The Book of 1 Peter

Introduction

Suffering has a way of shaking people to their core. From the very earliest days of Christianity, suffering and persecution have been factors for the faith of Christians. For some, the suffering has weakened them, for others, it has strengthened their resolve.

Nik Rypken, author of several books on missions and persecution.

Somalia - communion with four new believers

a few weeks later - those four Somali believers were killed

threats abounded - many Christian agencies left

a kill list was published - including some muslims

Nik went to the local leaders to clear the names of some of his muslim employees

He asked about why they publish a list knowing that there are probably only 40-50 believers in the whole country? - to drive the westerners out - and it worked.

many Christian agencies left at that time out of fear of what would happen to the new believers if they stayed.

Some remained to continue the work, but persecution remained.

Background

Persecution and suffering was a major factor for the believers to whom Peter was writing.

1 Peter 1:1 ESV

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

These Christians had been scattered because of persecution.

It’s likely that Peter wrote this letter from Rome as a means of encouraging the faith of these believers in what is now the Eastern Turkey.

There were pressures from a pagan, poly-theistic culture.

Some of these Christians were slaves to pagan masters. Some of these were women who were married to pagan husbands.

So, as Peter writes this book, he writes it with the suffering and persecution of these believers clearly in mind.

As he begins, rather than simply telling them to deal with the bad situation, he seems to encourage his readers (including us) to...

Persevere with a proper perspective (1 Peter 1:3-2:12)

Peter seems to want to help us get our minds in a proper place so that we can endure persecution properly.

He begins with a beautiful prayer that is full of all of the richness that we have in Christ.

1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV

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, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Think about it like this - what have you been saved from? What have you been saved to? If you salvation is only a fire escape from hell, then you are selling your salvation short. If you think that you are saved into a peace-filled, easy life, then you’ve been duped.

But Peter reminds us that we’ve been saved:

to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ - this is not a hope that is based on wishes or myths, but based on the factual resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Because of that, we have no reason to fear death, we have no reason to be afraid.

to an inheritance that is ...

imperishable - our eternal inheritance is not something that will rot or decay - it is ever-lasting

undefiled - our inheritance is pure - not diluted with the carnal implications of this world.

unfading - our eternal inheritance is as vibrant now as it was when it was promised

kept in heaven…guarded by God’s power -

Let’s consider this in light of inheritances that we might experience now. One of the things that I love to do while I mow the grass is to listen to the Ric Edelman Show - he talks a lot about investing, planning for the future, etc. If I have a hundred dollars today that I want to give my kids in 40 years, by the time they receive it, the inheritance will be faded and diminished by inflation. It’s not worth nearly as much then as it is now - so we invest for the future in the hope that it will grow.

I was given a very nice guitar several years ago. If I want my kids to have it in 40 years as an inheritance, they will have to recognize that it may fade, crack, weaken over time.

Every inheritance that we may want to give or receive here on earth, has value, but it also is under the risk of perishing because of market volatility, theft, decay, or even simply inflation. But our eternal inheritance through Jesus Christ is secure and sure.

So he not only reminds us of our sure inheritance, but Peter also seems to echo James’ comments on the purpose of persecution...

1 Peter 1:6–9 ESV

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 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. 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, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The persecution, suffering, trials that we encounter are refining instruments - testing the genuineness of our faith, testing our hope - which we have to remember is secure.

I think part of what Peter is doing here is pressing reset on the minds of his readers. He is helping them to recalibrate their thinking.

Do you remember when GPS systems first came out? You would put in your destination and it would help you navigate to where you are going. If you missed a turn, the computer voice would blare “recalculating” and try to re-route you.

I think part of what Peter is doing is that recalculating. Imagine if you are being beaten for your faith or you’re being criticized or ridiculed because of your faith - everything in your mind might lead you to think - this is wrong, I must be wrong if I’m experiencing this pain.

Peter is helping us take our minds off of the pain and onto the prize.

So he continues

1 Peter 1:13–16 ESV

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, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

So Peter is urging them to be mentally prepared for what is ahead.

He seems to be urging them to set their hope in the future over the present - recognizing that there are battles that they must be willing to lose.

for some of us, this is a very difficult thing. There are some who have a personality that is all about justice and rights. We want to stand up for our rights, for what is right, for the rights of others. I’m grateful that here in America we have certain rights. But we must be willing to have our rights be trampled for the sake of the gospel.

