LET’S MEET SIMON PETER
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“What’s in a name? … that which we call a rose, by
any other name, would smell as sweet…” (Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene
1).
But the name given to a child just may have a
psychological effect. To call one’s
child Judas, or Nero, or Adolf, may well result in some kind of complex.
The Puritans gave their children Biblical names …
not always too wisely: Hezekiah,
Abimelech, Zerubbabel, even Mahershalahashbaz!!
Roman Catholics insert the name of some Saint into
the baby’s name.
I read of one child that was named Reginald,
Charles, George, Henry, Ouch, James, Oliver Smith. (The ‘Ouch’ came mid-way through the Christening ceremony when
the Vicar put his thumb on the open safety-pin.)
* * * * * * * * * *
1. LET’S
MEET SIMON
… and that name means “Hearing, Listening”
Andrew and John come to realise that Jesus is the
Messiah! John the Baptist pointed Him
out (John 1:40-42).
Andrew runs off to tell his brother, Simon. And Jesus gives him a new name!
Beyond Simon’s impulsiveness and blundering and
instability the Lord Jesus sees some rock-like qualities. Qualities of leadership and loyalty.
Simon gets a new name … “Peter”, which means “a
rock”.
2. LET’S
MEET SIMON PETER …
Luke 5:1-11
If we take “Simon” to be a reminder of his old life … BC, before Christ came in … then Peter is the name of his new life.
In 2 Peter 1:4 he tells us that at conversion we are
“partakers of the Divine nature.” But
that old nature is still there!
It is about 12 months later that the Lord Jesus uses
Simon’s boat as a pulpit … and then tells him to “let down his nets” once more
(v. 4).
Simon protests.
They fished all night without success … now a Carpenter is telling him
what to do! Besides, they’ve just
washed the nets. And it is not the time
fish are biting.
But there’s something about this Jesus, so Simon
says “… nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net.” And when they had this done, they inclosed a
great multitude of fishes: and their
net brake.”
Why did the net break? Because of his lack of faith (Matthew 9:29). Jesus said “Nets” … Simon let down “a net”!
(vv 4-6). ( K.J.V. & check the Greek text !)
It is not “Simon” … but “Simon Peter” … who is
described as falling down before the Lord (vv 8-9).
The ‘old nature’ is still there, but the ‘new
nature’ is starting to get the victory over it.
Our Big Fisherman still has a long way to go … but
in the Book of Acts, after the Holy Spirit fills him … he’s “Peter”!!
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PETER’S POSERS
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Peter was the spokesman for the twelve apostles …
the one who blurted out what the rest were thinking. And the one who asked questions.
Four of those questions will teach us some lessons:
1. A
LESSON IN FORGIVENESS … Matthew 18:21-35
How many times should I forgive the one who sins
against me? And our Lord’s reply means
that there should be a continual forgiving spirit within us.
He even relates a parable … the story of a debtor
whom the king forgives $10,000,000 (Matthew 18:24, The Living Bible), and who
then goes and refuses to forgive the fellow who owes him $2,000 (v. 28).
The truth is obvious … if God forgave us (a debt we
could never hope to repay) surely we should be willing to forgive others.
But wait!
God is ever ready to forgive … but only forgives those who come in
penitence to Calvary.
And whilst we are to be ever willing to forgive, the
Bible adds we cannot forgive unless they repent … Luke
17:3-4.
Forgiveness, be it from God or one’s fellow-man, is
conditional …
2. A
LESSON IN FAITH
In Mark 11:12-14 the Lord Jesus places a curse upon
a fig tree. The next day it has
withered and died.
Peter points it out to the Lord in a quizzical tone
of voice (v. 21) … note that Jesus “answered” (v. 22), implying that
questioning tone.
Why did Jesus “curse” the tree? For two reasons:
(a) To
teach a Lesson in Hypocrisy. The Judaism
of His day was all ‘leaves’ (like this tree) but no ‘fruit’ (like this tree
should have had). The ‘fig tree’ of the
nation of Israel was about to experience God’s judgement.
(b) But in answer to Peter our
Lord gives a Lesson in Faith.
What wonderful things can happen if …
(i) the prayer is in accord with God’s Will. He is not in the business of tossing
mountains into seas just for the fun of it.
But if it is His Will…
(ii) And
our motives for our request need to be pure.
And our spirituality (or lack of it) will influence the outcome of the
prayer.
For example, if our neighbour says “Sorry!” and we
refuse to forgive, don’t expect answers to prayer!! (v. 25).
3. A
LESSON IN FAITHFULNESS
In Luke 12:36-41 the Lord Jesus speaks of being
ready for His Coming. When the Last
Trump sounds “Revelie” (It’s time to get up!!) … He will come as a thief (v.
39).
Peter wants to know if Jesus is speaking just to the
apostles … or everybody (v. 41). And
the answer is “Everybody” (v. 42).
You and I need to be ready just as much as Peter,
James and John did! Whether we are
alive or dead … He’s coming to Judge all mankind. And He is coming as a thief …
(a) A
thief comes unexpectedly. We know not
the day nor the hour.
(b) A
thief comes at the darkest hour (v. 38).
And it will be Earth’s darkest Hour just before He comes.
(c) A
thief comes temporarily. He does not
come to stay. And our Lord Jesus is
coming to take us to the Great Marriage Supper in Glory.
(d) A
thief comes to take valuables. Not your
garbage bin, nor your used telephone books.
But your fur coat, your jewels, your video…
And when the Lord returns it will be to take those
who are precious to Himself.
When He cometh, When He
cometh,
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, His precious
jewels –
His loved and His own.
4. A
LESSON IN FEARFULNESS … John 13
At the Last Supper the Saviour speaks that one of
them will betray Him.
Peter asks the question on everybody’s lips … though
he needs to ask it through John (vv 23-24). It is question born of fear … will
he betray the Lord again as he had done in the courtyard? (v. 24). And then the
Lord speaks of going away … and Peter fears that he is about to lose the One
who has won his heart’s devotion (v. 36).
A fear … a healthy fear of disappointing his
Lord. the kind of fear that Solomon
calls “the beginning of wisdom”. The
kind of fear more Christians ought to have.
Mmmm?
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WHEN PETER WENT TO
SLEEP
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There are three times in the life of Peter when he
goes to sleep. And they teach us three
lessons.
1. A
LESSON IN INDIFFERENCE … Luke 9:28-33
(a) The
Site … Whilst tourists are shown the Church of the
Transfiguration on Mt Tabor as the place where this event transpired, most
evangelicals consider Mt Hermon to be the site. It is remarkable that the Roman Catholics have built chapels for
Moses and Elijah on Mt Tabor in direct contradiction to our text!! (v. 33).
(b) The
Spokesmen
… Moses (as representative of the Law) and Elijah (as representative of the
prophets) return from beyond to speak with the Lord Jesus! Fancy sleeping through that!!
(c) The
Subject
… They did not speak of trivial things but of the forthcoming Sacrifice of
Christ (v. 31). Fancy sleeping through
THAT!!
Yet before we condemn Peter, let us remind ourselves
that there are many professing followers of the Lord Jesus today who show
little interest in knowing His Word better … Indifference is still a major
problem for many believers.
2. A
LESSON PRAYERLESSNESS … Mark 14:37-42
Whilst the Saviour prays in Gethsemane … and few hours before the Crucifixion … Peter and his friends sleep…
(a) A
Rebuke for Prayerlessness!
Jesus tells them to “Watch and Pray” (v. 38). And He tells us to do so also. Years later Peter wrote that we all should
be “watching unto prayer” (1 Peter 4:7) … ’twas a rebuke he never forgot.
And “Sleep on now” (v. 40) is better understood with
a question mark after it! Jesus is
saying, “Is this a time to be sleeping??
With danger approaching!!”
Christian, seek
not yet repose,
Cast the dreams
of ease away.
Thou art in the
midst of foes:
Watch and pray.
Principalities
and powers,
Mustering their
unseen array,
Wait for thine
unguarded hours:
Watch and pray.
Hear the
victors who o’ercame;
Still they mark
each warrior’s way;
All with one
sweet voice exclaim,
“Watch and
pray.”
Charlotte Elliott.
(b) Reasons
for Prayerfulness
We have a Prayer-hearing and Prayer-answering God. He bids us come to Him in prayer.
The Bible is alive with examples of saints of the
past who called upon Him and saw His powerful hand stretched forth in answer.
Prayer has divided seas, rolled up flowing
rives, made flinty rocks gush into fountains, quenched flames of fire, muzzled
lions, disarmed vipers and poisons, marshalled the stars against the wicked,
stopped the course of the moon, arrested the sun in its rapid race, burst open
iron gates, recalled souls from eternity, conquered the strongest devils,
commanded legions of angels down from heaven.
