I have spent 5 years in mission work in the West Indies and South America. I have preached mainly part time for 40 years, much of that time while working with a full time job in Christian education. I am currently at Madison Academy in Huntsville, Alabama and serving as a shepherd at the Monrovia Church of Christ. God has blessed me with a wife and 3 grown children (and their families) who are much more loving than I am!
1 Peter 3:1 In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your pure and respectful behavior. 3 Your adornment must not be merely the external—braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel; 4 but it should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this way the holy women of former times, who hoped in God, also used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; and you have proved to be her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.“
“In the same way”: the same way as what? As 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh.” Another example of how Christians should respect and obey authority, whether it be masters over slaves, or the government. The emphasis is on obeying authority even if the authority is harsh or evil or mean or. oppressive. Paul taught that wives were to be submissive to their husbands. Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” But what if the husband is mean and verbally abuses her?Wives should be subject to their husbands even if they are disobedient to the word, i.e. non Christian. Imagine a first century woman becomes a Christian but her husband is a pagan who worships idols and mistreats her. Can she just up and leave? Should she brow-beat him constantly with the word of God telling him how evil he is? Nope. Be subject to, respectful to your husband. Have a gentle and quiet spirit. Be modest in your dress and jewelry. Imagine a vain wife who wears expensive clothes and jewelry, who spends hours beautifying herself, and then she nags at her husband about him not being a Christian. That’s the picture here. Sarah is the example of a submissive, respectful wife. She followed Abraham from Ur, leaving whatever family she had there. When God called Abraham to leave Haran, she followed apparently without questioning his actions. She was a submissive wife for 62 years, moving around Canaan without ever owning any of the land God promised Abraham, apparently never complaining. What’s even worse, she was humiliated when Abraham lied to Pharoah, telling him that Sarah was his sister in order to save his own life. God intervened and stopped Pharoah from keeping her, but how in the world did she continue to respect and be submissive to her cowardly husband. To make it worse, Abraham repeated the same lie later with Abimelech the Philistine. But Sarah stayed submissive to Abraham. I suppose she never even tried to tell Pharoah or Abimelech that she was Abraham’s wife and not his sister. Again, the theme of obeying authority even if the authority does not deserve respect, just like servants with harsh masters. Sarah, like Abraham had her bad moments, like when she got Abraham to have a child by Hagar, like when she drove Hagar and Ishmael out to the consternation of Abraham, like when she laughed at the 3 angels announcing the birth of Isaac. Sarah becomes the example for all wives of times. On a side note, does vs 3 mean that Christian wives cannot braid their hair or wear gold jewelry? Throw in 1 Timothy 2:9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire.” They can’t wear pearls or expensive clothes. Actually this looks like a pretty clear command! Women in the Pentecostal Church are not allowed to wear jewelry. They take the command to be obeyed literally. Most Christians take it to mean just don’t be excessive or vain in dress or jewelry. It’s kinda funny how my church always picked and chose which commands are to be taken literally and which can be obeyed in some other way. Like foot washing. Jesus said, John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” That sounds like a clear command, and yet most churches do not teach it as a command for us today (although they would allow it). They say the command was “cultural” and can be fulfilled in other ways than washing feet, such as humbly serving others. Or the command, 2 Corinthians 13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.” They say that was cultural and we don’t have to obey that literally. You can obey it by shaking hands or a hug. Or the women wearing a veil when praying or prophesying aloud in an audience with men present. Some women in my church do take that literally and they wear a little doily in the assembly, but most say our women don’t have to obey that command literally. I’ll leave the women’s clothes and jewelry up to you ladies! It does make you question how my church could act so judgmental about which commands should be obeyed literally and which don’t have to be. My church would say that churches who don’t take the Lord’s Supper every week are apostate, disobedient churches, and yet the scriptures they use to support their arguments for weekly Lord’s Supper observance are less clear than the commands to foot wash or not wear jewelry. Again, they just “pick and chose” which commands to obey literally.
1 Peter 3:7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.” Paul taught husbands: Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Peter adds another element: “live with your wife in an understanding way since she is weaker since she is a woman”. “Since she is a woman” tells you that the “weaker” is referring to, in general, that the woman is not as strong physically as the man. Most women can’t protect themselves like a man can (there are always exceptions). Women are designed by God to have the emotional makeup to have and nurse babies, which might leave them a little more vulnerable to be taken advantage of than men (Eve was deceived by Satan but Adam was not). Is that part of the “weaker” also? Husband should understand the limitations of their wives as women and take care of them. As Paul said, “nourish and cherish them” in their needs as the weaker sex. If you don’t, your prayers will be hindered!
1 Peter 3:8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing. 10 For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against evildoers.”
Wow! What a summary of the traits every Christian should have! As I read vs 8, I am thinking, “how loving, compassionate, etc. am I?” Do I really feel compassion when I see someone hurting or in need? Jesus is our example of compassion: Matthew 9:36-38J esus was moved with compassion for the crowds because they were scattered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 14:14 Jesus had compassion on the large crowd he saw when he landed and healed their sick.” Would people say that I am a “loving” Christian? Christians cannot retaliate or seek vengeance when wronged. Instead, bless those who. persecute you. Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Jesus even felt compassion for those who crucified him: “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing”. Seek peace and pursue it. Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” The eyes of the Lord are always watching his children like a father or mother constantly watches their children to keep them safe. God is compassionate toward his children. Psalm 103:13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.”
1 Peter 2:4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scriptures (Psalm 118:22-23): “Behold, I am laying in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone,
And the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers, “A stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief cornerstone,” 8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this they were also appointed.
A couple of other passages like this come to mind: 1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” These passages got me thinking about Matthew 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.” There is much debate over who or what the “rock” (petra) is that Jesus said he would build his church on. Is it Peter (petros) or is it the confession that Peter made that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. There is a big difference in the 2 Greek words petros and petra: 4074Pétros (a masculine noun) – properly, a stone (pebble), such as a small rock found along a pathway. 4074/Pétros (“small stone”) then stands in contrast to 4073/pétra (“cliff, boulder,” Abbott-Smith). It looks like Jesus would have used the same Greek word for Peter (petros) and rock (petra) if he meant they both referred to Peter. It could mean that Peter would be a significant apostle in establishing the church. He was the apostle to the Jews (Galatians 2). He would indeed use the “keys to the kingdom” when he preached the first gospel sermon in Acts 2, with 3,000 being baptized and becoming the first church, which is the kingdom of God on earth, which is the spiritual body of Christ, the saved. Thus he used the keys to open the door into the church kingdom. Even if that is what Jesus. meant, it would not mean that Peter was the head of the church, the first pope. Ephesians 4:11 lists the leadership positions of the early church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors (elders), and teachers. If a pope was the head of the church as Catholics claim, surely that would be included in Ephesians 4:11. Also in Galatians 2, Paul said that the “pillars” of the church in Jerusalem were Peter, James, and John. That puts those 3 men on the same level, which would not be true if Peter was the head of the church and the pope. Having said all that, the passages about Jesus being the cornerstone of the church makes me lean more to the rock being the confession that Peter made that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. That would certainly be a “cliff or boulder” (petra) to build the church on as opposed to a “small stone” (petros). Several scriptures point to Jesus being the chief cornerstone, which would be a large “rock”. If there is no other foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11), then how could the church be built on a man, Peter, instead of Jesus the cornerstone? So I think the rock is the confession of Peter that Jesus is the rock, the Son of God, that the church is built on.
Of course, we have to add the apostles and prophets in the foundation of the church: Ephesians 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” Here is a great image for that:
1 Pete 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
Vs 10 is the verse that makes many say that the letter of 1 Peter was written to Gentiles Christians who were scattered all over. That would be the only time “disapora” (1 Peter 1:1; James 1:1; John 7:35) ever referred to Gentiles. John 7:35 NAS: to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks”, which shows a clear distinction between the Jewish diaspora and the Gentiles. Vs 10 quotes Hosea 1:10; 2:25 where “you were once not a people but now you are the people of God”. Most commentaries would say that Hosea is referring to Gentiles, but that is not the context. The 2nd child of Hosea and Gomer was to be called “no mercy” (Hosea 1:6). The 3rd child was to be called “not my people” (Hosea 1:8). So those two names refer to apostate Israel and not Gentiles. Then Hosea 1:And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.” 11 And the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint for themselves one head.” The context would be the remnant of Judah and Israel that would believe in Jesus as the Messiah and thus no longer be called “no mercy” or “not my people”. The believing remnant would be called the children of God, the NT people of God. Hosea 2:1 Say to your brothers, “You are my people,” and to your sisters, “You have received mercy.” Hosea 2 tells how God will take back apostate Israel in the Messianic Age, just as Hosea was to take back his runaway wife Gomer. Hosea 2:23 And I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people’; and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’” Again the context is saving the remnant of Israel, not saving the Gentiles. Chapter 3 is a Messianic prediction. Hosea 3:And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” 2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. 3 And I said to her, “You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you.” 4 For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods. 5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.” Notice that the context is remnant Israel, not Gentiles. But what about Romans 9:22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’” 26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people, there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’” Is Paul here saying that Hosea 1-3 is referring to Gentiles who were not His people but now were called His people? I don’t think so. Notice that “not my people but now my people” includes Jew and Gentile believers (Romans 9:24). He is talking about the remnant of Israel, Romans 9:27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved”, which is what Hosea is predicting. Paul is simply saying that the Gentile believers will be included with the remnant of Israel to be saved in the church. He is not changing the original context of Hosea, which is not about Gentiles. So 1 Peter 2:10 is not an indication that 1 Peter was written to the Gentiles. 1 Peter 2:10 is referring to the remnant diaspora of Jewish Christians, just as Hosea did. It may sound like Hosea 1-3 and 1 Peter 2:10 are referring to Gentiles, but they don’t.
