1 PETER second layout

1 PETER LESSON 1: KNOWING WHO WE ARE / 1 PETER 1:1-3 BOOK 1:1 - 2:12 2:13 - 3:12 3:13 - 5:14 OUTLINE SUBMISSION SUFFERING SALVATION Government, Business, Marriage, Life Our Endurance & Christ’s Example Positional Practical BACKGROUND The new believers, the new • Whose purpose will ulti- part He is glorified. But may to be a Christian in a fallen, church and Peter himself were mately be done? the God of all grace, who sin-filled world. living in times of extreme suf- • What will the end look like? called us to His eternal glory fering. Peter writes out of love And Who will be glorified? by Christ Jesus, after you have • Peter raises our eyes to offering hope. Peter knew he suffered a while, perfect, es- view the WORK of Christ, to would soon be killed for his Notice these comments from tablish, strengthen, and settle look to the WORD of Christ, faith. Peter provides the suf- Peter about suffering (1 Peter you. To Him be the glory and to find the WILL of God in fering church with God’s per- 4:12-14; 5:10-11): the dominion forever and ever. our lives and how we can glo- spective. Peter and the other Amen. rify Him and being empow- apostles will look to Christ Beloved, do not think it ered by the Spirit right here and the will of God not just at strange concerning the fiery • Peter is giving the be- and now. the problem at hand. They trial which is to try you, as lievers a different and diffi- trusted ultimately God’s will though some strange thing cult perspective. Their minds • Peter shows us how to look was to be done. happened to you; but rejoice must first be set on Christ, on past the circumstances, (al- to the extent that you partake the will of the Father and on though the suffering be hard), • The question is, “Who is ulti- of Christ's sufferings, that the glory of God. Peter en- to the Lord Himself; to see mately in control?” when His glory is revealed, courages believers to develop past this moment in time by • Who is actually setting the you may also be glad with ex- minds like that of Christ considering Christ and where timeline? ceeding joy. If you are re- Jesus, Who did the will of God it all will leads. • It is not what we trust in but proached for the name of regardless of the suffering Who! Christ, blessed are you, for the and attacks. • What is God’s purpose for Spirit of glory and of God suffering? rests upon you. On their part • Peter is providing a new, in- He is blasphemed, but on your depth look at what it means IN YOUR OWN WORDS The verses have been presented visually to help you see the structure of the verse. Next to the verses, write out the meaning in your own words to help you understand what is being said. Bolded words are defined in the “Study Helps” at the end of this chapter. 1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 1 Peter 1:2 elect, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS What questions came to your mind as you read this passage? Try to answer them to the best of your ability. CROSS REFERENCES Are there other verses in the Bible that connect with this passage? How are they related? You can use other Bible tools to help. PERSONAL APPLICATION What lessons from this study can be directly applied to your life today?

SUMMARY FOR FURTHER STUDY • What does the title ‘apostle’ mean? (v.1) • Explain how being an ‘apostle of Jesus Christ’ might be recognized as having authority to teach and direct people in their walk with the Lord. • How many apostles were there? Peter is writing to the believers in Asia Minor. These believers have been sent out to tell an unsaved world about their Saviour Jesus Christ … they are referred to as ‘chosen or elect pilgrims’ (travellers or ambassadors) scattered throughout their world proclaiming the Gospel. • How was God the Father involved (v.2)? • How was the Holy Spirit involved (v.2)? • How was Jesus Christ involved (v.2)? • What does the passage mean when it says “for obedience”(v.2)? What is the Christian to do? Peter prays that ‘grace and peace be multiplied’ to the believers. What does that mean? • How important is grace to Christians? •How important is peace to Christians? Peter includes himself as “begotten again to a ‘living hope’ – What is this ‘living hope”? What does Peter mean when he writes “according to His abundant mercy”? Why is “the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” mentioned in this verse? • What would you say Peter is emphasizing in the first 3 verses of his letter? • Why would Peter introduce his letter this way? • What is important to you from Peter introduction?

STUDY HELPS WORD STUDY: SPOTLIGHT ON “GLORY” Any description of any virtue or characteristic or person, or nature of God falls short of providing a portrait complete enough, grand enough, beautiful enough, to express the glory of the Triune God or the Father, Son or Holy Spirit individually. • His sovereignty is without limit • His holiness is immeasurable • His justice is perfection • His Judgment is unquestionable • His love is unbounded • His power is unapproachable • His grace enables and favours those who are His own from the tiniest person to the mightiest Angel • He is unsullied light – greater, purer, more powerful than the brightest sun or star. Our God is glorious! As a preparation for this spotlight consider Paul’s words: First notice: 1. The light of the gospel is the glory of Christ. 2. Christ (in His glory) is the image of God (John 1:1-18) 3. God’s light – the ‘light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” shines in our hearts 2 Cor 4:4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Cor 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 2 Cor 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Second Notice: 1. Our view and access to God is opened – we see God’s glory in the face of the Lord 2. In that view – in the ‘beholding’ we are being transformed (charged) into the same image from glory to glory. 3. The change that takes place in us is conducted “by the Spirit of the Lord’ in our lives. Piper would say: “Beholding is becoming” Seeing and Savouring Jesus Christ” page 16 2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Third Notice: When God decided to express Himself most fully to man – He sent His glorious Son. 1. The brightness of God’s glory 2. The express image of God’s person 3. Heir of all things 4. God created the world through Him 5. The Son is upholder of all things by the word of His power 6. The Son, by Himself, purged our sins 7. Then the Son was seated at the right hand of His indescribable, glorious Father. Heb 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, Heb 1:2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; Heb 1:3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Peter will mention and describe God’s glory throughout his writing. He then gives us a practical insight to God’s ‘glory’ in the world of men! Let’s consider these.

