pt BR Video Lecture #4 1 Peter Overview

welcome to video lecture number four an overview of First Peter first Peter is an exciting book to study Martin Luther saw it as one of the most important books in the New Testament alongside Romans and first John the issues that Peter addresses in the first century are very relevant in our current age this book deals with Theology and practical living he wrestles with understanding the salvific work of Christ and its implications in the life of the believer the salvific work of Christ refers to the work of Salvation that Christ produced on the cross Peter also

helps the reader know how a believer's identity is transformed because of a relationship with Christ and how that should change one's Behavior this leads to the Practical realities of living out one's Christian faith living within broken or tenous relationships with both Christians and non-christians and dealing with both sin and suffering in the world within the book there are paradoxes of the Victorious Savior and the suffering servant of the personal pursuit of Holiness and Reliance on the vicarious atoning work of Christ on the cross of wrestling of each Christian with a new identity in Christ that

is based on a new birth that comes about through death and surrender first Peter covers much Christian thought and offers the modern reader a glimpse into some of the most significant issues that the Christian faith addresses it is timely to address these concerns much of the West is moving away from a Christian world view into a postchristian world view that is reminiscent of the Roman society in which Peter lived and wrote many of the challenges that Peter writes about have once again become Hot Topics such as the efficacy and purpose of Christ's work on the

cross the Rel relationship of suffering to God how Christians should live in a non-Christian World following Jesus can be challenging in a world that finds teachings about him and his path to Heaven as offensive Peter's defense of the Gospel seems very relevant in an increasingly secular society theological truth remains more of an opinion to many people than an absolute however God's call for Holiness such as we see in 1 Peter 1 1116 and to offer a witness such as in 1 Peter 3:15 remains fervant therefore first Peter remains relevant and vital for the Contemporary believer

to read understand and live out within a world that we find ourselves this might cause some degree of suffering such as loss humiliation or even worse that's okay too we will be in good company with Christians throughout the centur countries and in the world today who have suffered for their faith this suffering has powerfully good effect for those who suffer and for the sake of the Gospel let's begin by talking about the authorship and date of first Peter the traditional view is that the Apostle Peter was the author of first and second Peter some Scholars

argue against Peter as the author of both of these letters due to the eloquent Greek or the presence of Pauling thought within the letters however a scribe writing for Peter could explain the level of Greek present in the letter and this perspective would suggest that the Scribe pinned this letter to the churches in Asia much like the APO like Mark did the gospel the gospel of Mark that Peter quoted to him regarding the Pauling thought Peter did spend some time with Paul throughout their Ministries and both of them ended up in Rome furthermore some of

Paul's letters were written early enough that they would be circul ated within the limited Christian circles in time for Peter to have access to them those who think Peter did not write the letter suggest that some Disciples of Peter wrote down what he taught and presented it as his writings this course holds indeed that the Apostle Peter wrote this letter though it is possible that he may have used a scribe perhaps Mark to write down the actual words the Apostle Peter previously known as Simon was one of the most prominent Disciples of Jesus and served

as a founding member of the Christian church he remained one of its leaders until his death and the Roman Catholic Church suggests that he founded their Church in Rome his story is one of the most well-known in all of the Bible he was a fisherman called out of his profession by Jesus to become a fisher of men due to his background he would not have been a likely candidate to serve in such an AUST role in the early church Peter was an ordinary man not schooled uh or from a religious family Simon had been some

form of a disciple of John the Baptist near the Jordan River when he met Jesus through his brother Andrew we see this in John chapter 1: 41 and 42 after returning to his home and fishing profession at the Sea of Galilee he encountered Jesus once again Jesus was preaching to a crowd when he saw Peter's boat near the shore and asked him if he could preach from the shore to which Peter agreed once Jesus was done preaching he asked Simon to take him out into the lake to fish Simon initially protested but reluctantly agreed the

encounter would change his life even though he had fished all night with no results this time the Nets were completely full Peter saw this as a work of God Jesus used this opportunity to cause Simon to become one one of his disciples Simon agreed and started following Jesus Simon became one of the most outspoken disciples and seems like a natural leader among the rest he publicly declares Jesus as the Messiah and the son of the Living God at which time Jesus declared that his name would be changed to Peter which comes from Petros in Greek

