< 1 Peter 1 >

Peter addressed the disciples as “the elect according to the foreknowledge of God” who are saved by obedience and the shedding of Jesus’ blood,v.2Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:2 and he blessed God, the Father of Jesus Christ, for his mercy in begetting the disciples to a living hope, which features in this letter.v.3Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:3

The glorious hope available through the resurrection of Jesus is another feature in this letter.v.3Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:3 After their own resurrection, the disciples will receive an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance.v.4Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:4 This is now “reserved in heaven” v.4Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:4 but it will be revealed in due course v.5,Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:5 at the appearing of Jesus Christ,v.7Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:7 and is the most valuable possession we could have. Gold is the world’s most precious metal but will be valueless to us at death, as well as at the judgment-seat. In contrast, faith will then be priceless because it will result in praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.v.7Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:7 As gold is purified by fire, faith is purified by trial v.7Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:7 and we can have this faith in Christ even though we have not seen him. We can believe in him and rejoice at the prospect of salvation in glory when he appears.vs.8-9Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:8-9

The prophets of old recorded beforehand the suffering of Christ and the glory to follow for they were inspired by the same Spirit which begat, anointed, inspired, and empowered Jesus to perform miraculous deeds.v.11Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:11 The same Holy Spirit came upon the apostles v.12Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:12 whose teaching enables us to see the things which were hidden from the understanding of prophets and angels.v.12Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:12

Knowing the glorious future in store for the faithful, we should awake to our responsibilities,v.13Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:13 be obedient children of God v.14Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:14 and holy in our manner of life as our heavenly Father is holy.vs.15-17Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:15-17 A very high price has been paid for our redemption from sin and death - not gold or silver - but the precious blood of Christ.vs.18-19Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:18-19

The sacrifice of Jesus as a lamb without blemish was foreordained before the foundation of the Jewish “cosmos” i.e. before the time of Moses, e.g. he is the “seed of the woman” who would destroy sin. Genesis 3:15Waiting for response for Genesis 3:15 This does not mean Jesus existed at that time but was in the mind and purpose of God, and the prophets were inspired to write of him beforehand until, being born of Mary and anointed in adulthood, he was manifested in the last times of the Mosaic era.v.20Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:20 Jesus was manifested for those who believe in God that raised him from the dead, that they might have faith and hope.v.21Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:21 They are also required to love one another with a pure heart fervently v.22Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:22 to show they are indeed God’s children, having been born again by his word.v.23Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:23 We are born naturally of corruptible seed and, being but flesh, we perish, but if we have been born of the word by belief and baptism, we can live for ever after resurrection from the dead, because the word of God endures for ever.vs.23-25Waiting for response for 1 Peter 1:23-25