Seminar – Saturday 06-03-2021

March 11, 2021

FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER

THEME: 1Pet. 5:12. “…this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand”

  1. 1:1” Peter an apostle…” He identify himself not as a special apostle, but as one of the apostles. Even though he opened the door of the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. Matt. 16:18-19, Act. 2:14-47; 10:34-48.

Strangers and pilgrims Heb. 11:13, 1Pet. 2:11. Jews believers in dispersion Jas. 1:1, Act. 13:16 as well as Gentiles believers in dispersion

  • 1:2 Elect. Election is the sovereingn act of God in grace whereby certain persons are chosen from among mankind for Himself. Jn. 15:19, Tit. 2:14.
  • The sovereingn act of God whereby certain elect persons are chosen for distinctive service for Him. Lk. 6:13, Act. 9:15.
  1. Is according to foreknowledge of God. 1Pet. 1:2 and wholly by grace apart from human merit. Rom. 9:11; 11:5-6. Foreknowledge: God perceiving beforehand as in Act. 2:23. See Eph. 1:4-6, Rom. 8:29, 1Cor. 2:7
  2. Proceds from the divine volition. Jn. 15:16.
  3. Anyone chosen of God at any time Jews or Gentiles is the elect of God. Rom. 9:11; 11:5, 7, 28, 1Thess 1:4, 1Pet. 5:13, 2Pet. 1:10.
  • All men are called to become God’s elect, if they will choose Christ.
  • Election is through:
  • Sanctification of spirit 1Cor. 1:2; 6:11. In position, believers are eternally set apart for God by redemption, “through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once” Heb. 10:9-10, 14. In position, therefore, believers are “saints” and “holy” from the moment of believing Phil. 1:1, Heb. 3:1. (b) In experience, the believer is being sanctified by the work of the Holy Spirit through the word of God. Jn. 17:17, 2Cor. 3:18, Eph. 5:25-26, 1Thess. 5:23-24. (3) In consummation, the believer’s complete sanctification awaits the appearing of the Lord. Eph. 5:27, 1Jn. 3:2.
  • Obedience to the gospel. 1Jn. 1:5-10, Eph. 2:10
  • The sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ Eph. 1:7. All these takes place at once, when one is saved.
  • 1:3. Begotten again as in 1:23 been born again, Jn. 3:3, 7. Salvation is in three tenses: 1. The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin Lk. 7:50, 1Cor. 1:18, 2Cor. 2:15, Eph. 2:5, 8, 2Tim. 1:9 (2). The believer is being saved from the habits and dominion of sin Rom. 6:14, Phil. 1:10, 2:12-13, Rom. 8:2, 2Thess. 2:13, Gal. 2:19-20, 2Cor. 3:18. (3). The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ. Rom. 3:11, Heb. 10:36, 1Pet. 1:5, 1Jn. 3:2
  • Born to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Rom. 8:24-25, 1Pet. 1:3-5, Heb. 3:1. “The hope of a Christian has this Excellency, it is a living hope. The hope of eternal life in a true Christian is a hope that keeps him alive, quickens him, supports him, and conducts him to heaven. Hope invigorates and spirits up the soul to action, to patience, to fortitude, and perseverance to the end. The delusive hopes of the unregenerate are vain and perishing; the hypocrite and his hope expire and die both together, Job 27:8. (6.) The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the ground or foundation of a Christian’s hope.” M. Henry Our hope :

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  • Believers will rest in heaven above after death 2Cor. 5:1-9, Phil. 1:21, 23, 2Cor. 12:2, 4. It should be remembered that Christ’s resurrection has moved paradise to heaven above and the first fruit from among men has been taken to heaven/paradise above. Matt. 27:52-53 see Lk. 16:22-26 for hell and paradise below.
  • Believers will have part in the first resurrection or cut up (rapture), the redemption of our body. 1Cor. 15: 50-57, 1Thess. 4:13-18, Rom. 8:18, 22-23, Phi. 3:20-22, Rev. 20:4-6.
  • Believers will be honoured and rewarded when Christ comes. Jn. 12:26, 2Cor. 5:10, 1Cor. 3: 13-15. There is hope for you & your work will be rewarded. 2Chro. 15:7, Heb. 6:10, Jas. 5:7-11. Note: Salvation is a free gift. Eph. 2:8-9, Rom. 3:23-29.
  • Believers are expecting crowns when Jesus comes.
  • We are expecting the marriage supper of the Lamb. Matt. 25:1-13, Rev. 19:7-9, Lk. 22:16. The final union of the bridegroom and the bride. 1Cor. 11:8-9, 11-12; 6:15, Eph. 5:26-32.
  • Believers are expecting the day of vengeance on their tormentors and persecutors in the second coming of Christ. Rev. 6:9-11, 2THes. 1:6:-9, Rom. 2:8-9, Rev. 12:12; 19:1-6, Rom. 12:19-21.
  • Believers will rule with Christ for 1000 years. Matt. 25:14-30, Rev. 20:4-6.
  • Believers are expecting the new city heavenly Jerusalem. Rev. 21:1-7, 10-26; 22:1-5
  •  God will finally be with man. Rev. 21:3
  • 1:4. To an inheritance…reserved in heaven for you. “Heaven is the undoubted inheritance of all the children of God; all that are born again are born to an inheritance, as a man makes his child his heir; the apostle argues, If children, then heirs, Rom. 8:17. God giveth his gifts unto all, but the inheritance to none but his children; those that are his sons and daughters by regeneration and adoption receive the promise of eternal inheritance, Heb. 9:15. This inheritance is not our purchase, but our Father’s gift; not wages that we merit, but the effect of grace, which first makes us children and then settles this inheritance upon us by a firm unalterable covenant.” M. Henry
  • 1:5. Kept by the power of God Jn. 17:11; 10:27-29, Jude 1, 24 by faith unto salvation ready to be revealed. . The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ. Rom. 3:11, Heb. 10:36, 1Pet. 1:5, 1Jn. 3:2 Salvation is by grace through faith; is a free gift, and wholly without works. Rom. 3:27-28; 4:1-8, 6:23, Eph. 2:8. Salvation first, followed by works. Eph. 2:9-10.
  • 1:6. Rejoicing, though in distress through trials.. Jas. 1:3, Matt. 5:11-12, Acts. 14:22; 20:19, Rev. 2:10
  • 1:7. Trials refine us as gold. Pressure produces enlargement. Ps. 4:1.
    • Trials proves and humbles us. Deut. 8:15-17, Jas. 5:10-11.
    • Affliction seperates the chosen from the called. Is. 48:10 Matt. 20:16, Rev. 17:14.
    • Suffering teaches obedience. Heb. 5:8; 12:6-8, 1Pet. 4:1-2, 15, 19.
    • Troubles test our faith in God’s word. Ps. 105:17-19, Pro. 30:5
    • Trials produces perseverance and maturity. Rom. 5:3-5, Jas. 1:2-4
  • 1:8. “…the love of Christ constrain us.” 2Cor. 5:14-16
  • 1:9-12. The outcome of faith and the final consummation which is the reward of our faith= salvation. The total redemption of man and things restored fully under man’s control, including Satan. Rom. 8:23, 19-14, Rev. 12:10, Eph. 3:3-5. The search by the prophets 2Pet. 1:20-21, the suffering of Christ and the glory that will follow-the summary of the work of all Old Testament prophets. Lk. 24:26-27.