Prayer has bridled and chained the raging
passions of man, and routed and destroyed vast armies of proud, daring,
blustering atheists. Prayer has brought
one man from the bottom of the sea, and carried another in a chariot of fire to
heaven.
Dr
Ryland.
Samuel even spoke of the ‘sin’ of prayerlessness (1
Samuel 12:23).
Pray for the Sunday church services … Goods News
Clubs … missionaries … outreach in the community … Make a New Year Resolution,
even if it is a few months overdue! to attend a Prayer Meeting!!
3. A LESSON IN CONFIDENCE … Acts 12:6-9
(a) What
could have disturbed his sleep!
Peter was a prisoner, again. James had just been executed (12:2). He had chains upon him … and tomorrow was
the trial … and the inevitable death sentence…
(b) BUT, as the missionary said in
similar circumstances … “I’ve just read Psalm 121:4 and there’s no sense in us
both being awake all night!!”
Peter realised that he was not in Herod’s hands, but
God’s. It was not the soldiers who were
watching over him but the angels. Even if
the death sentence was passed on the morrow … so what! He would be walking the streets of the
Heavenly Jerusalem with his Lord.
So Peter slept…
And that’s the kind of trust we should have,
regardless of circumstances. As the
little boy said, “My favourite hymn is the one that says, “Trust and O.K., for
there’s no other way to be happy …!”
Amen!!
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THE HOLY SPIRIT IN 1 & 2 PETER
1. THE
SPIRIT OF PROPHECY … 1 Peter 1:10-12
“Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”
… 2 Peter 1:21
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
… John 16:13
“Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
2. THE
SPIRIT OF POWER …1 Peter 1:12
“Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto
themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported
unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent
down from heaven; which things the
angels desire to look into.”
… John 14:16-17
“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
… Acts 1:8
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
3. THE
SPIRIT OF PURITY … 1 Peter 1:22
“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently…”
4. THE
SPIRIT OF PEACE … 1 Peter 4:12-14
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, which His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding you. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you…”
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SALVATION PANORAMA
: 1 Peter 1-12
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We turn to the First Epistle of Peter, the
‘big fisherman’.
The Lord called him three times …
John 1:40 … he enters into FRIENDSHIP with the
Lord.
Matthew 4:18-19 … Peter leaves his fishing and enters into DISCIPLESHIP.
Luke 6:13-14 … about a year later Peter is called to APOSTLESHIP.
Now we are going to look at the result of this AUTHORSHIP!!
* * * * * * * * * *
The great theme of the verses before us (1:3-12) is
God’s might salvation … and three-fold look:
past, present and future!
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1. HOPE
FOR THE FUTURE … vv 3-5
Note the phrase “a lively hope” (v. 3). This is our expectation … Glory bye and bye!
“Hope” in Bible terminology carries with it the
thought of certainty … not the “I hope it will happen” attitude in which we use
the word today.
Because Christ rose from the dead, we too, who trust
Him as Saviour, shall rise from the dead and enter our “inheritance” (v. 4).
That “inheritance” … that Heavenly Home … is:
(a) Incorruptible
(b) Undefiled
Perhaps Peter remembers the words of the Lord Jesus
… “Lay up … treasures in Heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt
(incorruptible) and where thieves do not break through nor steal (undefiled)”
(Matthew 6:19).
(c) Eternal ♪ ♫♫ “where the roses never fade …” ♪♪ ♫♫
(d) Reserved … and it was the Lord Jesus
who paid the price that we could never pay! (v. 5).
(e) Coming! … “ready to be revealed”
(v. 5). One Glorious Day we will be
going Home!
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2. JOY
FOR THE PRESENT … vv 6-9
This great salvation causes us (at least it should!!) to “rejoice with joy unspeakable” (v. 8), despite the troublesome times through which we pass. The word “temptation” is better rendered “trials” or “troubles” (v. 6).
Peter is writing just before Nero’s persecution hits
the Church. Already the Jews have been
inveterate enemies of the Christian Faith.
Peter has suffered more than once.
Now he writes to believers outside of Palestine preparing them for the
storm that is about to break (v. 1).
Persecution is looming ominously.
Here is the major emphasis of this letter … 1 Peter
4:12 …
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice…”
Rejoice!
Despite the coming trial of your faith (v. 6) Why?
(a) Because
our suffering will only be temporary … “now for a season” (v. 6). Whether it be for a week or a year or 50
years … it is as nothing compared to eternity in our “inheritance” (v. 4).
“Whatever we may have to go through now is less than
nothing compared with the magnificent future God has in store for us …” (Romans 8:18, J.B. Phillips).
(b) Because
our suffering is purposeful … v. 7.
Peter uses the illustration of gold being refined in a furnace. The dross is burned away. And God permits the believer’s faith to be
tried to purify us and fashion us into Christlikeness.
Warren Wiersbe writes:
“It has been said that the eastern goldsmith kept
the metal in the furnace until he could see his face reflected in it. So our Lord keeps us in the furnace of
suffering until we reflect the glory and beauty of Jesus Christ.”
So rejoice in God’s great salvation … despite the
trials along life’s way.
…………………………………………………
3. THEME
OF THE PAST … vv 10-12
This great salvation was:
(a) Expounded
by the prophets.
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Moses … all of the Old
Testament pointed forward to the Saviour’s Coming … His ‘sufferings’ and the
‘glory’ … the result of His sacrificial death.
But even though they preached it, they did not
understand it fully (vv 10-11).
(b) Recorded
for us
“Unto us did they minister” (v. 12). We can look back at the prophecies and types
and illustrations and see how they were all fulfilled by Jesus of
Nazareth. He was the One who was
foretold.
(c) Hidden
from the Angels!! (v. 12).
Even the angelic host – in Old Testament days pondered the meaning of the prophets’ words!
* * * * * * * * * *
God has provided a great salvation. “So what?” do you ask?? Then read on …
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober,
and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the
revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient
children…”
(vv 13-14).
Because the Lord has done so much for us … because
He suffered (v. 11) to provide an inheritance for those who are “begotten” (v.
3 … born into God’s Family) … then live “as obedient children”!!!
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Studies in Peter – No. 6
SALVATION’S PRICE
: 1 Peter 1:13-22
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In the previous study we noticed that Peter spoke of
the panorama of our salvation … past, present and future.
The PROVISION of Salvation was made when God,
in His mercy, “his abundant mercy”, brought us into a ‘born again’ experience
(1:3).
The PROSPECT of that Salvation is an
“inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled” (1: 4).
The PERMANENCE of that Salvation … “that
fadeth not away!” (1:4).
The PLEASURES of that Salvation … “joy
unspeakable and full of glory!” (1:6, 8).
The PREDICTIONS of that Salvation … it was
revealed to the prophets in Old Testament days (1:10).
The PUZZLE of that great Salvation; for neither prophets nor even angels
understood those things then revealed (1:11-12).
The PROOF of the reality of our Salvation is
to be seen in the kind of lives we now live (1:13-16).
We have been saved by a Holy God; we belong to a Holy Church; we live by rules in a Holy Bible; we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit … and we
ought to be Holy People!
* * * * * * * * * *
Now Peter talks about : The PRICE of our Salvation.
Not only was it Foretold by the prophets of
old, but it was …
1. FORESHADOWED
Not only direct prophecy but sometimes in Divinely revealed illustrations (or types) God spoke in Old Testament days concerning the “sufferings of Christ” (1:11).
Peter alludes to two of these:
(a) The
payment of atonement money every time a census was taken (Exodus
30:11-16). But such was not the price
paid to bring us into God’s Family (1:18).
Nor silver nor gold hath
obtained my redemption;
Nor riches of earth could
have saved my poor soul;
The blood of the cross is my
only foundation,
The death of my Saviour now
maketh me whole…
(James
Gray)
(b) Peter
speaks of those animal sacrifices of Old Testament days (1:19). They, too, were unable to pay the price of
sin. They were a shadow of the Lord’s
sacrifice, but did not accomplish our salvation.
J. Sidlow Baxter has a great sermon in which
he traces the doctrine of the Lamb throughout the whole of Scripture:
In Genesis 4:4 we see a lamb sacrified for
an individual: Abel.
In Exodus 12:4 a lamb is slain to save a
household.
In Isaiah 53:7 we read of a Lamb being
“led to the slaughter” to atone for the sins of a nation: Israel.
In John 1:29 we are pointed to the Lamb
who is to die for the sins of the World!
In 1 Peter 1:18-19 we see that He is the Lamb
of all History … “Since the foundation of the world”.
In Revelation 5:8-12 we see the Lord Jesus as
the Lamb for all the Universe! Men and
angels sing praises to the Lamb (Revelation 5:13)!