and in uh in Aramaic his name would be saus this means Rock and probably alludes to his faith and his strength Peter denied Jesus at his crucifixion however yet Jesus restored him later with the famous quote Peter do you love me Peter was a principal spokesperson for the gospel and helped launch the church at Pentecost the Jewish authorities tried to stop him from preaching yet marveled that such an ordinary man was able to preach with so much power Peter had witnessed the resurrection and experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost this changed him

he became an outspoken and effective preacher he saw the resurrection as evidence of God's mercy that offers Living Hope to those who believe in him Peter was crucified upside down in Rome under the rule of Nero as for the date uh Peter was executed probably in the early to mid 60s this letter is likely one of the last written works for Peter to write first Peter in time to receive another letter and respond with second Peter the date would likely have been in the early 60s perhaps 60 to 63 this course accepts petran authorship of

First Peter to be around ad. 62 or 63 let's look at the purpose and some of the major themes of the book of First Peter Peter's letter is an exor ation for Christians who are experiencing difficulty to remain steadfast we see this in 1 Peter 5:12 he offers encouragement to them in the midst of hostility and offers healthy Rules by which they can order their lives within the church in their families at work and within their communities he teaches a high christology and addresses spiritual growth for individuals who are coming to understand their new identity

in Christ let's look at some of these major themes that I've just mentioned starting first with petrine christology that word petrin just means it's from first Peter or it's of Peter christology is the study of Christ it's a branch of Christian theology Christian belief about Jesus developed within the earliest centuries as the apostles and earliest Church fathers came to understand the person and work of Jesus and a high form of christology had formed by the time that Peter wrote first Peter this means that the truths that the church came to embrace as Orthodox were developed

understood accepted and believed by Christian leaders the gospels offer an initial understanding of Jesus as the Son of God through his teachings and John's depictions of Jesus as the logos the pre-existing Son of God Paul's letters provide a lot of this development Peter offers key insights as well the christology that appears in First Peter is built on the foundation of a clear understanding of the work that Jesus accomplished through his death burial and Resurrection Peter teaches that these events are the basis of the New Covenant 1 Peter 1:2 of regeneration that is a new life

or being born again we see in chapter 1 ver three and Redemption we see in chapter 1: 18 and 19 so those main uh beliefs are a New Covenant regeneration and Redemption Peter records that Jesus fulfilled the old Covenant and established the New Covenant at Calvary and at the empty tomb petrine thought presents a trinitarian understanding with Christ as the agent of salvation for all Humanity he identifies salvation as the result of the obedient work of Christ which caused his blood to be sprinkled this is a specific term that alludes to Old Testament understanding of

sacrifices performed at the altar of God to cover sins on behalf of the one offering the sacrifice the theme of obedience and sacrifice intermingle throughout the Old Testament it is present at the inauguration of the Covenant between God and Israel in Exodus chap 24 verses 3-8 in which the blood is sprinkled on the Altar and then on the people as well as a dual sign of the payment for sin and the Covenant between him and those who are faithful the goal is not just for payment to cover sin but to initiate a relationship between God

and the people for them to enter into a covenant with him Peter reinterprets this in light of the salvific work of Christ Christ's sacrifice on the cross completed this dual function of making payment for sin and allowing those who are regenerated to enter into a new covenant with God Peter writes this explicitly in chapter 1 verses 3-9 this new birth offers a new hope that is permanent Covenant which will not perish this causes the believer to have a new identity in Christ we're going to talk about about more uh about the identity later Peter's christology

is firmly built on the understanding of the work of Christ's crucifixion and Resurrection in this Jesus's blood initiates the New Covenant as payment for sin in a way that serves as a vicarious sacrifice for the atonement for sin that reconciles people with God we're going to see atonement as an important theme in a little bit now while Peter does this he still stays true to a trinitarian theology first Peter begins his letter with the trinitarian statement calling his readers uh as those who are chosen according to the for knowledge of God the Father through the

sanctifying work of the spirit to be obedient and be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ this description Roots their election in God's forn knowledge brought through the work of Jesus and finished by by the work of the holy spirit in doing so he makes clear that a Christian's relationship with God interacts with each person of the Trinity let's look at some other themes that are that show in the form of metaphors throughout first Peter starting with the stone theme the stone like a rock metaphor in the book of First Peter is a powerful symbol

that underscores the identity unity and purpose of Believers in in Christ when Peter refers to Jesus as the living Stone in 1 Peter 2:4 he's drawing from Rich Old Testament imagery and connecting it to the lived experiences of early Christians this imagery deeply rooted in the Old Testament prophecy reinforces the foundational role of Christ in God's Redemptive plan and the believer's participation in that plan let's talk about Christ as the living Stone Peter declares that Christ is the living Stone Chosen and precious to God but rejected by men this metaphor is drawn from three significant

