LIFE GUIDANCE LIFE GUIDANCE To Christian life with God From the Epistle s of I Peter and II Peter BIBLE STUDY By Captain Robert (Bob) Ford (R) The Salvation Army Powell River, B. C. EMAIL s_army @ shaw.ca FAX 604-485-6554
PAGE 1 LESSON ONE I PETER CHAPTER ONE LIFE GUIDANCE INTRODUCTION; CHARACTERISTICS; Christian hope in the center of suffering. Peter provides us the guidance and the hope as Christians on how to live as a believer in the face of final issue such as death, persecution, jeered at, and Satanic attacks. AUTHOR Traditionally to the Apostle Peter with help from Silas.! Peter Chapter 5:12 THIS BIBLE LESSON: Does not pretend to be exhaustive, yet it is hoped the direction, the questions posed and the information will bring to you the recipient the further thirst towards the goal of the Blessed Hope, especially during the times of suffering. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Are from the New International Version, the King James Version and others as noted. TRADITIONS: When a man in Peter s time became a Christian he usually brought the whole family into the Church. CONTRAST: A woman who became a Christian in Peter s time usually came into the Church alone. ROMAN LAW: Under Roman Law...... Husbands and fathers had absolute authority over all members of their households including their wife. PETER S ASSURANCE: Peter reassured the Christian women who married unbelievers that they did not need to preach to their husbands. The apostle Peter s advice for the best approach is to provide: loving service, by self - giving Love, as Christ demonstrated to HIS CHURCH.
PAGE 2 I PETER CHAPTER ONE (Verses 1 and 2): 1) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bethynia. 2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus. Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. (K.J.V.) RECORDS EXPOSURE OF THREE PARTS: PART ONE: 1) The author:... his name (Peter) and a description of him. Simon was his original name. It was Jesus who gave him the new name of Peter. The name Peter signifies ROCK as a commendation of his faith. It also denotes that Peter should be an eminent pillar in the CHURCH OF GOD. 2) Peter s office:.... is an apostle of Jesus Christ. The word signifies ONE SENT, a MESSENGER, anyone sent in Christ s NAME and about HIS WORK. Ift signifies the highest office in the CHRISTIAN CHURCH. The Apostle s were chosen by Christ Himself. They were the FIRST WITNESSES, then became preachers of the RESURRECTION of CHRIST, as well as the entire gospel dispensation. PART TWO: ADDRESS OF THE EPISTLE: 1) Peter addresses his Epistle to the strangers who were dispersed throughout Pontus, Galatia and so forth. 2) Who were they? 3) It is believed they were mainly Jews descended from the Jews who were out of Babylon and had become Christians and were chased out of their homeland to these new lands. The Servants of Christ may, through hardships of times and providence, be scattered about perhaps by leaving their families, homes and possibly their country. THEIR SPIRITUAL CONDITION: Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father; (K.J.V.).... to the elect exiles of the dispersion scattered (sowed) abroad.... (Amplified Bible) ELECT: Two meanings: a) To an office: So Saul was the man whom the Lord chose to be king. (I Sam. 10:24) Jesus said to His apostles.... Have I not chosen you twelve. (John 6:70) b) A Church state with special privileges. Thus, Israel was God s elect. (Deut. 7:6) THE SALUTATION: Grace unto you, and peace be multiplied. (K.J.V.) a) Grace.... The FREE favour of God His pardoning, redeeming, love, healing, assisting, Salvation, His sanctifying power and state active within our daily lives. b) Peace.... Here it means Spiritual Peace that comes from God unto the believers soul and also unto the Church body. The prayer here is that they may be multiplied. This implies that the recipients were already possessing some degree of these blessings. Peter s with to them is that
PAGE 3 these blessings be multiplied, to be increased. The best blessings we as Christians can desire for ourselves, or for one another, are grace and peace and the multiplication of them. c) SOLID PEACE Peace is not enjoyed until there is Grace. The increase of grace and peace as well as the FIRST GIFT of them comes from GOD. The greatest GIFT from GOD was that of His Son who gave His life freely upon the Cross of Calvary. 3.) NON PERISHABLE INHERITANCE: I Peter Chapter: 3 to 5 (N.I.V.) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in His great mercy He has given us NEW BIRTH into a living hope through the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead. Verse 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you. Verse 5 who through faith are shielded by God s power unto the coming of the Salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. COMPARISON TO THE KING JAMES VERSION. It commences with: Blessed be the God and Father... while in verse four in regards to the inheritance, it states; incorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away. QUESTION: How does a person bless God? ANSWER: We the people of God bless Him by a just acknowledgement of His Excellency and blessedness. THE OBJECT OF THIS BLESSING: Described by our relationship to Christ. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have here the three names of One Person which signify His threefold office. THREEFOLD OFFICE: i) He is LORD, a universal King or Sovereign. ii) Jesus, the HIGH PRIEST or SAVIOUR. iii) Christ, a prophet, anointed with the Spirit and furnished with the gifts necessary. How then is Christ, the Son of God, Saviour, Lord of Lord s, King of Kings, the Messiah, seen as a prophet? Christ is anointed by the Holy Spirit: The Purpose - - - To instruct, to guide, and for the Salvation of HIS CHURCH. This brings the Christian into God s blessing. How is this so? HE is the GOD of Christ according to HIS HUMAN NATURE as well as HIS FATHER.
PAGE 4 What does this oblige the Christian to do? It is the duty of the Christian to bless GOD, who is ABUNDANT IN HIS MERCY. This is GOD S MERCY, not mans merit. It is Christ, the anointed ONE who brought to everyone (John 3:16) at HIS PRICE of HIS LIFE upon the Altar (the cross), the grace from God the Father. This then produced the fruit within the Christian by this excellent grace the BLESSED hope, a strong hope, the living Hope! The Christian bears this great HOPE upon the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead! OUR OBLIGATION: It is our duty to bless God. Why?... because of His ABUNDANT MERCY! and owing to God s mercy NOT to mankind s merit. 4.) THE FRUIT PRODUCED: That excellent grace of HOPE; a LIVING HOPE! The foundation for this strong, quickening and durable hope is the RESURRECTION of JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD! The Christian s condition is never so bad that they do not retain the great reason to bless GOD. In the midst of our difficulties we have reason still to rejoice and bless GOD. Regeneration is expressly ascribed to the ABUNDANT MERCY OF GOD. 5.) REGENERATION PRODUCES: i.) ii.) A lively hope of eternal life. The regenerated or Born Again Christian s hope is what a person is from the SPIRIT OF GOD. This is the LIVING HOPE! The hope of eternal life. QUESTION: What does Hope do? Response: Hope invigorates and fires up our Soul to action, to patience, to fortitude and perseverance unto the end. It is the RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, that provides us with the foundation of our BLESSED HOPE. The Christian belongs to our Lord who rose from the grave therefore we as His flock will rise by virtue of Christ s resurrection. (Col. 3:1) 6.) TWO FOUNDATIONS FOR CHRISTIANS: Heaven is the inheritance for all of God s children all those who are born again are born to an inheritance. (Rom. 8:17) God gives His Spirit to His children. God also gives gifts to all but the inheritance is given only to His children, those that are HIS SONS AND DAUGHTERS by regeneration. (Heb. 9:15)
PAGE 5 i.) ii.) The Condition of the Inheritance. It is incorruptible - - like its MAKER. (Rom. 1:23) It is undefiled - - like our GREAT HIGHPRIEST who is in possession of it. (Heb. 7:26) The promised inheritance does not fade away - - it always retains its vigour and beauty. It is preserved in heaven - - a certainty, kept safely and preserved until we the believer and follower come to possess it. A Future Inheritance. The inheritance is promised in the future, in distance, in time and in place. The blessing promised is one of preservation. The child of God is dept by God Himself. To this end it needs our faith and obedience to God. Our Salvation is by DIVINE POWER and HIS GRACE! FAITH UNDER FIRE: 1.) From I Peter Chpt. 1 verses 6-9, what do these verses tell the Christian about our: a)grief b)attitudes 2.) What are FOUR ways that GREAT REJOICING will show itself in the Christian s life? i.) ii.) iii.) iv.) 3.) For the Christian to have the CHIEF JOY, they need to have TWO MAJOR things in their lives, these are: i.) ii.) 4.) From Romans Chpt. 9 verse 2, describe what it states about Christians regarding GRIEF._. 5.) The affects of the Christian s trials will be THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION: From I Peter Chpt. 1 verse 10 to 12, we are able to gather the doctrine of Salvation by faith in Jesus Christ and this is as a new doctrine. 1.) Describe the search carried out by the Prophets as to what were the TWO issues they search for.
