The Significance of 1 Peter

As part of the requirements for one of my seminary classes, all students were required to follow a guided template in explaining the significance of certain books of the Bible. Below is the third one about 1 Peter.

The summary follows four main parts: The purpose of the book (including the argument), a short summary of the book, what I want the audience to know regarding knowledge and action, and finally how this book will affect my personal character development. Each of us will be different in how 1 Peter challenges us to grow and it is also dependent on the season of life we are in. Certain themes are more prominent in different seasons that help us grow and stick out more to us. God will speak into our lives through Scripture to tell us what He wants us to hear. You can read the same passage a year later and be reminded of a different truth that is important.

This post will focus on the significance of 1 Peter.

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The Significance of 1 Peter to Your Life & Ministry

1.  State briefly the purpose and argument of the book? (Give references to support your statements). What I want you to do here is (1) discern the importance of what this book teaches well enough to remember it; (2) the argument is trying to assess how the author develops and accomplishes his purpose.
   1. Purpose (Major Theme or Purpose): Peter explains his two main purposes for writing 1 Peter: to exhort, and to assure or testify to the truthfulness of the gospel they had trusted for their salvation (1 Pet 5:12). Peter encouraged his readers to remain faithful to Christ amid the suffering. Peter concludes his book by exhorting the readers to “stand firm” (5:9). First Peter provides the Christian with encouragement that there is grace for these trials (5:10). The theme of 1 Peter is suffering for the cause of Christ and for righteousness sake in the hope of glory (1:10-12; 2:20-25; 3:14-22; 4:1-2, 12-19; 5:6-11).
   2. Argument (What is the author trying to accomplish and how is he doing it?): Peter accomplishes his purpose and theme through the use of exhortation (5:10-12). First Peter is almost entirely a call to action to his readers and urges them to courage, purity, and faithfulness to Christ during the sufferings they are experiencing. Peter intentionally uses the word exhortation to convey that he has come alongside them to help, admonish, comfort, or encourage (4:12-19; 5:1-5). Peter writes a significant amount about suffering and gives a personal witness to the truth of the gospel and the hope of glory (1:3-4; 1:13, 21; 4:1-2, 7-11; 5:4, 10). From the opening section on salvation (1:3-12) to the closing promise of eternal glory (5:10), Peter shows his readers that their faith is validated by these trials (4:14-18). Peter also relays a number of theological truths to strengthen his audience’s understandings. These theological teachings include the regenerating power of Scripture (1:23-25), the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in salvation (1:3-12), unique nature of the church (2:9-10), and the substitutionary atonement of Christ (1:18-21; 2:24; 3:18). Peter refers to God 39 times throughout the book and describes Him in different ways (Father [1:2], judge [1:7], living [1:23], and faithful Creator [4:19]).
2.  Give a short paragraph of how this book fits into the overall message or argument of the whole Bible. Support your statements with passages from the OT & NT. Give crossreferences from both Testaments—(like chapter and verse, 2:12 for example; “passages” means more than one)?

O.T.	Present Book	N.T.
Isaiah 25:8-12; Ezekiel 28:24-26; 40:1-5; Psalm 39:1-7; Proverbs 11:30- 34	There is hope in an eternal glory 1 Peter 1:3-13, 21; 5:4, 10	Matthew 5:17-20; 7:13-15; 19:17-19; John 14:2-4; Titus 1:2; 2:13; Revelation 21:4-8; 22:3-7
Jeremiah 17:7-8; Isaiah 1:18; 43:1-7; 52:6; 55:7; 57:12;Habakkuk 2:4; Genesis 12:3; 15:6; Psalm 32:1-2	The doctrine of salvation 1 Peter 1:3-12; 3:18-22	Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Peter 1:10-11; John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 8:31-32; Matthew 7:21; Romans 10:9, 13-14; 8:1, 16
Proverbs 3:4-6; 24:10; Joshua 1:9; 2 Chronicles 15:7-8; Psalm 9:9; 23:4; 27:1; 34:9; Isaiah 26:3-4	Endurance for the times of suffering 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2:20-25; 3:14-22; 4:1- 2, 12-19; 5:6-11	2 Corinthians 4:8-9; Philippians 4:6-7, 12-13; James 1:2-4; Romans 8:28; John 14:27-28
Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 10:12-19; Proverbs 10:12; 17:9, 17; Leviticus 19:18; Psalm 59:16; 116:1; Zephaniah 3:17	Keep fervent in love for others 1 Peter 3:8-9; 4:8-9	Luke 6:31, 35; Romans 12:9; 13:10; Mark 12:31; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13; Ephesians 4:2; 1 John 4:7, 18-19

 

3. What do I want my congregation, audience, or study group to apply after studying this book? What would I want them NOT to forget? What does it do for YOU?

a. KNOWING/MEMORY – Give four (4) PRINCIPLES (values; ethical standards; doctrines; main beliefs) that you gleaned from this book and that you and your congregation will think of and remember when the book is named. These should be appropriate to the text, so GIVE REFERENCES (chapters and verses) for each. 

