Category: 1 Peter

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:18-22 (day five) One of the concerns of studying the scriptures passage by passage is to study them separately from previous passages. We tend to lose context as well as the writer’s train of thought.  The first word in our text this week helps us to think and look back at Peter’s previous point and theme for his letter to the believers in Asia Minor- suffering and persecution. In particular this text is connected (the word “for” indicates a reason or grounds for what will follow) to Peter’s thoughts on righteous suffering.  Our text is seemingly an answer to a previous statement that produced an implied question, “Why is it better to suffer for doing good, than for doing evil?”
The summarized answer from this week’s text- Because Jesus has previously walked the path of righteous suffering which was God’s path and plan for His vindication and glory. Peter points to Jesus’ example to give believers great hope (in the midst of suffering) for our rescue and resurrection- pictured in baptism.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:18-22 (day four)

Prior to Christ, the picture we have of redemption is the work of the priests bringing a sacrifice to atone for sin.  The sacrifices had to be repeated over and over, because they could not pay the full price.  At the right time, Christ came…the sinless, spotless lamb of God…to die once for our sin.  Hebrews 9:24-28 tells us that story.  Christ was able to pay the full price for our sin.

When we die…which we all will…we will stand in judgment…which we all will…before God.  If we have received the gift of salvation through Christ, we will stand before God, not in reference to sin, but rather for salvation.

If any message can be learned from Peter, it is ‘trust Christ’.  His sacrifice, given for our redemption from sin, was planned before the beginning of time.  God is an infinite God…He transcends time.  The work of Christ seems to us to have been long ago, when in God’s timetable, it is as fresh as your last breath!  Trust Christ!

---

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:18-22 (day three)

“…[Christ] went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah…”

Some will interpret this passage as describing Christ’s preaching in the Holy Spirit through Noah to an unbelieving generation, while others will see a description of Christ himself preaching to those who have died. These varying interpretations each lead to further implications about the human person’s relation to God after bodily death, so they are not unimportant. But one thing remains clear. There is not one human being who lives or has ever lived about whom God is unconcerned. God notices when someone is absent from his table. He will spare no effort to seek and to save. And he will teach you to to seek with him.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:18-22 (day two)

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, vs. 21

Make sure to read the full passage when you encounter this verse. It is easy to get hung up on the first phrase and think that the act of baptism has some salvific property. Galatians 2:19-21 serves as a reminder that keeping a command or work is not the act of salvation. Continue reading Peter’s thoughts that our appeal to Christ through the power of his resurrection is the action that leads to salvation. Baptism is a wonderful reminder of the cleansing of our hearts from our own sinful pursuit and desires to a life redeemed and made worthy by Jesus.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:8-17 (day seven)

always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. vs 15

Apologists have adopted this verse as a defense to why we should study apologetics. We should know what we believe and why we believe it, these things are true. However, I think we can become overzealous to the defense and lose track of the very thing we were called to defend, the hope that is in you, as well as how we are supposed to defend it, with gentleness and reverence.

I recently encountered a professional apologist who was so well trained to debate that even his small talk came across as combative. Within five minutes of meeting this person, I began to ask myself this question: If I were an unbeliever, would I be more persuaded by logic or by love? If the people we are sending into the front lines are more concerned with winning an argument than displaying the hope we have in Jesus Christ, then our logic was flawed to begin with. Our society doesn’t need more divisiveness, we need more hope. Defend your hope!

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:8-17 (day six)

There’s a difference between reacting and responding. Reacting often lacks preparation, awareness, and mindfulness, whereas responding is preceded by anticipation and readiness.

That’s Peter’s aim, readiness. He doesn’t want these churches surprised by suffering, he wants them to expect it, and be ready for it when it comes. Peter wants them to do more than survive, more than grin and bear it, but he really wants them ready to engage others with hopefulness in the midst of suffering.

When suffering comes that’s our cue that God is up to something in the lives of those around us, and he plans to use our readiness so they can see and hear about the hope we have in Jesus.

Are you responding or only reacting to life’s circumstances?

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:8-17 (day five) “And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled.”  Fear was something with which Peter was very familiar. In the courtyard, out of fear, he denied knowing Jesus to a servant girl.(Luke 22:57).
But Peter found the solution to his fear and he wants these fearful believers in Asia Minor to know it. It’s found in Isaiah 8. He paraphrases part of the passage in our Re:Verse text (see beginning of this blog). Some scholars believe this passage could be interpreted “do not be afraid with fear of them.”  Isaiah continues, “It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread.”
If the fear of man is to be overcome, then it must be replaced or exchanged with the fear of God- devoted attention and adoration to His glory and and grace.
“A praising heart is immune to the fear of other people. Fear of another sort takes possession of our hearts and minds: a fear that does not flee in terror, but draws near in awe and worship.” – Edmond Clowney

When the fear of man is exchanged or replaced with the fear of God, what follows is a life filled with courage and conviction.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:8-17 (day four)

Picture who is writing this passage…Peter.  Who was always the fiery disciple, ready to leap out of the boat before thinking…Peter.  Who was the first to speak up when an opinion was needed…Peter.  Who drew his sword to protect and defend his lord…Peter.  Now, who has matured in his faith and has been chosen by God to be inspired to write His Holy Word…Peter.  The longer Peter served the Lord, the more he grew in his courage, wisdom, and his insight into the heart of God.

Have you ever thought, “I wish I had his bible knowledge” or “I could never witness like he does.”  Christian maturity comes with commitment, preparation, and experience.  As we look back over our lives, we should see a growing relationship.  Our lives should not be the same now as when we first came to know Christ.  Do you see a growth?  A maturity?  Are you wiser, more knowledgeable, more willing to serve now than before? It is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  We cannot remain the same!

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:8-17 (day three)

“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.”

What is the difference in the quality of suffering in each of the cases Peter mentions? Why is one better than the other? Righteous suffering would seem to be primarily formative in effect, while punitive suffering would seem to be primarily corrective in effect. If that is true, then punitive suffering would involve a costly repair of one’s standing within earthly systems of authority. Righteous suffering, on the other hand, is an opportunity to spend all of one’s God-given internal resources not on repair, but on more direct identification with Christ. Christ walked the path of the innocent sufferer. All who suffer for doing good walk right beside him.