Disciples in Distress (Lesson 1)

Studies from 1 Peter

INTRODUCTION:

A- BOOK PROFILE: 1 PETER

• A circulating letter to first-century Christians scattered over the northern part of modern Turkey

(1 Peter 1:2)

1 Peter 1:2 NLT

2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.

• Delivered or recorded by Silas (1 Peter 5:12), a friend and coworker of the apostle Peter

1 Peter 5:12 NLT

12 I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

• Sent from Rome identified by the code name Babylon. (1 Peter 5:13)

1 Peter 5:13 NLT

13 Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark.

• Written shortly before the outbreak of the Neronian persecution in a.d. 64-65.

• Addressed an audience made up of both Jewish and Gentile Christians, with the majority Gentile.

• Written during a time of political, social, and personal persecution.

• Emphasizes the reality of suffering in the lives of Christians, but also offers words of encouragement and challenge.

• Has suffering as a primary theme, mentioning it sixteen times by using eight different Greek terms.

B- AUTHOR PROFILE: PETER (1 Peter 1:1)

1 Peter 1:1 NLT

1 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

• Simon, a fisherman, who followed John the Baptist until his brother Andrew introduced him to Jesus

• Name changed to Peter by Jesus, signifying the rock-like character that would ultimately dominate Peter’s personality

• Natural leader and spokesperson for the disciples

• Impulsive, sometimes selfish, and short-tempered

• Emerged as primary figure in the early church after the day of Pentecost

• Traveled widely in ministry

• Tradition indicates he was crucified upside down in Rome during the persecution by the emperor Nero, around a.d. 68.

C- BOOK OUTLINE:

1- Enduring Distress as a Christian (1 Peter 1:1–2:10)

2- At Home, But Not in This World (1 Peter 2:11–3:12)

3- Suffering—The Road to Glory (1 Peter 3:13–4:19)

4- Final Exhortations and Greetings (1 Peter 5:1–14)

I. Enduring Distress as a Christian (1 Peter 1:1–2:10)

A. The Hidden Inheritance, the Hidden Lord. (1 Peter 1:1–9)

1 Peter 1:1–9 NLT

1 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

1- Chosen people

a. Chosen people (ἐκλεκτοῖς) who are living as foreigners (παρεπιδήμοις διασπορᾶς) who are scattered (on foreign soil). (1 Peter 1:1)

1 Peter 1:1 NLT

1 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

2- Chosen by God the Father

a. Chosen by God the Father (θεοῦ πατρός) because of His knowledge of you in the past (πρόγνωσιν).

(1 Peter 1:2)

1 Peter 1:2 NLT

2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.

3- Made holy by the Holy Spirit

a. Made holy by the Holy Spirit (ἐν ἁγιασμῷ πνεύματος) through obedience and acceptance of the work of Christ. (εἰς ὑπακοὴν καὶ ῥαντισμὸν αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ·)

(1 Peter 1:2)

1 Peter 1:2 NLT

2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.

4- Given a new birth by his mercy which is guaranteed by the resurrection of Christ. (1 Peter 1:3).

1 Peter 1:3 NLT

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,

5- An inheritance is guaranteed to the believer. (1 Peter 1:4)

1 Peter 1:4 NLT

4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

6- Divine protection is given to the believer through faith (1 Peter 1:5)

1 Peter 1:5 NLT

5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

7- Joy is available to the Christian in the middle of distress. (1 Peter 1:6-9)

1 Peter 1:6–9 NLT

6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

CONCLUSION:

Questions to Ponder:

What does Peter say about the inheritance that believers have?

How does Peter illustrate the relationship between joy and trials in a Christian’s life?

In what way does Peter emphasize God’s choice of believers in 1 Peter 1:2?

Why is it important that the letter was sent during a time of persecution?