1 Peter 3 Verses 18 to 22 The Just for the Unjust March 5, 2023

1 Peter 3 Verses 18 to 22 The Just for the Unjust March 5, 2023

Class Presentation Notes AAAAA

Background Scriptures:

· 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NASB) 5 For there is one God, andone mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

· John 14:6 (NASB) 6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

· Hebrews 11:7 (NASB) 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Main Idea: Every Person must consider the possibility of facing the flood waters of God’s judgment against sin. Noah was safe in the ark and when we are in Christ, we are safe.

Teaching Aim: To encourage adults to understand that Jesus is the ark who delivers us through the waters of God’s judgment.

Create Interest:

· In this passage Jesus Christ is presented as “the supreme example of one who suffers for well-doing.” He suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. His sufferings were voluntary and vicarious, for He “made atonement by suffering in the stead of those for whom He offered Himself a sacrifice … one righteous man for a world of the unrighteous.”[1]

· The Bible tells us that Christ is now at the right hand of God the Father. The journey He went on to arrive at that position was filled with danger, distress, and death.

· In this portion of Peter, we find some important truths that pertain to the Christian life. Peter informs us of the purpose of the suffering of Christ, what took place after He died in the regions of the underworld, the purpose of baptism, and where the Lord Jesus is now. These verses are debated among Bible-believing scholars as to their meaning. We will endeavor to take our time and look at them carefully to try to discern the correct interpretation and application of each verse. They are fascinating verses and reveal Christ’s journey to the right hand of God. Let’s begin.[2]

Lesson in Historical Context.

· Sometimes we come to a Bible passage that’s very hard to understand. And when a Bible passage is hard to understand, we can make it say almost anything we want. 1 Peter 3:18–22 is one of those passages. But, if we approach this text in a spirit of prayerful humility and establish what we know before tackling what we don’t, we can make some headway toward an understanding of this passage that will encourage us to persevere faithfully in unjust suffering. That is Peter’s aim in his letter, and so it’s likely that these difficult verses are intended to leave us feeling further encouraged and more fully equipped to endure suffering.[3]

· Jesus was put to death in the flesh but was made alive in the Spirit and has now gone up into Heaven. In the original Greek these three phrases possess a lyrical symmetry and beauty that the English hides. In fact, some writers go so far as to see a connection between them and the ancient hymn Paul made use of in his first letter to Timothy: “He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit … taken up in glory” (1 Peter 3:16). This much has been established: Peter’s main idea is about the victorious Christ, and it is captured in three ascending phrases.

· Now that, believe it or not, is a very important discovery. Our text has a definite movement and flow of thought!

o It starts with Christ’s sufferings but ends with his ascension.

o It opens with his willful submission to unrighteous rulers, but by the time it closes, a complete reversal has taken place. The submissive Son is, by the end, the ruling King seated at the right hand of God. And everything—all angels, authorities, and powers—are now subject to him.

o Our difficult text, which at first had enough complexities to make us think it was unintelligible, does seem to have a central theme after all. In fact, the main idea is easily observable and readily seen:

§ Jesus Christ was vindicated, and now he sits in Heaven victorious. With confidence we can now say that if this text is about anything, it must be about Christ’s victory and ascendant glory. It is about His climbing supremacy and complete vindication.[4]

1 Peter 3:18 (NASB) 18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

· As a reason why suffering for doing good is better than suffering for doing evil, Peter brings in the example of Christ, who himself suffered for doing good. In suffering in this way, the Christian is identifying with Christ, and he or she will, according to Peter, also complete this identification in resurrection with Christ.

· Peter has a number of points (four I have found) to make about Christ’s suffering.

o First, it was unjust suffering…. the fact that Christ also suffered innocently, and not just innocently, but on behalf of others’ sins.

o Second, the suffering of Christ was “the righteous on behalf of the unrighteous.” “The Righteous One” was used as a title of Christ in the early church (Acts 3:14; 7:52; 22:14; 1 John 2:1, 29; 3:7; possibly Jas. 5:6), and references to Isa. 53 in 1 Peter (2:22, 24, 25)make one suspect that it is being thought of here as well. Whatever the reason for the vocabulary, however, Christ’s substitutionary death for those who deserved death comes across clearly.

o Third, the purpose of the suffering of Christ was “to lead you to God.” Peter is creating a new metaphor, for no other NT writer has this active picture of Jesus leading the Christian to God. But it fits with Peter’s usual conception of the Christian life as an active close following of Jesus (2:21; 4:13).

