“The Just Shall Live By Faith”
New King James Version Written by: David Hicks
Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."
“Articles of Faith”
(A Study in I Peter)
Lesson 1 - Introduction:
About Peter: We get our first look at the Apostle Peter as a fisherman along with his brother Andrew ( Matthew 4:18 ). The Apostle John would give additional insight to the calling of Peter, and would note that Andrew actually brought Peter to Jesus, stating that He had found the Messiah ( John 1:41 ).
Peter was a married man ( Matthew 8:14 ). Paul would record that she accompanied Peter in his gospel spreading travels ( I Corinthians 9:5 ). As a married man he could serve as both an Apostle of Christ and an elder in the church ( I Peter 5:1 ).
Peter was an impetuous man and often burdened by inconsistencies and contradictions. However, as a man of action the Lord found many productive uses for his leadership strengths. It was the Savior that gave him the name, ‘petros', or stone ( John 1:42 ). Peter was often the first to act or speak ( Matthew 16:16 ; John 6:68 ; 20:3-6 ; etc…); and within these first actions we find the majority of his inconsistencies (He was the first to confess the Lord, yet, he also was the one who denied Him – Matthew 26:69-75 ).
Even though Peter was the Apostle to the Jews ( Galatians 2:7 ), as Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles ( Romans 11:13 ); he preached equality of the Jew and the Gentiles ( Acts 15:7-11 ). However, at Antioch he drew back and wouldn't eat with the Gentiles for fear of offending the Jews and drew stern criticism from the Apostle Paul ( Galatians 2:11 -21 ). Even in his service as an Apostle of Christ we find him both fearless and fearful.
Peter stands as testament that although the Apostles were led by the Spirit (and in many cases given extra courage and strength as they acted on behalf of the Savior and His kingdom), they retained their own personal traits. In addition; we find a great encouragement in the imperfections of Peter's character, in that, if he could overcome himself and perform great works on behalf of the Gospel of Christ, we can !
About I Peter :
The title of this study brings to mind a very important point; in Bible study, internal evidence must out weigh external evidence, and the scriptures must be the foremost commentary on the material being studied.
Peter begins this epistle by stating that He is an Apostle of Jesus Christ and that the material within is backed by Apostolic authority. Remember that through the gift of the Holy Spirit that would guide the Apostles into all truth; what they would bind on earth would be bound in heaven ( Matthew 16:19 ; John 16:13 -14 ).
He would then recognize those to whom the letter is addressed. The term pilgrims and the added term sojourners ( 2:11 ), simply refers to temporary residents and strangers in the land. Peter then discloses that these temporary residents have taken up residency in northern Asia Minor , Asia , and Bithynia .
There is much said about who these temporary residents are (Jew or Gentile, or both), yet there seems to overwhelming internal evidence that they were residents of Judea (Jews converted to Christianity).
Some have said that because of what is said in 2:10 , that some where Gentiles, however, we must remember that in the words of the Savior concerning the Jews, He said:
Matthew 23:37-39 "O Jerusalem , Jerusalem , the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate ; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord !' "
They were un-willing to be brought back to God (not all, but as a whole – Romans 11:1-5 ), thus their house was no longer God's house. Christ broke down the middle wall of division between them and all other races and made the two, one (Jew and Gentile - Ephesians 2:14 -18 ). The Jews could no longer rest on their birthright and like every other man, must come to God through Jesus Christ the Lord. In addition, in 2:12 , Peter would remind them of their responsibility before the Gentiles of this strange land, as examples of Christianity.
So! What has brought them to their present location? This is where the internal evidence weighs in and in addition also tells us that the time of the writing of this and the second letter. It was written just prior to the destruction of Jerusalem . They have heeded Apostolic warnings concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and have begun to flee to a safer region, note:
1 Peter 4:7 “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”
1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;”
1 Peter 4:17 “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God ?”
Only those who obeyed the Gospel of God are privy to the warnings of the coming destruction and judgment of Israel . In II Peter 3 , Peter again reminds them of both the Apostolic and prophetic warnings. He tells them that the time is even closer and that they should not listen to the scoffers (they are hundreds of miles away from home, based on the warnings of the Apostles concerning Christ's coming in judgment on Jerusalem; and the scoffers are saying, “here we are, and yet Jerusalem is still intact! Where is the sign of His coming?”). However, Peter would guarantee them of the sureness of God's promises.
Now we know who they are and what they are doing there. How do we know they are Christians?
1 Peter 1:2 “ elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace be multiplied.”
The term, “elect”, indicates a choice that has been made (past tense). This is again addressed in the second letter, where Peter would remind them that they had obtained like precious faith ( II Peter 1:1 ), and that they should work diligently to make their calling an election sure (one that sees itself all the way to the end, II Peter 1:10 ).
The foreknowledge of God; does not teach predestination, as God is not a respecter of persons (remember the scriptures must commentate on these subjects, Read: Acts 10:34 ; Romans 2:11 ; Galatians 2:6 ; Ephesians 6:9 ; Colossians 3:25 ). This foreknowledge does not indicate who would choose, but what they would choose, note:
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them .”
Ephesians 3:10-11 “to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord ,”
Sanctification means consecration to God, and is said to be accomplished by the Spirit. That is because the Spirit guided the Apostles in giving the truth to mankind that would direct them to consecration.
Mark 16:15-16 “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature . 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
“ For obedience ”, indicates that a man cannot achieve this consecration without it! This by itself denotes that God does not predestine individuals, only the method by which they would come to Him.
The sprinkling of blood is commentated on in Hebrews 12:24 note:
“to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.”
Finally there is a reminder to these Christians and Peter even includes himself within the body of the reminder, of what they did to become elect, according to the foreknowledge of God, note:
1 Peter 3:21 “There is also an antitype which now saves us --baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ ,”
They are Christians, born again in Christ Jesus our Lord by water and the Spirit.
The Message:
Unlike the letters of Paul, this letter is far less personal, making no specific mentions of individuals, not interacting with addressees, and no answers to specific doctrinal issues. It is however, addressed to a specific situation. These are Christians who are facing persecution and defamation because they are not native to this location and because of their profession of faith in Christ.
Not Part of: The letter stresses the distance that these individuals were to keep from the social world around them, and that their interaction was to be based on good works (that which would elevate their repute among the non-believers – 1:17 ; 2:11 -12 ).
Part of: In contrast to strangers and sojourners, there is an overwhelming demonstration to these Christians of belonging to the house of God ( 2:5-10 ). This was to be their strength in hope, and their banner as living examples thereof.
Warfare: Peter wishes his readers to live as God's people in the midst of a situation inherently opposed to God. This means that the life of a Christian was to be one of a struggle between what is right and the temporal forces that war against this ( 3:13 -17 ).
Overall this letter deals with external issues designed to help Christians live as they were called. It is a letter of hope to those who by its teaching overcome the world and live according to the incorruptible seed that produced them. You and I are not Jews living in a foreign land, however, on a spiritual plane, we also are pilgrims and sojourners here on earth. We face the exact same difficulties in this life, suffering against the temporal things of this life that war against our calling. There is much to learn from this letter and great encouragement to be found in application to our own pilgrimage.
Next: “ We Have , What The Prophets Searched For ”