The Living Stone (1 Peter 2:1-10)

"So rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it for your salvation, 3 since you have tasted that the Lord is good." (1 Peter 2:1-3, HCSB).

In view of the call to be holy, given through the living Word of God, Peter then exhorts us further on how to live. We are literally to "cast off" or "put away" these attitudes that do not please God. The list Peter gives is fairly comprehensive as well, describing problematic heart attitudes and the the sinful actions that proceed from them to our lips. Any thing that is not honoring God should not come from our lips. Any deceptive, hypocritical, slanderous, or malicious talk should not come from us nor should such mindsets be in our hearts as well. 

In contrast to these attitudes, we should instead have the attitude like a newborn infant craving his milk. "Epipotheō", which is translated here as "crave" carried the idea to long after, to desire intently. This idea is related to a deep need. This gives us a fairly vivid picture of what Peter is describing here. A little over a year ago, my daughter was a newborn, not unlike what is described here. When she wanted her milk from Mommy, there was no arguing with it! She fervently desired milk (when and only when she was hungry) because it was her life-giving nourishment.

Therefore, as a newborn craves intently her milk, because of her deep need for it, we are to crave deeply the things of God contained in His Word, because we also have a deep need for them. We need to thirst after God's word and the things contained therein, for like the milk to the newborn, it is life-giving.

We can taste that the Lord is good, a point Peter refers to from Psalm 34:8 here in verse 3. "Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!" (Ps. 34:8, HCSB). There are great things in God's word for those who seek. The scripture from the Psalm helps to illustrate that we should crave after the Word, for it is good.

"Coming to Him, a living stone—rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God— 5 you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it is contained in Scripture: Look! I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and honored cornerstone, and the one who believes in Him
will never be put to shame!" (1 Peter 2:4-6, HCSB).

Peter then describes how Christ is the Living Stone to which we come. At first I had some trouble connecting how this thought of Christ as the living stone connects with hungering for God, and tasting that He is good. However, what I realized is that this can refer back to the Old Testament during the time of wandering described in Exodus 17, where God provided for His peoples great need and thirst from a Rock in the desert. Isaiah describes this, "They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He made water flow for them from the rock; He split the rock, and water gushed out." (Isaiah 48:21, HCSB). Like in the Old Testament, Christ is the rock, the living stone, in which we are satisfied. 

Continuing on this idea of Christ as the living stone, we see how Christ is the chief cornerstone in the church He is building. Christ fulfills the scriptures referring to the chosen stone coming from God prophesied in Isaiah 28:16, Psalms 118:22, and Isaiah 8:14. As prophesied, He was rejected by man, a stumbling stone, but God has chosen Him; He is God's elect, priceless plan for our salvation. This verse highlights how different Christianity really is from the rest of the world. It is hard to get a feel-good, seeker-sensitive message from the one whom the World has rejected, the stone upon which they stumble. To give up everything and follow Him, to give up all claims on their lives, and their achievements and to follow Him- that is a stumbling point the world cannot get around.

We also, because we follow Christ, are living stones. And, as such, we will also be rejected by the World, but chosen and valuable to God. Together, we are being built into into a holy house, His church. The building being created out of us as believers is the only building that truly matters. The buildings we meet in are merely that- a place to meet and gather. They are not the church. The church is us!

Further, we each have a part in this house. Each stone is important to hold the house together as a cohesive whole. Christ is the cornerstone, the chief stone that hold everything else together, that supports the structure. He is central to His church. If He is not, then the church will fall apart.That is the whole idea of the cornerstone. A brief search on the web reveals this definition, which I feel can help us accurately understand the role Christ has in the building of His church: "The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerstone)

Not only is Christ central to His church, but we each have a part to play; each stone has a role and a purpose in building a structure. In other epistles, the analogy used is that of the body working together, with each part having a task. While the analogy of a house being built with living stones does not necessarily carry the same picture, it is clear that each stone is important.  The purpose of this church, this spiritual house, is clearly laid out in the text: to be a holy priesthood. Collectively, we are the temple where God's spirit dwells and where He is glorified. We are the place where God is honored by our spiritual sacrifices, a point Peter makes here, and is also repeated in Romans 12:1.