§ Jesus died in order that, so to speak, He might reach across the gulf between God and humanity and, taking our hand, lead us across the territory of the enemy into the presence of the Father who called us. Discuss with class.

o Fourth, the death of Christ did not destroy him, just as death will not destroy the Christian sufferer: “He was put to death with respect to the flesh, but he was made alive with respect to the spirit.

§ Peter contrasts the death of Christ with his resurrection, the one happening with respect to the natural fallen human condition, the flesh, and the other with respect to God and relationship to Him, the spirit. In other words, Peter is not contrasting two parts of the nature of Christ, body and soul, but rather two modes of existence.

§ Christ died for sin; therefore, he died with respect to flesh, which in the NT is the mode of existence of unregenerate humanity. But he died as a whole person, not simply as a body (another meaning of “flesh”).

§ Christ was made alive (and note the made alive, for here as usual the action of the Father in raising Him from the dead is assumed) because of his relationship to God; therefore, He was made alive with respect to the spirit, the mode of existence of the regenerate or those pleasing to God.

§ It is not that the spirit or soul of Christ was dead and that it alone was made alive, nor that Christ took leave of the flesh, but that in the resurrection life of His whole person, body as well as spirit, He took leave of further identification with sin and thus of the further need to die (he suffered once, for all.);

§ He now lives as a resurrected person in the mode of existence in which Christians, even before resurrection, can participate, body and soul, although their complete participation awaits “the redemption of the body” (cf. Rom. 8 above). [5]

Thoughts to Soak on before moving on

· A good conscience is not dependent upon what we do or don’t do, but upon what Jesus did. I can truly have a good conscience if I understand that the sins, shortcomings, and failings that are part of my history were completely paid for by Christ. No person knew this better than Peter and painfully learned by Judas before he committed suicide.

o Cursing vehemently, he swore he didn’t know Him, as he stood in the courtyard of Caiaphas—for just as Jesus said he would, Peter denied Christ. Aware of his failing, he wept bitterly (Luke 22:62).

§ Peter went on from there to become a man who was mighty in ministry, a man who was totally restored because he understood that Jesus Christ died for his sins of betrayal, rebellion, and blasphemy.

o The same evening Peter openly denied Jesus, another disciple secretly betrayed Him.…

§ After selling Him out for thirty pieces of silver, Judas’ conscience bothered him greatly. “I have betrayed innocent blood,” he said as he threw the money on the floor of the temple, wanting to reverse the deal. But realizing that the priests would not allow him a way out, Judas hung himself (see Matthew 27:5).

o Both men failed Jesus in the same evening.

§ One went to hell, the other went on to great things and to Heaven when he died.

📷 What was the difference?

§ They each chose a tree.

📷 Judas chose a tree from which to hang himself.

📷 Peter chose a tree (the cross) upon which to look.

v Truly, there is great power in seeing the Cross.[6]

1 Peter 3:19-21 (NASB) 19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

· The mystery of the “spirits in prison” (vv. 19) has perplexed students for years and not all interpreters agree on its meaning. Just keep in mind the main lesson of this passage:

o Christ suffered wrongly, but God honored Him and gave Him glory (v. 22).

o The rest of this passage describes mainly the good conscience of the believer toward God. As for the problems raised by other parts of the passage, several explanations have been given.

· One good explanation, however, is that the “spirits in prison” are the fallen angels of Gen. 6 who consorted with the daughters of men, “going after strange flesh” as Jude 6–7 explains it. The word “prison” in 3:19refers to the place of judgment mentioned in 2 Peter 2:4, “chains of darkness.” It was this violation of God’s order that helped bring on the Flood, which explains why Peter mentions Noah. Note too that Peter’s theme is the subjection of angels to Christ (v. 22). These fallen angels were not subject to Him, and therefore they were judged.

· Between His death and resurrection, Christ visited these angels in prison and announced His victory over Satan. The word “preached” in 3:19 means “to announce” and not “to preach the Gospel.” Jesus announced their doom and His victory over all angels and authorities. It is likely that at this time Christ “led captivity captive” (Eph. 4:8), rescued godly souls dwelling in Hades (see Luke 16:19–31), and took them to heaven. There is not one hint here of anybody having a second chance to be saved after death.