Old Testament passages Psalm 118:22 Isaiah 8: 14 and 15 and Isaiah 28:16 all of which were understood in Jewish tradition as Messianic before Jesus's time Jewish interpretations often linked these known passages to the anticipated Messiah texts like the sepagan translation of Isaiah and writings from the kumran community suggest that the Messiah would become this foundational Stone Jesus himself affirmed this connection in the synoptic gospels Jesus uh refers to Psalm 1822 applying it to himself and foretelling of his rejection by the religious leaders in Matthew 21 Mark 12 and Luke 20 by doing so he clearly

identifies himself as the Messiah and the Cornerstone of God's salvific work likewise Peter preaching in Acts chapter 4:1 identifies Jesus as the Cornerstone that the builders rejected emphasizing his resurrection and ultimate Authority this metaphor by echoing prophecies within the Hebrew scripture points to the ultimate mission of Jesus as the stone the builders rejected becoming the Cornerstone the crucified one becoming the foundation of Salvation Peter clearly identifies Jesus as the Messiah and the Cornerstone of God's salvific work the term living stone is particularly striking stones are typically inanimate objects yet Peter describes Christ as living unlike

an inanimate Rock the stone is alive embodying the vitality and eternal nature of Christ following his resurrection this distinction is crucial Christ though crucified and rejected was resurrected and remains alive actively shaping the lives of Believers unlike a static Monument Christ as the living stone is dynamic Foundation and lifegiving just as he was chosen by God believers who come to him are also Chosen and integrated into God's spiritual Temple let's look at how Peter talks about Believers as living stones Peter extends the metaphor by identifying Christians as living stones being built into a spiritual house

in 1 Peter 25 this imagery speaks to the close relationship between Christ and his followers because Believers share in the resurrection of Jesus they too are living stones forming a spiritual temple in which God dwells the significance of this concept is profound rather than a physical Temple as in the Old Testament God's dwelling place is now among his people the unity in Christ Fosters as a communal identity among Believers the spiritual house is not built with isolated stones but stones that are joined together illustrating the interconnectedness of the Christian Community rather than serving as isolated

individuals Believers collectively form the house of God that integrates one with another which highlights the importance of a shared spiritual journey the image of being built into a temple underscores the shared purpose and mission of all believers to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ now in light of this idea of the living Stone let's go back and review Christ as the Cornerstone that the builders rejected in first century Roman architecture the Cornerstone was the most critical element of a building's Foundation it was the first stone laid ensuring the entire structure was aligned properly

Peter's audience would have understood that Christ as the Cornerstone was the essential Foundation of their faith unlike modern decorative cornerstones the ancient Cornerstone determined the stability and integrity of the entire building however Peter also acknowledges that not everyone accepts this foundation for those who believe he is precious the Cornerstone upon which they build their lives while some recognize and embrace Christ as the Cornerstone others however reject him St um Ling over him instead Peter describes this rejection in 1 Peter 27 and 8 quoting Isaiah 8:14 referring to those who disobey the message and thereby fall

this rejection not only predicted in scripture but also reflects the reality of the world's response to Christ those who refu refuse to build upon the living Stone do not simply bypass him they stumble and fall illustrating the inescapable impact of encountering Christ neutrality isn't an option he is either the foundation of Salvation or a stumbling block leading to downfall this Duality emphasizes personal choice and its consequences the builders who reject the Cornerstone symbolize those who dismiss the gospel message their rejection doesn't just negate the stone significance but rather fulfills the prophetic War warnings and results

in their own loss it serves as a sobering reminder of the weight of the decision when confronted with the truth of Jesus Christ what is the implication of this for believers this metaphor carries profound implications for the Christian Life first it affirms the believer's identity in Christ just as Christ was chosen and honored by God so too are those who come to him their worth and purpose are being built into a spiritual house second it highlights the reality of suffering Christ the Cornerstone was rejected and suffered and Believers as living stones should expect to share