In Ephesians 2:19-22, Paul also discusses this concept: "So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. 21 The whole building, being put together by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord. 22 You also are being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit." (HCSB). This passage further illustrates what Peter is describing here for us. While before we where separated from God, now we are being built together after the pattern of Christ to create a holy sanctuary where God is honored. We who believe in Him will never be put to shame.

"So honor will come to you who believe, but for the unbelieving, 'The stone that the builders rejected—this One has become the cornerstone', 8 and 'A stone to stumble over, and a rock to trip over.' They stumble because they disobey the message; they were destined for this." (1 Peter 2:7-8, HCSB) 

This goes back to a point I made earlier- Christ, the cornerstone of our salvation, is the stumbling stone for the world. He (and us as His followers) will never become popular in the world system, and our sugar-coating efforts to make the Gospel more palatable sells our hearers short: Christ will always be at odds with the world system. The world is looking for one more thing to add to its accomplishments to be good and earn one's way to heaven. Christ calls a man to die to himself, and follow Him. The world can not and will not understand this. Peter says that they are "destined" for this. 

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10, HCSB).

In contrast to those who stumble and ultimately will perish, we are a people set apart, a holy priesthood unto our God. The various terms Peter uses to describe our position in Christ is humbling and awe-inspiring in that before we were in Christ we also shared the fate as those who stumble, who disobey the message. But, through Christ's grace and mercy, we are a chosen people for the glory of God. Peter makes it clear that the purpose of this is so that we may proclaim the praises of God for our great salvation. He has given us His mercy, drawn us into His glorious, marvelous light! 

For Peter's audience, this would be encouraging, possibly even more so for them than us. In spite of the persecutions and hardships they faced under the rule of Rome, there was great hope in knowing they belonged to God, and were a part of His people, His chosen race, a holy priesthood unto Him. God has given us this same mercy, and there is infinite hope in that. 

Being Holy (1 Peter 1:13-25).

" Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be serious and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. 15 But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:13-16, HCSB). 

After describing in the past several verses the hope we have in our salvation and how great it is, Peter then transitions to the practical. "Therefore" signals the change in thought. Now that he has effectively reminded us of how blessed we are, that we have a living hope in Christ, and that this great plan of God long awaited has been now entrusted to us; we ought to live with that in mind. 

Peter describes this as having our "minds ready for action". In the Greek, this phrase is "anazōnnymi ho osphys", which is a military term that he is using figuratively. "anazōnnymi" has the meaning of preparing, girding up, being ready. In this specific usage, it also conveys the idea that this is done figuratively. "ho" is the article, "for". "osphys"refers to the body, specifically of it being dressed, ready for service, or for action. Put together, it gives us a picture of being ready for action, and conveys the idea of preparing for battle. Since it is speculated that Peter wrote this while in Rome, it could be very likely he, like Paul in Ephesians 6, was drawing on the imagery of a Roman soldier preparing for battle. Therefore, in view of God's great salvation given to us, we need to be ready mentally for action.

In addition to being mentally prepared for action, we are also exhorted to set our hope, our confidence on the grace to be given us through Christ.  Specifically, the focus seems to be on the coming grace that has not yet been given. The passage seems clear on this: "the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." The way this is worded indicates that this grace is the culmination of God's redemptive plan through Christ, when He comes again and sets all things under His feet. At that time, His grace will fully redeem us, and we will be washed clean. Not only are we to be prepared for action, but we must also keep the end in mind - Christ will return, and and His grace will be given.

So far, both of the applications from the realization of the great salvation given to us are primarily mental: be mentally prepared, and set your hope on Christ's return and giving of grace. Now, Peter transitions to action. In essence he gives a call to be set apart, to be holy.

As obedient children, we are not to be conformed to our old self, the old desires and old habits. In the Greek, this gives the imagery of our former desires and lusts. Those things which so captivated us before we were redeemed should no longer captivate us or draw us in. We are a new creature, with new desires, and it is counter our nature to go back to the lusts of our old life. Instead, as God - the One who called us, and drew us out of our old, desperately wicked lives - is holy, so also we should be holy.

To be holy is to be set apart, pure.  In the same way that God is holy, completely apart from sin and corruption, so we too ought to be holy in our conduct. Unfortunately, we don't often focus on this anymore in our Western Christianity. There was a recent article on the website, Mere Orthodoxy that discussed this problem and the need to be holy. While I believe he could have more strongly described what it looks like to be holy, I did appreciate his accurate portrayal of how far we as Western Christians have gotten away from this need to be holy.

