1st Peter (Introduction)
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written between 64-68 AD (NERO)
Nero blamed the great fire of rome on Christians, when in reality, he likely started the fire himself to make space for a new palace he built shortly after the fire
Persecutions throughout the empire followed (persecutions happened many times over the first few centuries by different emperors)
...To get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Chrestians[61] by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus… thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judæa,… but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. - Tacitus (Roman historian)
It was during this time that Peter wrote his epistle to essentially the churches in Asia Minor (he mentions several cities, all in asia minor)
Peter and Paul both died under these persecutions
Sometimes we think we have it bad here in America due to things in the news or various other things but sometimes we need to step back and think about how it could be
Sometimes it seems like Christians are kind of being persecuted or looked down upon today, but it’s nowhere near the same and is basically nothing in comparison
even in today’s world, God has blessed us all by putting us in America
freedom
opportunity
luxuries like A/C, heat, vehicles or access to vehicles
compare current day america to what things were like in the persecutions under nero for the Christians
However, there are some countries where people really are going through heavy and deadly persecution, sometimes quite shockingly
many places in the middle east, many places in africa
people are still being killed, tortured, and jailed in the world today, sometimes it can be easy to forget that when we live in relative safety in America
Peter’s epistle is written to the churches in Asia Minor who are suffering over this persecution to encourage and advice them on how to deal with the persecution
Peter had such a transformation through the gospels to what he is now
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
walking on the water moment
the trial of Jesus
Peter is a very relatable character in the gospels, but we see the transformation he made, from this “sinful man” to a man who spread the gospel in many places and helped to build the early church
this goes to show that we can all have transformations through Christ into a totally different person just like Peter
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the 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.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Peter starts off by reminding those who have been persecuted what the truly important things are
1st - he reminds them of God’s mercy, that He loves them in the first place
2nd - peter reminds them of the HOPE that they have, that through Christ, they have a lively hope, a living hope, a hope for a life beyond this one
that there is more to look forward to, and not to put all your stock into this life
not only is there another life that is perfect, eternal, and incorruptible
reserved in heaven for YOU - the mercy of God is indescribable, that for each and every one of us, heaven would be reserved for us
imagine if you were in the persections of nero, or even a persecution today, what a comforting thought that would have been
it’s a comfort and blessing even just normally
Then we’re reminded that God made this available by faith, all we have to do is believe which is a blessing, because we could never make it on our own
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:
Peter describes faith to be much more valuable than gold, and it truly is, our faith is the greatest thing we have, we are saved by faith, we have a relationship with God through our faith, it’s by far more valuable than any other thing in our life
Peter talks about the trial of their faith being tried with fire
we see here an indication of the persecutions that were going on, being tried with fire gives us a even more of a picture on what was going on
Peter reminds them that their continued faith in the face of adversity will be rewarded at the appearing of Christ
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
we all have cause to rejoice with this joy unspeakable and full of glory
have we lost sight of things?
are we too focused on this world?
are we too focused on things?
we are talking about the salvation of our souls! we are talking about the eternal, and we are given God’s grace for free
we should ask ourselves, why can’t we be more like Paul and Silas?
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
even in an awful time, Paul and Silas praised God, and we can do the same. that’s what Peter is talking about in his epistle
when we suffer, we can relate with Jesus, because Jesus suffered in many ways, He was rejected by much of His family and neighborhood, people thought He was wrong, He even went through much physical pain
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated.
11 They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings and the glories that would follow.
12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things.
Peter talks about how the OT prophets who prophesied about Christ and how they searched in the Spirit for the answers to when Christ would come, suffer, then bring glory into the world
in v12 Peter is getting across to the Christians in His day that “Hey, the old prophets would have loved to have seen the effects of Christ’s suffering in the world.
He even says the angels desire to look into these things
what Peter is saying applies to us too, of course, we are so blessed, moreso than we can even comprehend, and Peter is telling us some things to remind us just how lucky we are
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
gird up the loins of your mind - be strong, be courageous, be ready, and have some don’t be lazy
be sober - be of serious mind and focused - don’t just mess around all your life - be serious about your faith
hope to the end - persevere and keep your hope and faith alive - because we never know when Christ might return, as Peter says here
as obedient children - when we join the family of God, we become a child of the King, therefore as a child, we should be obedient, following His commands
former lusts in ignorance - Christians are no longer ignorant now, so the sin is even worse than before if you do i t. it’s a knowing sin
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
When a parent raises a child, teaching is often best done by example. and God does this, as our heavenly Father, He asks us to be like Him, we "grow up” as Christians by spending time in the word, being close to God, and doing what He tells us to do
we are all held to the same standard, whether rich or poor yes, but also whether in peace or in suffering, whether it’s easy for some or hard for others, we are all held to a consistent standard
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
conversation = “manner of life”
remember how Jesus told the Jews of His day that they were elevating tradition of man above the Scripture? and how they threw out the Spirit of the law by doing this?
We weren’t redeemed with something corruptible or temporary, but by something eternal, something we can truly rest in, b y the once for all sacrifice of the perfect Christ
we can go on with our life doing what God wants us to do, and not always have to worry about sacrificing the next lamb or perform the next ceremony, we can rest and have peace
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
It’s been the plan from the beginning that Jesus would save us and redeem us all, He’s had us all in mind from the beginning
God gave us all the ultimate sign, raising Christ from the dead, how could we possibly ask for anything else to believe in?
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
we are told to love our brother in many places, this place says with a pure heart and “fervently” or intensely.
to really and truly care about our brethren, to be willing to help them if they need it, to be there for them
this is one reason a church can be so great, you ideally have a group of people who all care for one another and are there for one another
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Peter reiterates how man’s lives and man’s glory is just like a blade of grass, it withers and it fades
it’s like a puff of smoke it disappears and is gone like nothing ever happened
look how many people have lived and died just since Jesus was around, many people from all over the world have died and are long forgotten
but the person in Christ will live on forever in glory with Christ in heaven
what better could we ask for?
We talked about how Peter wrote this letter to people who were suffering and under severe persecution but that they could have hope, and this is why
we have heaven to look forward to, we have the Holy Spirit of God inside of us, we can pray and God will listen, we have hope of a life beyond this one
we just have to remember that God is indeed with us, all the time, and that our trials WILL pass
and even in our trials, they make us better people, and through suffering, we can relate to Christ, because He also suffered
“Trials, which most men regard as evils to be avoided, should be accepted joyfully by Christians; since it is by overcoming difficulties that moral progress is achieved.”
We should always keep these encouraging things in mind as well
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.