Who did Jesus go preach to that were already dead? 1st Peter 4:6

Intro: 1st Peter 4:6

English Standard Version Chapter 4

For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

Who were those that were dead?

Let’s come back to that in a bit

First, it’s OK to ask questions

Scripture can be complex

Often, small nuggets can throw us for a loop

Caution, not to get so we can’t see the forest for the trees, by overly focusing on a detail.

some examples from Paul:

predestination - Rom 8:29 Predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. Eph 1:5 Chosen us to be adopted as sons.

Free will - Romans 3:19 All are accountable to God. Some say we must choose God. Romans Capt 3 is talking about our righteousness under our own power vs righteousness of God placed on us by our faith in Christ. Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Some interpret these verses in isolation that we must choose. By the way Romans Chapter 3 was talking about. Romans Chapter 6 is talking about our old life in bondage to sin vs our new life in Christ. The church has be wrestling with tis for hundreds if not thousands of years. its OK, to say I believe both but don’t know how the fit together. At the end of this video I will give you my humble opinion about Predestination vs Free Will.

In 2 Cor 12:2 Paul wrote about: how He knew a man that saw the third heaven - What is that 3rd Heaven? 2”I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.” The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Co 12:2. The surounding text shows that Paul's point was about NOT boasting, except for his striving for weakness so God can Move.

We have to keep some things in mind when reading scripture.

Type of literary form

Letters or epistles

Narrative - Story or recorded history

Prophetic - Daniel, Ezekiel, Revelation

Gospels, εὐαγγέλιον, the good news, Mathew, Mark, Luke & John.

Poetry - Psalms, Song of Solomon

Wisdom Literature like Proverbs

Content and Context

What is the Inspired meaning? Anyone can take any text and say it means whatever you want. But what is the Holy Spirit communicating through the chosen human author.

Language rules and grammar

Who -wrote it?

Who -did they write it to?

What’s going on? In the:

Author’s live

Society

Audience’s life

When was the time frame in history?

Context -

Especially the verse before, verse after

Chapter before, Chapter after

Preaching to the dead.

What was the context? Suffering

Previous Chapter Suffering for Righteousness sake.

Chapter 4:1-11

English Standard Version (Chapter 4)

1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Gary’s Commentary

Suffering 1st Peter Chap 3

Then in 1st Peter Chapt 4, the worlds actions and rebellion

World surprised we don’t join in there behavior.

They will malign, insult in order to try to reduce the message of the good news, so they don’t have to listen.

But all will be judged physically and spiritually.

Physical death

Spiritual death

Even the dead before the cross, before the resurrection of Jesus Christ, were physically judged for our sin condition, as all of us have and physically died.

but what about the spiritual judgement? 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the f.lesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

Die spiritually or live spiritually

Verses 7-11 Stay the course, the end is near, use our gifts for the glory of God, alive in the Spirit, rather than continued death, dying in the flesh and dead to God.

This was the context

Who were the dead then?

Gary Opinion:

First lets review;

Focus on what the scripture is focusing on.

It’s OK to ask questions

Keeping content in context

Keep in mind the type of literature the scripture we are reading is.

adhere to the structure, grammar and laws of the original language the text was originally written in.

last background things to talk about

Salvation is by grace through faith.

Abraham’s faith caused righteousness to be credited to him ****

In the Old Covenant they had: the Law - the commandments, Temple worship, Atonement covering of sin. (Explain this worship)

People’s relationship with their God brought obedience or rebellion. Faith or unbelief.

Always saved by Grace through Faith.

We’re did Saints of Old - David, Elisha, Moses go after their physical deaths?

Were did they go after the physical death

Abraham’s Bosom *****

Thief on the cross in Paradise tonight. *****

Sin debt had to be paid, Past,Present and Future.

The cross - Fathers Judgement Son pays the full the debt of our sin. Only the shoulders of God (Jesus) could receive all the Justice and wrath from God (the Father).

Final Summary & Answer:

at the cross all sin debt paid for.

the Saints of old although saved by grace through faith, Still had there sin debt in limbo, until the cross.

God was holding that sin debt until the cross.

Jesus descended, shared the God news to the previously saved dead.

Jesus’ Righteousness at this time was placed on the Saints of old. With the righteousness of Christ now acquired and worn by these previously saved dead, they could now stand boldly as sons, before the Father.

I believe that the Saints of old in Abrahams bosom, the underworld, AKA Paradise, was then emptied. I believe the Saints of old are now in heaven with Jesus Christ and the Father.

I believe those who were preached to that were dead of 1 Peter 4:6 were the Saved saints of old.

How about you friend?

Are you in a relationship with Jesus Christ?

Have you been saved by grace (based on what Jesus did on the cross), through faith (believing in who Jesus said He was, and believing what Jesus did on the cross for you personally?

Jesus asked “who do men say that I am? Jesua also asked, who do you say that I am?

If you would like to here more about salvation, please check out our video “The Good News From God”

As Promised my humble opinion about Predestination vs Free Will:

In MY HUMBLE OPINION I agree with GotQuestions.org : “Some emphasize the sovereignty of God to the point that human beings are little more than robots simply doing what they have been sovereignly programmed to do. Others emphasize free will to the point of God not having complete control and/or knowledge of all things. Neither of these positions is biblical. The truth is that God does not violate our wills by choosing us and redeeming us. Rather, He changes our hearts so that our wills choose Him. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19), and “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16).”

I believe it is a combination. But I couldn't tell you exactly how it works. So I ask questions. I also try to focus on the main points of the text as the Holy Spirit is delivering. Getting in to the depths can be fun, as long as we don’t let it divide us.