Bible Study - Confident Living - Faith under Fire - 1 Peter 1 - March 6, 2011

Bible Study – Confident Living – Faith under Fire – March 6, 2011

We begin a new series of study entitled “Confident Living in Difficult Times.”
Our scripture for the month of March will be taken from First Peter. Our scripture for this lesson is 1 Peter 1:1-12.


First Peter was a letter written by the Apostle Peter to encourage Christians who were and would likely face trials and persecution during the rule of the Emperor Nero. During most of the first century, Christians were persecuted socially and economically. Much of the persecution came from the hands of non-Christian Jews and their families. Later, Christians would be rounded up, tortured and killed for sport by the Romans.


Many Christians had scattered to other areas, as stated in Peter’s letter, to escape harassment and discrimination because of their faith in CHRIST.


Let’s read 1 Peter 1:1-5: Greeting
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: To the temporary residents[1] of the Dispersion[2] in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia (KAP uh DOH shih uh), • Asia, and Bithynia (bih THIN ih uh), chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge[3] of God the Father and set apart[4] by the Spirit for obedience and [for the]* sprinkling with the blood[5] of Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you.


It is believed that most Christians either knew Peter or had heard of him, thus he began his letter simply stating his name. We have to remember that it was Peter who preached on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem and about 3,000 people became Christians. Those hearing Peter’s message, inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT which had indwelled Peter and others, were from the places cited in today’s scripture. This was recorded by Doctor Luke in Acts 2:5-10:


5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, the multitude came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 And they were astounded and amazed, saying,[1] “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and • Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and • proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own languages the magnificent acts of God.”


Acts 2:14
14 But Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: “Jewish men and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you and pay attention to my words.


Acts 2:37-42:
37 When they heard this (GOD’S message of salvation), they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?” 38 “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off,[12] as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt[13] generation!”


A Generous and Growing Church
41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers.


Peter wrote his letter to the “temporary residents of the Dispersion” about 32 years after Pentecost. When the Jews were displaced they referred to themselves as the “Diaspora”, which means scattered and referred to Jews who lived outside of the Promised Land in the period before CHRIST. Here the term referred to the Christians who lived outside of new Israel or the period Christians lived outside of Israel after the passion of CHRIST. The provinces stated in our scripture are the areas we know today as Turkey.


Notice the word “chosen”. This is a beautiful word when it relates to being chosen by GOD. In our study dated February 20, 2011, we considered the word “chosen.”


Why did GOD choose the Israelites? HE chose them because HE loved them.

Let’s read Deuteronomy 7:7-11: (Old Testament)
7 “The LORD was devoted to you and chose you, not because you were more numerous than all peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the place of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh King of Egypt. (Remember what GOD has done for you and delivered you.) 9 Know that • Yahweh your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commands. 10 But He directly pays back[3] and destroys those who hate Him.[4] He will not hesitate to directly pay back[5] the one who hates Him. 11 So keep the command—the statutes and ordinances—that I am giving you to follow today.


GOD chose you before HE created the world. Ephesians 1:4-5: (New Testament)

4 for He chose[3] us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[4] In love[5] 5 He predestined[6] us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will,


Some may be concerned with use of the word “predestined.” Our scripture we are studying gives us some insight into the workings of GOD. The Trinity is involved in salvation.


Why did GOD choose us? Because HE loved us – John 3:16:


16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His • One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.[10]


Just as the Israelites were in bondage and slavery in Egypt, people are in bondage and slavery to sin and death. GOD chose to deliver the Israelites from their plight. HE heard their plea for help and HE responded because HE loved them. Humans are in bondage and slavery to sin and death. GOD chose, through grace, to allow HIS ONLY SON, JESUS, to come to earth to live and be tempted as all are tempted. HE gave HIS sinless life for the sins of the world and was buried and HE raised HIM from the dead as proof that CHRIST had paid the price for sin. Proof that CHRIST fulfilled HIS mission was HIS resurrection and ascension back to heaven to sit at the right hand of GOD. CHRIST’S passion opened the way for all who would believe that HE died for their sins to ask HIM to forgive them for their sins and accept HIM as their SAVIOR. Faith in CHRIST and HIS shed blood sets all who believe in HIM free from the bondage of sin and eternal death. But each individual person has to make the decision whether or not to accept or reject CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR.


In verse 2, Peter revealed the Trinity’s involvement in salvation. GOD the FATHER uses HIS foreknowledge to know who will choose to accept CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR. The HOLY SPIRIT works in the hearts and lives of all who are to receive salvation. Hebrews 1:14: 14 Are they (Angels) not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?