1 Peter 2:1 ESV

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

I know it’s difficult to let things go. I know it’s tough to avoid lashing out in slander against someone who has offended you.

(illustration?)

But Peter is also reminding them of their new, true identity - It’s not about being a Jew or Gentile, a Galatian, Cappadocian, Asian, American - it’s about being God’s people

1 Peter 2:9–10 ESV

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.

Beloved - pay attention to who we truly are. It’s not about our Passport or citizenship papers - those can be burned and revoked. It’s not about some exceptionalism. It’s about who we are in Christ.

a chosen people - not because we deserved anything - but because God loved us and chose us. There are all sorts of conversations today around the idea of race. In fact, if we were to go back and look at where studies of race have originated, they came out of a desire to find biological reasons to prove one ethnicity or people group is more important than others - based on biological factors. But here, in Christ, we are chosen not by our skin color, nation of origin, social status, or political leanings, but chosen by God’s grace. We are not better, we are simply saved - for a purpose (but we’ll get to that in just a moment).

a royal priesthood - we are priestly, religious servants of the King of Kings.

a holy nation - we are a nation without borders, set apart and distinct from the people around us. We should react differently, talk differently, act with compassion, give generously to those in need.

a people for his own possession - God’s people

We are all these things for a purpose - that we might “proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

This is why it is so damaging and offensive when celebrity pastors, popular Christian leaders, and well known Christians act in ways that are contrary to the ways of God.

With the SBC Annual meeting coming up this week, there are news media outlets that are looking closely and examining how baptist will act. There have been articles about leaked letters, bullying, name calling and more - all things that are unbecoming of Christians. As Christians, we have to remember that our brothers and sisters in Christ are just as prone to sin as we are. But that is also why we have to pay attention to what Peter says next...

1 Peter 2:11–12 ESV

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.

As Andrew and Zoe and I head to the convention this week, I don’t have a great deal confidence that people will act honorably - there is a lot of America in us - but you and I can only control our actions, speech, conduct.

When people speak or act against us - we must fight every urge to react according to our carnal passions - and trust that God is sovereign and in control.

I realize that we’ve only just considered the first couple of chapters of 1 Peter and we still have three to go - but I think Peter does something quite profound here as he helps us to set our perspective in the right place.

Beloved, your eternal inheritance is secure. You have been saved into a living hope that is unfading. Your identity is no longer bound up in your birthplace or citizenship or residence - but in Christ.

Because of that - we get to live by different standards, which is what Peter gets to next as he reminds us that...

Submission is the godly way to persevere (1 Peter 2:13-4:19)

Now, if you’re anything like me, you’re probably thinking - what!!!! Submit? That doesn’t seem like a way to persevere anything. But when you consider the fact that we live by different values, we live by different standards, we are citizens of the “upside down” kingdom, submission is the godly way to persevere.

Peter describes several different scenarios where submission is the proper response to the persecution that we endure.

First of all he mentions:

Governing Authorities

1 Peter 2:13–17 ESV

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 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.

Keep in mind that Peter was writing to people who were living in a country where the emperor was essentially an autocrat and considered a deity. They also worshiped a pantheon of Roman gods. To be a person who worshiped only one God and that was outside of the emperor - was treasonous. So Peter is not saying to deny God or Christ, but to live within the guidance of the governing authorities where one could do so and not dishonor God.

As Christians in America, one of the big challenges that we have to navigate is the balance between our “unalienable rights” as humans and our ability to act as good citizens. We saw this in big ways through the pandemic as we felt like government was over-reaching in their mandates and guidances. And yet I think it’s in those things Peter is saying - submit.

I think this also would include willingly submitting to punishment for our religious beliefs. Believers all around the world can be imprisoned, beaten, or killed for their faith. First century Christian gatherings were seen as anti-Roman.

Notice that Peter says we should live as servants of God - not in a proud way, but in a humble way.

But Peter also adds in being subject to...

Bosses or Masters (1 Peter 2:18-25)

For first century Christians, many of them were considered slaves and were required to worship the god’s of their owners/masters. Those who refuse would be beaten and oppressed. Yet, living in humble submission, acting with grace toward their masters gave them the freedom to love and serve as Christ did. Jesus is our ultimate example.

1 Peter 2:21–24 ESV

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 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.

But then, after talking about the workplace, Peter brings things close to home as he encourages wives to submit...

