Peter's Postscript
Notes
Transcript
This morning we come to an end of our study of 1 Peter. What a blessing this study has been. I hope all of us have come to a better understanding of this letter Peter wrote to the church scattered across Asia Minor.
I know this morning is supposed to be a review, but I also didn’t want to leave off the last three verses in the book either. So thankfully the way Peter closes the letter it provides us a way to continue our exposition of verses 12-14 while at the same time review some of the main themes of the letter.
Let’s being by reading the last three verses.
By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
I. Peter’s Message
I. Peter’s Message
A. Carried by Sylvanus (Silas)
A. Carried by Sylvanus (Silas)
As Peter closes his letter he closes noting the help he had in the delivering of this message to the churches. He points to Sylvanus as one who has helped him in this endeavor to get this message to the elect exiles and sojourners.
As you study this if you have not already you will realize that most commentators agree that Sylvanus was the one who delivered the message although it is possible for him to have written it as Peter’s secretary or amanuensis. However, we don’t find enough evidence to land on that view, and Peter makes the statement I have written to you briefly.
Also, I don’t believe that is the reason added Sylvanus to his post script. He did not put him there so that we could debate whether he wrote the letter of carried the letter. If we just follow the flow of the text we can see why he added this not about Sylvanus.
Notice what he says,
5:12b By Sylvanus,
a faithful brother, as I regard him,
Peter closes by reminding the churches that he has a brother in gospel ministry that he can count on. Sylvanus has stuck with the brothers, faithfully serving the Lord Jesus Christ and he continues to do so in the delivering of this message. Sylvanus was not only a faithful brother to Peter, but Paul also consistently recognized him as well.
as I regard him,
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes.
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,
1 Thessalonians
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Thessalonians
Do you see it, Sylvanus was not one of the twelve, but he was on who the twelve could count in the midst of their gospel proclaiming and church planting. The LORD used him in a way in which was not only a blessing and a help to the apostle/elders/missionaries but He used Sylvanus in a way to bless and build His church.
What can we learn from not only Peter commendation of Sylvanus, but Peter’s entire letter about the importance of faithful partners in the gospel?
Even though we may not be the one who is the most well known, we may not have the notoriety, or even think that our ministry is not that important we need to realize we are doing what God has designed us to do.
you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter
Who is being built up into a spiritual house? You yourselves
How important is every stone in a building? Very!
What are you being built into? A holy priesthood,
What are you being built up to do? To offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ!
Seeing the importance of Sylvanus to the gospel ministry of Peter and Paul should remind us,
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:
Every member of the body of Christ has the same status,
A Chosen race,
A Royal Priesthood,
A Holy Nation,
A People for God’s own possession. Why,
That we may proclaim Him!
Some may proclaim him by preaching the gospel,
some may proclaim him by printing the gospel message,
Some may proclaim him by carrying the letter,
Some may proclaim Him by sharing the gospel at work,
Some may proclaim Him by supporting those who preach,
Do you get the point? Sylvanus shows us that we all have a vital role to play in God’s church there are no second class Christians in God’s economy!
Now, we see the help Peter had delivering this message, next notice the
B. Pastoral Intent of the Message
B. Pastoral Intent of the Message
I have written briefly to you,
Peter writes, I didn’t have time to write out an entire systematic theology, but in this brief letter there are certain truths, doctrines, and teaching that are vital to your walk as a sojourner.
What Peter is about to remind us of is a practical and doctrinal summary of his letter in just a short sentence. Peter explains to his reader I have done two things in this short letter, I have written, first of all,
exhorting - to urge strongly, appeal, urge, exhort, encourage (BDGAG)
As you think back over this letter what are some of the exhortations Peter has given these exiles and sojourners?
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
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,
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
I Peter 5:6
In this brief letter has Peter exhorted the church to do some things? What is the primary context of all of these imperatives? Gospel-centered suffering!
Now Peter did not just write a short letter filled with exhortations, but also with declarations. He writes,
I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Do you remember any declarations in the letter of 1 Peter regarding the grace of God?
declaring
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 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.
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,
that this is the true grace of God.
knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
1 Peter 1:18
He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1 Peter 1:20
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 2:
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
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.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Peter wrote many exhortations or imperatives, but they were all rooted in the declarations of indicatives. Peter’s entire letter is can be summed up into these two groups the exhortations which lead us to holiness that all flow out of his gospel declarations.
Peter closes verse 12 reminding us with a reminder of what we are to in light of these gospel declarations of the grace of God.
Stand firm in it.
Even we the suffering is almost unbearable, when affliction comes, in the midst of fiery trials we are to stand firm, remain steadfast in the grace of God. We are to not sway from the truth of God’s salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone by His grace alone, for His glory alone. If we stand firm on this truth and when trial come we continue to entrust ourselves to Jesus, looking to Him the author and finisher of our faith we will rejoice with a joy inexpressible and filled with glory.
We will lovingly submit to those in authority.
We will love Jesus more even though we do not now see Him!
We will love one another earnestly with a pure heart.
You may ask what do you mean looking to Jesus. When testing and temptation come, set your mind on Him. Think about who Jesus is...
