#Unfinished For Christian Doctrines (The Deity Of Christ) Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, addresses Christians in his letter, drawing significantly from Old Testament scriptures to emphasize Jesus' divine role. When he writes to persecuted Christians, he says the following > [!bible]+ [1 Peter 2:3-8 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/60/2/) > 3. if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5. you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7. So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8. and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. %% #1Peter %% In [1 Peter 2:3-8](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1PE.2.3a-8) he starts by alluding to [Psalm 34:8](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.34.8), encouraging believers to recognize the goodness of the Lord, clearly referring to Jesus here as the "living stone," This passage quotes Psalms, a passage talking about God (???? - YHWH) and using it for Jesus. > [!bible]+ [Psalm 34:8 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/19/34/) > 8. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! %% #Psalm %% Furthermore, Peter encourages Christians to maintain their righteousness without fear. He instructs believers to sanctify Christ as Lord in their hearts > [!bible]+ [1 Peter 3:13-15 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/60/3/) > 13. Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14. But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15. but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, %% #1Peter %% Here in verse 14-15, Peter is drawing from Isaiah, where the one to be regarded as holy is God. From this we can see that Peter is equating Jesus with the God of Isaiah. > [!bible]+ [Isaiah 8:12-13 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/23/8/) > 12. “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. 13. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. %% #Isaiah %% In his letters, Peter, a primary disciple of Jesus, addresses early Christians facing persecution by intertwining references from the Old Testament. In 1 Peter 2:3-8, he compares Jesus to a "living stone," and contrasts this with Old Testament imagery to highlight the how Jesus and the LORD are interchangeable. Further, in 1 Peter 3:13-15, Peter encourages Christians to sanctify Christ in their hearts, echoing Isaiah 8:12-13, which originally refers to Yahweh, thereby equating Jesus with God. Peter's use of these passages not only comforts and guides the early Christians but also establishes Jesus' identity and authority on par with the God of the Old Testament.