Once a person acknowledges CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR, the HOLY SPIRIT indwells and sets him/her apart. At the instant of salvation the person is covered (sprinkled) by the shed blood of CHRIST and redeemed from the clutches of sin and eternal death. Remember that the last plague brought upon the Egyptians was the death of their first born. GOD instructed the Israelites to place the blood of the lamb on the door post of their home for their first born to be spared from physical death. The shed blood of the Lamb of GOD, CHRIST, covers all Christians. At the instant of salvation, the new Christian is secured through a covenant bond (rebirth) with GOD through the shed blood of CHRIST. The new Christian is set apart by GOD for use, which is sanctification. The degree GOD will use a Christian depends upon his/her choice. GOD never violates a person’s right to free choice, even in serving HIM. It is HIS desire for all of HIS children to obediently serve HIM.


The sprinkling of blood signifies a covenant relationship with GOD. In the Old Testament, Exodus 19:5 states - 5 Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine,[1] and Exodus 24:8 - 8 Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you concerning all these words.” The covenant was sealed by the sprinkling of blood.


In the New Testament 1 Peter: 18-19 - 18 For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things, like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.


Salvation involves GOD, THE FATHER, THE HOLY SPIRIT and CHRIST.


- GOD the FATHER chooses the person (sinner) for salvation. I believe all people are chosen but he/she has the freewill to accept or reject CHRIST.
- GOD the HOLY SPIRIT works in the “eyes of a person’s heart” to bring that person (sinner) to a point of decision to accept or reject JESUS CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR.
- GOD the SON cleanses the person who accepts CHRIST from all sin – Present, Past and Future by HIS shed blood.


In Deuteronomy 7:7 it states that GOD chose Israel because HE loved them and HE delivered them from Egyptian bondage and slavery. Israel’s deliverance from Egypt was GOD’S choice. Allowing CHRIST to come to earth was GOD’S choice because of HIS love for all people.


In Ephesians 1:4 it states that GOD chose us in HIM before the foundation of the world. In my opinion, subject to much debate, I believe that every person who has lived and that will ever live has been chosen by GOD. GOD will send the HOLY SPIRIT to work in the heart of every person. That person will have an opportunity to accept or reject CHRIST. Christians are to present the Gospel message as led by the HOLY SPIRIT but GOD brings about salvation. This means every person (babies, children, mentally challenged) is covered under GOD’S choice until they become knowledgeable of their need for CHRIST. GOD delivers them by HIS choice until they reject HIM and refuse to repent of their sins and continue in disobedience, disbelief that GOD is real and the worship of the things the world has to offer (idols – anything that comes between them and GOD). Even the vilest person can repent and ask CHRIST to forgive him/her and to come into his/her life. But the more a person rejects the wooing of the HOLY SPIRIT, the harder his/her heart becomes. If this is your situation and you feel the tug of the HOLY SPIRIT in your heart, please respond to that urging right now by asking CHRIST to forgive you and to come into your life. HE is waiting but it is choice – eternal life with GOD or eternal death without GOD.


Let’s read 1 Peter 1:3-5: A Living Hope

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth[6] into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.


Peter praised GOD before he wrote about HIM. GOD allowed HIS ONLY SON, JESUS, to leave heaven and come to earth to live as a human. Because of the love and mercy (grace) of GOD for the people HE created, HE allowed JESUS to give HIS life for the sins of mankind, through the shedding of HIS blood. This reveals the great mercy or grace GOD has for all people. The living hope for all people is the resurrected CHRIST. Christians have faith in a living SAVIOR, WHO conquered sin and death.


The proof that JESUS was the perfect and acceptable sacrifice for sin is in the fact that GOD raised HIM from the dead. JESUS’ resurrection is proof of a Christian’s salvation and eternal life which is confirmed and guaranteed by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT.


Salvation is just the beginning of the process of sanctification. Once a person asks CHRIST to forgive him/her for his/her sins and to come into his/her life the process of sanctification begins. Sanctification means to be set aside for use by GOD; to be made saint like.


When Christians are born into the family of GOD they are saved from sin and death but they are still living in their earth suits (human bodies). Until Christians leave this earth in death, they are in a constant state of being saved by the power of GOD from the power of sin. When a Christian’s earth suit dies, their born-again Spirit exits and is immediately in heaven with GOD and CHRIST. At that instant, when they see CHRIST they will be like HIM and salvation is fully realized. Salvation then immediately turns to glorification. At the appointed time by GOD, CHRIST will return to earth and the Christians who departed this earth in death will return with HIM. At that moment they will receive their new glorified bodies, which will be just like JESUS’ resurrected body.


As long as Christians live upon earth in their earth suits they are in the process of being saved from the power of sin with the assurance, as stated in verse 5, that they are protected by GOD’S power. Just as JESUS had to trust HIS FATHER to raise HIM from the dead, so do Christians have to trust GOD, through faith, for their salvation. CHRIST is our living hope. It is because HE lives, so will we live eternally.


A Christian’s hope is through the resurrected CHRIST and the miracle of rebirth. Through the miracle of rebirth a Christian is born into GOD’S family with a promise of an inheritance which is “is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” The word “kept” was a military word meaning “under military protection.” A Christian’s inheritance is under the protection of the power of GOD.