He is the Son of God
He is the Son of Man
He is the Lamb of God
He is the Second Person of the Godhead
He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah
He is the Risen King.
He is the Reigning King.
He is the One who died on the cross in the stead of ruined sinners like me an you. He suffered, bled, and died so that we won’t have to. He recieved the wrath of God in order that we might receive the righteousness of God!
Through all of this He did not sin, and you, along with all who would believe are chosen, saved, justified, sanctified, and will be glorified in Him! Now what does that do to our temptation to sin against Him, to our propensity to whine in the midst of suffering? It may not eliminate it completely but it sure ought to help us to start putting it to death.
II. Peter’s Gospel Partners
II. Peter’s Gospel Partners
13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen sends you greetings,
who is likewise chosen,
sends you greetings,
Who is Peter talking about here? Who is he referring to as she who is at Babylon?
Notice first of all, she is likewise chosen. How does Peter begin his letter?
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles…Peter then has a message to the chosen from those who are chosen. In other words, Peter sends greeting from a local church to local churches scattered throughout Asia.
What about Babylon? Do you think Peter is talking about a local church in the ancient city of Babylon in Mesopotamia? It is highly unlikely, for a couple of reasons. First, this city was of little importance at this time, secondly there is no evidence of Peter every being there.
What does Babylon often represent? A worldly, sinful, powerful city. During Peter’s day where would that have been? Rome, the place where it is understood that Peter wrote this letter from.
How important do you think it was for Peter to let these scattered churches know that the church at Rome was thinking of them, praying for them, and sending them greetings! We ought to consider that as we think of churches we partner with or churches we plant. We ought to always be mindful of our brothers and sisters around the world, sending them greetings, love, and even resources if we are able.
Not only did the church where Peter was send greetings, but Peter’s protege did as well.
and so does Mark, my son.
When you here Peter talk about his son Mark, what relationship in the Scriptures comes to mind? Maybe Paul and Timothy?
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Timothy
After all that Peter and Mark have been through, what an encouragement it is to here him call him his son, his child in the faith. They are still together, they are still serving alongside one another. They are working together to spread the gospel, to strengthen local churches, and sanctify those who have been born again!
How much of an encouragement is it to you, to us as a body to see men and women who have true gospel centered relationships stand the test of time. To see men and women who have served together, struggled together, maybe even been providentially separated, but who stay closely connected in the gospel ministry?
We must never forget the church is a relational body. She is a living breathing, worshipping assembly of believers who are bound together by the blood of Christ. When we get a hold of that truth we will constantly be reminded of the importance of always pursing peace and unity with one another.
This brings us to,
III. Peter’s Main Point
III. Peter’s Main Point
A. Be Loving Towards One Another
A. Be Loving Towards One Another
14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.
I want us to be careful here, I am not advocating us running around kissing one another, the culture is a little different today. In other countries it may still be OK, but here in the USA you might get into trouble. Now if you are the person are comfortable with it go ahead, but be careful.
with the kiss of love.
I think what Peter is trying to communicate is that our relationship as the body of Christ ought to be noticeably different than any other relationship we have. We ought to show more affection to those who are in Christ, than we do to anyone else. Now how we display that depends on the context, the closeness of the relationship, and the comfort level between you and the other person.
Peter has already written in this letter that above all we are to love one another, and that affection, care, and concern for the body of Christ should cause us to be excited to see one another, and display that in the way we greet one another!
However, more important than greeting one another with the kiss of love we must,
B. Be at Peace in Christ
B. Be at Peace in Christ
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
who are in Christ.
Peter goes back to his point about unity in the body, he closes the letter with a declaration, which could also be a exhortation. Peter proclaims that all who are in Christ would be at peace. That the church would be at peace, that there wold be a spirit of unity, and calmness. A lack of division and divisiveness within us as individuals and the church as a body. And ultimately that there would be peace with God.
Scot McKnight writes, the term “peace” in 5:14 should be defined as God’s salvation and the consequences it brings. No matter how much we might like terms like this to mean something vitally relevant to our political, business, or social situation, it is important for modern interpreters to let the text say what it said and not ask it to say more than it did. McKnight, S. (1996). 1 Peter (p. 281). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
McKnight, S. (1996). 1 Peter (p. 281). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
Spurgeon explains,
McKnight, S. (1996). 1 Peter (p. 281). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
Spurgeon Commentary: 1 Peter Exposition
This blessing is given to all in Christ Jesus, but to none else. “There is no peace,” says Yahweh, “for the wicked” (Isa 48:22). Restlessness here, and woe forever, are the portion of those who are out of Christ. O Lord, let none in this household remain without faith in Jesus.
As we think about the letter of 1 Peter, if I were going to write a summary statement it would be something like this,
Peter wrote to a suffering church in order to declare the gospel of God, that they might be strengthened in their faith in Jesus Christ, be sanctified by the Word and Spirit, while at the same time remaining steadfast in their love for Christ and His church.
Scot McKnight’s summary statement or central message reads,
The NIV Application Commentary: 1 Peter Bridging Contexts
You must remain faithful to Jesus Christ, in spite of your social condition and its potential dangers, by living obediently and in community with one another. This is the message we want to relate to our world, even though at times it may be difficult to do so.