1 Peter 1-2

1 Peter 1:1-12 – Living Hope

Peter wrote this letter to Christians throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia to encourage them, because they were being persecuted for their faith.  Peter’s name was Simon, but Jesus changed it to Peter in John 1:42.  The name Peter means rock or stone.

We have every intention to do what is right.  Then sometimes life just takes over and we say “Oh, whatever”.  Have you ever felt that way?  Peter knew what it was like to mess up and he failed Jesus miserably.  He thought he had faith until he was tested.  He denied Jesus 3 times.  God knew his heart and completely changed him.  The Christians to whom he was writing were messing up and said, “Oh, whatever” and “Why should I be different?  We as Christians should be different, because we were chosen.  There is always a redemptive purpose in every mistake we make.  We don’t know what today will bring, but we know to whom we belong.

Peter describes Christians as God’s elect, strangers in the world and having been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God through the sanctifying work of the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood. – (1 Peter 1-2).  Elect means chosen to be given new life.  Verse 2 shows us the Blessed Trinity – The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Peter praised God and all He has done through our Lord Jesus Christ. – (1 Peter 1:3).  Lord means He has complete authority.  Jesus is His human name and means God who saves.  Christ means Messiah meaning the one whom God has anointed.  Peter reminds the suffering Christians why they should praise God.  “In his mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you.” – (1 Peter 1:3-4).  Suffering should be expected.  It’s God’s way of purifying and validating our faith. 

Principle:

The living hope of Jesus Christ can transform our response to life.

Where is your focus when you are suffering?

How much do events of today impact your hope?

How is your faith in Jesus Christ resulted in glorious joy?

How confident are you that your salvation is secure?

1 Peter 1:13-2:3 – Living Holy

What is God’s purpose for His children?  He wants us to be holy, because He is holy.  He wants us to be self-controlled and to prepare our minds for action.  He wants us to set our hope fully on grace given to us.  He wants us to be obedient and not conform to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance. – (1 Peter 1:13-16).  Holy means to be good, pure, set apart, spiritually whole or sound.  Holy means to belong to God alone.  The Holy Spirit makes us holy.  Does that sound like you?  This doesn’t mean Christians will never sin, but with God’s help we must try to avoid it in our lives.

Peter refers to Jesus as the Lamb without blemish or defect.  – (1 Peter 1:19).  In the Old Testament God commanded a sin offering for the peoples’ sins.  They were to sacrifice a lamb without blemish or defect to atone for their sins, but this sacrifice was only temporary.  They had to keep doing it over and over because they kept sinning.  Jesus was perfect with no sin.  He was our sacrificial lamb who died on the cross once and for all for all the sins of mankind.   If we believe this and trust and obey Him, we are a new person in Christ.  We are born-again, which means we died in our sins and our old ways of life.  We are born-again in the Spirit through Jesus.  We are now living as a new person made possible through the saving blood of Jesus.

Principle:

As believers live a life of holiness others will encounter God’s pure sincere love and goodness.

How are you prepared for a life of goodness?

How are you under indoctrination of the world?

How will you describe the way you love people?  Is it conditional or like Jesus?

1 Peter 2:4-25 – Living Example

Peter says we are like living stones.  What does that mean?  Jesus is the cornerstone or the foundation like that in a building.  The cornerstone is the first stone put into place.  He is also the capstone, which is the last stone put into place.  He is the beginning and the end.  God builds a house with people.  We are being built into a spiritual house (the church) to be a holy priesthood.  We are living stones and are to be like Jesus. – (1 Peter 2:4-6).

Jesus is the stone that makes man stumble or reject Him, because they disobey the message He brings.  People continue to stumble over Christ today by refusing to believe the Bible.  They think it is not relevant.  They don’t believe what Jesus says.  They think He is not the only way to the Father.  They think He was a good man and teacher, but not the Christ.  They think they know the truth and refuse to find out for themselves who He really is.  He does not desire people to stumble.  We do that ourselves.  We are not chosen because we are perfect, or from a certain family, or have wealth.  We are chosen because He loves us.

As Christians we have privileges.  We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God and we have received God’s mercy.  We are aliens and strangers in the world, but we can still live without conforming to the world’s standards.  We can abstain from sinful desires, live good lives so others will see our good deeds and glorify God when He returns.  The Holy Spirit lives in us.  We are children of God and should live differently from the world. – (1 Peter 2:9-12).  People look at Christians and see how we behave.  Be careful people are watching you.

