< 1 Peter 3 >

In the last chapter the apostle gave exhortation to disciples of Christ, and in this chapter he gave instruction to wives, husbands, and the disciples generally. Believing wives should, by their godly behaviour, influence their unbelieving husbands to come to God’s truth.vs.1-21 Peter 3:1-2XWaiting for response They were not to emphasise their outward appearance, as is the wont of the fashion conscious world,v.31 Peter 3:3XWaiting for response but to manifest the meek and quiet character which pleases God v.41 Peter 3:4XWaiting for response after the example of the faithful wives of old.vs.5-61 Peter 3:5-6XWaiting for response Husbands were to honour their wives, for they were heirs together of the life promised by God.v.71 Peter 3:7XWaiting for response A husband and wife together in the Lord are united as one - united in selfless love - and all the disciples are commanded to be of one mind and to love one another that they might inherit the promised blessing when Christ comes.vs.8-91 Peter 3:8-9XWaiting for response In support of this, the apostle cited a Psalm to show what we must do if we desire to see the good days that are coming and to enjoy eternal life vs.10-12;1 Peter 3:10-12XWaiting for response Psalm 34:12-16.Psalm 34:12-16XWaiting for response Those who live as directed in this passage are protected by God,v.12-131 Peter 3:12-13XWaiting for response even if they suffer at the hands of evildoers and false accusers,vs.14-171 Peter 3:14-17XWaiting for response as did Jesus.v.181 Peter 3:18XWaiting for response He was the righteous one who suffered for sins that he might bring us to God.v.181 Peter 3:18XWaiting for response

Jesus lived in the flesh and then died for us, but afterwards he was brought to life again by God’s Spirit.v.181 Peter 3:18XWaiting for response The Spirit of the LORD inspired him and his apostles to speak God’s words, which we can save ourselves from the wrath to come by believing. Noah was inspired by the same Spirit to warn the people of his day,vs.19-201 Peter 3:19-20XWaiting for response but they would not listen and died in the flood, ending up in the prisonhouse of death.v.191 Peter 3:19XWaiting for response The experiences of Noah and his contemporaries are a clear warning to people of all generations, as well as being a figure of salvation in Christ.v.211 Peter 3:21XWaiting for response The Spirit in Noah warned the people to turn to righteousness, but only eight souls obeyed and were saved. The same Spirit in the apostles warns of the coming judgments of God, but relatively few people take heed and believe the gospel and are baptized. Baptism is the answer of a good conscience to God and shows that the believer has willingly commenced a new life of obedience in Christ. It also represents burial and resurrection. After his resurrection Jesus went to heaven where he was highly exalted, with all authority in heaven and earth being put under him v.221 Peter 3:22XWaiting for response and, enlightened by the scriptures, we can see that world events are safely in his hands and that they are moving rapidly towards the moment for his return.

The spirits in prison - a reference to people / minds now in the prison of death