In Revelation 22:1-5 we catch a dazzling glimpse
of the Lamb of all Eternity!!
The price paid for our salvation … a price
prefigured in the Old Testament pages and proclaimed in the New … is the
precious blood of Christ: our Heavenly
Lamb.
2. FOREORDAINED
…
1:20
The cross was no mistake. It was ever a part of God’s eternal plan.
The same truth is echoed in Revelation 13:8 … “The
Lamb slain (in the mind and purpose of God, the Father) from the foundation of
the world.”
3. FULFILLED … 1:20
“… was manifest in these last times for you.”
The Lamb foretold has been and fulfilled the ancient
types and prophecies. And it was
Jesus!! He was the One God raised from
the dead (v. 21) to bring us salvation.
A dead Jesus would be no Saviour.
But He lives and God the Father ‘gave Him glory’ (v. 21).
* * * * * * * * * *
► But
let’s not lose the thrust of Peter’s argument.
God the Father planned
our salvation … God the Son provided it by His death and resurrection …
now make sure you allow God the Holy Spirit ‘purify your soul’ (v. 22). Be ye Holy!!
“Is the life I am now living
worthy of the price He paid for me?”
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Studies in Peter – No. 7
SALVATION’S PRESCRIPTION : 1
Peter 1:23-2:3
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Continuing in his theme of God’s great salvation,
its Provision and Predictions and Proof and Price,
etc., (see Study 6) Peter now introduces us to the Prescription for
salvation … the Spirit of God moving upon the Word of God and applying it to
the hearts of those who year.
How did we experience the cleansing from sin
(“purifying our soul”, v. 22)? It was
“through the Spirit” who applied the teachings of God’s Word to our needy
condition and revealed to us the remedy.
We were ‘born again’ through the message of the Word
of God (v. 23).
And Peter now describes that Word in three different
ways:
1. THE
ABIDING WORD … v. 25
He goes on to quote Isaiah 40:6 and 8, drawing a comparison between mankind and grass. They both ultimately die (v. 24).
But the contrast is with God’s Word. It endures!!
No other Book in history has been so attacked and
destroyed, yet still it endures.
Caesars, Popes and Infidels have sought to wipe it
from the face of God’s earth. To no
avail.
Liberal theologians attack it and seek to place it
on a par with the religious books of other Faiths. But God’s Word endures.
Last eve I paused beside a blacksmith’s
door, Dr W. Grahm Scroggie told a
And heard the anvil ring the vesper
chime; story of a boy who received on
Then looking in, I saw upon the floor, his birthday three gifts: a box
Old hammers worn with beating years of
time. of chocolates, a silver watch
and a beautiful Bible. Asked
“How many anvils have you had,” said I, some
weeks later what had
“To wear and batter all these hammers
so?” become
of his gifts, he replied:
“Just one,” said he, and then with
twinkling eye, “The box of chocolates –
well!
“The anvil wears the hammers out, you
know.” It’s gone. The silver watch is
going. But the Bible is the
“And so,” I thought, “The Anvil of God’s
Word, Word of the Lord and it
for ages sceptic blows have beat upon, endures for ever.”
Yet, though the noise of falling blows
was heard,
The Anvil is unchanged, the hammers
gone.”
2. THE
LIVING WORD … v. 23
In the Book of Jeremiah God compares the “dreams” of the false prophets to chaff. On the other hand, the Word of God spoken by His servants is wheat! (Jeremiah 23:15-29.)
Chaff is a dead thing …
plant it and there is no result.
Wheat is a living thing …
plant it and see a harvest.
The Lord Jesus used the same figure of speech. The Sower scattered the seed … the Word of
God. It is a “living” seed. If there is no response it is not the fault
of the seed … but the soil on which it falls.
Some hearers turn a deaf ear to the gospel (Matthew 13).
But this Word of God can lead a person to salvation
… if they will yield to its teaching.
Have you done so?
Genesis tells how at the first creation God spoke
(Genesis 1:3) and “the Spirit of God moved” (Genesis 1:2), and so it is with
the New Creation, the act of conversion (1 Peter 1:22). We are ‘born anew’ as the Spirit moves upon
the heart that responds to the Word of God.
2. THE
NOURISHING WORD … 2:2-3
Having been ‘born again’ (1 Peter 1:23) into the
Family of God, we now need to “grow, as new born babes” (2:2). And it is the same Word of God that is to be
our spiritual food.
Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, may be a
lovely fairy story … bit it is sad to see new converts who do not grow in their
spiritual life.
We need the “milk of the word” to strengthen us …
later we get on to “strong meat” (Hebrews 4:14).
Sunday services (there are two of them, you know)
are designed to teach the Word of God and help us grow stronger in the
Christian faith.
And, of course, to present the Word of God so the
gospel is clearly presented in case there is someone present who needs to
respond to the wooing of the Holy Spirit.
It is the Volume that tells one how to become
a Christian … and how to be a Christian! Read it!!
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Studies in Peter – No. 8 ( revised version 31/12/2004 )
“SERMONS IN
STONES”
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“There are”, said Shakespeare, “sermons in stones” (As
You Like It,Act 2,Scene 1). And that is what Peter has provided for us in
these 1 Peter 2: 4-8.
We are familiar with milestones, flagstones,
tombstones, millstones, grindstones, hailstones … and even gallstones!! But there are no stones more important than
those to which the Apostle Peter now
introduces us.
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
LIVING STONE … 1 Peter 2:4
1Therefore, rid
yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and
slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual
milk, so
that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have
tasted that
the Lord is good. 4As you come to
Him, the living Stone– …..”
Here is a title of the Lord Jesus. We have come to Him, the Living Stone….. It
is a reminder that He is alive forevermore.
“Death hath no more dominion over Him” (Romans 6:9). David Livingstone,
the famous missionary, died in 1873.
His mortal remains still await the Last Trump. He was ‘Living-stone’ in name only. But the Saviour has conquered the bonds of death. HE LIVES!
……………………..
2. THE
CORNER-STONE…1 Peter 2: 6
6For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay
a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”
Peter quotes an Old Testament Messianic prophecy which speaks of
the Lord Jesus as a Cornerstone. This is the first stone laid in a building. Its squareness and symmetry are crucial for
the rest of the structure. It is foundational to the whole building that is to
be erected.
And in the spiritual Temple the Lord is building, He
is the One on whom we rest (v. 6b).
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is some fourteen feet off
perpendicular because of a faulty foundation.
But God’s spiritual Temple is on a “sure foundation” (Isaiah 28:16).
Notice also, that a cornerstone brings the two walls
together. So it is our Cornerstone has brought Jew and Gentile together in
God’s House and “hath made both one ” (Eph. 2:14).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
3. THE
REJECTED STONE … 1 Peter 2:7-8
But to those
who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,” 8and, “A stone that causes men to
stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.” They
stumble because they disobey the message–which is also what they were destined
for.
Dr Ironside tells an old story of the building of
Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 5-6)… a seven
year task that employed thousands of workmen. The stones were quarried and
shaped away from the temple site (1 Kings 6:7) and then carried across to the
builders. Here the stones were laid out ready to be placed in position when it
is discovered one was missing, the cornerstone!
Sure enough,
so the legend goes, it had been sent years before but some workmen, not knowing
what it was and because of its different shape and size to the rest …had rolled
it down a hill. The stone that the builders rejected was in fact the
all-important cornerstone (v. 7). Well, it’s a good story, even if it is
apocryphal!
But it IS true that when the Lord commenced
His ministry, “they received Him not” (Jn 1:11).
In the parable of the Householder and his Vineyard
(Matthew 21:33-46) the Lord Jesus even quotes Psalm 118:22, just as Peter does
in verses 7-8:
“The stone
which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”
This was also a Messianic prophecy. But it not only
applies to the Jewish race that, generally speaking, rejected their Messiah,
but to the world. The offer of salvation is extended to all men. Still there are those who respond … and
those who refuse to come.
To some He is their stepping-stone of
salvation: to others He is a stumbling-stone that leads to condemnation.
Verse 8c means that this was foretold in the Old
Testament … not that God predestined any individual must be lost, but that He
made it clear … He destined … that
those who rejected the “Cornerstone” were doomed.
……………………………………….
4. THE
LIVING STONES … 1 Peter 2: 5
5you also, like
living stones, are being built into a spiritual house….
As Solomon’s workmen blasted the stones from the
mountain-side and shaped them to fit perfectly in his temple, so David’s
Greater Son employs His quarrymen (evangelists) and His stone-masons (pastors
and teachers) to fit ‘living stones’ for the Heavenly Temple.
Some of us need a
lot of ‘shaping’ down here before we take our place above!!
Even Simon Peter , as he wrote this, must have
smiled when he remembered how the Lord had changed his name at their
first meeting… John 1:42 ... and, boy! did he have some rough edges to be
knocked off!
