General Epistles                                                KL Paulson
Preacher Silcox                                                  11/6/1997

The Book of First Peter

Author: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ (Also called Simon & Cephas). (1:1); Mark 1:16-18; John 1:42
Date: About 62-64 A.D. (LAB) from "Babylon" Rome? (5:13)
Theme: Christian living in a time of trial.

I. GREETING (1:1-2)

       Immediate audience, "to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia" (1:1)

II. SALVATION (1:3-13)

 A. Its future aspect (1:3-9)

  -- Living for the future (1:4)

      Jesus is our hope I Tim. 1:1
      "that blessed hope" Tit. 2:13
      "Well done, good and faithful servant" Matt. 25:23

 B. Its present urgency (1:10-13)

  -- Reasons for readiness (1:13)

      Eastern habit of dress became a symbol for mental readiness.
      Luke 12:35-37

III. HOLINESS (1:13-2:10)

 A. As a call (1:13-21)

  -- God expects the saved to be "obedient" (1:14)

  -- The call to be different (1:15) 

   Pagan religions of ancient times were often an excuse to vile 
   indulgences in sensual pleasure. Temples were resorts of sin where 
   worshipers came out worse than they were when they went in. 

-- "Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1:16)
   Lev. 11:44; 19:2; 20:7
   Heb. 12:14

-- "if ye call on the Father" (1:17)
   "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" 
   Psa. 66:18

 B. As growth (1:22-2:3) 

-- Laws of growth (2:2)
   The immediate expectation of parents is that their newborn baby 
   will grow. 
   A fretful, distracted baby cannot nurse contentedly & to the 
   advantage of its little body. 

   1. Love for other Christians

   2. Faithful use of the Bible

   Milk & Meat I Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:13-14

   3. Seeking a close fellowship w/ Christ in praise, prayer, giving, 
      witness & service

 C. As functional in the local church (2:4-10)

  -- Useful church members (2:5,9) 

   To be Who?  "lively stones", "a spiritual house", "an holy 
               priesthood" (2:5) 
               "a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar 
               people" (2:9) 
   For What purpose?  "to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable 
                      to God by Jesus Christ" (2:5) 
                      "should shew forth the praises of him who hath 
                      called you out of darkness into his marvellous 
                      light" (2:9)

IV. DUTY (2:11-3:12)

      Key words: "Submit" (2:13); "be subject" (2:18); "be in subjection" (3:1); "giving honour" (3:7); "be courteous" (3:8)

 A. Citizenship (Government) (2:11-17)

  -- Christian Citizens (2:13) 

   Our 1st loyalty is to the Lord  Acts 4:19-20

   Christians are obliged to render due obedience to civil 
   authorities "for the Lord's sake" 

   Earthly government is a divine institution Rom. 13:1-7

   "Fear God"..."Honour the king" (2:17)

 B. Work (Business) (2:18-25)

  -- Saved slaves (2:18) 

   "Servants" = (Greek 'ouketai')

   These slave converts were to render respectful obedience to their 
   owners even if their owners were unjust & perverse. 

   The Cross of Christ affords the highest motivation for the lowest 
   task. 

   The supreme Suffering Servant  Isaiah Chapter 53

 C. Marriage (Home) (3:1-7)

  -- Marriage manners 

   1. Wife's duty: sweet submission to her husband (3:1)
      "chaste conversation", "meek & quiet spirit"

      See the true womanhood of SARA.
    
   2. Husband's duty: know your wife & honour her (3:7)

      The husband is to be the ruler of the Home  Gen. 3:16

 D. Church relations (Local church) (3:8-12)

  -- Brotherly love (3:8) 

   Love is the greatest virtue I Cor. 13:13
   I John 4:7,10

   Love checks retaliation (3:9)
   Love promotes a good, long life (3:10); Psa. 34:12-16

V. SUFFERING (3:13-4:19)

 A. With confidence (3:13-22) 

   "if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye..." (3:14) 

   "answer" translated from the Greek word 'apologia' (3:15) 

   'Apologia' originally meant the defense put up by an accused 
   person on trial 

    "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he 
    also will deny us:" II Tim. 2:12

 B. "in the flesh" (4:1-6) 

   Physical "suffering in the flesh" does not alway guarantee a 
   sanctifying effect 

   Gal. 5:24; Col. 3:3,5

 C. Three "all things" (4:7-11)

      1. "the end of all things" (4:7); Matt. 26:38,40-41

      "sober" means 'reasonable, sensible, serious'

      2. "above all things have fervent charity" (4:8)

      "fervent" carries the idea of being stretched or drawn out

      3. "that God in all things may be glorified" (4:11)

 D. With certainty (4:12-19); John 16:33

VI. CONCLUSION (5:1-14)

 A. Pastoral ("elders") exhortations (5:1-7)

  -- Ministry (5:1,5)

      God owns the church (5:2)

      God's pastor is to feed the flock (5:2)

      God resists the proud (5:5); Ps. 18:27; Pro. 3:34; Matt. 23:12; James 4:6

      God is the "exalt[er]" (5:6)

 B. Charity above all (5:8-14)

      Love is the cement which binds the "lively stones" together (2:5)

      "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:
      but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above
      that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to
      escape, that ye may be able to bear it."   I Cor. 10:13