1 Peter 2:9 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession.” Who is this referring to? Again, it refers to the Jewish remnant who accepted Jesus as the Messiah and who became the first church. In the OT, it was the nation of Israel that were God’s chosen people, HIs holy nation. On Mt Sinai, God said to the Israelites, Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Deuteronomy 7:6: “For you [Israel] are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession” But in the new covenant Israel as a nation is no longer God’s chosen people or holy nation. Matthew 21:43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.” This verse makes it clear that as of 70 AD when he judged the rebellious, evil Jewish unbelievers that. Israel was no longer God’s holy nation or chosen people after 70 AD. In the new covenant, God’s chosen people and holy nation are the church, made up of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus, and not the whole nation of Israel. I guess I do believe in “replacement theology”: (AI) In Christianity, “replacement theology” or “supersessionism” is the belief that the Christian Church has superseded or replaced the Jewish people as God’s chosen people. This doctrine suggests that the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ has replaced the Old Covenant made with the Israelites”. This new covenant was actually made with the remnant of Israel (Hebrews 8:8 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah”) but would include Gentile believers also. The new covenant was made abailable to all Jews as the gospel was preached to the Roman Empire in the first century, to the Jew first and then to the Gentiles. But only believing Jews would be included in that new covenant. Only the remnant Jews would be forgiven of sins under the new covenant (Hebrews 8:10-12). God no longer has any special promises to the nation of Israel such as he did in the Old Testament. Of course, God wants all Jews today to accept Jesus and enjoy the blessings of the new covenant. I guess that is “replacement theology” that a lot of people today don’t like to hear. They want the entire nation to have a special place in God’s promises today even if they don’t believe in Jesus as the Messiah. If God rejected the nation (Matthew 21:43) in 70 AD, taking the nation away from Israel and giving it to the church nation, then why would God feel any different about all the Jews over in Israel today who, for the most part, reject Jesus as the Messiah?????????????
1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation.”
Since we are God’s holy nation, then our citizenship is a spiritual one, not an earthly one. Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” That makes us foreigners (paroikos: Sojourner, foreigner, stranger, alien) and strangers (parepidémos: Sojourner, stranger, exile, temporary resident) here on earth even though we are still citizens of whatever country we are in. My wife and I lived in Trinidad, West Indies and in Colombia, South America. We were “extranjeros” (foreigners) while living there b/c our citizenship was back in the U.S. That is how it is with our citizenship in heaven. While foreigners living in overseas, we did not buy property or plant roots deeply b/c we knew we would only be there for a few years. Christians should think the same way. Don’t plant your roots too deeply in this world. The song: This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through” says it all! So abstain from the lusts of this world which wage war against your soul and can keep you from receiving eternal life in heaven. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles. That again sounds like Jewish Christians among the Gentiles and that the letter is written to Jewish Christians. The Gentile pagans might slander you as evildoers (refer to the article 1 Peter 3:8-22 for more discussion of how the Gentiles accused the Christians (Jew or Gentile Christians) of being evil. Mainly they accused them of cannibalism (eating the flesh and blood of Jesus, atheism (b/c they didn’t believe in the Romans gods), and incest (b/c they called each other brothers and sisters). But in 70 AD, the “day of visitation”, God would show that the Jewish Christians were his chosen people and not the unbelieving Jews. They would take not of all the good deeds of the Jewish Christians and glorify God as they could then after 70 AD see God’s plan of salvation realized, no doubt drawing many Gentile Christians to join the Jewish Christians in the church. Honor Authority
1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God. Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
This section brings up an important point. If Christians feel that they can, b/c they are citizens of a spiritual nation, the church, rebel against the government or authorities on earth, then they will be slandered as evildoers. If they say they don’t have to pay taxes, then they will be slandered (and arrested). Matthew 17:24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” 26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” Technically, Jesus says, only citizens of the U.S. will pay federal income tax. You could argue that Christians are “free” from their government rules and taxes b/c our citizenship is in heaven and we are “foreigners”. But “to not give offense”, pay the taxes. That is, to not be slandered as rebellious citizens of the U.S., which is the exact context of 1 Peter 2. But what if the government is evil, such as the Roman government where the emperor claimed to be god. The general rule is that governments are from God to punish evildoers and to prevent anarchy. Paul elaborates on this in Romans 13:Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Paul’s command to not resist authorities was written during an evil Roman government, but the command to not resist sill applies. Of course, an evil government could be so evil that it presents a difficult choice for Christians. Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor in Germany as Hitler rose to poser. He advocated not resisting the government until he realized that Hitler was exterminating millions of Jews, gypsies, etc. He had a tough choice. He decided to resist and took part in a plot to assassinate Hitler which failed. I will not judge him for making that choice. Sometimes we have to break a law of God if the circumstances require it. But don’t use your Christian “freedom” as a covering for evil, i.e. as an excuse for rebelling against the government simply b/c you want to be free from the government. The American Revolution against England is interesting. Religious scholars say it was the providence of God leading George Washington and the rebels to rebel. But Romans 13 says that the colonies, most of whom claimed to be Christians, should not resist the government. Why did they resist King George? Not even b/c he will killing people in America like Hitler did, but b/c they didn’t like his tax without representation. Sounds to me like a forbidden resistance, at least for Christians, instead of a providential uprising and rebellion. I might have a few who disagree with that! Peter concludes this section: 1 Peter 2:17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.”Romans 13:7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Those are the guiding principles of how Christians should react with the governments in the countries they live in, which might be difficult in some evil, atheistic or Islamic countries.
Peter even includes servants who have harsh masters, and tells them to obey them anyway. 1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh.” That would be applying the earlier principles to slaves. Many of the early Christians in the Roman Empire were slaves. Could they just rebel against their masters once they become Christians? Maybe it their masters were harsh and evil, that could be the excuse for them to rebel. Not so, says Peter.
Wow, this was long but different thoughts just kept coming. Some of this section required some deeper digging into the word.
1 Peter 1:17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 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) “1:17 is interesting. We are not saved by our works, but we will be judged by our works. Bottom line, you must try to live holy and not sin even though you don’t have to be sinless. God’s grace will save you by the blood of Jesus. But at the same time, if you go back into sin, your sins will cause you to fall from grace and lose your eternal life when you die. 2 Peter 2:20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. 22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.” Therefore, we need to conduct ourselves in “fear” while on earth. Aren’t we supposed to have full assurance of our salvation and not be fearful of standing before God in judgment? Doesn’t “perfect love cast our fear” (1 John 4:17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, we also are in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.)” Yet Peter tells them to live in fear while on earth. Bottom line is that we still need to be fearful of losing our salvation while on earth. Paul, the proponent of “salvation by grace through faith, not works”, echoes this fear command: Philippians 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.”
2) The motivation for this appeal to be holy is that they were “redeemed (lutroó: To redeem, to ransom, to liberate by paying a ransom price) by the blood of the Lamb”. In the ancient Greco-Roman world, the concept of redemption was well understood in the context of slavery and captivity. A person could be freed from slavery or imprisonment if a ransom was paid. The ransom price to free us from the slavery of sin was the blood of Jesus, i.e. his death on the cross. Some of the early church fathers thought that God paid this ransom price to Satan, but that is not true. God paid the ransom price to Himself to satisfy his wrath against our sin so that he could justify us. That appeasing of God’s wrath is called propitiation. This plan to redeem us by the blood of Jesus was “foreknown” by God before he even started the creation week in Genesis 1. How is that? He knew he was going to create humns with free will and that they, given the choice of the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil, would chose to sin, and then everyone born after the fall would make the same choice to sin. Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned.” So God is thinking, “I love all people and want them to have a way to be saved from my just wrath; how can I do that”? Maybe he could let us try to save ourselves by good works, or even by buying our salvation with “gold or silver”? No that would not satisfy God’s wrath. The only thing that would satisfy HIs wrath against our sins was to let His Son become flesh and die for us. I don’t understand why that was the only thing that could do that, but it was. So Jesus appeared the first time in his incarnation (God becoming flesh, John 1:14 and the word became flesh and dwelt among us) and God proved that he would redeem us by the blood of Jesus by raising Jesus from the dead.