The author, Brett McCracken, writes at the beginning of his article, "How are Christians set apart or distinct from the unbelieving world? When push comes to shove, would any observer be able to pick today’s edgy/authentic/real/raw/not-your-grandmother’s Christian out of the proverbial crowd? In what ways are we embodying the call to be salt and light, a city on a hill (Matt. 5:13–16), and a “royal priesthood” called out of darkness and into light (1 Peter 2:9)?" These are good questions to ask and consider as we look at what it means to be holy. How are we are we the salt and light of the world if we are indistinguishable from the world with the same vices, the same love for pop culture, the same habits, etc.? This is not what we are called to be.

The author concludes the article by noting this, "Friends: let’s stop deluding ourselves in thinking that by shirking holiness we’re advancing the cause of Christ by “breaking stereotypes” people might have of Christians. All we’re actually doing is demeaning the name of Christ by cheapening the cost of discipleship. We can do better than that." Holiness is far more important than being culturally relevant; in fact, you won't find a command to be culturally relevant in scripture but you will find numerous places where we are called to be holy.

So what does this look like, to be holy? To be holy means to be different, set apart. It means setting our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2), to keep oneself unstained from the world and to look after the poor and widowed. (James 1:27). It also means to not love the world or the things of the world. (1 John 2:15), and to not be conformed to the patterns and thoughts of this world (Romans 12:2). This also means that while we are in the world, we are not of the world (John 17:11-16). To be holy, "hagios", is to be pure, unstained. The word "holy" is frequently used in scripture, implying that this is an important concept. Peter makes this clear by referring to the Old Testament command in Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7 where God called His people then and His people now to holiness.

"And if you address as Father the One who judges impartially based on each one’s work, you are to conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your temporary residence. 18 For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold,19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. " (1 Peter 1:17-19, HCSB)

Peter continues this thought of being holy and applies it to how we ought to live in light of God's coming judgement. We address God as our Father, and rightfully so. However, Peter points out that we must not forget that He is also our Lord and Judge. While our salvation is certainly not based on our works, or our holiness, we will be called to give an account for our lives on earth. Every man's work will be tested by the impartial Judge. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 also gives us a similar picture of our work being tried by fire to show the value of our works. Again, this is not connected to our salvation, which the passage in 1 Corinthians makes clear. But what is also clear is that God will call us to give an account on how we lived our lives. With this in mind, we need to live holy lives that please Him. We are here on earth only a temporary time and every moment counts.

Peter does make it clear that while we are accountable to God for how we live, we also know that what we do will not save us. It is only through the blood sacrifice of Christ that we are redeemed. No earthly power or currency could redeem us from our broken, sinful condition. Such things are only temporary and will pass away. There was no hope for anything better for us. But now, through Christ's blood there is hope; and a new life of holiness to which we are called.

" 20 He was chosen before the foundation of the world but was revealed at the end of the times for you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." (1 Peter 1:20-21, HCSB)

Christ was plan "A". When man sinned, God was not scrambling around, trying to find a new solution, a new way to win man back to Himself. Peter makes it clear- Christ was chosen before the foundations of the earth was made. Before the first man, Adam, took his first breath, God had already determined that Christ would come as a man, the last Adam. While I struggle to fully wrap my mind around this, even before Adam and Eve were made, God knew that they would fall away, and He had already established a plan to bring them back. And now, it is revealed to us. We, who believe, have the privilege of receiving this salvation.

Through God, we can believe. This too, is hard for me to understand, but this passage seems to make clear that believing is a two-way street in that it is something we do, but we are enabled to do it by God's power. God, who is the Author of Christ's resurrection, enables us to believe in Christ. The end result is that He is glorified.

"By obedience to the truth, having purified yourselves for sincere love of the brothers, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was preached as the gospel to you." (1 Peter 1:22-25, HCSB).

Peter continues on the theme of being holy, living a set-apart life. In obedience to the truth, the gospel, God's commands to us, we are to love one another. This can only truly happen when we are living a holy life. Peter makes it clear - we need to be purified in order to be able to earnestly love from a pure heart. When we set ourselves apart unto God, we can better love one another. We are commanded to love in this pure way. I believe this makes clear the kind of community we ought to be for each other.