PAGE 6 2.) In what manner did they enquire? The time and manner of the times, as to the when the Messiah was to appear, had these prophets earnestly seeking to see the SON of MAN. Their minds were set upon the time of its accomplishment as to the SPIRIT of CHRIST. 3.) The prophets knew they were inspired by a Spirit. What Spirit was this? PREPARATION FOR FORTIFICATION: 1.) From I Peter Chpt. 1 verse 13 select the response from the following by placing a circle around your answer. a.) Your mind is your own. b.) Get your mind ready for you are going to WAR against all UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. c.) Your mind is a soldier for the world. d.) Prepare your minds for leisure. 2.) From I Peter Chpt. 1 Verse 13 choose which statement is true. a.) The main work for the Christian is to have the correct management of their mind and heart. b.) The main work or focus for the Christian is to occasionally witness. 3.) What is a Christian able to learn from the following Scriptures? I Tim. 3:2; Titus 2:2; Titus 2:3-6. LIFE STYLE FOR CHRISTIANS: 4a.) From I Peter Chpt. 1:14 25 what life style is the Christian asked to live? b.) Explain the life style that is prescribed for the Christian to live?
PAGE 7 c.) From Leviticus Chpt. 11:44 45 choose the correct answer by circling the appropriate number. i.) ii.) iii.) The Christian is free to do whatever they like. The Christian is to follow a leader of the Country without question. The Christian is to consecrate themselves and to be holy as God is holy. 5.) From I Thess. Chpt. 4: 7-8 what has the Christian been called by God to do? PURCHASE PRICE: 1.) From Psalm 39 describe what it says to a Christian in regards to: a.) The Christian Tongue b.) The length of a person s life on this earth. c.) The Christian s hope and expectations. 2.) From the Epistle of James Chpt. 1 what are the instructions to the Christian s in regards to the tongue? 3.) From I Peter Chpt. 1:18 is the following statement True or False? God expects that a Christian should live answerable to what they know and therefore the Christian has the great need to be put in mind of what we already know. 4.) From I Peter Chpt. 1:18 19 choose the correct response by a circle around the letter you choose. REDEMPTION; a.) The Christian is purchased by monetary means. b.) The Christian is purchased by hooks placed in their own flesh. c.) The Christian is purchased by the precious blood of Christ Jesus. 1.) From I Peter Chpt. 1:18-23 write in 25 words or less the design meant for Christ giving of His blood. 2.) In 25 words or less, describe the Redeemer found in I Peter Chpt. 1:18-23. 2.) In 25 words or less, describe those who are redeemed. REVIEW: 1.) Describe briefly the Heavenly Father and what He expects His followers to do.
PAGE 8 2.) From Eph. 1:4 what does this say to the Christian? 3.) What do you think is the purpose for Peter s letter? 4.) From the following Scriptures, what did the early Christian s face? Acts 16:16-40 Acts 8:54-60 Acts 12:1-5 Acts 4:1-22 Acts 5:12-42 5.) What are the four reasons that the early Christians became targets of persecution? 6.) Respond briefly to what holiness means. a.) b.) c.) 7.) Explain what Set Apart means. 8.) Name two ways a person is able to become holy. i.) ii.) 9.) What need does a Christian have to live the holy life? 10.) From Gal.3:13 what does this say about a persons redemption and assurance?- 11.) From I Peter Chpt. 1:22-25 describe what is REAL LOVE? RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS BEGIN ON PAGE 9.