3) 1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brothers and sisters, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory is like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.” Peter now switches from “obedience” verses to “love” verses for the first time. We purify (hagnizó: To purify, to cleanse, to sanctify) ourselves by obedience, by no conforming to our former lusts, by living a set apart life. But is that all there is to the Christian life, just stay away from sin? No. God wants us to purify ourselves so that we can love one another: a sincere, fervent love from the heart. Replace the “lusts” with “love”. The whole spirit of Christianity is “love”. The motivation is that we have been “born again” of the imperishable seed of the word of God that endures forever. We have a new self that is filled with love for one another b/c God loved us and gave His Son to save us. I know that has been the biggest challenge in my Christian walk. I was raised where the emphasis seemed to be getting all the right doctrines even though I’m sure that love was preached and shown by a lot of church members. My parents never said “I love you” until they were in their 70’s and I was in my 40’s, although I know they loved me. They were raised on the farm in the depression and WWII, working hard all their lives. Expressing emotion was not something they were raised in and they didn’t show it in my life. Maybe in my last days I can work on that!
4) 1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” “Therefore (based on what went on before), i.e. you were born again (1:23) so you are “newborns” spiritually. Newborns feed on milk and spiritual newborns feed on the milk of the word of God, i.e. the basics of obedience and love. The Hebrew writer talks about the “meat” of the word as he discusses the priesthood of Melchizadek and the change of the Law in Hebrews 5:11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” So God doesn’t want us to keeping eating milk but that is where we all start as spiritual newborns. But first you must put away the bad stuff in your heart and mind. The motivation for all this: “if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord”.
The theme of 1 Peter is the suffering of the diaspora Jewish Christians. Read the background for this letter in the first article: 1 Peter Suffering (1). There are 4 fairly lengthy section on this suffering and how to endure it: thus 4 articles Suffering 1,2,3,4. But what about the other comments by Paul mixed in with these sections on suffering?
1 Peter 1:10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.” What salvation? He had just told them that after a little while of suffering that they would receive glory and salvation at the revelation of Jesus (His 2nd coming). Therefore they should rejoice even in their suffering. 1:10 comments on that salvation. The prophets in the OT did prophesy of the gracious salvation that the Messiah would bring, of his sufferings and his glorious resurrection. For example, Isaiah 53: But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed. He was oppressed and afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, But the Lord desiredTo crush Him, causing Him grief if He renders himself as a guilt offering, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. 11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied;By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, For He will bear their wrongdoings. 12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the plunder with the strong, Because He poured out His life unto death, And was counted with wrongdoers; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the wrongdoers.” This Messianic prediction has the suffering, death, resurrection, and glory of the Messiah to come 700 years after Isaiah wrote this. The Dead Sea Scrolls confirms that this was written at least 150 years before Jesus was born. A complete copy of Isaiah, the Great Isaiah Scroll, has Isaiah 53 almost verbatim with our earliest Hebrew copy of Isaiah which was 1000 AD. That showed that the prediction in Isaiah 53 were not put in there “after the fact” and that the book was copied accurately through the centuries since the original. But did Isaiah understand his predictions? No. Did Micah understand his prediction that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)? No. Did David understand his prediction of Jesus’ resurrection in Psalm 16:For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay”? No. No doubt these prophets did “careful searches and inquiries” into what the Holy Spirit had inspired them to write. Maybe they meditated on previous scripture. Maybe they asked the Spirit to explain their predictions to them. But they were never told what the “person or time” in which their predictions would be fulfilled. All that was “revealed to them” was that the fulfillment was not for their time or benefit but for the distant future generations. Peter tells the diaspora that they were able to. understand and benefit from the fulfillment of all the Messianic prophecies via the preaching of the gospel (the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus which by grace through faith they were saved). What a great privilege! Even the angels never understood God’s plan. Would you rather live in Isaiah’s time period? I don’t think so. We live 2,000 years after God’s plan was completely revealed in the NT in the first century AD. We are even more privileged than the first century diaspora. We have all the letters of the NT explaining this gospel salvation. They were looking for glory and immortality to be given them after a “little while” at the 2nd coming in 70 AD. We have that immortality and assurance that we will live eternally after we die.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” “Therefore” (based on what went before) Peter tells them how they should live so as not to lose that future salvation. So they were expecting to receive this salvation and immortality at the “revelation of Jesus” (His 2nd coming). Paul said that the believers, some of whom would still be alive at the resurrection, would receive immortality at the resurrection at the end of the Jewish Age in 70 AD (1 Corinthians 15). That glory was “about to be” revealed to them: 5:1 Elders who [are] among you, I exhort, who [am] a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and of the glory about to be (mello which always means about to happen) revealed.” In 70 AD God would show to the world who the true sons of God were, i.e. the Jewish Christians and not the unbelieving Jews who were rebelling against Rome and would be killed (a million died) in the siege and destruction of the city and the temple. Paul also spoke of this glory “about to be revealed” in Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory about to be (mello)revealed in us”. As Gentiles Christians living 2,000 years later, it is hard to understand what 70 AD meant to the Jewish Christians who had been persecuted by their Jewish non believers during the transition period from 30-70 AD. It gave them relief from their persecution from the Jews (1 Thessalonians 1) and showed the world that they were the true children of God. But, they would need to be faithful in order to receive that glory and immortality. They would need to not be conformed (suschématizó: To conform, to fashion oneself according to: from which we get a “schematic”: a drawing or plan that shows the details of how something operates or is put together) to their former lusts which could cause them to fall from grace and lose their future salvation.” The goal: Be ye holy (hagios: Holy, sacred, set apart) as He (God) is holy. God makes us “set apart”, cleansed, “sanctified” (“Hagiazō”: is a verb that signifies the act of making something holy or sacred. It’s derived from the Greek word “hagios” (ἁγιος), which means “holy”. It signifies the process of setting something or someone apart for God’s special use or purpose.” But we are not special if we conform ourselves to the lusts of sinners all around us. Instead, Romans 12:1 I call upon you, therefore, brethren, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies a sacrifice — living, sanctified, acceptable to God — your intelligent service; 2 and be not conformed (suschématizó: To conform, to fashion oneself according to) to this age, but be transformed (metamorphoó: To transform, to change form: the word we get “metamorphosis”: Metamorphosis is a biological process that involves a significant change in an organism’s form, structure, or substance during development. It can occur in many animals, including insects, amphibians, fish, mollusks, and crustaceans) by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what [is] the will of God — the good, and acceptable, and perfect.” In other words we go from ugly cocoons to beautiful butterflies. Not by our own good works, but by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. He cleanses us from sin and will keep us clean by the blood of Jesus. So try to keep that new cleansed self as clean from sin as you can. You don’t have to be perfect and sinless, but you should try. The grace of God will take care of the rest. 1 John 1:7 and if in the light we may walk, as He is in the light — we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son doth cleanse us from every sin.” From AI: “Helping us to live for God is what the Spirit’s “sanctifying work” is all about. As Peter indicates, our participation in this can be described mainly as obedience. Sanctification is the moment-by-moment process by which we more and more submit our hearts, minds, and bodies to following Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” Paul quotes from Leviticus “be ye holy for I am holy”. “Be ye holy for I am holy” is a central theme in the Book of Leviticus, specifically found in Leviticus 11:44-45 and 19:2, where God commands the Israelites to be holy, reflecting His own holiness. This signifies a call to live a life dedicated to God, reflecting His purity, righteousness, and separation from the world. The Israelites had just come out of pagan Egypt and God was calling them to be different from the Egyptians and their idolatry and sins. Am I any different from the non Christians around me? Am I still consumed by the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life? Would a non Christian look at me and see that I am a special cleansed sinner?
As you can tell by now, the suffering of the diaspora Jewish Christians is the theme of 1 Peter. This is the 4th section on suffering in the letter. Refer back to the 3rd article, “suffering (3)” to see how they were being slandered and suffering.
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if itbegins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
A few key points in this section:
1) Don’t be surprised if you suffer for being a Christian. Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Rejoice that you can share the sufferings of Christ, the same suffering that he endured. At the revelation of His glory (the 2nd coming in 70 AD), they could rejoice. That glory was “about to be revealed”: 1 Peter 5:1 Elders who [are] among you, I exhort, who [am] a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and of the glory about to be (mello which in the NT always means about to happen) revealed…” 4 and at the manifestation of the chief Shepherd (the 2nd coming), ye shall receive the unfading crown of glory.” 2 Thessalonians 1:9 These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified among His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed”. Jesus was glorified at His 2nd coming and the Jewish Christians were glorified as the true sons of God and not the unbelieving Jews who were killed by the Romans in 70 AD. Paul said in Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory about to be revealed in us.” Again, this glorification of Jesus and of the sons of God was “about to happen” and that could only be 70 AD.