All authority comes from God. – (Romans 13:1-2).  We are to submit for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men.  We complain about the government and others in authority just like they did then.  We should remember God put them in their positions and we are to respect them and leave their judgments to God. – (1 Peter 2:13-25).  How are we able to do that?  We can do this by being conscious of God and knowing we are doing what He commands.  Then this is commendable before God. – (1 Peter 2:18-21). 

Jesus was our example of how to suffer unjustly.  When He was arrested and beaten, He did not retaliate or make threats or even complain.  He entrusted Himself to God who judges justly. – (1 Peter 2:23).  We are to persevere in unjust suffering as Christ did.

Principle:

Believers are called to live as examples of the attitude, character and commitment of Christ by entrusting ourselves to God.

Do you complain about your government leaders?

How do non-believers describe you?

What attitude or character of Christ do others see in you?

What is keeping from entrusting yourself to God?

Do you have faith and courage to do that in everything in your life?

As believers we are chosen for hope and empowered for holiness so others will have a glimpse of the Savior.

Join me here next week for our next study of 1 Peter 3-5.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Acts 12

Peter Miraculous Escape

Herod began arresting some of the Christians intending on persecuting them.  He killed James, the brother of John.  Peter was arrested and put in prison, but the church was earnestly praying for Peter.  The night before his trial and while he was sleeping an angel came and his chains fell off and the gates where opened and with the help of the angel Peter escaped.  Peter sleeping demonstrates the power of prayer, peace and trust in the Lord. 

The church prayed earnestly to God.  Many times our prayers are weak and matter of fact or even habit.  We don’t really come into the presence of our great and holy God.  They prayed trusting God for the outcome.

Why are we so surprised when God answers our prayers?

Prayer is usually for petition, but it’s much more.  When praying, you should include the A. C. T. S.

A – Adoration of God

C – Confession of sin

T – Thanksgiving

S – Supplification

Does it make a difference, if we pray?  The Scriptures say we should pray continually (1 Thess. 5:17) and to pray for your enemies. (Matt. 5:44)

How are you earnestly praying for your church?

Are you praying for other believers?

Prayer is a vehicle for God to change us.  When we get away in a quiet place to be with God in prayer, it changes our thought and desires.

There are great lessons on prayer in chapter 12:

1.       Prayer works – the church constantly prayed for Peter when he was in prison.  God sent his angels and miracles happened.  His chains fell off and he was freed.

2.      We need to remember this example and have faith that God will answer our prayers.

3.      God answers prayer.

Principles:  God acts with power to bring change through people’s prayers.

James was martyred and Peter was rescued.  We don’t know God’s reasons for this, because only He knows the reasons He does things.  Being a believer doesn’t mean God will always deliver us from trials.  He doesn’t love us less when He allows tragedy into our lives.  He loved both James and Peter, but allowed James to die.

Herod’s Death

Herod went to Caesarea, because the people of Tyre and Sidon had been quarreling with him over their food supply.  He put on his finest clothes and addressed the people.  They shouted praises to Herod calling him a god, which was typical in those days to look on leaders as gods.  Herod loved the power and all the praises.  He didn’t give glory to God, but took it for himself.  So the Lord struck him down and he was eaten by worms and died.  But the Word of God continued to increase and spread.

Today we look up to political leaders, movie stars, and rock stars.  Some hang on to their every word and if we don’t watch out, they will influence us in ways of the world.  They are a type of god to us.  They even think of themselves as gods.  God wants us to give Him the glory and glorify Him alone. 

He gives judgment when judgment is needed.  He has the final say, because He is in charge.  If we seek glory for ourselves, the Lord will surely humble us.  Be aware of the temptation of pride and taking credit for ourselves when it’s God who deserves the praise.

Principle:  To seek glory for ourselves is to commit eternal suicide.

Join me here next week for our next study of the Acts of the Apostles.  We will take a detour from the book of Acts and study 1 Peter 1-2.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Acts 9:31-11:30 – Peter’s Ministry

Peter Heals the Paralytic and Tabitha

Verse 31 characterized the growing church as a time of peace.  It was strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit.  It grew and lived in fear (wisdom) of the Lord. 

What would it take for the church today to look like the 1^st century church?

Is your church at peace and growing? 

Do you complain about trivial things and cause dissention and agreements in the church?

As Peter traveled and spread the good news and healed many.  He healed a paralytic who had been bedridden for 8 years.  A disciple named Tabitha was sick and died.  Peter prayed and she lived again.  Many believed as result of this miracle. 