The ‘blasting and shaping’ process takes place down
here … there is “no noise of axe or hammer” (1 Kings 6:7) as the Heavenly
Temple is completed.
……………………………………..
5. THE
PRECIOUS STONE … 1 Peter 2: 4, 6, 7
4As you come to
him, the living Stone–rejected by men but
chosen by God
and precious … 6For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and
precious cornerstone,
… 7Now
to you who believe, this stone is precious.
… and we are back to the theme of the first three
stones … the Lord Jesus!
Something might be described as ‘precious’ for more
than one reason.
(a) For example, a book or gem may
be ‘precious’ because of its uniquness. There is no other like it. And that’s true of the Son of God who
partook of our humanity, yet without sin.
(b) Or something may be
‘precious’ because of its usefulness … like a glass of
water if one is lost in the desert. And
HE is the One who is able to save the lost sinner … and He alone
(Acts 4:11-12).
“Unto
you that believe, He is precious…”
(2:7)
Can you say that ?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
………………………………..
My Cornerstone ,
on Thee I rest,
On Thee, O Christ, my soul is blest;
My Living Stone
– no more to die –
On Thee alone my
soul doth rely.
………………………
Chorus
My Cornerstone ,
my Precious Stone ,
On Thee I’m
resting,… Thee alone !
Align my life so
straight and true
to faithful be,
Lord, in all that I do.
…………………………
My Cornerstone –
help me to build
my life to do
what Thou hast willed,
O make me ,
shape me, in Thy way
until I see Thee
in the Perfect Day .
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
by D.P. 3-1-05 Tune …He Leadeth Me
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Studies in Peter – No. 9
CITIZEN OF TWO WORLDS
: 1 Peter 2:11-3:17
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In Philippians 3:20 Paul spoke of “our citizenship”
as being in Heaven (J.B. Phillips’ translation).
Heaven is our “real Home!” (1 Peter 2:11, The Living Bible).
Unlike Cain, who was described as a “fugitive and a
vagabond” (Genesis 4:14) Christians are spoken of as “strangers and pilgrims”
(2 Peter 2:11).
A “fugitive” is running away from home ... but a
“pilgrim” is on his way home!
A “vagabond” is one without a home … but a
“stranger” is one who is only temporarily away from his home.
Christians can sing: I am a stranger here, within a foreign land,
My
home is far away, upon a golden strand;
Ambassador to
be of realms beyond the sea;
I’m here on
business for my King.
My home is
brighter far than Sharon’s rosy plain,
Eternal life
and joy throughout its vast domain;
My Sovereign
bids me tell how mortals there may dwell:
And that’s my
business for my King.
But sing tho’ we may, there is a lot of living to do
until we meet on that Heavenly shore.
Now come the practical issues of being a follower of the Lord Jesus.
In verse 12 he exhorts his readers to live godly
lives before the critical eye of an unsaved and sometimes hostile world. The word ‘conversation’ is an old English
word meaning one’s whole manner of life, not just speech.
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
CHRISTIAN AND THE STATE … 2:13-17
Christians are to be law-abiding citizens.
If the law of the land clashes with the law of God
(as it did even in the Book of Acts) then God’s law takes precedence. “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts
5:29).
But generally speaking a Christian obeys the laws
laid down by the powers that be.
Remember that Nero was ruling the Roman Empire when Peter wrote this!!
2. THE
CHRISTIAN AND THE BUSINESS WORLD … 2:18-20
Peter only addresses the servants (slaves!) … maybe
there were no converted slave-masters among the folk to whom he writes …
And he instructs them to be submissive to their
employers. Do an honest day’s work.
And if they mistreat you … remember the example of
the Lord Jesus (v. 23) and bear it patiently (v. 20). After all, Heaven is our Home … and God will reward you there!!
3. THE
CHRISTIAN AND THE DOMESTIC SITUATION … 3:1-7
(a) Because of the society in
which they lived and the difficulties they faced when they were converted to
Christ, Peter addresses 6 verses to wives.
They are to obey their husbands … even unconverted ones … just as Sarah
obeyed Abraham. They are to witness by
means of their holy life (“conversation” … vv 1-2, 12).
Expositors differ as to a wife’s reaction if the
husband commands her to sin. Some
say she is to obey the husband and God will hold him responsible (Numbers
30:1-3, 6-8, 15). Others quote
Acts 5:29 … “obey God rather than men.”
(b) Peter also speaks to
husbands … they are to be kind, considerate, recognizing the wife as an “heir
together” … revolutionary words for the First Century.
Christianity was striking its first blows against
the degradation of women in the ancient cultures.
Whilst there is a spiritual equality … “all one in
Christ Jesus … neither male nor female …” (Galatians 3:28), yet in the domestic
scene God has decreed the husband to take the role of leadership (3:1; Ephesians 5:22).
4. THE
CHRISTIAN IN THE CHURCH … 3:8-17
The Living Bible renders verse 8 … “be one big happy
family”!! and thus it should be in the
local church. God is our Father, Christ
is our Elder Brother … Heaven is our Home … and we are brothers and sisters in
the Lord.
Hallelujah!!
One translation of verse 15 puts it:
“Give Christ a unique place in your life!” (Barclay).
That’s the recipe for a happy united church ...
The closer we are to Him, so
to each other!
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Studies in Peter – No. 10
THE SUPREME EXAMPLE : 1 Peter 2:21-25
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In our previous study we noted that Peter described
the Christian’s relationship in the State (2:13-17), in Business (2:18-20), in
the Home (3:1-7), and in the Church (3:8-17).
But in the midst of all that are a few verses that
use the reaction of the Lord Jesus to injustice as an example for us (2:21-25).
* * * * * * * * * * * *
1. OUR
STANDARD …
… The Example we are to measure ourselves by (v. 21).
We are told by scholars that Peter uses the Greek
word “Hupogramos” … the example written by a teacher that the pupils were to
copy on their tablets in the ancient world.
(a) We
are to copy the original … not copy a copy that may be faulty. Christ is the perfect Standard … but more
than that …
(b) He
is not only the Example but the Enabler to live up to His standard. His Spirit has come to give us victory over
sin (John 14:16-18). We are not left to
live the Christian life in our own strength.
Two aspects of our Lord’s example are given…
(a) His
actions
… what He did. He lived a holy life
(2:21).
(b) His
attitude
… what He said. He did not say one
thing and mean another (v. 22). He did
not retaliate with oaths and curses.
Sometimes, for the sake of the gospel, it may be
needful to defend the false accusations brought against one. In 2 Corinthians Paul answers the attacks of
his accusers. But there is no
vindictiveness; no spitting back.
If the evil men will not listed to reason, then a
believer is to leave the matter in the hands of God … Who judgeth righteously
(v. 23) and to Whom belongeth vengeance!
2. OUR
SAVIOUR
He is not merely an Example to follow but a Saviour
to trust. He died on the cross as a
sacrifice for sin … your sin … my sin.
The punishment for sin that should have been ours fell upon Him. He was our Substitute (2:24).
Bearing shame and scoffing
rude,
In my place condemned He
stood;
Sealed my pardon with His
blood –
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
** Have you
invited the Lord Jesus to be your Saviour … and confessed your faith in Him
before others. In the next study we
will be thinking about the matter of Baptism (1 Peter 3:21) … a
Divinely-ordained way of declaring your allegiance to Christ.
To look to Jesus as one’s Example without knowing
Him as Saviour is futile.
To those who have accepted Him as Saviour comes the
plea to follow “in His steps”.
But simply living a good life does not result in the
forgiveness of sin (Ephesians 2:8-9).
3. OUR
SHEPHERD …
During His sojourn …
… on earth - He was our Standard …
… on the Cross - He was our Saviour …
On the Thone of Glory - He is our Shepherd …
the One who cares and protects and provides for His sheep.
Peter probably went back in his mind to the day he
heard the Lord Jesus say, “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11).
True, we had “gone astray” (1 Peter 2:25) and turned
our backs on the One who loved us. But
He came “to seek and to save those that were lost” (Luke 19:10).
And that included me.
And you.
* * * * * * * * * *
I’m glad that some 40 years ago I responded to His
invitation “Come unto Me” … and He became my Saviour,
my Standard,
my
shepherd.
What think Ye of Christ?