2) Peter repeats a warning from 1 Peter 2:20 in 1 Peter 4:15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler”. But if you “suffer as a Christian”, don’t be ashamed but glorify God instead. “if you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are “blessed”. Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
3) Paul goes on to say that “it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God, and it begins with us first” (4:17). That would have to be the judgment on the Jews in 70 AD. By 70 AD Jesus had sent the apostles to preach the gospel to the entire Roman Empire, to the Jews first and then the Gentiles. The Jews had the first opportunity to accept Jesus as the Messiah and be saved, but only a small remnant did. The rest of unbelieving Jews persecuted and killed the believing Jews (as Saul, later Paul, did) right up till 70 AD. But did all the Jews hear the gospel and have that opportunity? Romans 10:18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? On the contrary: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” So from 67-70 AD the judgment began on the wicked Jews as the Romans put down the Jewish revolt, sieged Jerusalem in 70 AD and finally broke through the walls to kill 1 million Jews and destroy the city and the temple. 2 Timothy 4:1 I do fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is (mello, always means about to happen) living and dead at his manifestation and his reign”. 1 Peter 4:5 but they will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as people, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.” Apparently the “dead” to be judged are those dead spiritually. Or it could be those OT dead in Hades that were judged in 70 AD as predicted in Daniel 12:1-2. Then Peter makes a. puzzling statement: 1 Peter 4:18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved.” Is it hard to be saved? I thought the Bible teaches that it is simple, just believe in Jesus. So what does Peter mean? (AI) “In 1 Peter 4:18, Peter uses the phrase “if the righteous is scarcely saved” (or “with difficulty saved”) to highlight the challenging nature of the Christian life and the struggles faced by believers even though they are righteous in God’s eyes. He emphasizes that if the righteous face difficulties, those who are ungodly or unrighteous will face even greater consequences. Meaning: A contrast with the ungodly: By highlighting the difficulties faced by the righteous, Peter emphasizes the greater consequences that await those who reject God and live ungodly lives. This serves as a warning and a call to consider the path of righteousness. The righteous face trials and difficulties: Peter isn’t saying that salvation is hard to obtain, but rather that the path of righteousness often involves hardship, persecution, and suffering. This is because believers are called to live differently from the world and may face opposition for their faith.” So just trust your souls to a faithful Creator who will do what is right, i.e. he will reward the righteous and punish the unrighteous. 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”
4) 1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. (it always helps to know that others are suffering just as you are) 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.” This echoes 1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials.” Peter sees their trials as suffering for “a little while”. Since the 2nd coming is mentioned in the letter, we can refer to 2 Thessalonians 1:5 This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed are suffering. 6 For after all it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us, when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified among His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—because our testimony to you was believed.” This 2nd coming or revelation of Jesus from heaven would be within the lifetime of those Thessalonian Christians as shown in 2 Thessalonians 2. That 2nd coming would kill 1 million evil, wicked Jews as the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD. That would certainly give relief to the Jewish Christians who were being persecuted by their Jewish non believing countrymen. If 1 Peter was written between 62 and 64 AD, then it would be “a little while” (i.e. just a few years) before Jesus would send the Romans to punish the evil unbelieving Jews in 70 AD.
1 Peter 3:8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, Loving, compassionate, and humble; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against evildoers.”
13 And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which He also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who once were disobedient when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.”
The theme of 1 Peter is the suffering of the diaspora Jewish Christians. This 3rd article is from the 3rd main section of suffering in the letter. Several key points:
1) As already stated in 1 Peter 2, don’t retaliate when you suffer, “insult for insult”. Most of the time you will be treated respectfully by non-believers if you are a loving, peaceful, compassionate Christian. “But even if you do suffer” for the sake of righteousness (not for something wrong you have done), you are blessed. Mainly, you will find favor with God. You will grow closer to Jesus as you experience the same sufferings that he did. You will develop proven chacter and focus your hope on eternal life not the things of this life. James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Romans 5:Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Suffering completes or perfects our faith just as Jesus’ sufferings completed his faith. Hebrews 2:10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.” Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
2) How should you react when slandered for your Christian faith? Peter spoke of this “slander” in 1 Peter 2:12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation.” Also in 1 Peter 4:3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same excesses of debauchery, and they slander you; 5 but they will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” How were the early diaspora Christians “slandered” as “evildoers” by the Gentiles (we know why the Jewish non believers accused the Jewish Christians of blasphemy)? For example, (AI) “Christians were not necessarily culpable for the fire of AD 64 in Rome, according to Tacitus, but they were viewed with high suspicion as a group with ‘degraded and shameful practices’, holding to ‘a foreign and deadly superstition’; certainly they evidenced ‘antisocial tendencies’.” (AI) “The state and other members of civic society punished Christians for treason, various rumored crimes, illegal assembly, and for introducing an alien cult that led to Roman apostasy. The first, localized Neronian persecution occurred under Emperor Nero ( r. 54–68) in Rome.” (AI) “Two of the most common accusations made against the Christians by their contemporaries were that they practiced incest (because they referred to each other as “brother” and “sister”) and cannibalism ( the Eucharist being “the body and blood of Christ”, which could easily be misunderstood).” Those. Gentiles who slandered them would be put to shame on judgment day, the day of “visitation”, but only if you suffer without retaliation.
3) It is better if you suffer for doing right than for doing wrong. Jesus suffered, the just (Jesus) for the unjust (sinners). He did that to “bring us to God”. Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the originator of their salvation through sufferings.” He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit (raised from the dead) as His reward for his suffering and death. Then Peter goes off on a tangent, discussing how Jesus went in that spirit and preached to the spirits in prison, i.e. the disobedient sinners in the days of Noah. Was that during his 3 days in the tomb that he did that? If so, he went to the Hadean world and preached to them. If so, what did he preach to them? He surely didn’t preach a 2nd chance. Maybe he just told them about his death and what they missed by being disobedient. In contrast, 8 souls were “brought safely through the water”. They were saved, not “from the water” (although that is true also), but saved “through” or “by” the water. Saved from what? They were saved from the sinful environment that was on the earth at that time. Genesis 6:5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. 6 So the Lord was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 Then the Lord said, “I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” Some say this descent by Jesus into Hades is not the meaning of this passage. They say that this refers to the Spirit of Christ preaching to the people before the flood through Noah. 2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, held for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;”
4) Peter then said that baptism “now” saves us just like (“corresponding to that”) he waters saved Noah from the moral corruption on the earth. He adds that baptism is not the removal of dirt from the flesh, which would indicate he is talking about water baptism. Also obviously he is talking about water baptism since he made it a parallel to the waters saving Noah. Again, Noah was not saved from the waters, but was saved by the waters. Baptism is the appeal to God of a good conscience, i.e. a pure conscience that wants to be saved from sin. Baptism is an act of faith, not a work that earns our salvation. Colossians 2:2 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And when you were dead in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings.” Peter also says that we are baptized through faith in the resurrection of Jesus, i.e. the same power that raised Jesus raises us from the dead spiritually when we are baptized and forgiven. “Baptism now saves you”. Peter told them in Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This was spoken by the same Peter who wrote 1 Peter 3:21. He said that both repentance and baptism were necessary for the forgiveness of sins. Was Peter now saying that baptism alone without faith and repentance saves you? Of course not. But he is saying that the actual point at which a person is saved by grace through faith is when he/she is baptized. In Acts 22:16 Saul (later called Paul the apostle) is told by Ananias, “arise and be baptized and wash away your sins”. How plain can that be? Even though he saw the resurrected Jesus on the road and had recognized that Jesus really was the Son of God like the Christians he had been killing claimed, he still had his sins or else Ananias could not have told him to be baptized to wash them away. Jesus told his disciples to “preach the gospel to the whole creation: he that believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Doesn’t that put baptism before one is saved? It is amazing to read the “double talk” trying to say that Peter isn’t really saying that “baptism saves”. For example, from gotquestions.org “As with any single verse or passage, we discern what it teaches by first filtering it through what we know the Bible teaches on the subject at hand. In the case of baptism and salvation, the Bible is clear that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of any kind, including baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, any interpretation which comes to the conclusion that baptism, or any other act, is necessary for salvation, is a faulty interpretation. For more information, please visit our webpage on “Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?” The author is correct that salvation is by grace through faith, not works. But surely this author would concede that confession and repentance are necessary conditions to be saved. Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Acts 2:38 repent and be baptized for forgiveness. Do confession and repentance as conditions of saving faith contradict “salvation by grace through faith”? Of course not. Neither does baptism as a condition of saving faith contradict “salvation by grace through faith. It is simply a condition as an act of faith in order to be saved. The author says that we have to “filter through what the Bible teaches on the subject at hand”, but then he doesn’t deal with Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:15,16. He doesn’t do a good job filtering since he ignores those passages. He goes on to say: “Those who believe that baptism is required for salvation are quick to use 1 Peter 3:21 as a “proof text,” because it states “baptism now saves you.” Was Peter really saying that the act of being baptized is what saves us? If he were, he would be contradicting many other passages of Scripture that clearly show people being saved (as evidenced by their receiving the Holy Spirit) prior to being baptized or without being baptized at all. A good example of someone who was saved before being baptized is Cornelius and his household in Acts 10. We know that they were saved before being baptized because they had received the Holy Spirit, which is the evidence of salvation (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13; 1 John 3:24). The evidence of their salvation was the reason Peter allowed them to be baptized. Countless passages of Scripture clearly teach that salvation comes when one believes in the gospel, at which time he or she is sealed “in Christ with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).” Why does he ignore the passages like Acts 2:38 and 22:16 where a person is not saved until after water baptism? What about Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.” Paul is saying that we are raised from immersion in the waters of baptism (the Gk work baptizo means to immerse) to walk in newness of llfe. He is saying that you get the new spiritual life after baptism. And what about his argument about Cornelius? It is true that Cornelius got the gift of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues before he was baptized. But does that prove that he was saved before he was baptized? No, it doesn’t. It was God’s way of showing the Jewish Christians and Peter that the Gentile could be saved just like the Jews. Acts 10:46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter responded, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” This is the same Peter who said in Acts 2:38 repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.” If Cornelius was saved just by speaking in tongues before baptism, why would he need to be baptized at all? Cornelius still needed to be baptized to receive the forgiveness of sins. His receiving the Holy Spirit before baptism was an exception to the rule and order of Acts 2:38 in which one is baptized and then receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. But it is not an exception to the requirement of Acts 2:38 that baptism comes before forgiveness. But even if Cornelius was saved before baptism, is that the normal process of salvation (Acts 2:38;22:16; Mark 16:16) or just a one time exception? But I don’t believe he was saved before baptism. The author concludes, “Baptism is the outward sign of what God has done “by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).” But if baptism is the “washing of regeneration” in this verse, then we are not regenerated until after baptism. What is “regenerated”? “In Titus 3:5, the Greek word for “regeneration” is “palingenesia” (παλιγγενεσία). It refers to the spiritual rebirth or renewal that believers experience through Christ. In essence, “palingenesia” signifies a spiritual transformation, a new beginning, and a complete change in one’s nature. Or as many have claimed, “the outward sign of inward faith”, or “to show that you have been saved”. Is this what the Bible claims about baptism? I don’t think so. But please study this subject with an open mind and search all the Scriptures.
1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures grief when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
Christ Is Our Example
21 For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps, 22 He who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
This is the 2nd article on the suffering of the diaspora Christians in 1 Peter. Please read the first article for background. This article looks at the 2nd main section in the letter on suffering. Several key points;
1) It starts with servants (slaves) who suffer from harsh masters. (AI) “Estimates suggest that slavery was widespread in the Roman world, with anywhere from 25% to 40% of the population being enslaved. This means a substantial number of early Christians would have been slaves or former slaves, as the early church drew members from all walks of life within the Roman Empire.” Peter tells them be subject to (obey) and respect those harsh masters. God is pleased if such a suffering slave can endure it faithfully. He makes the point that there is no credit (kleos: Glory, Renown, Fame) if you suffer for doing something wrong. I have beloved brother and friend who suffered 25 years in prison for something he did wrong. He used that time to grow into a strong believer, so it all worked out well. But in the early church, believers were tortured, imprisoned, and killed for their faith, not for something wrong they did. If they can suffer with patience, that “finds favor with God’.
2) Christ is our example of “unjust, undeserved suffering”. Why did Jesus have to suffer so much in the scourging and crucifixion? He did have to die for our sins, but couldn’t God have allowed him to die without so much suffering and still accomplish God’s mission of saving sinners from sin? Of course he could have. He could have. just allowed Jesus to be poisoned or smothered by some enemy and die a quick, relatively painless death. He could have allowed a soldier to pierce Jesus through with a sword causing quick death. But God allowed him to undergo terrible suffering before he died. Jesus had seen many crucifixion victims hanging on crosses on the Roman roads, a warning to all about rebellion to the empire. That’s why he was in such agony in the Garden of Gethsemene, sweat as blood (that sounds like a “panic attack” to me). Such suffering from the nails on the cross that he cried out “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me”? He hang for 6 long hours suffering on the cross. Was this really a necessary of God’s plan? It was. Not essential to save us, but to give suffering Christians an example to follow when they suffer unjustly. God knew that Christians would suffer for their faith through much of the 2,000 years of church history and He wanted to give them an example of how to suffer faithfully, not returning insult for insult, etc. Don’t retaliate or seek vengance: just trust God who will repay those who persecute His children. The Roman arenas where Christians were killed, Foxes Book of Martyrs, even torturing and killing Christians by the Catholic church, suffering in Muslim controlled countries or atheistic countries like China. We don’t experience persecution in the U.S. but Jesus’ example of suffering even helps us as we go through various trials that test our faith. How should you respond when insulted or mocked b/c of your faith? When you suffer from a harsh boss? When you suffer from an abusive husband (Peter deals with that later)? Is Jesus giving an example for passive resistence: “a way of opposing the government without using violence especially by refusing to obey laws.” This was what Ghandi did in India as he opposed the oppressive British colonialism rule over India. He was committed to non-violence, but he did led protest Marches like his 240 mile Salt March to protest British policies that took advantage of the Indians. Martin Luther King might be the perfect example of one following Jesus’ example. King was inspired by Ghandi, but more so by Jesus. He was totally committed to non-violence although he did lead non-violent peace marches and boycotts. He never encouraged breaking any civil laws. Jesus stood up to the corrupt leaders of the Jews. He didn’t just ignore the corruption. He never encouraged any opposition to the cruel Roman authorities. He told Peter to pay the temple tax. He did resort to some turning over of the tables in the temple but he never retaliated when he suffered personally. So, Jesus’ suffering was necessary in God’s plan, not to save us but to give suffering Christians an example of how to suffer. As Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
3) After his suffering on the cross, He completed God’s plan of salvation by dying on the cross for our sins. “By his wounds” (the scourging, the crown of thorns) we are healed. This has to mean “spiritual healing”. Jesus can still heal physical sickness but this is not a promise of physical healing to those who become Christian. I know a saved lady who is still in a wheelchair due to spinal bifida even after becoming a Christian. Isaiah predicted Jesus’s non-retaliatory suffering: Peter probably alludes to Isaiah 53:
Isaiah 53:However, it was our sicknesses that He Himself bore, And our pains that He carried; Yet we ourselves assumed that He had been afflicted, Struck down by God, and humiliated. 5 But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the wrongdoing of us all To fall on Him.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.
Thus Hebrews 2:1010 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect (teleioó: To complete, to perfect, to accomplish, to bring to an end.)through what he suffered.” His sufferings made God’s plan of salvation “complete” b/c it was an important part of the plan.
To those who reside as strangers, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”
Peter wrote this letter to the Jewish Christians scattered (diaspora: Dispersion, Scattering) over several countries. That would be the Jewish diaspora: “The term diasporas is only ever applied to ethnic Jews in biblical texts (John 7:35; James 1:1; in the Apocrypha, 2 Maccabees 1:27; Judith 5:19), so if it were taken to mean Gentiles in 1 Peter 1:1, it would have to be a remarkable exception. It certainly wouldn’t be a natural reading of the verse.” (Derek Demars) Some say 1 Peter 2:10 shows that the letter was written to Gentile Christians, but I refer you to my article on 1 Peter 2:10-17 to discuss that verse which I do not think means Peter is writing to Gentile Christians. Also remember that Peter is the “apostles to the Jews” (Galatians 2), so it is more likely that Peter would be writing to the Jewish Christians among the Jewish diaspora than to Gentile Christians scattered. Gentile Christians were never scattered. The Jewish diaspora were the “chosen” remnant of the Jewish believers who accepted Jesus as the Messiah. They were sanctified in the Spirit and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus. John 7:35 NAS: to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks.
Usually we speak of the diaspora as the scattering of the Jews after the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, but Wikipedia says this: “A Jewish diaspora existed for several centuries before the fall of the Second Temple in 70 CE. The Jewish diaspora in the second Temple period (516 BCE – 70 CE) was created from various factors, including through the creation of political and war refugees, enslavement, deportation, overpopulation, indebtedness, military employment, and opportunities in business, commerce, and agriculture.[7] Before the middle of the first century CE, in addition to Judea, Syria and Babylonia, large Jewish communities existed in the Roman provinces of Egypt, Crete and Cyrenaica, and in Rome itself.[8] In 6 CE the region was organized as the Roman province of Judaea.” All Jews in the diaspora suffered wherever they were scattered, but Peter was writing to Jewish Christians who were scattered before 70 AD for whatever reasons to Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia (Pontus) and Galatia. Peter died in 65 AD, so he wrote I Peter before that.
