1 Peter

v. 8—This verse is set in the context of trial and suffering. These, if endured, will be to the glory and praise of those who are triumphant at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Verse 8 now begins by sins, “You have never seen Him, but you love Him; even though you do not see Him you believe in Him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy.” “Because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

v. 9—When Peter speaks of salvation in verse 5 he refers to our complete emancipation from everything that is earthly. We have not experienced this but will do so when Christ raptures us home.

In verse 9 Peter is reminding them that in another sense they had already received salvation, the salvation of their souls. It was a present reality.

By faith we appropriate this. See Hebrews 11:1—“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

v. 10-12—The prophets who prophesied about this salvation, searched and inquired diligently of the Spirit as to the time Christ would suffer and the glory that would follow.

According to Peter it was revealed to them that the things they wrote about were not for themselves, but for us. Through the gospel which has been preached and by the revelation of the Holy Spirit these mysteries from the OT have been revealed to us. The angels desired information about these things.

v. 13—Wherefore! Consider the circumstances. On the one hand the sufferings and trials; but on the other hand, the revelation of the salvation in Christ.

Circumstances are apt to get one down. Hence the exhortation “gird up the loins of your mind.”

First Peter
Introduction

“The Epistles of Peter were written primarily—in accord with his special ministry to the circumcision (Gal. 2:8)—to Christian Jews of the dispersion, who dwelt in various provinces in western Asia, where most of the Apostle’s labors had been. They have to do with the believer’s relation to the Kingdom of God rather than to the Church as the Body of Christ; though, of course, those to whom he wrote were, as are all Christians, members of the Church and subjects of the Kingdom. Both are wilderness Epistles; they contemplate the children of God, not in their heavenly aspect, as in Ephesians (1:3; 2:6), but rather as strangers and pilgrims journeying on through the wilderness of this world from the cross to the Glory. Peter tells us that he wrote the first Letter to testify that “this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand” (1 Peter 5:12). It is not so much the grace that saves (as in Romans 5:1, 2), which gives us a perfect standing before the throne of God; it is rather the grace ministered to us day by day, which enables us to stand against all the wiles of the enemy and despite all the trials of the way. Suffering has a large place in the Epistle. It is looked upon as the normal thing for the believer while pressing on to the inheritance laid up for him in heaven. In this we are reminded of Savonarola’s words, “A Christian’s life consists in doing good and suffering evil.” He is to rejoice for the privilege of suffering for Him who has redeemed us with His own blood.

Lesson 221: The Ascension Of Christ
Acts 1:1-11
Golden Text: Acts 1:11

I. The Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 10.

1. The Person Who gave it. He had the right by virtue of His Person and His work.

2. The power for it—“Himself;” v. 18. Note the “power” as seen in (1) His birth; Luke 1:35. (2) Ministry; Luke 4:32. (3) Miracles; Luke 4:36. (4) Forgiveness; Matthew 9:6. (5) Death; John 10:18. (6) Resurrection. Romans 1:4; Colossians 2:13-15. (7) Ascension; Ephesians 1:20. (8) Coming; Matthew 24:30.

3. The plan of it. (1) The command “go ye.” (2) The scope, “world.” (3) The theme, “the Gospel.” (4) The persons, “every creature.”

4. The persons to whom given—His disciples. (1) Chosen. Mark 3:14; John 15:16. (2) Saved; Matthew 16:16. (3) Taught. (4) Commissioned. (5) Equipped.

5. The privilege of it. Ambassadors, co-workers, witnesses, trustees, servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.

6. The price of it. “Go” means leave. Cp. Luke 14:26.

7. The promise with it. “I am with you.” Cp Hebrews 13:5.

II. The Promise. Acts 1:4, 5.

1. Promised in O. T. Isaiah 32:15; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezek 11:19; Joel 228.

2. Promised in N. T. John 15:26—16:14.

III. The Questioning Disciples. Vs. 6-8.

1. The question; v. 6. (1) An earthly kingdom expected; Isaiah 2:2-4. (2) The King being rejected, the kingdom is in obeyance. Luke 19:14; Acts 3:14. (3) He will yet be King over the Earth; Psalm 2.

The first epistle of Peter is addressed to believers among the dispersed of Israel found in those provinces of Asia Minor which are named in the first verse; the second epistle declares itself to be a second addressed to the same persons: so that the one and the other were destined for the Jews of Asia Minor (that is, to those among them who had the same precious faith as the apostle). The first epistle is founded on the doctrine of the heavenly calling (I do not say of the assembly on ea...

The opening words of this chapter are connected with what has gone before. Verse 1.—“Wherefore, laying aside all malice.” “Seeing ye have purified yourselves” (chap. 1:22), put away these unclean and fleshly things. Being pure, we are to purify ourselves. The former is our position, the latter ought to be our practice. The new birth gives a new life, the Spirit indwells the children of God, the effect is they love one another. But the flesh would oppose this, if it had its way. ...

Here we get instruction from God on many details of life and conduct. God’s Word is very full not only of great principles, but of practical details, given in order that the man of God may be “throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:17). “Wives” are first addressed. Here, as elsewhere, in grace, God begins with the weaker vessel. Subjection is the woman’s place, not only when she has a good husband, but even when he is unconverted. The case here, does not imply that...

The opening verses of this chapter are a continuation of the truths taught at the close of chapter 3, the practical application of them to us. Read in this light, their obscurity disappears. “Forasmuch, then, as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh,” is an allusion to chap. 3:18: “Arm yourselves likewise with the same mind,” a reference to chapter 3:17. He, according to the will of God, suffered for sin, He was assailed at all points, tempted to turn aside, to shirk the Cross,...

The allusion in the opening words of this chapter is to the threefold charge given to Peter by the Risen Lord, on the shore of the Lake of Galilee. “Lovest thou Me?” then “Feed My lambs,” “Shepherd My young sheep.” “Feed my sheep.” This, for many years he had done, and now as the aged apostle, soon to end his labours and depart to be with Christ, as had been foretold him, he passes on the charge and exhorts others to continue the same work, for it is not the will of God that ...

The Second Epistles have a special bearing on the last days, and give direction to the people and servants of God how they are to act in the midst of ever-increasing apostasy and departure from God and His Word. In the First Epistle we have seen the saints in the wilderness suffering for righteousness, with the devil as a roaring lion seeking to devour. Here the same devil appears in the garb of “an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14), not persecuting but deceiving and seducing by means of th...

“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle.” In the First Epistle he calls himself an apostle only, but here a bond-servant, putting himself alongside of others serving the same Lord amid the apostasy of the last days. There is no clerical assumption here, only a servant getting down to help others (Matt. 20:27, 28), teaching what a servant should be and do. “Righteousness through our Saviour-God.” “Grace and peace multiplied through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” Peter...