1 Peter

1 Peter and 2 Peter tells us to have hope, be holy and love one another. Peter is telling us we need to be doers of the word unto righteousness without the lust of the gifts offered by the Fathers of the earth. From Cain to Nimrod and from Pharaoh to the Caesars of the world man has gone under tyrants and despots because of his own covetous heart. Christ as the good shepherd came to change that for those who would come together and hear His voice.

The First Epistles of Peter the Apostle

Comments 1 Peter 1

This First Epistle of Peter was written from Babylon and addressed to various churches in Asia Minor suffering religious persecution. There are reasons to believe that Peter was the original source others may have penned or even rewritten the text during other persecutions. This letter is clearly meant to be an encouragement.

The word Greek word for stranger is normally translated pilgrim generally meaning a foreigner residing in another country.

He is not writing people who are strangers to him but the "elect" or chosen.

The words "last time" may not be a reference to end times. The Greek phrase eschatos kairos may only reference extreme times or seasons in relationship to ongoing persecution.

Peter is trying to give them Living Hope but saying "gird up the loins of your mind" and "to be sober", to be calm and collected in spirit "

He is not saying just believe but to be Holy in your conduct. as "obedient children" making reference to our Father who art in heaven and is not the fathers of the earth nor in Rome.

The kingdom appointed to the apostles by Jesus who was the Christ anointed king of that Kingdom at hand was a government that operated by freewill offerings like the Israelites of old.

There are governments of the world which must pay tribute and the one form of government where you offer a tithe through charity. The Sacrifices of the early Church made the word of God to affect through Pure Religion not like the Corban of the Pharisees which did not.

The Christian conflict with these other governments of the world gives us insight into what early Christians and the early Church would consider as work without "spots".

The Free bread of Rome was available to all the "persons" of Rome but Christians helped one another based on a righteous moral criteria visible by our works which James also says.

The phrase "received by tradition from (one’s) fathers" is from the single Greek word patroparadotos. Father [Noun] pater from a root signifying "a nourisher, protector, upholder" which includes the Fathers of the earth.

gain the world

1 Peter 1

Download Recording Peter 1

1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Be ye holy

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

18 For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Purified in Obedience

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Comments 1 Peter 2

So why are we disallowed or rejected of men in verse 4? What was the Christian conflict? It was with the Fathers of the earth and the men who called themselves Benefactors but exercise authority one over the other.

How are we living stones and how are we built together as a spiritual house except as living Altars of unhewn stone?

Why a holy priesthood? Peter is saying that we are a holy office of a priest and an order or body?

For what purpose? What is the duty of priests in ancient societies? What does a spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God look like?

It would not look like the sacrifice of the pharisees. What does it mean to believeth on him in verse 6?

This seems to be talking about those who rejected Christ and said they had no king but Caesar. It could also include those who say they believe but do not do, also known as the disobedient souls.

Peter is addressing someone who is being obedient in things that others were disobedient in. He is calling them chosen generation, The kingdom of God is from generation to generation. They are also a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people the terms royal is kingly and the word nation is the word for gentiles. Even the word peculiar means a purchased, preserved or possessed people.

Jesus is a "Rock of offence" to the disobedient. It is clear here that if you are disobedient and not doing what Christ said, then you are not counted as a believer. The Pharisees were making the word of God to none effect. Even the word precious is the Greek word often translated honor meaning valuable. What makes the chosen valuable?

What good works is Peter talking about and how would those good works speak of you as not an evildoer?

In Acts 6:2 why did the people pick Seven Men to "serve tables" and Peter appoints them to do some business?

Using what liberty on verse 16 for a cloke of maliciousness? The word liberty is from didomi which means grant. What was granted or given?

Verse 13 actually says "(therefore) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man". Why? Why do we read Acts 5:29 where Peter is saying "We ought to obey God rather than men." Why did not Christians submit to Vigellius Saturninus, proconsul of Africa?

Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

What was the problem with Cain, Nimrod, Pharaoh, Saul, or Caesar and what was the Christian conflict with Rome?

Once we understand that Jesus' conflict with the Corban of the Pharisees was because ti was a welfare system based on forced sacrifices of the people. Once the people signed up their contributions, based on hand written ordinances against their members, the people were forced to pay tribute.

To understand the gospel we need to know that what should have been for our welfare can become a snare and to eat at the table of kings or rulers will make you merchandise because it is the covetous table of the unrighteous.

Proverbs 12:24 "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute."