Much of 1 Peter deals with the suffering and trials that the diaspora faced. So let’s look at the sections that deal with their suffering.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Several points from this section.
1) Christians have a “living” hope b/c of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Why “living”? B/c our Savior is not still dead like other religioius leaders of world religions, like Mohamed, Buddha, Zoroaster, the Bab, etc. Our Savior still lives to be our HIgh Priest forever. Also the resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate proof that He is the Son of God and Savior. No other world religion can offer such irrefutable proof of its validity.
2) The diaspora Christians had an imperishable inheritance, a salvation “ready to be revealed in the last time”. This indicates a future salvation of some kind. Vs 9 also: “9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” That would be a future salvation of some kind. But weren’t they already saved? Of course they were. So what is this salvation that is still in their future? Is it heaven? Could be. But it could be the same “immortality” that Paul said believers would receive at the resurrection of the dead which he said some of those he was writing to would still be alive to receive (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). That would have to be the resurrection of the dead at 70 AD, predicted by Daniel 12:1-2 to happen at the end of the Jewish Age in 70 AD. Paul said in Acts 24:15 that there “is about to be (mello, which always in the NT means “about to happen”) a resurrecton of the righteous and the unrighteous just as the Law and Prophets predicted. This is the “already, not yet” phase of salvation for the transiton Christians (those living between 30AD and 70AD): already saved but not yet received immortality until the resurrection in 70 AD.
3) They could rejoice even in he midst of “distressing” (lupeó: To grieve, to cause sorrow, to distress) suffering and trials, looking forward to that future salvation.
4) A tested, proven (dokimion: Testing, trial, proving) by enduring trials faithfully would result in “praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (i.e. his 2nd coming). Again, that is a reward in their future. While most say this 2nd coming revelation (apokalupsis: Revelation, unveiling, disclosure) of Jesus, full preterism would say that this 2nd coming was at 70 AD. 1 Peter 4:13 calls this 2nd coming a “revelation of his glory”. So what is the “glory” that these diaspora believers would receive at 70 AD if they remained faithful? Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory about to be (mello) revealed in us. 21 that also the creation itself shall be set free from the servitude of the corruption to the liberty of the glory of the children of God; 23 And not only [so], but also we ourselves, having the first-fruit of the Spirit, we also ourselves in ourselves do groan, adoption expecting — the redemption of our body; (Young’s Literal Translation). Notice that this glory to be received by believers was “about to be revealed”. Many try to make this some, still in our future, restoration of the created earth to its Garden of Eden state, but this event is “about to” happen in the lifetime of those Paul is writing to, so it can’t be something in our future. So this must refer to the 2nd coming in 70 AD when God would destroy the temple and send the Romans to kill 1 million evil Jews in Jerusalem who rejected Jesus as the Messiah. When He did that, it would be obvious that the Jewish remnant believers in Jesus were the true children of God, not the unbelieving Jews who still claimed to be the children of Abraham and of God (John 8). The believing Jews would be “glorified” at the 2nd coming in 70 AD. 1 Peter 5:1 Elders who [are] among you, I exhort, who [am] a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and of the glory about to be revealed (again, mello)a … This glory of 1 Peter 1:7 was “about to be revealed” to them at 70 AD. It would indeed be “glorious” as they would be given immortality and imperishable, spiritual bodies that would live forever even after physical death (1 Corinthians 15).
5) They could rejoice even while “distressed” in their suffering and trials with “joy inexpressible and full of glory” over the prospects of receiving glory and immortality at the 2nd coming of Jesus in 70 AD. Again, we can’t ignore the fact that this is all “about to happen”.
In a way, we can’t relate to these suffering diaspora Christians. The Voice of the Martyrs constantly tells us about believers in foreign countries who are suffering just as the diaspora Christians were. This letter is more applicable to them than us, and they probably love this letter more than we do in the U.S. where we really don’t suffer persecution. While our lack of suffering is a good thing, it probably makes us weaker, materialistic Christians. Even if these verses mean heaven when one dies instead of 70 AD, a suffering Christian can rejoice at the prospect of the glory to be received in heaven in eternal life. Suffering believers long for that release from their suffering. They rejoice in their suffering for Jesus, and they even rejoice when a believer is martyred for his/her faith.That just sounds foreign to believers in the U.S. who don’t really suffer persecution.
But that doesn’t mean that we can’t rejoice over the prospects of eternal life after we die. After 70 AD, all believers receive their immortal, spiritual bodies when they become Christians. That allows them to “live even if they die physically” (John 11:24-26). We might not suffer persecution as the diaspora did, but we still go through a lot of trials or testing of our faith. We have a lot of “1st world” problems to endure. Our faith is constantly tested by the agnostic and atheistic attacks on the Bible, God, and Jesus. We are being mocked for our conservative stands on LGBQT and abortion. Bellevers are “distressed” by things like divorce, death of loved ones especially children, child abuse, infidelity of one’s mate, one’s children addicted to drugs, serious or even fatal illnesses of ourselves or loved ones, mental or physical abuse by one’s mate, poverty for some, the terminal illness especially in old age that brings a lot of physical suffering, etc.. These things might not be some Muslim terrorists killing us, burning our church buildings, and putting us in. prison for our faith, but they are real trials nonetheless. We can rejoice in those. trials, knowing that we will live on after death in eternity in our immortal spiritual bodies.
Peter starts his first letter to the Jewish Christians who were scattered over several countries with the words “Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ”. He was a Galilean fisherman and married. His brother Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptist, found Peter and told him that he had found the Messiah. Jesus changed his name from Simon to Cephas, which translated means Peter (Gk petros, a stone). Jesus calls Peter and Andrew to. follow him and they do. Jesus heals Peter’s sick mother-in-law. After fishing all night and catching nothing, Jesus tells Peter to cast his net into the water and he caught many fish. Peter is part of the inner circle of Peter, James, and John who see Jesus raise a dea d girl. Jesus walks on water to the boat the apostles were in during a storm, and Peter asks to walk on water to Jesus. He does so until he looks at the waves and sinks, but Jesus pulled him up. Peter makes the great confession, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God”. Jesus tells Peter, “Upon this rock (either the apostle Peter or the confession that Peter made) I will build my church. Jesus would give Peter the keys to the kingdom. Peer rebukes Jesus when he tells him that he must suffer, be killed and rasied on the third day. Along with James and John, Peter sees Jesus transformed on the Mt of Transformation (he also sees Moses and Elijah). Jesus tells Peter that he will deny him 3 times but Peter says that he will never deny Jesus. Jesus leaves Peter, James and John to pray for him as he agonizes in the Garden of Gethsemane over his coming death. When Jesus is arrested in the Garden, Perter cuts off the ear of a servant. Peter goes to Pilate’s palace where he denies knowing Jesus 3 times. Mary Magdelene tells the apostles that the tomb of Jesus is empty and Peter and John run to the tomb. Jesus makes a separate appearance to Peter at some point after his resurrection. Jesus appeared to the 11 apostles, including Peter, the Sunday night of his resurrection that morning, and then again to the 12 apsotles, including Thomas, one week later. Jesus appears to Peter and 6 other apostles while fishing on the Sea of Galilee, and gives them a miraculous catch of fish. While eating with them that morning after the catch, Peter tells Jesus that he loves him three times as Jesus tells him to “feed my sheep”. Peter and the 10 apostles (judas is gone) see Jesus ascend into heaven from Galilee. Peter leads in the choosing of a replacement for Judas who had hanged himself (Matthias was chosen). After speaking in tongues (foreign languages) along with the other apostles, Peter preaches the first gospel sermon on the day of Pentecost, and 3,000 are baptized for the remission of sins. Peter and John heal a man at the temple who had been lame since birth. Peter and John are taken into custody by the Sadducees and warned not to preach Jesus any more. Peter confronts Ananias and Sapphira about their lying about their giving money and they are struck dead. Peter and John go to Samaria to lay their hands on those baptized there by Philip who had not received the Holy Spirit and Simon the Magician is rebuked for trying to buy the power to impart miraculous gifts. Peter heals a paralyzed Aenaes in Lydda and raises Dorcas from the dead in Joppa. Peter is sent by God to Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, in Caesarea. Peter preaches the gospel to him and Cornelius speaks in tongues to show that God will accept Gentiles for salvation and inclusion in the church. Cornelius is baptized. Back in Jerusalem, Peter is confronted by Jewish Christians for associating with Gentiles, but they are appeased when they hear about Cornelius speaking in tongues. Peter is put in prison by Herod who had just executed James the brother of John, but is released by an angel and goes to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. In Antioch of Syria, Paul rebukes Peter because he, influenced by some brethren from James the Lord’s brother in Jerusalem, has quit eating with the Gentile believers. Tradition says that Peter is crucified upside down in Rome by Nero because he felt unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus was.
