Miracle Life Power Bible School 18 Feb 2014Week 1

Introduction AuthorSimon Peter DateA.D To Whom“To God’s elect, strangers in the world scattered throughout” Five Roman provinces (1 Peter 1:1)

About the Author Eyewitness of Christ’s sufferings (1 Pet 5:1) Peter was an Apostle of the Lord Jesus and he witnessed the sufferings of Christ. He is the best known among the Apostles. 1.He was a businessman, a fisherman (Mark 1:16-20) 2.He became a disciple through the witness of his own brother (John 1:40-42) 3.He was given the name of Peter by the Lord himself (John 1:41-42, Mat 16:16-18) 4.He was one of three men who were apparently closer to the Lord than others who followed the Lord – one of three who formed an inner circle around Christ. James and John were the other two. (Mat 17:1-2, Mark 5:37, 9:2, 14:23)

About the Author 5.He was a natural born leader and became the leader of the twelve apostles. (Mat 19:27, Mark 8:29, John 6:67-68, Acts 1:15, 2:14, 4:8-12, 15:7) 6.He publicly denied Christ at the crucifixion, but he later repented rather bitterly. (Mat 26:69-75) 7.He had a private interview with the risen Lord which deeply affected him (1 Cor 15:5, John 21:7, 15-21)

About the Author 8.He was filled with God’s spirit on the day of Pentecost and immediately became the leader of the early church (Acts 2:1) 9.He was chosen by God to become the missionary apostle to the circumcision, the Jews of the dispersion (Gal 2:7-8, 11-21) 10.He was martyred by crucifixion in Rome under Nero (around AD68), according to tradition. It is said that he felt so unworthy to be crucified like his Lord that he begged to be crucified upside down.

Date 1.The organization of the church seems to be in it’s primitive form. Only elders are mentioned. Deacons are not mentioned. 1 Pet 5:1 2.The theology of the Epistle is stated in the purest and simplest form possible 3.The Scribe, Silas was the one to whom Peter actually dictated the Epistle. He could possibly be the missionary associate of Paul who is also known as Silas (1 Pet 5:12) 4.The Epistle was written after some of Paul’s letters were penned. Peter knew of Paul’s writings (2 Pet 3:15)

To Whom? 1.These strangers or pilgrims of the Lord included both Jewish and Gentile believers. It is definitely clear that some Gentiles, probably many had been reached for the Lord. (1 Pet 1:14, 4:3-4) 2.Peter wrote the Epistle from Babylon. (1 Pet 5:13). There were three Babylons. 1.Historical Babylon in Mesopotamia 2.Babylon of Egypt 3.The Symbolic Babylon

Purpose 1.To challenge and strengthen believers to stand against the onslaught of persecution being leveled against them. This is Peter’s primary purpose. 2.To reinforce the glorious truth that the believer is only a stranger and an alien upon the earth (1 Pet 1:1-4, 2:11, Heb 11:13). Peter sensed that the message of holiness and dedication was especially needed during this period of persecution. There was a strong temptation to return to the world in order to save one’s life and property.

Special Features 1.First Peter is “A General Epistle”. It is not written to a specific church or individual, but rather it is written to all Christian believers. 2.First Peter is “An Epistle of Pastoral Warmth.” it is full with tenderness, love, understanding, and encouragement. It is a warm epistle, flowing from the depth and richness of Pastor’s heart. (1 Pet 1:8,17,19,22, 2:2-4, 7,11,25) 3.First Peter is “The Epistle for the suffering Church.” The church was being severely persecuted, suffering “in all kinds of trials” 1 Pet 1:16. They were suffering “unjustly” (1 Pet 2:19), suffering for righteousness sake that is having to suffer for standing up for the name of Christ. Malicious charges were made against them. (1 Pet 2:12, 15, 3:16, 4:14). Their suffering is mentioned at least 16 times.

Special Features 4.First Peter is “An Epistle of the True Grace of God” 1 Pet 5:12. Peter reveals that the true grace of God involves three stages. a.Grace of Salvation 1 Pet 1:10 b.Grace of Redemption, that is the end of one’s Salvation (1 Pet 1:13) c.Grace that carries one through life day by day (1 Pet 1:2, 3:7, 4:10, 5:5)

Special Features 5.First Peter is “An Epistle Emphasizing the Second coming”. The coming again of Jesus Christ is mentioned around eight times (1 Pet 1:5, 7, 13, 2:12, 4:13, 17, 5:1-4) it is a dominant theme upon Peter’s mind. 6.First Peter is “An Alien’s Epistle” it is written to the strangers and aliens whose home is in heaven, but who are presently plowing their way through this life. (1 Pet 1:1-4, 2:11, Heb 11:13) 7.First Peter is “The Epistle of the Missionary Apostle to the Jews.” Peter was given the primary responsibility of reaching the Jews throughout the world. He was the Apostle to the Jews (Gal 2:7-8, 11-21)