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  1. 1:13-17. Exhortations in view of the fullness of salvation to live Godly lives. “Wherefore, since you are so honored and distinguished, as above, Gird up the loins of your mind. You have a journey to go, a race to run, a warfare to accomplish, and a great work to do; as the traveler, the racer, the warrior, and the laborer, gather in, and gird up, their long and loose garments, that they may be more ready, prompt, and expeditious in their business, so do you by your minds, your inner man, and affections seated there: gird them, gather them in, let them not hang loose and neglected about you; restrain their extravagances, and let the loins or strength and vigor of your minds be exerted in your duty; disengage yourselves from all that would hinder you, and go on resolutely in your obedience. Be sober, be vigilant against all your spiritual dangers and enemies, and be temperate and modest in eating, drinking, apparel, recreation, business, and in the whole of your behavior. Be sober-mined also in opinion, as well as in practice, and humble in your judgment of yourselves.” And hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Some refer this to the last judgment, as if the apostle directed their hope to the final revelation of Jesus Christ; but it seems more natural to take it, as it might be rendered, “Hope perfectly, or thoroughly, for the grace that is brought to you in or by the revelation of Jesus Christ; that is, by the gospel, which brings life and immortality to light. Hope perfectly, trust without doubting to that grace which is now offered to you by the gospel.” Learn, (1.) The main work of a Christian lies in the right management of his heart and mind; the apostle’s first direction is to gird up the loins of the mind. (2.) The best Christians have need to be exhorted to sobriety” M. Henry 1Tim. 3:2, Tit. 2:2. Phil. 1:27. As obedient children run away from former lust. Eph. 2:1-3, 1Pet. 4:1-6, Tit. 3:1-6. Holiness means separation from common to uncommon.. God shows no partiality. V. 17Rom. 20-11, Jas. 2:1, 9. “Complete holiness is the desire and duty of every Christian. Here is a two-fold rule of holiness: [1.] It must, for the extent of it, be universal. We must be holy, and be so in all manner of conversation; in all civil and religious affairs, in every condition, prosperous or reverse; towards all people, friends and enemies; in all our intercourse and business still we must be holy. [2.] For the pattern of it. We must be holy, as God is holy: we must imitate him, though we can never equal him. He is perfectly, unchangeably, and eternally holy; and we should aspire after such a state. The consideration of the holiness of God should oblige as to the highest degree of holiness we can attain unto”  “All good Christians look upon themselves in this world as pilgrims and strangers, as strangers in a distant country, passing to another, to which they properly belong, Ps. 39:12; Heb. 11:13. (2.) The whole time of our sojourning here is to be passed in the fear of God. 1:18-23.” M Henry
  2. 1:18-21. Redeemed from corruption not through incorruptible things, but the blood of Christ, “we were delivered by paying a price” “was purchased in the market” “was bought out of the market” “was set free by paying a price” Jn. 8:32, Rom. 8:2. Our purchase was sealed. 1Tim. 2:6, 1Cor. 7:23. No more accusers. Joel. 2:25, Deut. 23:5, Ps. 112:6-8, 10, Num. 23:8, 23, Rom. 8:31, Is.50: 7-9.
  3. 1:22-23. The law of love in view of the redemption and the word of God that give us the new birth freely.
  4. 1. 24-25. All flesh is grass. Is. 40:6-8, 1 Pet.1:24, Ps.90:4-6. Life is brief. Ps.39:4-5, Job.9:25, Jas.4:13-14, and man is frail.Is.64:6, Job.4:19; 14:10-12, Eccl.3:20.