in that suffering however their suffering is not in vain it is part of their calling and identity as God's people this has implication for those who are suffering and need to persevere Peter's audience faced persecution and hardship ship much like Jesus did by identifying Believers as living stones aligned with the main living Stone Peter offers both comfort and exhortation their suffering is not a sign of Abandonment but of participation in Christ's own rejection and ultimate Glory just as Jesus was chosen by God and honor despite human rejection so are his followers Peter's use of the

stone imagery reassures Believers of the security and permanence of their faith the spiritual house built upon Christ is eternal when the scaffolding of History comes down what remains is the enduring Temple of God's people firmly established on the living Stone thus Believers can take comfort in knowing they are part of God God's Grand Redemptive project a structure that will stand for eternity now let's look at a different theme the theme of The Suffering servant the suffering servant is really Christ's path to redemption in 1 Peter 1 2: 21-2 Peter presents Christ as the suffering servant

drawing from Isaiah 53 to illustrate Jesus's suffering and its implications for believers unlike the stone imagery which was well established as a Messianic thought in Jewish thinking Isaiah 53 was not widely recognized as referring to the Messiah before the Advent of Christ however the New Testament writers including Peter clearly see Jesus as the Fulfillment of this prophecy so let's see how Jesus functions as the suffering servant Peter identifies Jesus with Isaiah's suffering servant emphasizing that Christ bore the weight of humanity sins his he highlights Jesus's unjust suffering quoting and alluding to Isaiah 53 to describe

his silence before his accusers his endurance of insults and his ultimate sacrifice on the cross by doing so Peter places atonement at the center of his teaching showing that Jesus's suffering was not merely exemplary but Redemptive unlike interpretations that Focus solely on Jesus as a moral teacher Peter underscores that Christ bore sins in his body on the cross securing salvation through his suffering this self-giving act Peter argues caus Believers to a transformed life that includes dying to sin and living in righteousness it is a call to follow in Jesus's steps Peter does not present Christ

suffering merely as an event to admire but as a pattern for believers to follow just as Jesus endured suffering without retaliation Christians are called to respond to persecution with patience and faith Peter reminds his audience that suffering is not a sign of God's neglect but a participation in Christ's own experience to suffer unjustly for doing good is not an anomaly but a mark of belonging to Christ this teaching would have been particularly significant to Peter's audience many of whom who faced hostility for their faith Peter reassures them that just as Christ's suffering led to Glory

their endurance will lead to Vindication Peter concludes this passage with a pastoral image reminding Believers that they have returned to the shepherd and overseer of their souls this evokes Jesus's role as the Good Shepherd who cares for his people even in suffering though they once strayed like sheep they are now under Christ's loving guidance and sustained by his Redemptive work this has implications for Christian Living the suffering servant me metaphor in First Peter presents a profound vision of Christian identity first it highlights that suffering is not contrary to God's will but part of the Redemptive

person purpose just as Christ's suffering led to Salvation the suffering of Believers refines their faith and deepens their dependence on God second it calls Believers to emulate Christ's response to suffering instead of retaliation or despair they are to entrust themselves to God's justice knowing knowing that their suffering has meaning and that ultimate Vindication Belongs to the Lord and Peter's use of Isaiah 53 demonstrates the Deep continuity between the Old and New Testaments the suffering and Triumph of Jesus was foreseen long before his Earthly Ministry providing a theological foundation for understanding his Redemptive work by embracing

the path of the suffering servant Believers align themselves with Christ's Mission participate in his suffering but also share in his ultimate Victory let's look at a couple of other themes one of which is the sacrificial lamb theme and we're going to contrast to the Victorious savior theme let's start with the sacrificial lamb or Redemption through Jesus's blood attached to the suffering servant Motif in in is Peter's use of the sacrificial lamb we see it for example in 1 Peter 1:1 17-21 where Peter presents Christ as the sacrificial lamb emphasizing the high cost of redemption this

imagery deeply rooted in the Old Testament sacrificial system underscores Jesus's role in securing salvation Peter reminds Believers that they were redeemed not with perishable things such as silver silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ a lamb without blemish or defect just as the Passover Lamb had blood that spared the Israelites from Death in Exodus chapter 12 Christ's blood delivers Believers from the bondage of sin and death the act of redemption was not an afterthought Peter states that Christ was chosen before the creation of the world in 1 Peter 1:20 this emphasizes God's