This holiness can not come from ourselves but from God. In the same way, our love comes from God because God is love. Since we have been born again into eternal life, of an imperishable seed, we are his children. We are, in a sense, offspring of Love, and therefore it is Him working through us - through His living and enduring Word - that we can love each other in this pure and holy manner toward which Peter exhorts us.

Everything else will fade. All flesh is as grass. This idea appears many times throughout the Old Testament. But, in contrast, God's word remains forever. Peter quotes here from Isaiah 40:6-8, and it illustrates marvelously that God's word never fades or perishes. And, this word has been preached to us, calling us to be Holy.

Therefore, in light of this great salvation, and God's enduring Word, we ought to be Holy, to honor Him with our lives, for He has saved us by His might and will one day call us to account for how we lived this new life. He has made it clear what He desires of us; we must choose to obey.

Please feel free to contribute! If you have anything to add, or an additional point to make from this passage, please make your voice heard in the comments. May we encourage each other into deeper study and awe of Christ and His works in us! 

Hope in Christ- 1 Peter 1:1-12

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ:

To the temporary residents dispersed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you." (1 Peter 1:1-2, HCSB)

Peter opens this letter in a similar fashion to most of the other epistles in the New Testament. If you are like me, when I read the Bible, it can be all too easy to kind of skip over the greetings in the epistles. (Similar to the phenomenon of skipping through the genealogies: "Adam begat.... Jesus")  However, when we take the time to carefully read through, there can be some interesting content to discover. This opening to Peter's first epistle is no different. 

The first thing of note is that Peter addresses his audience as "temporary residents". In other translations, they are referred to as "strangers".  In the original Greek, the word is "parepidēmos" which comes from two primary words, "para", meaning contrary, or different; and "dēmos", which means people or a crowd. In essence, the idea associated with this word is to be different from the crowd, to be an alien alongside. That is why the word translates best as "resident foreigner", or "temporary residents" in the HCSB. This word appears two other times in the NT, one of which also appears in this epistle, 1 Peter 2:11. The other reference is Hebrews 11:13. Both times, the usage and context confirms the same picture given here in Peter's address to his audience, that of his readers being aliens in their areas of residence.

There is some debate whether Peter is addressing the Jewish Christians dispersed among the nations, or just Christians in general - Jew or Gentile. Without getting too much into the details of the debate for the sake of brevity, suffice it to say that is seems a very reasonable conclusion that Peter in fact has the general Christian populace in mind as he addresses this epistle. Why make this point? For two reasons that impact how we read these first few verses. First, by noting that both Gentiles and Jews are addressed here, the focus is not on the Jews being displaced from their home, but instead a poignant reminder that all of us who follow Christ are only temporary residents here on earth, aliens in a foreign land. This realization should impact how we live out our lives. Second, if this letter was addressed only to Jewish Christians, an argument could be made that the content of 1 Peter does not fully apply to us since most of us are not Jewish Christians. This, however, is not the case. Because it seems more likely that this address is meant for all Christians, that we had best pay close attention as the content is very applicable to all of us.

Moving on to verse two, we then find a conundrum of sorts (for our theology, that is). "... chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ." For some, these verses are a good support for the doctrine of Predestination. It is not my intent to spend a lot of time discussing this here, (though it is certainly fine if one wants to discuss it in the comments) however, I will point out that regardless your view on what this verse specifically means, I think the focus is more on the fact that we are chosen to be set apart, a theme Peter explains more later in the epistle. Specifically, we are to be set apart to obedience. Obedience shows our faith in Christ. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book, The Cost of Discipleship, says it well: "Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes." (Bonhoeffer, 1995, 63). 

 "Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in  praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. You love Him,though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy,  because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:3-9, HCSB). 

Peter then transitions from the greeting to what some call a hymn of praise. This section sums up well the glory and the triumph of the Gospel in us. Because of God's great and abundant mercy, we now have new life. We have a living hope in Christ's resurrection. The Greek gives a picture that we have an unshakable confidence in Christ's work; "hope" can also be translated "confidence". The focus on the new birth also brings to mind other passages that make it clear that in Christ, we are a new creation, a new creature. The old self, desperately trapped and enslaved to sin is discarded like an old garment.  

