Study
The First Letter of Peter: Holy Living in the Midst of Fiery Trials.
It is said that “trials either crush you and cause bitterness or refine you and cause growth.” Let’s journey through the Letters of Peter and see what it has to say on this subject of Trials. Though there is an emphasis on the trials the Believers face, yet Peter also emphasizes a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus.
Peter, writes as an apostle/ambassador of Christ to the Believers scattered abroad in Asia Minor to encourage them to stand firm in the midst of their trials. They are encouraged and reminded that they were chosen by the foreknowledge of God the Father, set apart by the Holy Spirit for obedience, and sprinkled/cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
This is a good reminder of the identity of the Believer: we are temporary residents of this world; our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20) and our ultimate purpose as the redeemed is obedience to Christ Jesus. It is then that God will give us more grace and peace as we walk in our new identity.
Questions
- Who is an Apostle?
- What are some ways people define themselves?
- According to these verses, how are the Believers identified?
- What do you think Peter means when he calls them “refugees”?
- What have the Persons of the Trinity done to secure the Believer’s salvation?
Answers
- An apostle was personally commissioned by Christ to be his ambassador/messenger just like the Old Testament prophets were God’s spokesmen through whom he communicated. They were anointed by the Holy Spirit and empowered by Jesus to do miraculous signs.
- Some people define themselves by their career title, where they live, or by their wealth and the company they keep.
- Believers are identified as: those chosen by God. It is through his grace and sovereignty, that he elects us and brings us to Christ. (Romans 8:29- For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.)
- Refugees/sojourners/exiles/foreigners/temporary residents – The people of this world continue to live in their natural sin state and without faith in Jesus. But as Believers in Christ Jesus, we must remember that this world is not our home and that our home is the Kingdom of God. (Phil 3:20 - Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.)
- We were chosen by the foreknowledge of God the Father, set apart by the Holy Spirit for obedience, and sprinkled/cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