· At the present time believers must struggle against the powers of the unbound demon forces as those forces influence them through the corrupt world system over which Satan has rule.

o The apostle Paul told the Ephesian church, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12), which clearly says that the demonic hierarchy is actively and freely conducting its evil work in the world. It was not to such unbound spirits, but to the bound demons that Christ went to announce His triumph.

o The book of Revelation calls this prisonthe “bottomless pit,” literally the “pit of the abyss.” Some analysis of Revelation 9:1–2 provides further understanding of the prison and its captive subjects[7]

§ Revelation 9:1-2 (NASB) 1 Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. 2 He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit.

Thoughts to offer more light to this very difficult passage group

· This passage has lodged in the creed in the phrase: “He descended into hell.” We must first note that this phrase is very misleading. The idea of the New Testament is not that Jesus descended into hellbut that he descended into Hades. Acts 2:27, as all the newer translations correctly show, should be translated not: “Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell,” but, “Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades.” The difference is this. Hell is the place of the punishment of the wicked; Hades was the place where all the dead went.

o Acts 2:27 (NASB) 27 BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES, NOR ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.

· So, then, it must first of all be remembered that this whole matter is to be thought of, not in terms of hell, as we understand the word but in terms of Christ’s going to the dead in their shadowy world.

· But, laying aside the physical categories of this doctrine, we can find in it truths which are eternally valid and precious, three in particular.

o If Christ descended into Hades, then His death was no sham.

o If Christ descended into Hades, it means that His triumph is universal.

o If Christ descended into Hades and preached there, there is no corner of the universe into which the message of grace has not come.

Let’s move on as you are scratching your head and looking for additional light

· Vs. 20: Peter then ties Noah to the subject of baptism. The flood was actually a global baptism of water; the world is now being reserved for a global baptism of fire (2 Peter 3:5–7).

o Peter does not say that baptism saves us or that water washes away sins. In fact, he makes it clear that baptism cannot put away the filth of the flesh.

o Submission to the Lord in baptism is an inward matter, the answer of a good conscience toward God.

· Vs. 21: Baptism is a picture of death, burial, and resurrection. Christ’s baptism in water by John the Baptist was a symbol of His baptism of suffering on the cross (Luke 3:21–22; 12:50). Christ Himself pointed to Jonah as the sign of His death, burial, and resurrection.

o The water that buried the wicked world bore Noah to safety. The water did not save him; the ark did. In this way Noah anticipates Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

§ Note too that Noah sent out a dove; and when Christ was baptized, a dove lit upon Him.

· This is a complex passage, so keep the main lessons in mind:

o Christ is Lord of all, and we must submit to Him.

o A good conscience makes us strong in testing.

o Christian baptism, pictured by the flood, illustrates death, burial, and resurrection but does not save the soul.

o Baptism is important because it indicates our submission to the Lord.[8]

Thoughts to soak on and clarify

· The passage then really does fit together. These pieces, strange to us at first sight, really do belong where they are, and they mean what the opening and closing verses say they mean.

· What we need to know, when facing trouble or persecution, is this. Jesus the Messiah has fulfilled the hope of Israel by defeating all the spiritual powers in the world, the ones who were responsible for wickedness and corruption from ancient times.

· It may not look like it to the little Christian communities facing the possibility of suffering, but their baptism places them alongside the Messiah in His victory.

o They must hold their heads up, keep their consciences clear, and trust that His victory will be played out in the world to which they are bearing witness.

· There are many Christians today who need precisely this message. And those of us who don’t think we do should learn it, partly to pray for our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted and partly against the day when we might well suddenly need it ourselves.[9]

1 Peter 3:22 (NASB) 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

· This whole discussion about the days of Noah is part of a larger context; the background is suffering. Peter is putting things in perspective. In the end, suffering cannot hurt us. It lifts us up, even by its own tumultuous waves, to higher ground and even to that other shore. More! Jesus has suffered! To death! “Even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8). Let Nero do his worst. All he could do was kill the body. Beyond that is resurrection—and more, as Peter now states!

· He moves on from Christ’s saving power to His sovereign power. The Lord is now enthroned! Peter tells us where He reigns: “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God” (3:22a). “How about that, Nero?” The fact that monsters like Nero have their little day does not alter the fact that Jesus now sits on the supreme throne of the universe. The mystery of the suffering of God’s people is a mystery as great as the mystery of iniquity. All we see down here are the seemingly tangled threads on the reverse side of the tapestry of life. When we get to heaven, we shall see the magnificent picture on its other side. Meanwhile, Christ is on the throne.