Two miracles of physical healing tell us at least 2 things:

1.       Only through faith in Jesus can the apostles heal and only through faith in Jesus can we be healed (Mark10:52, Luke 7:50, 18:42).

2.      Just as Jesus can bring us comfort by physical healing here on earth, He can bring spiritual healing.  Without Him all are spiritually dead.

Cornelius the Gentile

Cornelius was a Greek and a good and religious man.  We’re told he was devout and God-fearing.  He was highly respected by the Jewish people.  He and his whole family worshiped God, but he didn’t know Jesus.  He was constantly praying and helping the poor.  One day he had a vision and an angel of God told him to send men to Joppa and bring back Peter.

Meanwhile, Peter was praying and had a vision.  Heaven opened and it looked like a large sheet coming down to earth filled with all kinds of animals.  A voice said, “Get up, Peter.  Kill and eat.”  Peter thought these were unclean since Old Testament law had strict rules - to not eat unclean animals and birds (Lev. 11, 17:10-14, 20:25) and to eat food with non-jews, but now God said nothing He made was impure or unclean.  This happened 3 times and Peter wondered what this meant.  Then men sent by Cornelius asked Peter to go back with them as Cornelius had asked.

In those days God often spoke to people through visions, because they didn’t have the complete written Word as we do today.  Today we have access to His written Word, the Bible.  However God sometimes does reveal His will to people by dreams or visions.

Jesus’ death changed the Old Testament law.  Peter now realized that God does not show favoritism and accepts men from every nation (Acts 10:35) - Jew or Gentile.  Does this mean that God accepts people from every nation in His family without belief in Christ?  No.  He is saying everyone is eligible.  (John 14:6) - Jesus said He is the only way. (Acts 4:12) – Salvation is found in no other.

How do you show prejudice?

Do you pass judgments on someone by how they look?

Peter went knowing he would be criticized for eating with Gentiles and not obeying the Jewish traditions.  He knew God was guiding him and that it was God’s will so he went without fear.

Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house where his friends and family were waiting.  They expected something exciting to happen and it did.  Peter’s shared the gospel with them.  He told of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and His forgiveness of sins for anyone who repents and believes.  He told them he and the other disciples were witnesses of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  While he was speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on them.  They were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles.  “For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” - Acts 10:44.  This was like a confirmation of the Holy Spirit which was important in that day and time.  Also note, the Holy Spirit came prior to baptism confirming baptism does not save, but is an outward sign of the beginning of a new life.

Principle:  Salvation is not based on national identity or good works. 

How available are you to the Holy Spirit?

Do you understand why you find it hard to get alone to do Bible study? (The enemy, Satan doesn’t want you to.)

What do you need to change in your life to be available to Jesus Christ?

Peter Criticized

The well-meaning church criticized Peter for what he had done for the Gentiles, but Peter said who am I to go against the Lord (Acts 11:16-17).  Then there were no further objections.

 Antioch was the capitol of Syria.  It was a city of sin.  It was corrupt with pagan influences and desperately needed the cleansing power of Jesus.  There are 4 events in the early history of this important church at Antioch:

1.       They told the Greeks (Gentiles) about Jesus

2.      Barnabas and Saul taught great numbers of people.

3.      Disciples were called Christian for the first time.

4.      Prophets came to Antioch and prophesied

The Lord’s hand was on them because a great number of people turned to the Lord (Acts 11:21).  The news reached Jerusalem and the church sent Barnabas who had the biggest heart in the church.  He believed in Saul and wasn’t afraid when others were.  We all need a Barnabas in our lives.  He wouldn’t care what background we came from or if we shown up on Sunday at church wearing holey jeans.   He wouldn’t look at the external, but the internal.  The name Barnabas means son of encouragement.   

Do you have a Barnabas or are you a Barnabas?

Barnabas brought Saul to help teach in Antioch.  When they arrived in Antioch there was evidence of God’s grace (Acts 11:23-24).  Barnabas was full of the Holy Spirit and faith and great numbers of people were brought to the Lord.  More and More people were converted.

Principle:  People come to God only through faith in Jesus Christ.

The gospel was first preached to the Jews and then to the Gentiles as God’s grace to save all who repent and believe in Jesus Christ.  There are prejudices all around us, but the lesson here is we need to put away any prejudice and put on love for all people.  God shows no favoritism.  He loves and wants to save everyone.

Join me here next week for our next study in the book of Acts.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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