3. • • The hope of glory.
       • I want the audience to remember that in spite of the pain and suffering that surrounds us, there is hope in the glorious future ahead. Believers have a secure hope (1:3-4) that triumphs over suffering (1:5-8) and a future full of glory (1:13, 21; 5:4, 10). The suffering is only for a little while and will result in glory.
     • Follow the example of Christ through suffering.
       • I would like the audience to remember that salvation became possible through the suffering of Christ. Redemption through the shed blood of the spotless lamb, Christ, was planned even before creation (1:18-21). As Christ endured, so believers should endure patiently as God will give grace to endure (2:20). Christ suffered for us, giving Christians an example to follow, yet committed no sin, entrusted Himself to God, so that we might die to sin, live to righteousness, and be healed (2:21-24). The trials are painful, but are just for a little while, and if we are to suffer for the sake of righteousness, we will be blessed (3:14). God calls us to cast our anxieties on Him because He cares for us (5:7).
     • The duty of submission.
       • I want the audience to remember that in the midst of a hostile world, believers can exemplify Jesus by living godly lives. Living like Christ includes submitting to those in government (2:13-17), to their bosses (2:18-25), and to others within the family (3:1-7). Submission may even lead to false accusations and unjust suffering (2:1320). Yet, Christ set the example of submission and He did not retaliate when He was reviled (2:21-25). Christ’s submission was not in vain though because He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father (3:22). Submission starts by submitting to God (3:7-12) and its effects are seen in all aspects on one’s life.
     • The doctrine of salvation and sanctification.
       • The audience should remember that as tenuous as our time on earth seems, a believer has a living hope that is secure in heaven (1:3-12). The future hope is certain and their present faith is protected by God’s power until that hopeful day comes. Christians can rejoice because of their position in Christ even though it may lead to suffering (1:1-12). Angels marvel at the salvation that believers in Christ enjoy (1:12). Christians have been born again not of perishable seed but of the imperishable seed through the living and enduring word of God (1:23). Believers need to continue to grow in the relationship with God (1:13-21), others (1:21-25), and in their inner life (2:1-12). Growth is not something that comes easily or automatically, but continually grows and through much obedience (2:1-3).
4. DOING/ACTION – What you will lead others to do that is based on the text or passage that suggested this action. You are required to do two (2) of these and be sure to give references It must be supported by a particular text, so be sure to give chapters and verses, example 2:12.

• • Develop ways to help people see hope and focus on the future in tough circumstances (1 Pet 1:10-12; 2:20-25; 3:14-22; 4:1-2, 12-19; 5:6-11).
    • Develop a teaching series on the hope of heaven and how it differs from earth. This will provide basis for giving the audience reasons to long for heaven o Develop a quick reference guide that lists various Bible verses about heaven, the future, and suffering.
    • Write several blog posts on suffering, including waiting, patience, and enduring trials. A secondary focus will be to not only show the readers how to endure suffering, but how to see God at work, what he is doing, and focus on the hope of glory that lies ahead.
    • Teach and show these individuals how to keep a prayer journal. This will allow them to reflect on how God has worked in their lives. This will help create markers to see God’s faithfulness and all that He brought them through.

• • Develop a curriculum for people to better understand biblical submission (1 Pet 2:13-3:12).
    • Create and bring in speakers to talk about what biblical submission looks like and how to live in submission daily. A speaker will discuss the main areas of submission found in 1 Peter: Human institutions/authorities (2:13-17), employers (2:18-20), wives (3:1-6), husbands (3:7), and the church (3:8-12). In the same way, show how Christ gave the perfect example of submission (2:21-25).
    • Develop an easy reference guide that provides the main points on submission for each area. o Encourage small groups to talk about how submission is going in each person’s life and identify ways that leaders can help the individuals.

5. BEING/PERSONAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT –What one (1) thing touched your heart, as you were reading/studying this book? Tell what it was and what text influenced you – Scripture reference(s) required. What you are going to do about it?

• The thing that touched me most about 1 Peter was to stand firm (5:9) through suffering and remember there is a greater purpose in the suffering. God will bring us through at the right time and we can trust Him and His timing as we humble ourselves to Him (5:6). God will use trials to make us into the type of people He wants us to be. The sufferings are also just for a little while, but there is an eternal glory that awaits us that we can have hope in (5:10). What I really appreciate about 1 Peter is how it shows us the way Jesus lived by setting an example for us to submit to God, knowing the pain that was before Him, and fulfilling His purpose (3:14-22).
• What am I going to do: First, I will take time daily to thank God for Him and His will (3:1422). I think it is important to be thankful and grateful for what God is doing in our lives, and to look to those things instead of focusing on the hardships. Second, I will daily submit to God and make it a consistent and known part of my prayer life and thoughts (2:13-3:12). Doing this, it will help me to remember who God is and who I am, and as I submit to Him, I will be better prepared to depend on Him for the obstacles that lie ahead. Finally, I will remind myself to focus on the eternal glory that is before us (1:13, 21; 5:4, 10). To me, this will be writing down Scripture passages about the future, the hope we have, and the promises of God that way during the times of trial and uncertainty.