· Finally, Peter tells us who He rules: “angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him” (3:22b). These are the crowned royalties of the unseen spirit world, both good and bad. On the evil side are Satan’s “principalities … powers” (Eph. 6:12); on the good side are “thrones … dominions” (Col. 1:16).

· The glorious and astounding fact is that there is a Man in heaven on the throne of God (Heb. 1:1–3, 8). He has our interests at heart.

o This was probably one of the items in the Lord’s proclamation to the spirits in prison. In the heyday of their power, they had sought the utter corruption of the human race and the complete negation of God’s plan to rescue the world by the Incarnation.

o But God became a Man! Now that Man sits on the throne of God, “angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”[10]

Thought to soak on as you near the completion of our lesson

· Jesus Christ saves the believer from all angels, authorities, and powers (v. 22). All beings of all dimensions and worlds are subject to Him. He has gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God. He rules and reigns overall, subjecting all to His sovereign will and power.

· This means a most wonderful thing. Believers need never fear anyone or anything. Christ Jesus the Lord is looking after them. He will provide, protect, and deliver through all the trials and temptations of life no matter how terrible and severe.[11]

o Ephesians 1:19-22 (NASB) 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,

o Philippians 2:8-9 (NASB) 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

o Hebrews 4:14-16 (NASB) 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

o Hebrews 9:24 (NASB) 24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;

o Isaiah 9:6 (NASB) 6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Wrapping this lesson in a nice bow I submit the following:

· Peter sees the work of Christ in terms of complete triumph. He says that after His resurrection Jesus went into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and power having been made subject to him (3:22).

· The meaning is that there is nothing in earth and heaven outside the empire of Christ.

o To all men he brought the new relationship between man and God; in His death He even brought the good news to the dead; in his resurrection he conquered death; even the angelic and the demonic powers are subject to Him; and He shares the very power and throne of God.

o Jesus has gone into heaven, and it is better for us that He is there. Spurgeon related this to how the high priest, ministering for Israel on the Day of Atonement, disappeared from the people and went behind the veil.

§ “Though he was not with them, he was with God, which was better for them. The high priest was more useful to them within the veil than outside of it; he was doing for them out of sight what he could not accomplish in their view. I delight to think that my Lord is with the Father. Sometimes I cannot get to God, my access seems blocked by my infirmity; but He is always with God to plead for me.[12]

· Christ the sufferer has become Christ the victor; Christ the crucified has become Christ the crowned.[13]

And the rest is history………………………………

· The year is ad 200. The place is Rome. After fasting for several days and preparing his heart for a rite of initiation and dedication to the triune God, the young believer’s moment had finally arrived. With all the excitement and anticipation of a wedding celebration, the small group of believers gathered together with their pastor, elders, and deacons, and the young convert to the Christian faith stepped into the water as the congregation awaited the proclamation of his “vows”—the confession of faith. Though the exact form varied from region to region and church to church, they all told the same story; they all pointed to the same essential truths:

o I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; descended into Hades; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

o I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

· When that new believer affirmed this creed as his confession of faith and was accepted by the church, he was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

o He rose up from the water as a full member of the church, validated by the rite of baptism.[14] Grace and peace to all who read this😊.

[1] Roy S. Nicholson, “The First Epistle of Peter,” in Beacon Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation, vol. 10, Beacon Bible Commentary (Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1967), 1 Pe 3:18. [2] Rod Mattoon, Treasures from First Peter, Treasures from Scripture Series (Springfield, IL: Rod Mattoon, 2011), 222. [3] Juan R. Sanchez, 1 Peter for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2016), 131. [4]David R. Helm, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude: Sharing Christ’s Sufferings, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008), 120–121. [5]Peter H. Davids, The First Epistle of Peter, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1990), 134–137. [6] Jon Courson, Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2003), 1565. [7] John F. MacArthur Jr., 1 Peter, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2004), 210. [8]Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 748–750. [9] Tom Wright, Early Christian Letters for Everyone: James, Peter, John and Judah, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox Press, 2011), 82–83. [10]John Phillips, Exploring the Epistles of Peter: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), 1 Pe 3:22. [11]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1 Peter–Jude, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 102. [12]David Guzik, 1 Peter, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible (Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik, 2013), 1 Pe 3:20b–22. [13]William Barclay, ed., The Letters of James and Peter, The Daily Study Bible Series (Philadelphia: Westminster John Knox Press, 1976), 235–236. [14]Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on James, 1 & 2 Peter, vol. 13, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentar (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2014), 219–220.