PAGE 9 RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS ON FAITH UNDER FIRE; 1a.) GRIEF --- A Christian s faith is tried by fire. b.) ATTITUDES --- The Christian is in praise, honouring and glorifying God because of Christ Jesus. 2.) i.) Countenance ii.)conduct iii.)praise iv.) Gratitude 3.) i.) ii.) A relationship to God. A relationship to heaven. 4.) Christians may carry a heavy burden for souls that is likened to the grief over a loss of someone or something that was or is very close to them. 5.) Praise, honour and glory at the appearing of Christ our Lord. TRIALS; 6.) a.) Experiment or searching by some affliction. b.) Proves The value and strength of the Christians faith. 7.) Faith 8.) Opposition; Affliction 9.) Praise; Honour; Glory 10.) JOY unspeakable; Full Glory, full of heaven 11.) The Salvation of their souls. THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION: 1.) Salvation. The Grace of God. 2.) Diligently 3.) The Spirit of CHRIST. PREPARATION FOR FORTIFICATION 1.) B 2.) A IS TRUE 3.) I Tim. 3:2 - - That a Bishop, superintendent or overseer must not give grounds for accusations. They need to be above reproach. (Amplified Bible)
PAGE 10 Titus 2:2 For rulers and everyone in position of Authority, or High responsibility should be prayed for that we may live a quiet and undisturbed life. (Amp. Bible) Titus 2:3-6 Everyone desires to receive Salvation, that there is only ONE GOD and ONLY ONE MEDIATOR between GOD and men, the MAN CHRIST JESUS. (Amp. Bible) LIFE STYLE FOR CHRISTIANS 4 a.) Obedient unto God 4 b.) To be holy living in all the Christians conduct and manner. 4 c.) The response is iii. 5.)To consecrate their life to one of purity. PURCHASE PRICE 1 a.) Sin not 1 b.) Just a transient 1 c.) Hope and expectations are in the Lord 2.) The Christian needs to bridle their tongue 3.) True 4.) The response is c REDEMPTION: 1.) 25 words or less should contain reference/s to REDEEMING US and PREPARING US FOR ETERNAL LIFE 2.) 25 words or less describing should include reference to A LAMB WITHOUT SPOT 3.) 25 words or less should have reference/s of LIVING BY FAITH AND HOPE REVIEW: 1.) God is a Holy God God expects His followers to IMITATE HIM by having HIGH moral standards for daily living. 2.) The Father chose us before we chose Him. 3.) To encourage and strengthen the believer. 4.) Acts 16:16-40 Beatings Acts 8:54-60 Stoned to death Acts 12:1-5 Put in jail Acts 4:1-22 and Acts 5:12-42 Beatings and jail 5.) Four reasons: i.) ii.) iii.) Refusing to worship the emperor as a god and thereby they were viewed as atheists and traitors Refusing to worship at pagan temples None support the Roman ideas of: self; power; and conquest
PAGE 11 iv.) The exposure and rejection of the terrible IMMORALITY of the pagan culture 6.) HOLINESS MEANS: Total dedication to God Set aside for God s special use Set apart from sin and its influence 7.) Not blending in with the crowd; yet not different for the sake of being different 8.) By yielding their all to God; By God giving the person HIS HOLY SPIRIT who will help the person to obey God s Word, to live life by His power and to overcome sin 9.) To call on God s power and be assured that He will set the person free from sin 10.) Christ purchased our freedom by His own willingness to become defiled (cursed) so that through our act of faith we will receive the promise of the Holy Spirit 11.) Selfless giving End of Lesson One and review for Lesson One. Lesson two will follow. Donations will be greatly appreciated, these will assist in The Salvation Army Powell River s outreach ministries at 4500 Joyce Ave., Powell River, B. C. V8A 3A6 A receipt will be mailed to you at the address and name you provide. Thank You and God Bless.