Further, the focus is not only on what Christ has done, but also on what awaits us. Peter describes it as an imperishable, un-corruptible inheritance. Peter's description here reminds us of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21: "Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (HCSB). In reminding of us of what Jesus said regarding our heavenly treasure, it does not seem to far a stretch to think that he also intends to remind his readers that the value of this imperishable inheritance far outweighs anything here on earth. This is an important note, especially in light of the context of this book. In spite of persecution, danger, hardship, loss of possessions  or even death, all that truly matters can not be taken away or destroyed. Our salvation in Christ, our relationship that has been restored with Him - nothing can take that away, no matter what happens in the body here. The next verse (5) makes it clear that it is through God's power that our salvation is protected. God's power, working through our faith, will ultimately redeem us, and make us new. 

Next, in verse 6, Peter makes it clear why it is important to remember that our salvation will never perish, being held secure through God's power. Despite the current trials the Christian readership of that time was facing, our faith can hold on. In fact, Peter points out, our faith is strengthened through trials, refined as gold is by fire, burning off all the impurities. This image of the gold and precious metals being refined by fire is also brought to mind in James 1:3, where James writes how the "testing of your faith produces endurance." (HCSB). Peter also makes it clear that the refining of our faith is not to bring more attention or accolades on us, but rather to bring praise, honor and glory to Christ, who gave us life. He is the object of our faith and it is He who receives all the glory from the refinement brought by suffering. I do not think it implausible to suggest that He allows suffering in our lives primarily so He can receive the glory and honor due Him as our faith get refined. 

While we do not see Christ, we love Him. Because we believe without seeing, we can rejoice because He is working in us, bringing about our salvation. His works are clearly visible even when His presence is not. Therefore, we can rejoice because of His work, because it is so visibly displayed in us as he transforms us into new creatures.

Peter then reminds us just how special this salvation really is: "Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated.  They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings  and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things. " (1 Peter 1:10-12, HCSB). 

This salvation that Christ has brought to us has been sought after and looked forward to for many, many years. All of the Old Testament looked forward to this. The prophets have long foretold and sought after God's redemptive plan. Literally, in the Greek, they "ekzēteō" these things, meaning they craved, sought after the Good News revealed by God through Christ. They eagerly sought out all the details that God would reveal to them. "Ekzēteō" also has the sense of "to demand", which could also imply that these prophets of old wrestled with God to know more about this wonderful grace that was coming.

Thanks to their determination, the sufferings of Christ, and His glorification were well foretold. Isaiah 55 is just one good example. And now, we benefit from their investigative search into the mysteries of God's plan. They were seeking these things not only for their benefit, but primarily so those who would come after would know in what manner God's promises would be revealed. They would be able to know, as it occurred, that God's redemptive plan was unfolding. Now, this glorious Gospel has been revealed and proclaimed. The good news eagerly sought after is now revealed in whole. We are now privileged partakers of this plan of salvation, a plan that even angels desired to look into because the weight of this good news and all the Christ has done is so enormous.

We see then, in these first few verses, just how privileged we are. Our salvation through Christ is of priceless worth. Giving up everything to follow Him is well worth the cost. We are merely trading what is perishable for what is imperishable. The sufferings we face only serve to grow our faith, to the glory and praise to Him. Further, this salvation has longed been anticipated and sought after. Many have gone before us who have longed to see the things we see and to read the things we read, regarding this Gospel. May we never take our position in Christ for granted. In the face of difficult and trying circumstances, we can rest in the unshakable assurance of Christ. Jim Elliott summed this up well when he said, "He is no fool to give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." May we never forget that no matter the political situation, or our current circumstance, we have an imperishable inheritance waiting for us, to the glory and praise of Christ.


Please feel free to contribute! If you have anything to add, or an additional point to make from this passage, please make your voice heard in the comments. May we encourage each other into deeper study and awe of Christ and His works in us! 

A look into First Peter (an Introduction)

To start out, I thought it beneficial to study 1 Peter. There is a lot of valuable content in this little book, with significant application and relevance for us today. (And even more so now as we see the current attitude toward Christianity is changing) With any Bible study, a look into the surrounding context of the culture, history, setting, etc can be helpful and inform our interpretations as we progress through the book. By understanding the circumstances of the time when Peter wrote this epistle, we can better get a picture of what was on his mind as he wrote, and what kind of trials and sufferings he was referring to when he addressed the other believers.