To husbands (1 Peter 3:1-6)

As we read this, we need to put ourselves back into the cultural context of the first century believer. In their time, women had no rights. They were barely better than slaves. Men were encouraged to be unfaithful and abuse was almost expected. Part of what made Jesus so appealing to so many women is that he treated them with dignity and respect. He saw them as equal image bearers of God. They had different roles, but bore the image of God equally. So Peter’s admonition to submission is not an endorsement of the cultural standard, but rather focused on a higher perspective.

1 Peter 3:1–4 ESV

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, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

Since the message of the gospel was so popular among women, many of the women listening to Peter’s message would have been married to men who were not Christians - not unlike some of you.

So imagine this - as a first century woman, before you became a Christian - you wind up in an arranged marriage with a man. You begin a family, but like all other men, he begins to cheat on you and maybe even beat you. You don’t have much to say. But you might begin to make passive aggressive comments or yell or bicker with him. Maybe you slam doors or even hit. The anger is mounting. It may be justified, but there is not happiness in the home.

Then, one of your friends invites you to a gathering of these “Christians.” You hear about Jesus, his message of love and hope. You hear about how he treated women - with respect, love, and gentleness. You hear that he even died for what he taught about God’s ways. You learn that his death was more than a capital punishment case, but it was a spiritual redemption - what he did was for you. So you receive God’s free gift of salvation found in Jesus Christ and then you begin to submit. You begin to live according to the rules of this upside down Kingdom.

Back at home, instead of responding to your husbands actions with anger and revenge, you respond with love and service. You begin to embody Jesus’ teachings.

Your husband begins to notice. Maybe he doesn’t yell as much. Maybe he doesn’t cheat. Maybe he doesn’t stop any of those behaviors. Maybe he joins you in these gatherings and begins to see why you’ve changed. He begins to see the hope that you have. Maybe, by God’s grace, he too becomes a follower of Christ.

I think this is why Peter is urging wives to submit to their husbands. He’s not a misogynist or a chauvinist, he’s following Jesus’ example. He’s trying to help us see how living Jesus’ way can make a huge difference.

Then, finally, Peter...

urges husbands to be gentle (1 Peter 3:7)

1 Peter 3:7 ESV

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.

Men - he is urging us to be the kind of men that our wives would want to submit to. Your relationship with your wife affects your spiritual life. Live in such a way so that both are healthy.

Looking in a more general sense, Peter continues to urge all of us to...

Steward what we have and show hospitality even in the midst of persecution (1 Peter 3:8-4:19)

Let’s consider a few things that Peter writes in this big section.

1 Peter 3:8–9 ESV

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Notice the attitude that we are encouraged to embody - unity, sympathy, love, tenderness, humility. How are we doing in exhibiting those attributes? When facing persecution or suffering, how are we doing in exhibiting those attributes?

What is the American way?

What is the godly way?

Later on, Peter writes:

1 Peter 4:7–9 ESV

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Peter returns to these topics of self-control and sober-mindedness. What we think should impact how we act - how we love - how we show hospitality.

Finally, Peter addresses the leaders of the congregations, stating that...

Elders should be humble shepherds, not onerous leaders (1 Peter 5:1-14)

When you think about how civil leaders lead and rule, what is their attitude or frame of mind? In the first century, any little bit of authority would have been a power trip. Not so among leaders in the church...

1 Peter 5:2–4 ESV

shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Again - we have the upside-down nature of the kingdom of God at play. Leaders should humbly serve.

Now every elder is just as prone to stumble as anyone else. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23), but elders in the church should seek to model the attitudes and actions that every Christian should embody - namely humility.

1 Peter 5:5–7 ESV

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, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Conclusion

I know that as citizens of America, we have certain rights. We have freedom to worship and gather, we are allowed to live out the faith into which we have been saved. There is a part of 1 Peter that may feel irrelevant to us today - we don’t experience the persecution that our first century brothers and sisters experienced - or even the persecution that other Christians face around the world.

But do you remember what Peter called his readers?

Elect Exiles

You and I are chose people who live in a land that is not our own. We may have been born here are chosen to make America our home, but we have to recognize that as America changes morally, we will feel more and more like exiles - out of place in this land.

Peter’s encouragement to get our thinking right (think on our inheritance, our identity) and then to act properly (submitting, stewarding) is a good exhortation for us.

Memory Verse: 1 Peter 3:15

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

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,