Outline – Part 1 How to be secure through suffering : Know that you are saved 1:1-12 A.Know that you are chosen of God 1:1-2 B.Know the believer’s living hope 1:3-5 C.Know the Truth about Trials and Temptations 1:6-9 D.Know the Wonder and Greatness of Salvation, 1:10-12

Outline – Part 2 How to live through suffering : Give your Life to God 1:13-3:12 A.Get your mind ready B.Live on earth in the Fear and Reverence of God C.Love one another fervently D.Strip off some things and crave the Word of God 2:1-3 E.Come to Christ the living stone 2:4-8

Outline – Part 2 How to live through suffering : Give your Life to God 1:13- 3:12 F.Know who you are : The people of God 9-10 G.Abstain from fleshly lusts H.Submit to the state I.Submit to Masters or Employers J.Follow Christ’s great suffering K.Submit to one’s own husband 3:1-6 L.Understand one’s wife 3:7 M.Live at peace with others 8-9 N.Love and enjoy life 1-12

How to be secure through suffering : Know that you are saved Know that you are the chosen of God 1:1-2

Introduction Peter is writing to people who were hurting and suffering People who were being ridiculed and persecuted because they lived for Jesus Christ. Throughout the Roman empire believers had been attacked and were being savagely persecuted – so much so that they had been forced to flee for their lives They had been forced to leave everything behind : homes, property, estates, businesses, jobs, money, church, friends, and fellow believers. Peter is writing to five Roman provinces where most of the believers had apparently tried to hide and find safety.

Introduction But note how the church is continuing on as an underground church. Imagine the fear, uncertainty, and insecurity; the wandering about and the searching for a safe place and for a way to earn a living. In some cases the believer’s did not even know where their next meal would come from. The church and it’s dear believers were fleeing for their lives. All the feelings that attack human emotions when a person being hunted down for brutal slaughter were attacking these believers.

Introduction The believers desperately needed strong encouragement. But how? How do you shore up and strengthen a person who is suffering and hurting so much ? How can a person be secure through suffering and persecution ? There is one way and only one way He must know that he is saved and be absolutely sure that he is under the care and love of God. This is the discussion. We belong to God and are looked after by God.

Know that you are the Chosen of God 1.They are believers who are only strangers or aliens scattered over the earth v1. Believers are only strangers on earth. Alien, pilgrim, visitor, or exile. Not a permanent resident, Believers are citizens of heaven. Their home is in heaven with God, not on earth with the rulers of the earth. No matter where we live, it is not our permanent home. This is only for a brief time. We shall soon be called to go home – to go to our permanent home in heaven and be there for ever and ever.

Know that you are the Chosen of God There shall be no hunger or poverty or suffering or hardship in heaven. It means that we should keep our minds and eyes : – Focused upon heaven as our permanent home. – Focused upon how short life is – Focused upon how uncertain, insecure, and short term all things upon earth really are Heb 11:13, 13:14, 1 Pet 2:11, Gen 47:9, 1 Chro 29:15, Psalm 39:12, Psa 119:19

Know that you are the Chosen of God 2.They are people elected (chosen) by God v2 The chosen are Elected by God They actually called the Elect, a people who had been elected or chosen by God. This means a most wonderful thing. It means that believers have the highest position in all the world. The position of being God’s own Holy and dearly loved people

Know that you are the Chosen of God They are people elected (chosen) by God v2 If God loves believers this much, enough to actually choose and elect them to be His very own Holy and dearly loved people, then God will look after and take care of them. No matter how ridiculed, abused and persecuted – no matter how poor, hungry, troubled and distressed- no matter how great the hardship, God will meet the need of the dear believer, the one whom he has elected to His own. 2 Thes 2:13

Know that you are the Chosen of God They are people elected (chosen) by God v2 The truths of election and predestination were used by both Paul and Peter to encourage believers when they were suffering great trouble and hardship. Foreknowledge of God : Acts 2:23 Foreordained the death of Christ 1 Pet 1:20

Know that you are the Chosen of God They are people set apart to covered by the blood of Christ v2 The chosen are sanctified by the Holy Spirit and covered by the blood of Christ. It means that a person cannot be saved any time he wants and any way he wants. A person cannot just choose some particular time of life to come to God. Two things are absolutely necessary for a person to be saved and to receive eternal life. 1 Cor 1:30, 2 Cor 7:1, Eph 5:26, 2 Tim 2:21, Heb 12:14, Heb 13:12-15, 1 Pet 1:2, 1:16, 2 Pet 3:11-14

Know that you are the Chosen of God They are people set apart to covered by the blood of Christ v2 A person must be sprinkled or covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. It means to be justified by His blood. We have broken the law of God. We have neglected God, ignored God, cursed God, rebelled against God, and rejected God. We have chosen to live like we want to do our own thing, and we have refused to live like God says. Romans 5:9, Heb 9:14, 1 Pet 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, Rev 1:5

Home Work In this Epistle Peter offers number of titles which describe believers. Example 1:14 “Obedient Children” what are the other titles?? (You could read all 5 chapters to find the other 13 titles )