First, it must be noted that 1 Peter was "political" in a sense; more so than any other NT book up to this point. While there are certainly other passages in other books that discuss the relationship of the Church to the government, this book seems to zero in on this more, and for good reason. First Peter was written roughly between AD 62-64 - a time when Christianity was beginning to come under public scrutiny and the Roman government began to look at Christianity as a threat. While the extent of the persecution during the time of this writing was not as severe as it would later become under the Roman regime, things were certainly unsettling.

Part of the "problem"was that Christianity was beginning to be noticed. Merrill Tenney notes on their faith and their message that "Their firm adherence to belief in an invisible God and a risen Christ excited the suspicion and contempt of the public, while their talk of a coming judgement and overthrow of the existing world created misunderstanding and hatred. The reaction against them in Rome under Nero was the product of this popular dislike, activated by Nero's spiteful accusations." (Tenney, New Testament Survey, 1985).

We have preserved  for us an example of some of the slander going around as well. Some graffiti unearthed in Rome from around this time period gives a picture of the attitude towards Christians, and their misunderstanding of the resurrection. One particular image shows a man worshiping a crucified figure on a cross. The figure on the cross is depicted with a donkey's head, with an inscription describing the worshiper as worshiping "his god".  Clearly this was meant as a derogatory description of the Christian faith and was meant to mock the Christians' belief in Christ's resurrection.  This image illustrates how Christianity was viewed during the time of Peter's writing of this epistle and can help us better understand some of the persecution and criticism they initially faced.

(Side note: There is apologetic value in this as well! There are those who try to claim that the crucifixion and resurrection were mythical events, added to the NT writing centuries after the fact. This graffiti shows however that the crucifixion and resurrection were proclaimed right after the speculated date of these events. It also illustrates the Romans' confusion over Christians worshiping Christ)

It is clear then that "the ominous shadow of persecution was the occasion for this letter. Suffering is one of the keynotes of the epistle, being mentioned no less than sixteen times. . . The letter was a warning and an encouragement preparatory to the coming emergency." (Tenney, 1985). Peter makes it clear that suffering has value for our faith, and further, it should not keep us from living out our faith, but rather to strengthen it.  Tenney further notes, "The chief value of the epistle is that it shows Christians how to live out their redemption in a hostile world. Salvation may involve suffering, but it also brings hope, as the grace of God is amplified in the individual life." (Ibid). The theme is clear- we will face suffering, which as the book progresses, makes clear because we are foreigners in this world. But, despite the suffering, we are to look to the example of Jesus and live a holy life.

With that established then, what is the value for us, the 21st century reader, when we approach this epistle? There are several themes that come out in this book that are certainly relevant to us today. Certainly an important one is that suffering is a part of the Christian experience. Simply put, if we are following Christ, we will be at odds with the world, which will mean persecution of some kind or another from the world. Secondly, we are called to be holy, set apart - even if the world persecutes us for living that way. Third, this epistle encapsulates fairly well the response we should have to our government; mainly to respect and honor our leaders, to submit to all in authority. We should live upright lives so that there is no occasion for justly deserved slander. Rebellion against our leaders or a striving against them seems to have no place in the Christian ethic.

These and other themes will be examined and discussed as we begin our study of this book. There are certainly some valuable points to discuss and consider the applications for our lives. Now that we have some background established, we are set to examine 1 Peter.

What's next?

Now that I have gotten back into blogging again, I have been giving some thought about what all I can blog about. I have hit on some bigger topical issues so far, based on some things I have been learning the past few years during my schooling.

There are certainly more subjects I can cover, subjects that I am passionate about, but as I have been thinking over what to write next, none of these ideas really seem right for now. The truths in Scripture are far more powerful that the words I could say on any topic. Therefore, I thought it beneficial to do some studies through various scriptures, to see what God has to say through His word.

While I don't intend for these to be sermons, per -se, I am hoping to do an expository study on several passages of scripture. My purpose for doing so is twofold- to "journal" my studies as I progress through these passages, and to hopefully edify those who read this blog. I would certainly encourage you as you read to join in the study. Feel free to comment under any of the posts I do and add some of your thoughts or observations of the passage,or bring up a point I have missed. I certainly hope that this can be an interactive study through God's word together! So, feel free to follow along and participate in these studies!