like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.This analogy of milk is used several times, by different writers. However, I'm not certain if they're all using it the same way. Here, Peter seems to be saying that the Gospel is like milk, and that it is all that is needed for serious growth.
However, Paul and the author of Hebrews seem to be saying that milk is only the start, and that solid food must follow for true development. This is a touchy subject for me right now due to some things going on at my church. The pastor has made it clear recently that he's not going much beyond the raw gospel, but how he says it feels like he's going to be staying at that milk level forever, and I think that attitude is going to stunt the long-term growth of the congregation.
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