Isaac Watts: How do you
feel concerning Him? And he
writes: “I’m not ashamed to own my
Lord or to defend His cause…”
John Newton: What do you
think of Him and His Gospel? And he
writes: “Amazing grace, how sweet
the sound that saved a wretch like me…”
Charles Wesley: What
do you think of Him? And he answers: “Jesus,
Lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly…”
Ray Palmer: What do you think of
Him? And he writes: “My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of
Calvary…”
Fanny Crosby:
What
do you think of Him? She writes: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine: O what a foretaste of glory divine…”
But let us take higher testimony …
David: What do you
think of Him? The answer is: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not
want…”
John: What do you
think of Him? He answers: “The Root and the Offspring of David, the
bright and Morningstar…”
Paul: What do you
think of Him? Even from the Roman
prison he says: “Christ is all in
all…”
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Studies in Peter – No. 11
PETER’S PROBLEM PASSAGE : 1 Peter 3:17-22
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Here it is … what has been described as “the most
difficult passage in the entire Bible!! (Fickett, page 109).
Certainly it is a place where commentators fly off
in a dozen different directions. And I
make no claim to having all the answers.
Who are these “spirits in prison”? (v. 19)
Who preached to them? And when? And for that
matter, Why??
And just how does “Baptism save us”??
And why did Peter suddenly introduce all these
problems into a seemingly straight-forward epistle. How do they tie in to his argument??
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
SPIRITS IN PRISON
There are two major views concerning WHEN they were
preached to … which shed light on who they were, who preached, and what was
said!
(a) Some, including Liberals,
Roman Catholics and evangelicals, think that between the Crucifixion and
Resurrection, Christ preached to those in the spirit-world (W. Neil, W.
Wiersbe, Dr R.A. Torrey).
The message may have been to give them a second
chance at salvation (Neil), or to free the souls in Limbo who had died
unbaptised (according to Roman Catholic theology), or it was a message of
judgement that their doom was finally sealed (Wiersbe, etc.)
All this I find hard to accept.
Peter specifically denotes the group preached to as
those who were “disobedient in the days of Noah” (v. 20). Why only that group?
And the word (in Greek) for ‘preached’ (v. 19)
carries with it the thought of announcing good news (Strong’s
Concordance).
Nor does the Bible teach that Limbo exists … not
does it anywhere speak of a second chance at salvation after death.
But there is another view that harmonizes with the
rest of Scripture and agrees with Peter’s line of argument…
(b) The preaching took place …
not after Jesus’ death … but “in the days of Noah”. They are “in prison” now but were alive when they
heard the good news about the Ark. It
was possible for them to be saved from the coming Flood.
Who preached it?
Noah … but strictly speaking it was Christ “by His Spirit” (v. 18), who
was preaching through Noah!! (v. 19).
Read it again in this modern translation (N.I.V.) …
“For Christ died for sins once for all, the
righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body, but made alive by the Spirit,
through whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison who
disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark
was being built. In it only a few
people, eight in all, were saved through water.”
Whilst Noah was the human mouthpiece, it was
Christ’s Spirit who was calling the disobedient of that day to repentance and
extending to them a way of deliverance from the coming judgement.
Genesis 6:3 tells how the Lord’s Spirit was striving
with them.
And Peter has already told us that the Old Testament
prophets did not always comprehend the meaning of their own sermons as the Spirit
of Christ “which was in them” gave them the words to proclaim (1 Peter
1:10-11).
Now look at our problem passage again and read it in
this light …
Jesus died… but the Holy Spirit raised Him from the
dead (v. 18) … and it was that same Holy Spirit that was preaching through
Noah. But the wicked population
rejected the message and now they are in ‘prison’ … the world of the
dead, Hades, awaiting the final Judgement Day (v. 19).
**
Now, how does that fit in with Peter’s subject matter???
The apostle has been writing to a suffering
church. The ‘fiery trial’ is about to
break upon them.
1 Peter 1:7-8 prepares them for the coming
persecution.
And the epistle continues to bolster their faith in
preparation for those trying days. The
words ‘suffer’ and ‘suffering’ appear some 16 times in this brief letter. But so too does the word ‘glory’! See, e.g. 1 Peter 4:13 and 1 Peter 5:10-11.
The great theme of this epistle is that those who
follow Christ may well face suffering and persecution but, if you do, be
assured God’s glory is sure to follow.
* With this
in mind, Peter throws in the illustration of the Lord Jesus Himself. He suffered … and God the Father exalted Him
(vv 18, 22).
* And
another illustration comes to Peter’s mind … that of Noah. He was faithful to God, a “preacher of
righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), despite the ridicule and persecution he faced in
his day. But God saved him and his
family, and the disobedient are awaiting the final doom.
Let us see it in diagram form!
It
is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer
v. 17 As believers we may well suffer! for doing good than for doing evil.
For Christ died for sins once for all,
v. 18
Christ, our Example, suffered.
the righteous for the
unrighteous, to
bring
you to God. He was put to
in
the body, but made alive by the
Spirit,
vv 19-20
And so, too, did Noah. Through whom also he went and
preached
to the spirits in prison who
disobeyed
long ago when God waited
while the ark was being built.
vv 20b But God saved
Noah!! In it
only a few people, eight in all,
were
saved through water,
(v. 21 Baptism??)
and this water
symbolizes baptism
(see next
page!!) that now
saves you also – not the
removal
of dirt from the body but the
pledge
of a good conscience toward
God.
v. 22
And God saved Jesus from the
It saves you by the
resurrection of
prison
house of death and exalted Him Jesus
Christ, who has gone into
heaven
and is at God’s right hand –
with
angels, authorities and powers in
submission
to Him.
4:1 And He’ll do the same for you!! Therefore,
since Christ suffered in His
body,
arm yourselves also with the
same
attitude…
2. BAPTISM
But why throw in a verse about Baptism in the middle
of all that?
One writer makes the good suggestion that this
epistle was originally a sermon given by Peter at a Baptismal Service … and
taken down by Silvanus (5:12) as it was preached.
Whether that is so or not, the mention of Noah
triggered off the apostle’s mind to the meaning of Baptism … and it fits in
very well indeed with what he is on about.
* Again,
get the thread of his whole argument…
·
As
Christians we are likely to suffer for our faith (3:17)
We may suffer at the hands
of the government (2:13ff)
Servants may suffer at the
hands of unjust masters (2:18ff)
Christian wives may suffer
at the hands of unsaved husbands (3:1ff)
In all these things the Lord Jesus is our Example as
to how to behave in such circumstances (2:21).
So was Noah (3:20).
And just as Noah, safe in the Ark, passed through
the Flood waters and came out the other side into a clean new world, so Baptism
is “a like figure” (an illustration of the same truth…
1 Peter 3:21-22, N.I.V….
“… this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand…”
The person baptised is publicly witnessing to his or
her faith in Christ.
The burial beneath the water speaks of the burial of
the old sinful way of living … and then the candidate rises to a whole new life
with the Lord Jesus.
And that includes responding to suffering and persecution
in a Christian manner.
Notice that it is not the actual baptism that saves
… it is the Risen Christ (v. 21b) who saves;
but nevertheless baptism was a public confession of one’s trust in
Him. And it still is.
The New Testament knows nothing about unbaptised
Christians. It was a matter of simply
doing what He commanded … and if He is Saviour and Lord, that settles it. The result is not having dirt washed from the
body (v. 21a) but a good clear conscience in the sight of God.
The word ‘pledge’ (v. 21) is a legal word in the
Greek world used for binding a contract.
At our baptism we are “signing on the dotted line” that we are going to
follow Jesus.
(If you have not obeyed the Lord Jesus in this
matter, why not talk to Pastor Don about it?)
Ignore the chapter division between 3 and 4 … see
how Peter’s argument flows on.
Believers are to live “dead to sin” … the old way of life is buried …
And the unsaved should be amazed … even as they persecute (4:4). As they did of Christ (2:23) and Noah
(3:20).
Buried with Christ, and raised with Him too, Risen
with Christ, my glorious Head,
What is there left for me to do? Holiness now the pathway I tread,
Simply to cease from struggling and strife, Beautiful
thought, while walking therein:
Simply to walk in newness of life. He that is dead is freed from sin.
Glory
be to God. Glory be to God.
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Studies in Peter – No. 12
IN TIMES LIKE THESE
: 1 Peter 4:1-19
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Verse 7 in the midst of chapter 4 speaks of “the end
of all things” … what does it mean?
Some would apply it to the Second Coming of the Lord
… after all, the sight of God a “day is as a thousand years” (2 Peter 3:8). The end of the Age is ever imminent.
But in the light of the context, the whole book is
written to prepare his readers for the “fiery trial” that is about to hit the
church (1:7). Death is also ever
imminent!!
So Peter gives some inspired advice on how to react
to the persecution when it comes.
1. A
LIFE OF SEPARATION … 4:1-6
We took a look at these verses briefly in a previous
study. Following his allusion to
Baptism (3:21) he reminds his readers that they have ‘died to sin’ and risen to
a new life with Christ. We are to
‘cease from sin’ (4:1).