Eternal Plan of Salvation fulfilled in Jesus his sacrificial death was necessary to atone for sin and reconcile Humanity to God so we should live in reverence since Believers have been purchased at such a high cost Peter urges them to live with reverent fear conducting themselves in Holiness recognizing the immense sacrifice Jesus made should lead us to a transformed life one that is marked by gratitude obedience and devotion the image of Christ as the sacrificial lamb connects his suffering to the believer's Redemption his death was not merely an act of Injustice but a divine plan plan

for salvation because of this sacrifice Believers are called to live as people set apart for God knowing that their Eternal Redemption is secure alongside this theme of the sacrificial lamb however is the idea of the Victorious savior or triumph over death in 1 Peter 3:1 18-22 Peter presents Christ as the Victorious savior emphasizing that Jesus is suffering and death were not the end of his story his resurrection and Ascension secured victory over sin Death and All spiritual forces this triumphant aspect of Christ's work assures Believers that they too will share in Victory Christ's victory was

over Death Peter affirms that Christ suffered once for sins the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God this statement underscores both this substitutionary nature of Christ's suffering and its ultimate purpose reconciliation with God although Jesus was put to Death In the Flesh his resurrection inaugurated a new reality where death no longer holds power Peter furthermore emphasizes Jesus's exaltation noting that he has ascended to heaven and now sits at the right hand with angels authorities and powers in submission to him this exaltation demonstrates that suffering does not have the final word Victory does just

as Jesus triumphed so too will those who follow him despite their present hardships this becomes an encouragement for the persecuted for Peter's audience facing hostility and persecution the Victorious Christ provided hope if Christ had not only endured suffering but also conquered it then they too could endure with confidence the worst the world could do to them death was not the end through Christ they had the promise of resurrection and the eternal life the sacrificial lamb is VI the Victorious savior together the two themes of Christ of the sacrificial lamb and Victoria savior highlight the full

scope of his work his role as the ultimate atoning sacrifice and his triumph over sin and death these truths serve as both encouragement and exhortation for believers calling them to perseverance faithfulness and holy living let's look at the petering thought taught in First Peter on Christian Living how then because of the work of Christ should a Christian live and the first thing I want to talk about is Holiness or being called to be set apart Peter exhorts Believers to pursue Holiness emphasizing that they are called to reflect God's character in every aspect of their life

in 1 Peter 1:15 26 he writes but just as he who called you is Holy so be holy in all that you do for it is written be holy because I am Holy this call to Holiness is not merely about moral Behavior but about a fundamental separation from the sinful patterns of the world Holiness involves a transformation of conduct speech and thought aligning them with God's will Peter urges Believers to live as obedient children avoiding their former way of life and instead embracing a new existence characterized by righteousness this pursuit of Holiness is a lifelong

journey that requires vigilance discipline and Reliance on God's grace Believers are to view themselves as sacred vessels set apart for divine purposes refusing to be shaped by the corrupt desires of the world and instead reflecting the Purity and righteousness of God in every facet of their lives this begins to create a new identity in Christ a royal priesthood one of Peter's Central themes is the identity of Believers as a chosen people a royal priesthood a holy nation God's special procession this identity is rooted in Christ who has called them out of Darkness Into His Marvelous

Light the language Peter employs Echoes Old Testament descriptions of Israel signifying that Believers are now the people of God regardless of their ethnic background this new identity comes with both privilege and responsibility as a royal priesthood Christians are called to mediate God's presence into the world proclaiming his truth and living in a manner that glorifies him their status as God's people provides them with security and purpose especially in the face of suffering and persecution understanding their Divine calling should instill confidence in Believers reminding them that their worth is not determined by social status or worldly

achievements but by their relationship with Christ the privileged position also demands that they embody Integrity humility and love in all their interactions serving as representatives of God's Kingdom on Earth another important theme is spiritual transformation or living as strangers within the world Peter describes Believers as foreigners and Exiles in this world and we see that in 1 Peter chapter 2:1 this underscores that their true citizenship is in God's kingdom not in this world this perspective radically reshapes how they should live instead of conforming to societal Norms they are to abstain from sinful desires and maintain

