaching of Jesus on this subject. We are not saved to rule others--to rule over one another --in any way. Rulership has no place in the Christian church! We as brothers and sister in Christ are all meant to serve God with our gifts of ministry--as equals--on a common level---not to cover one another with rulership and authority!

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Jesus was wrongfully punished. His ultimate service--His greatest ministry was to lay down His life for others--for the sin of all the world. This is an example for all of us to follow--to bear burdens with patience. Ministry is not a grand and glorious office of rulership--it is working and sweating to feed the poor and spread the Gospel--and perhaps being falsely accused--and counting it all gain for the Lord's sake. Ministry is the taking up of a cross--not "the rule" over someone.

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

The highest and greatest offering the world has ever seen. The most difficult thing that anyone has ever done--to bear the sins of the world in one man--and God counted this suffering so great that all should be saved--that all should be healed--through this great offering-through His great service--the ultimate "laying down" of one's life--the greatest ministry is that of our Lord and our Savior--Jesus Christ--amen!

It is His offering--His sacrifice--that saves us and heals us and delivers us--and SETS US FREE.

Remember who these verse are speaking to:

"lively stones,....a spiritual house, an holy priesthood,...chosen of God, and precious....a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation,...As free"

10 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.

This is the Bible description of Christians--sinners saved by grace--saved completely--healed--delivered--living under the mercy of God and serving His will fully--"FREE"

Made free by the action of Christ--by His operations and ministry--by His laying down His life. We are made free by--released to serve God directly and fully--and now read the final verse of this chapter......

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

We were like sheep--that followed after sin and the worldly way of doing things (which is exercising authority over one another--!!) and now we have come unto the pastor. The pastor. The Pastor. The bishop. The Bishop. JESUS!!!

Jesus' pastoral ministry was releasing others to serve God. The pure Biblical meaning of pastoral ministry is to release another person to serve God. His ministry as a bishop--a leader--an organizer--was not to rule over others with authority--absolutely not! Jesus definition, and the Bible's definition of a pastor and a bishop is someone who leads you to freely serve God. Someone who releases you to ministry.