A Biblical Theology of 1 Peter
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What is Biblical Theology
What is Biblical Theology
Definition
Definition
Biblical Theology is the discipline of moving from exegesis toward a cohesive understanding of the original author’s intended central theme/s of a given text within the framework of redemptive history in Christ.
Exegesis
To Lead Out
Step 1 in the Bible reading/study process
Bad exegesis creates bad problems (Heresy, Cults, Religions)
(There are a lot of Gospel preaching people who say things authoritatively that aren’t drawn out from the text.)
Biblical Theology
Isn’t just theology that is biblical
It’s the step between examining the text carefully (exegesis) and Systematic Theology
Central Theme
Each book has a primary thrust (cord)
The cord is usually made up of smaller cords that weave together.
Tonight, we want to look at the first cord - theme of 1 Peter.
The Need for Biblical Theology
The Need for Biblical Theology
The Bible isn’t a recipe book
It isn’t an encyclopedia
The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to us and it intends to transform us.
It’s not just commands - It is a story with sub-stories (a unit with sub-units)
Consider the 2025 theme - “God’s Story” SALVATION
Creation
Fall
Redemption
Restoration
Each unit has a function and that’s how Biblical Theology helps us...
It is like a bridge that helps us move from all the details to the so-what - how do we apply this?
It also helps us reevaluate our exegesis and develop that better.
Methodology for Biblical Theology
Methodology for Biblical Theology
Tonight our Goal is to understand Peter’s intended central theme of his first letter.
We will only look at what Peter says in 1 Peter
We will also identify key words from within the book
We will trace the development of primary themes to a central theme
Literary Structure
Literary Structure
Introduction (1 Peter 1:1-12)
Introduction (1 Peter 1:1-12)
Initial Commands (1 Peter 1:13-2:10)
Initial Commands (1 Peter 1:13-2:10)
Two Cycles of Exhortation and Doxology (1 Peter 2:11-5:11)
Two Cycles of Exhortation and Doxology (1 Peter 2:11-5:11)
Two vocatives (kind of noun - an address):
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
Two doxologies:
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Christian Living in Society (1 Peter 2:11-4:11)
Christian Living While Suffering (1 Peter 4:12-5:11)
Conclusion (1 Peter 5:12-14)
Conclusion (1 Peter 5:12-14)
Key Words
Key Words
Elect & Chosen (eKlectos)
Elect & Chosen (eKlectos)
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the [elect] strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
These are often hot-button words and that’s a shame because Peter isn’t trying to throw out trigger words to his audience.
Peter isn’t trying to create a theological debate...
God doesn’t want to frustrate us with His word...
Instead, we see that the function of these words are meant to be an extreme encouragement (how Biblical Theology functions)
Not only concerned with what it means, we are also concerned with what the word does.
And these words shape our biblical theology and help us understand the main thing Peter is trying to say.
It gives us truth that should shape our lives as well - WE NEED THIS
Doctrine can be difficult...
Sometimes we encounter difficult doctrine because we need to be greatly shaped
QUESTION - Why is this a key word?
Because of quantity (how many times the word it used)
Because of frequency (how close the words are used together)
Because of theological weight (born again) - what is Peter trying to do with the theological weight?
This is one of the first things Peter says to his suffering audience
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the [elect] strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
He is using a theological concept to re-define them - he wants to correct their identity of self.
In their eyes, their identity was governed by 1 word - SUFFERING, but that’s not who they were.
They were suffering, but that’s not how God viewed them or defined them.
Why is this so important?
Why was it necessary that they understand their identity?
A wrong view of God distorts worship
A wrong view of self distorts worship as well
We are prone to think that what happens to us OR how you feel about it is most important
However, one of the most important things for the believer is to know that you are in Christ. (need to develop this later)
QUESTION: What assumptions do you have if you believe your identity is a sufferer?
Victim - Things happen to you and they only ruin you
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Final - Suffering can’t ever change and it is the last note
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Pointless - What happens has no end goal (it’s pointless and meaningless)
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Alone - Suffering has a way of causing us to feel helpless and lonely (no one else is going through this)
The fruit these assumptions produce is: bitterness, anger, fear, anxiety, depression
Peter uses the word again at the end of the book
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. 14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Peter’s using the word as an inclusio
Bookend or Picture frame - Emphasize their need of a new identity
Develops to help them evaluate their situation in a new way
Eklectos - 1:1 is plural (sense of being dispersed and alone)
Sun Eklectos - 5:13 is singular (they were really gathered and together - part of a family and part of a people)
Peter uses the word in the middle of the letter
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Ye is Plural - Chosen generation is Singular
Not only do you have a new identity, you have a new community that you’re apart of
We are so often prone to believe we are what we think/feel we are
But in Christ, we are new in Christ
That reaches beyond your view
More importantly the glue of their community is Jesus Christ
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Peter is identifying them with Jesus Christ!
It was the Father’s will that His beloved Son suffer and then receive glory
When a person is in Christ, they walk the same road
A New Identity Marked by Glory After Suffering
A New Identity Marked by Glory After Suffering
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Theological Theme
Theological Theme
Suffering Christians Have a New Identity in Christ
Suffering Christians Can Live Out Practical Holiness
Suffering Christians Hope in the Eschatological Appearing of Christ
Response
Response
Think intentionally about your union with Christ and Identity in Him (THE END RESULT IS PRAISE)
Read your Bible with this in mind
Wake up and remind yourself of this truth
Fight your sin with this truth
Introduce your suffering to this truth
Praise Him (Doxology)