exemplary conduct among unbelievers transformation is evident not only in personal morality but also in relationships as seen in Peter's instructions on humility submission and love the Apostle also encourages perseverance and suffering reminding his readers that trials refine their faith and bring them closer to Christ th through spiritual transformation Believers become living testimonies of God's grace demonstrating the power of the Gospel in their daily lives this process of renewal enables them to rise above temporary hardships keeping them focused on Eternal rewards rather than present struggles as they grow in their faith the their lives reflect the

Redemptive work of Christ serving as a Beacon of Hope and encouragement to those who have yet to embrace the gospel let's look at a few other themes that we see in the book of First Peter one of which is atonement we've touched on that a couple of times at the heart of First Peter is the theme of atonement the Redemptive work of Christ Peter declares for Christ also suffered for the sins once for all the righteous for the unrighteous that he might bring you to to God in 1 Peter 3:18 this statement encapsulates the doctrine

of substitutionary atonement Christ the righteous one suffered and died in the place of Sinners his sacrifice is sufficient final and reconciles Believers to God Peter emphasizes that Christ's suffering was not in vain but was the means through which salvation was secured for all who trust in him this atonement caused Believers to live holy lives and response to Christ sacrifice this leads us to the idea of judgment as it appears in First Peter the theme of divine judgment appears throughout the book often in connection with both Believers and unbelievers Peter reminds his readers that judgment begins

with God's household in 1 Peter 4:17 this suggests that God refines his people through trials while also holding the world accountable for its Deeds additionally the apostle also warns of the ultimate judgment that awaits those who reject Christ stressing the importance of living in obedience and Holiness in light of the coming Day of Reckoning Believers can take comfort in knowing that God's judgment is just and serves to purify his people counterbal balancing the idea of judgment though is God's mercy despite the certainty of judgment in First Peter he highlights the mercy of God as the

foundation of Salvation in First Peter 13 Peter Praises God for his great Mercy which has given Believers New Birth into a Living Hope through the resurrection of Jesus this Mercy is not based on human effort but on God's Sovereign Grace throughout the letter Peter urges Believers to reflect God's mercy in their conduct showing love humility and kindness even in the face of hostility as recipients of God's mercy Believers are called to extend that Mercy to others let's rest with the idea of election that does show up in First Peter Peter opens his letter by addressing

Believers as God's elect we see this in 1 Peter 1: one affirming the doctrine of divine election he describes them as chosen according to the forn knowledge of God the father in 1 Peter chapter 2 chapter 1:2 this theme reinforces security and identity of Christians within God's Sovereign plan election is tied to sanctification and OB obedience demonstrating that those chosen by God are called to live lives of Holiness and faithfulness and even amid suffering their status as the elect should encourage them to stand firm in faith knowing they are part of God's Redemptive plan let's

look at the relationship of sin and suffering in First Peter suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin Peter distinguishes between suffering for righteousness and suffering due to wrongdoing he exorts Believers not to suffer as a murderer a thief an evildoer or a meddler but acknowledges that suffering for Christ is Honorable while sin can lead to suffering Peter presents suffering for righteousness as a means through which Believers identify with Christ and grow in faith trials faced for the sake of righteousness are a testimony to the believer's commitment to Christ therefore those who suffer

should persevere a major emphasis in First Peter is that suffering is an inevitable part of the Christian Life yet it serves a greater purpose Peter en encourages Believers to endure suffering with perseverance knowing that it refines Faith like gold tested in a fire he says this in 1 Peter 1: 6 and 7 he assures them that their suffering is temporary and will ultim ultimately lead to Glory when Christ is revealed 1 Peter 5:10 through suffering Believers share in Christ's experience and are assured of their future inheritance in him this call to perseverance is a reminder

that faithfulness in Trials results in spiritual maturity and an eternal reward let's talk now about how Christians should interact with others starting with one's relationship within the world in First Peter Believers are called to live distinctively in the world while remaining faithful in Christ Peter exhorts Christians to conduct themselves honorably so that even non-believers will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day that he visits this theme underscores the tension between being set apart for God and engaging in the world in a way that reflects his Holiness the Apostle encourages Believers to