PETER’S USE OF THE WORD “GLORY” MEANING IN CONTEXT 1 Pet 1:7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than Genuineness of our faith is tested. When purified it gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, will bring glory to the Lord. and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, Our love, faith, and joy in the Lord brings glory to 1 Pet 1:8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet Him. Christ is the ‘fulness of Glory!’ believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory God ‘gave’ Jesus Christ glory at His resurrection. 1 Pet 1:21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and Christ had ‘glory’ Heb. 1:1-3 but this was additional gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. glory based on His work John 17:1-5 1 Pet 1:24 because \"ALL FLESH IS AS GRASS, AND ALL THE GLORY OF MAN AS Man’s limited glory perishes. THE FLOWER OF THE GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND ITS FLOWER FALLS AWAY, Ministers are to: 1. Glorify God in their ministry through Jesus 1 Pet 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone Christ; 2. Recognize the eternal glory that God has ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things given Jesus Christ God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. When we share in Christ’s sufferings we may see His glory and rejoice in it! 1 Pet 4:13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. Our sharing of His reproach (criticism, accusation), is a blessing because then the Spirit of glory and 1 Pet 4:14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for of God rests on us. At some level what we do for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, the Lord brings glory to our Saviour. but on your part He is glorified. When we suffer as Christians God will use our suf- 1 Pet 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let fering for His glory. him glorify God in this matter. Elders will be participants of the glory to be re- 1 Pet 5:1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and vealed. a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Elders bearing witness to the Lord in all their deal- ings will be recognized with a crown of glory 1 Pet 5:4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Believers are called to eternal glory in Christ Jesus 1 Pet 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by The glory and dominion are God’s forever. Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. God has equipped (empowered) us through the ‘knowledge’ of Him – we are called ‘by’ His glory 1 Pet 5:11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. and virtue. It is because of His holiness we can be called. 1 Pet 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, Christ received glory and honour from the Father Who Himself is the Excellent Glory! 1 Pet 1:17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a (at Christ’s baptism) voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: \"This is My beloved Son, in whom I Our primary task is to grow in grace and knowledge am well pleased.\" of our Lord and Saviour – To Him be Glory forever! 2 Pet 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen

YOUR ANALYSIS OF “GLORY” What actions by What actions by man When did God ‘give’ What happens to God bring Him glory? bring God glory? His Son glory? man’s glory? 1 Peter 1:7 1 Peter 1:21 1 Peter 4:11 1 Peter 1:24 1 Peter 1:8 1 Peter 4:11 1 Peter 5:4 1 Peter 4:13 2 Peter 1:17 1 Peter 5:10 1 Peter 4:14 (2X) 1 Peter 5:11 1 Peter 4:16 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 5:1 1 Peter 3:18 List your conclusions based on Peter’s writings about glory. Some definitions of “glory” by various authors include: • “Perfection of all excellencies” • “His essential nature.” • “God’s essential eternal perfections” • “The beauty of His holiness.” (Everything about God is holy) • “Love is the pen-ultimate… glory is the ultimate.”

KEY TERMS & DEFINITIONS VERSE 1 — Apostle: apostle of Jesus Christ. Peter has been specially chosen and sent by Jesus Christ to teach, to spread the Gospel and to record the foun- dational truths about Jesus Christ and His saving death. Greeting: Peter greets his readers with a powerful description of who they are and in God’s eyes and what the triune God has done for them. Dispersion: The new Christians were to spread throughout Roman provinces and proclaiming the Gospel. VERSE 2 — Elect (chosen) pilgrims (strangers): Selected by God for the specific privilege and purpose (See 2:9) of honouring Him, declaring His gospel and living for His kingdom. Called to suffer persecution for the Gospel. Foreknowledge: All things are known by God as in the present. God’s information is complete Sanctified: To sanctify is to set apart for God; to become holy. Col. 3:12; Eph. 1:4 For obedience: willing choice to do the will of God 1 John 1:6,7 Sprinkling of the blood: the daily, constant purification and cleansing of the believer through the blood of the Saviour. Purchased, cleansed and kept by His blood. Grace: Favour, enablement, gift, the source of peace Peace: rest in Christ Multiplied: Increase, prosper, continue to grow VERSE 3 — Blessed: Let God have the praise According to: The immeasurable supply of God’s blessings Abundant mercy: God’s infinite compassion and mercy cannot be granted by a Holy God without justice first being achieved. The price demanded for sin must be paid; then mercy can be given Begotten: birthed us, born again. Living hope: Christ is not dead, but living. He is our Hope! All who were dead in sin are given ‘new life’ ‘new hope’ in Christ. Resurrection: foundation of hope, forgiveness of sin, seal of the gospel, proof of death having been defeated, basis of the Gospel