Our former companions will be amazed that we no
longer join them in doing the things we used to do (4:3-4). Those believers who are NOW dead, but were
alive when they heard the gospel lived for God … even though men ‘judged’ them
and even sentenced them to death (4:6).
2. A
LIFE OF SOBER-MINDEDNESS … 4:7
In times like these, says Peter, we need to keep a
clear head. Being sober does not only
refer to abstinence from strong drink (but it includes that) but in keeping
cool in the midst of desperate circumstances.
Don’t panic!! Take it to the
Lord in prayer!
3. A
LIFE OF SPIRITUAL LOVE … 4:8
The Greek language uses different words for
“love”. There is one word for physical
love, another for brotherly love, and one for Divine love.
That’s the word ‘agapέ’ that is translated
“charity” here. “Love,” writes Warren
Wiersbe, “is the badge of the believer.
Especially in times of testing and persecution, Christians need to love
one another and be united in heart.” We
are to ‘throw a veil’ over the failures of others rather than gossip about them
in front of a hostile world.
4. A
LIFE OF SHARING … 4:9
So it will be that a group of Christians from
another village, fleeing persecution, will arrive at your fellowship. Show hospitality!
Or there will be a family whose bread-winner has
been arrested … show hospitality.
Remember, these directions, whilst true at all times, are penned against
the background of the fact, “the end is at hand”!
5. A
LIFE OF SERVICE … 4:10-11
Different folk in the church have differing
abilities. Some can bake an apple pie
and show their gift of hospitality!
Some have the
gift of preaching,
“as the oracle
of God”!
But not all are
expected to be
Public
speakers. Or bake!
The word
‘minister’ simply means
The task of
serving others.
Of course, he
who preaches is also
supposed to
serve others!!
Whatever our gift … we are
to use it to the best of our ability (v. 11b)
6. A
LIFE OF STEADFASTNESS … 4:12-19
In every chapter, Peter introduces the fact of the
‘fiery trial’ (v. 12).
And how is the Christian to react?
“Rejoice” !! (v. 12)
“Be not ashamed” ! (v. 16)
“Commit yourself to God”
! (v. 19)
Even if you are put to death, your soul will be in
His safe keeping.
Here the twin truths of sufferance now and glory
hereafter are brought together again.
And the judgement of Nero upon the people of God
cannot be compared with the judgement of God upon the unsaved at the End of the
World (v. 18).
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Studies in Peter – No. 13
FROM SUFFERING TO GLORY
: 1 Peter 5:1-14
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In this closing chapter we are again introduced to
the constant theme that has pervaded the entire book of 1 Peter.
Suffering for the Lord will be rewarded by glory
with the Lord (v. 10).
And in the light of that there are a number of
sundry admonitions to his readers … and to us.
1. CONCERNING
MINISTRY … 5:1-4
(a) The
Designation … v. 1
Various words are used in Scripture to describe the leaders of God’s Church on earth.
“Bishops”;
“Overseers”; “Pastors”; “Elders” … it seems to me that these words
are used interchangeably … each one having a lightly differing emphasis as to
the leader’s ministry.
(b) The
Task …v.
2
“Feed the flock!” … not as one wit
added, “fleece the flock!”
(c) The
Motive
… v. 2
… not for ‘filthy lucre’… Some preachers will not
preach unless they are paid; others
would even pay to be allowed to preach!!
(d) The
Manner … v. 3
… not bossy, but setting an example to the flock.
(e) The
Result … v. 4
… a crown of glory!!
During days of persecution that were about to break
upon the readers of Peter’s letter, it was vital that they had godly leaders.
For that matter, it still is a prerequisite for any
church.
2. CONCERNING
HUMILITY … 5:5-6
“Be clothed with the apron of humility”
(Moffat; Good News Bible). c.f. John 13:4.
There
is no place for pride in the Christian walk.
3. CONCERNING
SERENITY … 5:7, 14
The storm is about to break … but God’s children can
know His peace in the midst of it. “In
Christ” there is rest, sweet rest.
Said the Robin to
the Sparrow:
“I should really
like to know
why these anxious
human beings
rush about the
worry so?”
Said the Sparrow
to the Robin:
“Friend, I think
that it must be
that they have no
Heavenly Father
such as cares for
you and me.”
Peter’s mind goes back to that Galilean hillside
when the Lord Jesus had told His disciples not to be anxious about tomorrow
(Matthew 6:25-34).
Worry is a sin.
It reveals that our faith is not resting in the care of our Heavenly
Father.
4. CONCERNING
VICTORY … 5:8-9
(a) The
Reality of the Devil.
God’s Word says he exists. More than that, he is our real enemy.
Liberal theologians may join with worldly ‘scholars’
in scoffing at his existence … but the Bible says he exists!
(b) The
Ruse of the Devil.
To the church in Peter’s day he was about to show
his fangs. The ‘roaring lion’ (v. 8)
was about to tear the infant church to pieces.
Thousands would die a cruel death in the Roman amphitheatres. But sometimes the Evil One appears as “an
angel of light”. He tempts, he seduces,
he beguiles. Not persecution but
popularity or prosperity can also be a weapon in his hand (2 Corinthians
11:14).
(c) The
Resisting of the Devil.
He is a defeated foe! Since Calvary and the empty tomb his power over the people of God
has been broken. Victory is ours!!
* It should
be pointed out that some branches of the Christian Church have become almost
paranoid concerning the Devil. They
have a “when-in-doubt-cast-it-out mentality.”
There is a demon lurking under every pew. Whilst we accept the fact of his existence, we are not going to
be ‘scared stiff’ of him!
Jesus is stronger than
Satan;
Satan to Jesus must bow!!
5. CONCERNING
ETERNITY … 5:10-11
Peter closes with the prayer … that in between the
‘fiery trial’ and the ‘eternal Glory’ his readers will know God’s strength and
peace.
And as he signs off he sends greetings and suggests
that they give each other a ‘holy kiss’.
In those days, of course, the men only kissed other
men and the women only kissed the other women.
Imagine a slave-owner and his slave kissing each other. That’s what the gospel does…
===========================================================
Studies in Peter – No. 14
SIGNING OFF : 1 Peter 5:12-14
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
These closing verses will repay our careful
study. All Scripture is … profitable (2
Timothy 3:16) and that includes the three verses before us …
1. THE
APOSTLE’S SCRIBE
Silvanus (another form of Silas) was a …
Prophet Acts
15:32
Prisoner Acts
16:25
Prayer-warrior Acts 16:25
Preacher 2
Corinthians 1:19
Penman 1 Peter
5:12
The polished Greek of 1 Peter compared to the
inferior Greek of 2 Peter is accounted for by the fact that Silas was the
actual scribe of what Peter wanted to say …
Despite his many gifts, Silas also plays the part of
a ‘right hand man’ to others.
2. THE
APOSTLE’S SUBJECT
The whole purpose of this epistle has been to encourage
his readers to stand firm in the Faith.
He has warned them repeatedly in every chapter of
the ‘fiery trial’ about to hit the churches.
But he has also reminded them of the ‘glory’ that
would follow.
3. THE
APOSTLE’S SPOUSE
The original Greek does not say “The church that is
at Babylon…” but “She that is at …”
“She” may refer to the church were Peter is
writing from … or it may be a reference to his wife, who we know was his
constant travelling companion (1 Corinthians 9:5).
It is almost ironic that the apostle the Roman
Catholics claim as their first Pope is the only apostle who is spoken of as
being married!
4. THE
APOSTLE’S SITUATION
… i.e. where he was situated … “Babylon”??
Some expositors consider this to be a cryptic
reference to Rome … the “Mystery Babylon” of Revelation 17:5 … but why should
he make a cryptic reference? Others
point to a reference in Josephus that speaks of a large community of Jews
living at ancient Babylon on the Euphrates.
And Peter was commissioned to go to the Jews … not the Gentiles
(Galatians 2:7). And the order in which
the provinces are mentioned indicate the letter will be coming from the East
(Babylon) rather
Roman Catholics say Peter was Pope at Rome from AD
42-67, but the evidence is not forthcoming.
God commissioned Paul to be the apostle to
the Gentiles (Acts 22:21; Galatians
2:7). It was his policy “not to build
on another’s foundation” (Romans 15:20) … i.e. not to preach where another had
planted a church.
Yet he wrote that to the Romans, telling of his plan
to visit them … about AD 60. Obviously
Peter was not, or had not been there.
And Paul greets 30 folk in the church at Rome (Romans 16) and does not
mention Peter!
When Paul is in prison in Rome there is no mention
of “the first Pope” being there. Others
are mentioned, but not Peter.
In AD 64, in Paul’s last letter … “only Luke” was
with him (2 Timothy 4:11).
Some traditions place Peter meeting his death in
Rome in AD 67. But there is no
historical evidence. “Babylon” could
well mean literal Babylon.
