The Fellowship Residency Program has introduced me to the idea of reading commentaries alongside scripture. By August of 2019, I will have read through the entire Bible as well as The King in His Beauty, our selected commentary. As I am reading, I am writing a little bit about each of the books of the Bible so you and I can have a more thorough understanding of the scriptures. I invite you to follow along with me as we learn the Bible in its entirety from Genesis to Revelation. This summary does NOT encompass the entire book, but it is a good place to start. I encourage you to read for yourself and begin your own Biblical journal along the way. To read any of my other Residency related posts, click here.
The primary goal of 1 Peter could be summarized by the words “the end of all things is at hand. Peter emphasized the kingdom’s already but not yet characteristics and emphasizes Jesus’s fulfillment of the OT prophets. Believers are born again by the Gospel and regenerated through Jesus’s death and resurrection. Peter, more than any other NT author, discusses Jesus’ fulfillment of Isaiah 53 as the servant of the Lord who would suffer on behalf of His people. Through Christ’s death, we have been secured final and ultimate forgiveness as was prophesied in the OT.
Through this death, we have also been given a new and available relationship with God. The kingdom has been brought through Jesus’ triumph over sin and death. Peter also discusses that we, the church of Jesus, are not the chosen race as the new Israel. Believers themselves are God’s household. The people of God find their life and purpose in Jesus Christ.
Peter also emphasizes alienation from the rest of the world. Our inheritance is heavenly as it transcends the life on the world and comes from God alone. As a result, we will suffer and be persecuted on earth for our faith. “But God has designed suffering for believers’ good, to refine and purify them so that the validity of their faith will be evident, which will bring glory when Christ is revealed. The pattern of Jesus is the pattern for disciples as well: first comes suffering, then comes glory.” As a result, believers are called to a life that pleases the Lord. Our good deeds will lead non believers to give glory to God as well. Peter especially emphasizes that suffering does not mean the believers are practicing evil, but simply living the life of a Christ follower.
Peter also focuses on the future hope of our faith as believers. Only God should be feared and trusted in for our hope. In response, leaders must shepherd the flock well before the Lord. Finally, Peter closes the letter with a response of standing fast in the grace of God. Though the present circumstance may lead to questioning Jesus as Lord, Believers are called to hope in God. One day, we will reign with Christ, but only after a period of suffering. We would not be able to endure the suffering without the reminder of the hope to come in the new world.
Themes: Jesus is the fulfillment of the OT prophets. Jesus is the suffering servant of the Lord. Believers are to be set apart. Believers, like Jesus, will suffer tremendously, but will later be glorified. There is future hope in Christ.