live in a manner that is above reproach demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel so how does this affect one's relationship to a pagan Society a non-Christian World Peter acknowledges the challenges of living in a society that is often hostile to the Christian faith he warns Believers not to be surprised by the opposition they face stating they are surprised that you don't join them in the same flood of wild living and they slander you despite persecution Peter encourages Christians to respond with humility and Good Conduct knowing that their faithfulness will ultimately silence accusations and bring

glory to God rather than withdra drawing from society Believers are called to be light influencing the culture through their Godly example this causes us to become foreigners and Resident aliens here on Earth one of Peter's Central metaphors for the Christian Life is that of Foreigner or Exile he addresses his readers as strangers and Exiles in 1 Peter 2:1 we've seen that verse already emphasizing that their ultimate citizenship is in heaven this perspective shapes how Believers view their time on Earth not as permanent residents but as sojourners awaiting their true home the identity of Christians as

foreigners serves as both a challenge and a comfort they are different from the world yet they belong to God's kingdom what is the Foreigner relationship to the state then Peter instructs Believers to submit to governing authorities recognizing their role in maintaining order he writes sub MIT to every human authority because of the Lord whether to the Emperor as the supreme or authority or to governors in your own area this submission however is not absolute it is done for the Lord's sake meaning that allegiance to Christ takes precedence over human authority while Believers are to honor

and respect rulers their ultimate loyal loyalty remains with God even under unjust governments Peter encourages a posture of respect Pat patience and Trust in Divine Justice when he says to submit or some translations say to be subject this doesn't mean a passive acceptance of everything around us but rather it calls us to remember that there's a divine order in the relationships we all have Peter emphasizes that being subject or submissive does not mean we are controlled by others instead it means that we are we recognize the order that our relationships bring for example respecting the

laws of a government doesn't mean denying our faith Peter himself was executed for holding firm to his beliefs despite the Roman government's laws Peter's approach to submission is revolutionary he makes it a choice not an obligation this reverses the power structure in our civil relationships we are not forced into submission but choose it to reflect our faith it follows a reversal of the expected human ambition Mark 1: 42-45 illustrates Jesus's teachings for us to not strive to rule over others but to serve them Peter Echoes this by encouraging Christians to live in a way that

points others to God focusing on service rather than dominance our actions in this area should reflect Evangelistic goals by living under the established order we maintain a credible witness for Christ this kind of submissiveness isn't about surrendering our agency but honoring God through our compli liance Peter describes doing good as the will of God which has two aspects number one we should expect difficult circumstances and number two Christian conduct should be good in those circumstances God's will should be our priority not our rights or Comforts doing good is our defense against untrue accusations and ignorance

often refers to a lack of understanding of Christian teachings those outside of God's will may be seen as foolish that our Good Conduct is a testimony to our faith living as a Christian in the world means choosing submission to God's order serving others and reflecting Christ in all that we do it's about honoring God and maintaining a credible witness regardless of the circumstances how does a Christian relate to other Christian Believers Peter emphasizes the importance of unity and love within the Christian Community he urges Believers to love one another deeply from a pure heart this

love is to be expressed through humility hospitality and mutual care the church as God's chosen people is to function as a spiritual family offering support and encouragement amid suffering Peter reminds his audience that they are a chosen race a royal priesthood a holy nation a people for his possession reinforcing the corporate identity of Believers as the distinct and unified people he offers some household codes for how we live as Christians within families and in communities Peter provides Specific Instructions regarding relationships within the household addressing wives husbands and servants in the same way that he calls

Christians to live well in the constructed order of the state that is good for all though not in a blind obedience to that which is wrong he calls Christians to live within families and households he commends wives to live with respect for their husbands so that even if some disobey the word they may be one over without a word by the way their wives live husbands in turn are commanded to live with their wives in an understanding way and honor them as coair of Grace servants are encouraged to endure suffering with patience following Christ's example

these household instructions reflect a broader call to Christlike humility and mutual respect within relationships showing the trans formative nature of the Gospel in daily life first Peter is a book that is written in such a way to help us to understand the Deep theological truths of who Jesus is and what he accomplished on the cross while it helps us to live out our new Christian identity in the world and within our Christian relationships may God bless you all