5. THE
APOSTLE’S SON … John Mark
(a) His
Mother was one of the Mary’s … in whose home the early church met in
Jerusalem (Acts 12:12).
(b) His
Critic
was Paul, who refused to take him along on the second missionary trip. Mark had deserted on the first one (Acts
15:37-38).
(c) His
Uncle
was Barnabas, who encouraged him in the ministry and helped his spiritual
growth (Acts 13:1-5; 15:39).
(d) His
‘Father’
in the faith … the one who had led him to Christ (?) was Peter (v. 13). Papias, one of the early church writers,
speaks of Mark as ‘the interpreter of Peter’.
Mark’s Gospel is thought to be largely the reminiscences of Peter.
6. THE
APOSTLE’S SUGGESTION … a kiss!
“For centuries”, says William Barclay, “the kiss was
an integral and precious part of Christian fellowship and worship (page 331).
And he says that it was not until the 4th
century that it was confined to those of the same sex … due to abuses of the
custom that were creeping in!!
Eventually kissing a crucifix or picture was substituted
for the original custom.
7. THE
APOSTLE’S “SHALOM”
“Shalom” is the Hebrew word for ‘peace’ (v. 14) … He
began his letter by wishing them God’s peace (1:2), and he closes it the same
way.
In the midst of the ‘fiery trial’ his readers will
be able to experience that peace that passeth all understanding. And so can we.
===========================================================
Studies in 2
Peter – No. 15
DIVINE ARITHMETIC : 2 Peter 1:1-11
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I hardly seem qualified to speak about arithmetic …
it was never my best subject. I even
flunked ‘blocks’ in Kinder. But Dad was
happy. For three years he didn’t have
to update my school textbooks…
In 2 Peter 1:1-11 the apostle introduces us to some
spiritual mathematics … and I trust I’m doing better in that!
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
EQUAL SIGN (=)
It’s hard to believe that I share some things
equally with the apostle Peter … not to mention Paul and James and Barnabas and
… so it goes. And so do you, if
you are a child of God.
(a) We all have the same
“precious faith” that brought us salvation ... 1:1. Peter was saved just the same way as you
and me. And so was every other
believer. Our faith in Christ resulted
in us being clothed in the righteousness God Himself provides.
(b) And we equally share in the
power of the Holy Spirit … 1:3.
It’s not true, as some wit pointed out, that “between Peter, Paul and
Prout the power petered out!” No! … the
same Holy Spirit indwells every believer … just as He did in apostolic
times. And He enables us to live the
kind of life well-pleasing to our God.
(c) And we equally share in
those “precious promises” God has given us ... 1:4. They are just as reliable for us as they
were for the apostles.
2. THE
MULTIPLICATION SIGN (X)
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you …” ( vs. 2)
We need God’s ‘grace’, not only to commence our Christian walk but to continue it day by day … 1:2. And that’s what Peter is referring to here. Likewise the reference to ‘peace’ has to do, not with “peace with God” that takes place at conversion, but with the continuing ‘peace of God’ the Christian should be experiencing at all times.
3. THE
DIVISION SIGN (÷)
“Things I loved before have passed away …” says the
old chorus. And so it should be … 1:4.
Our baptism symbolised our division from the
“corruption that is in the world” and our rising to walk in newness of life.
There is a doctrine of Separation (“from the
unclean thing”, 2 Corinthians 6:17) as well as a doctrine of Unity found in
Holy Writ.
4. THE
ADDITION SIGN (+)
Various virtues are to be added to our
faith. Faith in Christ is
fundamental. Without that one has not
even begun to walk the Christian Way.
But we must, Peter says, ADD to that faith … 1:5-7.
(a) Virtue … or, as the commentators
agree, courage. When the
persecution breaks, stand firm! Do not
deny Christ! Baptism, incidentally, is
a Divinely ordained way of publicly confessing one’s faith.
(b) Knowledge. This is a key word in these three chapters of 2 Peter. (Count the times “KNOW”, “KNOWING” and
“KNOWLEDGE” are used!) We will never
grow in our Christian life without getting to know the Lord through a serious
study of His written Word.
(c) Temperance
(or Self Control). We are called to live
disciplined lives. “Endure hardness”
like soldiers, to use Paul’s illustration to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:3). We are to obey our Captain, not follow the
whims of our own desires.
(d) Patience
… i.e. Patient Endurance. C.T. Studd
described some Christians as ‘chocolate’ soldiers who melt and ‘run away’ in
the heat of the battle. Like the
prophet Habbakuk we patiently wait for God to avenge His own. He may not work to our timetable, but work
He ultimately will! In the meantime our
faith remains fixed upon Him (Habbakuk 2:1-4).
(e) Godliness … a reverent attitude in
His presence. Speech and actions that
are spoken and done as unto Him. A holy
walk!
(f) Brotherly
Love. The ‘brethren’ here mentioned are our fellow
Christians. Regardless of denomination
or colour … if they acknowledge Jesus as Saviour and Lord… they are a part of
His family as are we. We are to love
them … even though it may not be easy at times!
To live above with saints we
love,
That will indeed be glory!!
But to live below with some
saints we know …
Well, that’s a different
story!
(g) Charity
…
that’s how the King James Version has it.
But it is better translated “Divine Love”. It is love on a higher rung than ‘brotherly
love’ … it is the kind of love God had for a rebellious and sinful world. And Peter says that we should add it to our
faith.
And if you do ADD these virtues to your faith … you
will be an effective and fruitful Christian (v. 8).
It’s as certain as any mathematical addition!
5. THE
SUBTRACTION SIGN (-)
Some Christians, instead of adding to their faith
those things just enumerated, continue to live as if their sins have not been taken
away … 1:9.
No joy in the Holy Ghost, no peace of God flooding
the soul, no freedom from doubts and fears, no burdens lifted, no assurance of
salvation … despite the fact that they trust Christ as Saviour long ago. But they have failed to grow in their
knowledge of all the Lord Jesus has done for them.
* * * * * * * * * *
Glory bye and bye!
“No grudging entrance” as Knox translates it. Sweeping through the Golden Gate with all
the angels shouting and all the trumpets blaring. The Saviour awaiting to welcome His child Home! And to greet them with a “Well done! Good and faithful servant!!” But, of course, that only applies to those
who have passed the Divine Arithmetic test!
Those who did add to their faith … and lived the life
well-pleasing to Him.
There are others we are told, Christians, mind you
(!) … who will be “ashamed” to stand before Him on that Day (1 John 2:28).
And there will be those who hear the awful words …
“Depart from Me, I never knew you…” and who will face a lost Eternity (Matthew
7:21-13).
===========================================================
POISON IN THE PULPIT : 2 Peter 2
……………………………………………………………
False teachers will invade the Christian church,
writes the apostle … and spread their false doctrines.
And that is the main thrust of this second letter to
come from his inspired pen.
1. THE
PROBLEM STATED
Notice that in the Old Testament there were “false
prophets”, whereas in New Testament days there will be “false teachers” (2:1).
There is a vital difference here.
A true prophet was inspired. The Spirit of God spoke through him. What he said was not his own word, but
God’s.
But such is not the case with a teacher. He has no infallible source to keep him free
from error. A careful study of God’s
Word is needed.
And then a faithful presentation of that study to
his listeners. But a “teacher” is not
‘inspired’ like a true prophet was.
Now that we have God’s revelation completed in the
Scriptures there is no need of inspired prophets. But we still need teachers.
Like other “spiritual gifts” designed to get the
infant church on its feet … before the New Testament was written … the gift of
prophecy has passed away.
* Apostles
and prophets are described as the ‘foundation’ of the spiritual Temple. Foundations belong to the building’s
commencement (Ephesians 2:20).
* And 2
Corinthians 12:12 specifically speaks of the spiritual gifts as being “signs of
the apostles”. The gifts ceased with
the Apostolic Age.
* Church history confirms this. The early Christian writers speak of the disappearance of the “gifts of the Spirit” when the New Testament was completed.
·
There
may be exceptions to the rule … God is sovereign, and He is quite able to give
a ‘spiritual gift’ to one of His children if He so desires. But it is the exception to the rule …
despite what is being taught in Charismatic/ Pentecostal churches today.
<NB> Whilst we may differ with
the Charismatic teaching on spiritual gifts, it is not to be though that we are
classing them among the “false teachers” here depicted. The vast majority of Charismatic preachers
are true to the fundamental doctrines of the Faith.
But those Peter describes are apostates:
(a) They
DENY the Lord … either by their words or the way they live!
(b) They DISCIPLE many
(v. 2). The number of followers is not
the criteria as to the accuracy of one’s teaching!!
(c) They DESIRE financial
gain (v. 3). Their motive is
greed. Like Balaam (v. 15).
