1 Peter

Introduction

Last week we discussed the ending of a good book or movie. What makes it good and what makes it disappointing. This week we begin a new book/Letter of the Bible, 1 Peter. So in similar fashion, what do the movies/books that you like the most have in common?

Conversely what do bad one have?

So we need to start with a foundation. Last week we discussed pieces of who Peter was. We discussed his origin as a fisherman, his denial and him being identified as the rock of the church. Does anyone have another view or addition to the life of Peter today?

Cornelious story. Peter and his Gentile message.

Acts: Witnesses to the World Jew Meets Gentile (10:23b–33)

Cornelius, understandably experiencing a sense of eager anticipation, had invited his family, friends and servants, literally Cornelius’ friends, Romans and countrymen.

1 Peter 1:1–2 ESV

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

There is a fuller reference to the first readers as “aliens and exiles” in 2:11. Who were they, and what was their social status? The answer to this question will have an important bearing on the interpretation of the letter as a whole.

Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible (The First Readers)

the first readers have been understood in three main ways. (i) In their present earthly home, Christians are aliens and exiles, for their true home is in heaven. This view was supported by Calvin, by Beare 1970, and by Best 1971, among others. A contrast between present earthly homes on the one hand, and future heavenly homes on the other, is explicit in Heb 13:14; .

(ii) 2:11 is translated by Elliott 1981: 48 as “resident aliens and visiting strangers” and claims that these terms are to be understood literally. They identify “the addressees as a combination of displaced persons who are currently aliens permanently residing in (paroikia, paroikoi) or strangers temporarily visiting or passing through (parepidēmoi) the four provinces of Asia Minor named in the salutation (1:1).”

(iii) The preferable view, supported recently by Michaels 1988: 6–8 and Achtemeier 1996: 56 (among others), takes this phrase as another example of the writer’s common practice of adapting an OT term for Israel and applying it to Christian believers—to the church, though this term is not used in 1 Peter. Abraham’s self-reference in Gen 23:4, “I am an alien and a settler,” is the outcome of God’s call to him to leave behind the security of his home region and live in obedience to God among people where he was not at home.

Why does the Audience matter?

The threefold description of the addressees in 1:2 introduces three of the letter’s main themes.

Foreknowledge - They have been chosen as God’s “new” people, a theme developed in 1:3–12.

Sanctification of the Spirit - The reference to their consecration by the Spirit anticipates 1:13–17 with its call to holy living.

Reward for Obedience. - The outcome of the work of the Spirit is their obedience (here almost synonymous with their “faith”) and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ, themes developed in 1:18–25.

Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible Opening Greeting (1:1–2)

“Obedience” and “sprinkled with blood” recall Exod 24:7–8, where the people respond to the reading by Moses of the scroll of the covenant with the words, “We will be obedient.” Moses then “dashed” the blood of the sacrificial offerings on the people, and said, “See the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you.”

Understanding our presuppositions as we start is important to our Study.

What is your thoughts on the Foreknowledge in conjunction with Election?

What are your thoughts on Sanctification?

What are your thoughts on Rewards for obedience?

1 Peter 1:3–12 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

initial Thoughts

Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible Thanks Be to God (1:3–12)

The opening outburst of praise to God in 1:3–5 has many OT and Jewish parallels. The customary “blessing” of God is extended by the distinctively Christian affirmation that God is “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and followed by statements about what God has done through Christ for believers

Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible Thanks Be to God (1:3–12)

The opening outburst of praise to God in 1:3–5 has many OT and Jewish parallels. The customary “blessing” of God is extended by the distinctively Christian affirmation that God is “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and followed by statements about what God has done through Christ for believers

What is protected by God’s Power? How?

What do verses 6-9 remind you of? James? Galatians?

What is the Test?

Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible Thanks Be to God (1:3–12)

The testing of faith is a common biblical theme (e.g., Genesis 22); it often takes place in suffering, which in turn leads to a more mature faith (cf. esp. Jas 1:2–4). The refining of gold by fire in order to remove impurities was well known in antiquity;

What is the importance of testing of Faith?

Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible Thanks Be to God (1:3–12)

The reference to the careful inquiry of the prophets into the timing of God’s plan (1:11) introduces an apocalyptic motif. The more general conviction that the OT prophets spoke about the coming of Christ is found in many strands of early Christian writings (e.g., Matt 13:17 = Luke 10:24 [Q]; Luke 24:25–27; John 5:39; Acts 7:52

What is the importance of OT prophets?

Why did the prophets Speak about the Messiah?

Did they know it?