We have so much more information about Peter’s life than any other apostle. Was he more important than the other apostles? Yes. He became the “apostle to the Jews” according to Paul. Galatians 2:7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles).” But was he the first pope, the head of the church? No. The whole claim that Peter was the first pope comes from Jesus telling Peter: Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” I have read the debates: Is the “rock” Peter himself or the confession that Peter made that “Jesus is the Christ the Son of God”? But even if the rock is Peter, does that mean that he will be the first Pope, the head of the church? No. Ephesians 4:11 gives the leadership offices of the early church: “apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers”. Don’t you think that the position of “pope” would be included in that list if such a position was authorized by Jesus. Paul called Peter one of the “pillars of the church” along with James the Lord’s brother and John the apostle. Peter is not singled out as being above James and John. Many other arguments could be made against Peter being the first pope, but that will suffice for now.
So what are the highlights of Peter’s life? Would it be walking on water? Would it be the miraculous catches of fish? Would it be his confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? Would it be seeing the resurrected Jesus on several occarions? Would it be preaching the first gospel sermon in Acts 2? Would it be healing the sick and raising the dead? Would it be converting the first Gentile Cornelius?
What would be the “lowlights” of Peter’s life? Would it be sinking as he walked on the water? Would it be rebuking Jesus for saying that he would die and be raised, only to be rebuked by Jesus? Would it be denying Jesus 3 times, the last time with Jesus glancing out at Peter from Pilate’s hall? Would it be his time in jail, especially right after James was killed by Herod. Would it be his confusion about eating the meat in the sheet vision and what that meant relative to the conversion of Cornelius? Would it be the conflict with Paul in the church at Antioch (Galatians 2) over eating with Gentile believers? Would it be his last imprisonment in Rome before he was crucified?
Overall, this man’s life is amazing. He is usually the first one to speak out his opinions, questions, or doubts. He ends up being rebuked by Jesus more than any other apostle. He has the faith to walk on water (none of the other apostles did) but then he sinks. He is the only apostle to make the great confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, but then he denies Jesus 3 times. But instead of committing suicide like Judas, Peter becomes the chief spokesman apostle in the establishment of the first church. God confirms that the Gentiles like Cornelius are accepted in full fellowship with the Jews, and yet he acts hypocritically when men from James in Jerusalem influence him to quit eating with the Gentile Christians in Antioch. He is an “enigma”: “If you call a person an enigma, you mean that they’re hard to figure out—the reasons behind what they say and do are not easily understood.” Peter can be so weak and then he can be so strong. Maybe Jesus summed up Peter in Luke 22:31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” As soon as Jesus said that, 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” Peter bragged that he would die for Jesus instead of denying him, and yet within 24 hours later he denied Jesus 3 times just like Jesus predicted. After his 3rd denial: Luke 22:60 And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.” It is amazing that Peter did not commit suicide like Judas did. It is amazing that Peter made a comeback like Jesus prayed for him: “but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”” Jesus knew he would brag about not denying Jesus but would fail. The key was how he responded to his failure.
Isn’t that the main lesson we get from Peter. How many times have you failed in your faith journey or let Jesus down? How did you feel? Guilty? Ashamed? But Jesus is always there to love us, forgive us, and use us “if” we will “turn” back to our faith. Yes, Peter failed when he walked on water, but he was the only one with the faith to try. Maybe he learned a valuable lesson from that (it had to be very scary). Would you have even tried to walk on the water? Do you ever venture out in your faith to attempt amazing things for Jesus?
(AI) “Preterism is a Christian belief that some or all of the Bible’s prophecies have already happened in history. The word comes from the Latin word praeter, which means “past” or “beyond”.” Most Bible scholars are “partial preterists” b/c they beleve many Bible prophecies have already happened. Some even believe that many of the new testament prophecies were fulfilled at the 70 AD destruction of the temple and of Jerusalem (prophecies that are often said to have not happened yet as of today). Few are “full preterists” who say that all the Bible prophecies have already happened, including the 2nd coming, the resurrection of the dead, the 70th week of Daniel, the new heavens and earth, the new Jerusalem, etc. This article: what factors would make someone move from partial preterism to full preterism?
Jesus predicts that his 2nd coming would be within the lifetime of those he was speaking to. There are only 4 times in the synoptics where he predicts a 2nd coming or coming again: Matthew 10:23; 16:27,28; 24:30-34; 26:64. (My blog article “the 2nd coming of Jesus”). That either happened as Jesus predicted in the next 40 years after he predicted it (the word genea in Matthew 24:34 always means a 40 year period or tehe people living in a 40 year period in the NT), or else Jesus: 1) is a false prophet, or 2) he was mistaken (as C.S.Lewis claimed) which would make him a false prophet, or 3) he did predict an imminent 2nd coming but “delayed it” (Hebrews 10:37 refutes any delay theories: “37 for yet a very very little, He who is coming will come, and will not tarry”). Matthew 16:27-28 and Mark 8:38-9:1 is a key point. Some of those he was speaking to would still be alive at his 2nd coming. Matthew 16:28 28 Verily I say to you, there are certain of those standing here who shall not taste of death till they may see the Son of Man coming in his reign.'” Matthew 16:27 even uses the word mello (which always means “about to”) “For the Son of Man is “about to come” (usually translated incorrectly as “will come” except in Young’s Literal Translation). Some say the was predicting the Mount of Transfiguration that would happen soon after in Mt 17, but notice that these 2 parallel passages are both “coming in judgement” passages (“and then he will repay each person according to what he has done”). There was no judgment on the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus’ coming in judgment ( 2nd coming) in 70 AD to judge the evil Jews who rejected him as the Messiah fulfills Jesus’ predictions of an imminent 2nd coming. Those predictions involve some figurative language such as the “stars falling” (Matthew 24:29) which can easily be seen to have a figurative not literal fulfillment based on OT predictions that use the same language to describe the destruction of Babylon, for example (Isaiah 13).
I challenge you to find a verse in the gospels where Jesus predicts a “coming back” that is not to be fulfilled in the lifetime of those he is speaking to. Don’t you think that there would be a verse that did that? So why am I a “heretic” for defending Jesus’ credibility as a prophet just b/c I believe that what he predicted came true exactly as he predicted? I would never make full preterism a heaven or hell issue, just as I would not make any eschatological beliefs a heaven or hell issue (such as premillennialism or postmillennialism). But I just don’t understand why some would say I am a heretic for believing that Jesus’ predictions came true exactly as he predicted. The 3 options above if his predictions did not come true as predicted are just not acceptable. Some full preterists claim that it is heresy not to believe that the 2nd coming was in 70 AD but I don’t take that position although I think there is a lot at stake here. Unbelieving Jews, atheists, and Muslims all claim that Jesus is a false prophet b/c they say his predictions did not come true as predicted, and you can see why they would say that if indeed his predictions did not come true as predicted.
Believing that the resurrection of the dead occurred at 70 AD is one of the hardest hurdles to overcome in moving from partial to full preterism. But here are some points to consider. Acts 24:14 `And I confess this to thee, that, according to the way that they call a sect, so serve I the God of the fathers, believing all things that in the law and the prophets have been written,15 having hope toward God, which they themselves also wait for, [that] there is about to be a rising again of the dead, both of righteous and unrighteous” (YLT). Paul is saying 2 things: 1) the resurrection of the dead was “about to” (mello) happen, and 2) the Law and Prophets predicted this resurrection that was about to happen. So where did the prophets predict a resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous? Daniel 12:2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. That is the only place in the OT that predicts this resurrection. And yet Paul says it is “about to happen”. So is Paul mistaken (which is untenable since it would make him not inspired and how would we know which of his writings are inspired and which are not?. Is Paul just another false prophet who thinks the 2nd coming and resurrection are imminent but is wrong? The whole chapter 12 in Daniel is about the “end time” , “the end”, the “tribulation of the Jewish nation” (which Jesus spoke of in Mt 24, a tribulation that had to occur within that generation Matthew 24:34), and the “abomination of desolation” (the destruction and desecration of the temple). Jesus said in Matthew 24:15 that the abomination of desolation as predicted by Daniel would be fulfilled within the lifetime of the generation living when he was saying this (Matthew 24:34 the word genea in the NT always refers to a 40 year period or the people living in a 40 year period). So Daniel 12:2 is also referring to a resurrection of the dead at the end of the age in 70 AD. Paul said that resurrection was about to happen. All the dead in the OT went to Hades to await their resurrection and final judgment of eternal life or eternal destruction in 70 AD. In 70 AD they were raised, not bodily to be seen, but spiritually just as Paul predicted. I believe that happened just as Paul predicted, or else Paul is a false prophet. Paul gives further detail on this resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. He says that some of those he is writing to would still be alive at the resurrection. 15:51 Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed.” He says that the believers, whether dead or alive at the resurrection (the Daniel 12:2 resurrection) will be given “immortality”. 15:53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” Is Paul mistaken about this prediction also? This resurrection to immortality occurred within their lifetime in 70 AD. All believers since that date receive immortality when they believe (they can lose it if they fall from grace) and as Jesus said in John 11, “they will live even if they die (physically)”. So the belief that the resurrection of the dead occurred at 70 AD is not only Biblical, but is not a big hurdle in going from partial to full preterism.