(d) They DECEIVE with
“feigned” words … the Greek word is “Plastos” from which we get ‘Plastic’. They twist words to mean what they were
never meant to mean. False teachers use
our vocabulary … but not our dictionary!!
(e) They are DOOMED (v.
3). Hell awaits them.
2. THE
PROBLEM ILLUSTRATED
Peter uses three illustrations from the Old
Testament to remind his readers that God is a Holy God who punishes sin!!
v. 4 The Angelic Rebellion
v. 5 The Antediluvian World … i.e. the world prior
to the Flood
v. 6 The Ancient Cities … of Sodom and Gomorrah
The wrath of God that was revealed on those
occasions will be revealed against the false teachers (v. 9b).
The tragedy of the situation is compounded by the
fact that those who are deceived by the false teachers are also under the
judgement of God.
“If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into
the ditch…” Matthew
15:14. That’s when Jesus said!!
3. THE
PROBLEM ANTICIPATED
… which takes us back to chapter 1. Peter has stressed the need for a strong,
mature Christian faith.
He outlined a number of attributes which needed to
be “added” to our basic faith in Christ (1:5-8). Such will save one from “falling” (1:10).
Now he goes on … in chapter 1 … to stress the need
to know and believe God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures.
The apostle tells of the time he saw the Lord Jesus
on the Mount of Transfiguration (1:17-18;
Matthew 17:1-5).
And not only was he an eye-witness of our Lord’s
Deity … but an ear-witness (v. 17). He
heard the Father speak! (v. 18).
And the point of it all is that what he saw and
heard is just what the Old Testament prophets had foretold. And we need to
“take heed” to what is written therein (v. 19).
We are back to where our study began … what the true
prophets said was inspired of God!! It
was not something they made up themselves … God spoke through them (v. 21).
Study your Bible … “take heed” to God’s Word … and
you will not fall for the ‘plastic words’ of the false teachers.
* * * * * * * * * *
Verse 20 refers to the ORIGIN of the prophet’s
message, not the hearers’ understanding of it. It was not the result of a
prophet interpreting events he saw, but of God revealing the message to him …
see verse 20-21 in a modern translation.
===========================================================
DAY OF CONDEMNATION … DAY OF JUBILATION
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
In the third chapter of 2 Peter we are introduced to
another aspect of this “schoolroom” scenario.
Chapter 1:1-12 introduced us to the students
… in their Maths class doing “multiplication” (1:2) and “adding” (1:5) etc…
Chapter 2:1-22 was a dreadful picture of false
teachers … in contrast to the faithful teaching of the apostles
(1:13-18) and the Old Testament prophets (1:19-21).
Now, in chapter 3, here comes the Principal! And He will deal with the ‘false teachers’
and check up on how we have been doing our homework!!
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
ACCUSATION OF THE SCOFFERS … 3:1-4
Not only do they deny Peter’s authorship of
this epistle, but they deny the message of our Lord’s Second Coming.
This blatant denial stems from a rejection of the
Bible as being the Inspired Word of God.
Others who claim to believe the Bible may ‘spiritualise’
the teaching of our Lord’s Return … others may misinterpret it and apply
it to death or the Day of Pentecost, but Liberal theologians simply deny that
what is written is truly God’s Word.
They pick and choose which part they want to accept.
2. THE
AFFIRMATION OF THE SCRIPTURES
(a) They
reject the Testimony of the apostles and prophets … who witnessed to the fact
that the Lord Jesus would come a second time (3:1-2).
(b) They
reject the Testimony of Patriarchal History … once before God said He
would destroy the world with a flood, and He did.
Now He says He will do it again with fire
(3:7). And He will!!
(c) And
they reject the Testimony of the Saviour Himself … who promised: “I will come again” (John 14:3).
Nobody in Peter’s day reading 3:8-10 could interpret
it any other way but literally.
He is Coming, as He promised, and that Day will
witness the end of this present world.
A New Heaven and a New Earth are on the Lord’s
agenda (v. 13).
The subject of our Lord’s Return is not simply for
our speculation but our motivation… In
the light of the fact that He is coming “as a thief” (v. 10) … unexpected …
“What manner of person ought I to be?” (v. 11).
3. THE
APPLICATION FOR THE SAINT
(a) We
should be HOLY … v. 14. If He is coming, and
I know not when, then I need to be ready all the time.
And if He is returning and YOU know not when … then you need to be ready all the time.
We not only need to be SAVED … but we need to be
SAINTLY. John tells us that even some
who are Christians will be “ashamed” at the things they are doing or saying
when He comes! (1 John 2:18).
(b) We
should be HOLDING FAST the Word of God … vv. 15-18.
Some folk, like the false teachers, ‘twist’ (v. 16) the Scriptures to make them mean what they were never meant to mean. They use “feigned (plastic) words” (2 Peter 2:3).
Like King David’s faithful soldier, Eleazer, we too,
must “cleave to the sword!” (2 Samuel 23:10).
It is as we “grow in knowledge” of the Scriptures
that we will be strengthened in our faith and able to resist the attacks of the
Enemy.
(c) We
should be HOPE-FILLED … v. 13. No more pain, no more
suffering, no more heartache, no more burdens …
Jesus is coming to take us HOME. Jubilation for the believer … but, alas,
condemnation for the unsaved.
* * * * * * * * * *
millions will perish if they
do not heed his call to repentance.
REMEMBER !! : 2 Peter
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In 2 Peter we read of
certain things we are told to remember.
Which isn’t always easy when you get on in years. Someone described memory as ‘a sieve in
which we store our knowledge.’ Memory …
the thing that tells a man it was his wife’s birthday … yesterday! Another writer described it as the diary we
all carry with us ‘except some of my pages have fallen out…’
And Peter understands
all that … notice how he says he is going to remind his readers
what he’s already told them previously!
12 Wherefore
I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these
things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this
tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my
tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able
after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
So let’s look at what
the apostle exhorts us to remember.
1.
REMEMBER THE MAJESTY OF THE LORD
JESUS
16 For
we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the
power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his
majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honour and
glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard,
when we were with him in the holy mount.
Peter
has told them previously of the time he saw the Transfiguration of the Lord.
(v. 16; Matthew 17:1-8). Now he tells them again, emphasising that it
is no made-up story, not a figment of his imagination. It was a preview of Christ’s Exaltation.
Not only did Peter, along with James and John,
witness the glory of the Son of God but they heard God the Father speak from
Heaven. John also mentions this in John
1:14.
But what if his readers do not believe his
testimony?
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy;
whereunto ye do well that ye take heed.. 21 For the prophecy came not in old
time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the
Holy Ghost.
If you don’t believe me, he says, believe the Old Testament prophets. Their messages did not originate from their own mind (‘will’, v. 21) but was revealed to them by the Holy Spirit. And numerous prophecies in the Old Testament, centuries before the Birth of Jesus, all found their fulfilment in Him (Acts 3:18).
Jesus of Nazareth is
the Son of God, risen from the dead and exalted to the Right Hand of
God the Father.
Jesus is Lord!
2. REMEMBER … THERE ARE
ENEMIES OF THE LORD JESUS
2 Peter 2:1 But there were
false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers
among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord
that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
This whole second
chapter is a warning that false teachers will enter in and attack the doctrines
of God’s Word. Paul also warned that
such would happen (Acts 20:29-30).
Indeed, 24 out of the 27 books in the New Testament contain similar dire
warnings.
Jehovah’s Witnesses,
Mormons, Moonies, Scientologists, Roman Catholics, Seventh Day Adventists … to
name a few … all teach some basic doctrines that are contrary to
Scripture. And, remember, there
are those in the major denominations today who no longer believe the
fundamental doctrines of historic Christianity.
Few sermons are
preached on this subject but the warnings are clear in the Word of God (Galatians
1:8-9).
In the closing verses
of this epistle, Peter reminds them again ...
2
Peter 3: 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before,
beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from
your own steadfastness.
18 But
grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To
him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
The remedy to
withstand these heretics is to grow in
grace … and knowledge !
3. REMEMBER
THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD JESUS
2 Peter 3:1 This second
epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds
by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which
were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles
of the Lord and Saviour:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the
last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?
Some may scoff and even deny
that the Lord Jesus will come again. But the Lord remembers His
promise …
3: 9 The
Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all
should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in
the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are
therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing
then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye
to be in all holy conversation and godliness
Again and again
the New Testament writers affirm that one day, unexpectedly, the Lord Jesus
will come again. He tarries that more
will be saved (v. 9).
It will be, Jesus Himself said, as it was in the
days of Noah (Matthew 24:37).
On that day those who rejected the Lord were
destroyed … but “The Lord remembered Noah” (Genesis 8:1) and
delivered him.