1st Peter 3:13-22 Class #7

REVIEW

1) What is our duty as sojourners and pilgrims in this world? Why? (2:11-12)

- Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul

- Conduct ourselves honorably among the Gentiles

- That they might glorify God in the day of visitation because of our good works

2) How did Jesus suffer wrongly and bear it patiently? (2:22-23)

- He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth

- When reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten

- He committed Himself to God who judges righteously

3) What should be the focus of their adornment (3:4)

- The hidden person of the heart: the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit

4) How are we to respond when mistreated by brethren? Why? (3:9)

- With blessing; we were called to so respond, that we may inherit a blessing

5) What proscription is offered for those who would love life and see good days? (3:10-11)

- Refrain the tongue from evil, the lips from speaking deceit

- Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it

OBJECTIVES

3) To see how one should prepare for persecution, motivated by the example of Christ

SUMMARY

Peter then turns to the theme of suffering for righteousness’ sake. In most circumstances, no one will harm you for doing good. If one suffers for doing good, they are blessed (cf. 2:19-20; 4:14). To prepare for persecution, one should sanctify the Lord God in their heart and be ready to meekly provide the reason for their hope. With clear conscience and good conduct, those who defame and revile them will likely be ashamed. If it is God’s will that they suffer, let it be for doing good and not evil (13-17).

OUTLINE

III.OUR DUTIES AS SUFFERERS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE (13-22)

A. THINGS TO REMEMBER (13-17)

1 Peter 3:13–17 ESV

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 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, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

13) What is the general principle regarding persecution? (13)

- If you do good, you will not be harmed

14) What is said of those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake? (14)

- They are blessed

15) How should one prepare themselves for possible persecution? (15-16)

- Sanctify the Lord God in your heart - Be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for your hope - Have a good conscience

Should we be prepared for persecution? If so in what ways ought we prepare?

16) If we maintain good conduct, what will happen to those who defame and revile us? (16)

- They will be ashamed

17) If we suffer according to God’s will, what is better? (17)

- To suffer for doing good than for doing evil

OBJECTIVES

4) To note how and in what way baptism now saves us

SUMMARY

To appreciate how suffering for righteousness’ sake can be for good, Peter relates how Jesus suffered for our sins. Though put to death in the flesh, Jesus was made alive by the Spirit (cf. Ro 1:4), in which He preached to spirits in prison who were disobedient in the days of Noah, and ultimately exalted at the right hand of God with angels, authorities and powers made subject to Him. Alluding to the example of Noah’s salvation, Peter says baptism now saves us as an appeal for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (18-22).

OUTLINE

III.OUR DUTIES AS SUFFERERS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE (13-22)

B. REASONSTOREMEMBER(18-22)

1 Peter 3:18–22 ESV

18 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, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

18) Who also suffered for righteousness’ sake? For what reason? (18)

- Christ, the just for the unjust - For sins, that He might bring us to God

What type of things have you suffered for being a Christian?

19) Though put to death in the flesh, what was He able to do by the Spirit? (18-19)

- Preach to the spirits in prison

20) When were such “spirits” disobedient? (20)

- In the days of Noah, during the longsuffering of God

- While the ark was preparing

21) Of what is the salvation of eight souls through water a “type”? (21)

- Baptism which now saves us

Should the Churches of Christ stop teaching the necessity of Baptism for salvation? Why?

22) How does baptism not save us? How does it save us? (21)

- Not by the removal of the filth of the flesh - As the answer (or plea) of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus

23) What was the final outcome of Jesus who suffered for righteousness’ sake? (22)

- He has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God - Angels, authorities, and powers have been made subject to Him

What has been your take away from this lesson you could share with others?