The other NT writers and apostles also predicted an imminent 2nd coming. James 5:8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” Is James a false prophet? 1 Peter 4:5 who shall give an account to Him who is ready (hetoimós: Ready, prepared) to judge living and dead… 7 The end of all things is near (eggizó: To draw near, to approach, to come near: same word as used in Mark 14:42 he who betrays me is “at hand”).” Is Peter the apostle a false prophet? What about the apostle John? He said that the events predicted in the book of Revelation were to take place “soon” (1:1), “the time is near (eggus: Near, close, at hand)” (1:3), “soon take place” (22:6), “the time is near” (22:10). The book is about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, a follow up of all that Jesus predicted in Mt 24, Mk 13, and Lk 21. But it is also about the 2nd coming: Rev 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.” John says repeated that Jesus said “I am coming quickly” (2:16; 3:11; 22:12,20)”. Some say that just means “swiftly” but it obviously means “soon” since the events were “about to happen” (mello which always means “about to happen” in the NT) (1:19; 2:10; 3:10,16; 6:11; 8:13; 12:5). So is John the apostle a false prophet also? Let’s throw in another prediction by Paul here. 2 Timothy 4:1I do fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to (mello) judge living and dead at his manifestation and his reign (YLT).” This fits an AD 70 judgment also.
The book of Hebrews also predicts the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and the 2nd coming. Hebrews 9:28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” But when would this 2nd appearing or coming happen? Hebrews 10:37 For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay.” That 2nd appearing or coming would be in a very little while. That can only refer to his 2nd coming in 70 AD or else the writer of the Hebrew letter is a false prophet. The letter also predicts that the old covenant is “about to disappear” (8:13), which would fit 70 AD when the temple was destroyed, no more animal sacrifices since then, no more priests, and replaced with the new covenant. The book was definitely written before 70 AD: Hebrews 9:8 The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing.” The verb “is” indicates that the temple “is” still standing at the time the letter was written. It would be destroyed in 70 AD. Unfortunately a lot of the translations have “was still standing” which is not the accurate verb tense in Greek. Hebrews 6:5 predicts the new age (i.e. the Messianic Age) that is “about to come” (mello). Hebrews 13:14 predicts a city (i.e. the new Jerusalem) that is “about to come” (mello). We don’t know who wrote the Hebrew letter, but whoever wrote it (and Paul did not write it) did so before 70 AD and his/her predictions would come true in 70 AD. He/she was truly inspired by the Holy Spirit.
We must discuss 2 Thessalonians as a separate point since it is mainly about the 2nd coming. Chapter 1 says that Jesus will be revealed from heaven (i.e. the 2nd coming) to give relief to the Thessalonian Christians who are being afflicted or persecuted. Paul had said in 1 Thess 2:14 that they were being persecuted by their Jewish non believing countrymen but “wrath has come upon them (i.e. the Jewish unbelievers who were killed in 70 AD) fully.” (2:17). The main persecutors and killers of the Jewish Christians during the transition period from AD 30-70 were the Jewish unbelievers like Saul. Jesus’ 2nd coming in 70 AD would have the Romans killing a million evil Jews who rejected Jesus as the Messiah, so 2 Thess 1 certainly fits that context of giving the believers relief. It is always important that we. understand “audience relevance”, i.e. how does a passage relate to the audience it was written to. But some were saying that the 2nd coming “had already come” (2 Thess 2:2). Paul then goes on to say that before the 2nd coming there would be an “apostasy” (which could be a falling away of believers or it could be the Jewish revolt in years preceding 70 AD), and a “man of sin” would come with lying signs and wonders. This man of sin would claim to be god and would sit in God’s temple. This can only refer to Titus. Once the temple is destroyed in 70 AD, there is no temple for the man of sin to sit in, which eliminates all the many predictions of who the man of sin is (such as the papacy, some future Antichrist). Some person was holding that man of sin back at the time of writing, but 2 Thess 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrainswill do so until He is removed. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.” These verses tell us that this process was already at work at the time of writing. The man of sin was living at the time of writing. The man of sin (living at that time) would be judged at Jesus’ coming or appearing, which means the 2nd coming would have to be within the lifetime of those Paul is writing to.” Again, is Paul inspired? Did these things happen within the lifetime of those he was writing to or is he a false prophet? Paul had already spoken of the 2nd coming in the first letter to the Thessalonians: 1 Thess 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 5:2. Would that no be the same 2nd coming that he gave further discussion on in 2 Thessalonians? I think so! So those verses in 1 Thess are talking about the 2nd coming within their lifetime, in 70 AD. That brings us to another somewhat of a hurdle to full preterism in 1 Thess 4:13-18. The early Christians in the transition period from 30-70 AD all expected Jesus’ 2nd coming to be imminent, in their lifetime. Why would they think that? As James Stuart Russell said, “because Jesus and the apostles told them it would be imminent in their lifetime!” So they were concerned when a few of their loved ones also believers, died before the 2nd coming (70 AD), that they would not be alive to receive and immortality at the 2nd coming. Paul says, “don’t worry about them. Jesus will bring them with him when he comes (1 Thess 4:14). Apparently during this transition period the dead believers (and martyrs) would go directly to be with Jesus when they died. They would not go to hades like all the dead in the OT. Revelation 20:4 speaks of this “first resurrection” of those martyred during the transition period as occurring at the beginning of the 100 year reign of Christ. The “rest of the dead”, i.e. the dead of the OT who were waiting in hades for their resurrection in 70 AD at the end of the age (Daniel 12:2; Acts 24:15), would not be raised till the end of the 1000 years which would be in 70 AD. At the end of the 1000 years, Gog and Magog (Rome) would “surround the beloved city (i.e. Jeruslem), so if that is something that has to happen “soon” or “shortly” then the end of the 1000 years would be the Romans sieging and detroying the city of Jerusalem. That means that the 1000 years is a figurative number (as often done in Revelation) and is the 40 years from AD 30 to AD 70. That destroys the theories about Christ coming in our future to set up a 1000 year reign on earth (the millennium) that many preach about today. BTW Jesus said that his kingdom was “not of this earth” (John 18:36); his kingdom that was “at hand” when he spoke (Mark 1:15) was the spiritul kingdom, the church, that began in 30 AD. Back to 1 Thess 4. Paul goes on to say that those already dead in Christ (those Jesus is bringing with him) will join those still alive to meet Jesus when he comes. Those alive would be caught up together with those dead to meet Jesus when he comes and “will always be with the Lord” (4:17). Some say this is the “rapture” of saints before or at the 2nd coming. Is this not the same 2nd coming as in 2 Thessalonians, which would be in 70 AD? If so, then this is not a prediction of some rapture of saints that will occur in our future at some future 2nd coming of Jesus. It is simply a reference to a common practice of that day. If a dignitary or king came to visit a city, the residents of the city would go out to meet the king and then the king would go with them into the city to be with them in person. Paul is saying that those living would figuratively meet Jesus as He came to earth in His 2nd coming, after which Jesus would go with them and abide with them in their presence. He is not taking anyone back to heaven. He is coming to make His presence with the believers on earth in the church. From the 2nd coming in 70 AD on Jesus has dwelt by faith in believers in the new Jerusalem, i.e. the church (Rev 21:1-4). But the main point here is that 1 Thess 4:13-18 must be talking about the same 2nd coming as in 2 Thess, which would be in their lifetime, in 70 AD. So forget all the rapture ideas that you here. We believers have already been caught up with Jesus’ presence in the church.
In closing, I hope this will be helpful for someone who is a partial preterist but is contemplating becoming a full preterist. If you do become a full preterist, you are not going to be a heretic, at least in my estimation even if some would consider that to be heresy. You must be willing to go where the Scriptures lead you even if it goes against 2,000 years of church orthodoxy and doctrine. I am more interested in what the Bible says than what people say that it says.
If you just don’t want to consider all this as worth studying, that’s fine. It is not a heaven or hell issue (no eschatological theory is a heaven or hell issue). Just keep trusting in Jesus for eternal life and doing good works to glorify God. That is what really matters, not eschatology. But some of us, like I, must study and teach about this issue in light of all the false teaching that is currently being taught. Thanks for reading and I hope this article has been helpful to some.
Nicky's Notes 