This goes hand in hand with not coveting our neighbors' good for personal benefit which not only make us merchandise but would even curse our children with debt and bondage. Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2,13-14

Is the Bible consistent with setting men free or does it contradict itself? http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/romanspeter.php

While Peter does encourage us to cooperate in “humility” he, and the other apostles, also instruct “We ought to obey God rather than men”.

Peter was known for doing things "contrary to the decrees of Caesar" in Acts 17:7

Have Modern Christians gone out of The Way of Christ? They have little or no Daily ministration and seem to prefer to eat at the table of kings and men who call themselves Benefactors but exercise authority one over the other with great appetite. Instead of living by faith, hope and charity and the perfect law of liberty they choose to do contrary to the teachings of John the Baptist and Jesus and live by forcing their neighbor to contribute to their welfare with Covetous Practices. They desire the One purse of modern Socialism through the welfare of Statism and the sloth of False religion rather than the Pure Religion of the early Church. See 1 Peter 2:13

1 Peter 2

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1 Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Living Stones

4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

Rock of offence

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Ye are chosen

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Call to good works

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

Steps of Christ

19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

---

1 Peter 3

Wives

1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Comments 1 Peter 3

The CORE of the kingdom of God is families freely coming together to do and be righteous.

Wives and Husbands work together sacrificing themselves for that righteousness shown us by Christ.

A good Husband does not desire to be served but to comes to serve and the good Wife serves the righteousness in her Husband and with patience serves that hope.

How do families gather in congregations?

Why did Jesus command the disciples to make the people sit down in the Tens, by ranks of 50's and 100's?

Becoming one mind is coming into agreement with God with the love and compassion and forgiveness of Christ.

Why were Christians considered to be doers of evil? What was the Christian conflict?

What was the Imperial Cult of Rome?

What are the similarities between Rome vs US?

What did Polybius see changing the people of Rome?

What did Plutarch say was the greatest destroyer of liberty?

What did Cain, Nimrod and Caesar have in common?

5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Husbands

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

One mind

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Suffer for Doing Good

16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

1 Peter 4

Comments 1 Peter 4

The Time For Behaving Like The Gentiles Is Past

We are to have the same mind and not the lasciviousness, lusts, and abominable idolatries. What are abominable idolatries? Abomitable is simply what is not lawful like covetous practices of the Corban of the Pharisees. Idolatry was the "formal sacrificial participation" in the temples of Rome which was their Public religion which is the antitheses of Pure Religion. It includes the "avarice", as a worship of the unrighteous Mammon and lust for its free bread and benefits.

And those who had "grown accustomed to feed at the expense of others and to depend for their livelihood on the property of others..." could not understand why Christians would "run not with them to the same excess". The answer, of course, was that real Christians had repented and thought a different way.

Serving To The Glory Of God

The Fervent Charity of Christians according to the perfect law of liberty in the congregations of tens made them a peculiar people.

Sit down in the network in companies of tens as Christ commanded.

Sharing The Sufferings Of Christ

The burden of Christ is light but it is a burden.

In good times it may be a strain but in hard times we shall be tested and our faith will be challenged. This is why Christ says we must strive and be diligent.

Peter, Paul, James, and John said our faith will be and must be tested but we need real repentance and a conforming of our minds to that of Christ.

1 For as much then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

The strange walk

3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

Fervent Charity

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

Thankful trial of charity

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Keeping our soul in well-doing

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

1 Peter 5

Comments 1 Peter 5

Leadership And Humility

Elders were heads of these families in free assemblies who gathered in ranks of 10s, 50s, 100s and thousands according to The Way Christ commanded.

To feed the flock does not mean to rule but nourish and the same word poimaino we also see in John 21:16 "He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep" but the word really means to focuse on "tending" to my sheep.

But in John 21:17 "He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." We see the word bosko translated feed too but it means shepherd.

Peter was not just a motivational speaker on the weekends like what modern Church does but was rightly dividing the free bread of Christ from house to house.

Conclusion And Final Greetings

The word dominion here is kratos which means force as in power.

Instructions For Christians

These instructions coincide with those of Christ when he appointed the kingdom in Luke 22:26 But ye [shall] not [be] so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

The apostles were One form of government because they were appointed a government but did not exercise authority one over the other.

1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Limitations of appointment

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Salutation

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Peter
1 Peter
1 Peter 1 | 1 Peter 2 | 1 Peter 3 | 1 Peter 4 | 1 Peter 5

2 Peter
2 Peter 1 | 2 Peter 2 | 2 Peter 3
See also Submit yourselves? 1_Peter_2:13

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