Christians are kept from the power of sin (eternal death) through the shed blood of CHRIST by the power of GOD. Fellow Christians, we are all sinners saved by the grace of GOD because HE loved us. HIS grace is sufficient to get us through this life and into heaven. Do not allow Satan to rob you of this great inheritance by listening to his lies. If you have asked CHRIST to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life, you are GOD’S child and will always be HIS child. If you have strayed from HIM, repent and return. HE is waiting. For those who have never asked GOD for forgiveness, ask CHRIST to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life now because today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.


Let’s read 1 Peter 1:6-9:
6 You rejoice in this,[7] though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials 7 so that the genuineness of your faith[8]—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire[9]—may result in[10] praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him[11] and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 because you are receiving the goal of your[12] faith, the salvation of your souls.[13]


Peter addressed the brevity of life upon earth compared to eternity. We have to keep in mind that we were not made for time but for eternity. Our time upon earth is to prepare us for eternity. So when trials come our way, they are for testing and proving the genuineness of our faith. Gold is purified with fire but gold is also tested with fire. Adulterants can be added to gold. Fire is used to test the genuineness or purity of the gold. When our faith is tested it is to reveal to us the areas where there are flaws. Weak areas can be strengthened so that Christians will remain faithful and depend upon GOD through all circumstances.


Peter told his readers to “rejoice.” Christians can only rejoice during trials when they have the knowledge, understanding and assurance that they are secure in CHRIST. This comes about by having the right relationship with CHRIST. This rejoicing is not elation and ignoring the circumstances a person is facing. But it is the confidence and trust that he/she belongs to GOD through CHRIST and HE is in control and sovereign in all matters. He/she is secure in CHRIST under all circumstances.


This week, I was talking with a brother in ministry. The ministry places him in some dangerous situations. Someone ask him if he had ever thought about getting shot. He said, no. But since that question, he has thought about it and came to the conclusion that his destination was heaven, so why should he be concerned.


Bottom line, most of us do not want to leave this life on earth. We have family, friends and things we enjoy. It is hard for us to envision what GOD has prepared for us in heaven.


If we had been asked whether or not we wanted to leave the comfort and security of our mother’s womb and experience life on earth, most of us would have said no. I am glad I was born and can live in a wonderfully made and crafted body and experience life. What GOD has prepared for those who love HIM is beyond their comprehension. When we internalize salvation, life and life after death becomes exciting. Hope in CHRIST should lead to joy. CHRIST came that Christians can live the abundant life upon earth because they do not have to fear physical death. Their abundant life comes from being obedient servants of GOD here upon earth.


Peter stated that the testing of our faith was necessary to verify and determine the genuineness of our faith. Gold is tested to determine its genuineness. It is by faith that Christians love CHRIST although they have never seen HIM. Once they encounter HIM through the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT, their Spiritual eyes are opened and are in awe of the vast wealth they have in HIM. It is beyond anything material wealth or position could offer.


When you consider what HE has done for you, which is impossible for you to do for yourself (salvation), rejoice. This joy comes because you realize that you have an unspeakable gift that can only come through a personal relationship with CHRIST, through faith.


Let’s read 1 Peter 10-12:
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets[14] who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated. 11 They inquired into what time or what circumstances[15] the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings[16] [17] and the glories that would follow.[18] 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you concerning things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things.


Peter addressed salvation. The prophets of the Old Testament prophesied about salvation and grace. GOD had led them to prophesy as to the timeline for the coming of the Promised Messiah, the passion of the Messiah and HIS resurrection. The HOLY SPIRIT was actively leading these prophets to write about salvation and grace, as well as, all who preached the Gospel. The angels played a vital role in preparing the way for CHRIST and for Christians to obediently serve GOD. As mentioned in the scripture Hebrews 1:14, angels are ministering spirits for those who are to receive salvation.


Angels are mystified by the concept of salvation and rejoice when a person chooses to accept CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR. The prophets who wrote of the Messiah longed to see this prophesy fulfilled. All who have lived since the passion of CHRIST have had the joy of seeing this prophesy regarding CHRIST fulfilled and experience salvation and grace. We wait now for HIS second coming. Since the passion of CHRIST and Pentecost, people have had the opportunity to experience salvation and the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT. Christians are surrounded with tools to equip them to grow and mature Spiritually but often they rely upon the experiences of others rather than seeking their experiences through obedient service. We have a wealth of Christian book knowledge but fall short of experiential knowledge. Seek to build an intimate, loving relationship with CHRIST and get to really know HIM through obedient service. Be honest with HIM and tell HIM the fears or concerns you have if you commit your life to HIM. Listen, study the Bible and watch as HE reveals more of Himself to you.


If you have not accepted CHRIST as your SAVIOR, today is the day of salvation!!!