1st Peter, chapters 4 & 5

Throughout the O.T. & Gospels all words highlighted:

• in medium blue were said by GOD the FATHER;
• in apricot were from GOD the Son (Jesus Christ);
• in light purple were from GOD the Holy Spirit.

That remains the case, but now we have the believer's spoken words highlighted in orange.

Also you will see words scripted in blue; this also is a carry-over from the O.T.-- throughout this work all words scripted in blue are words either in prayer or addressing the Godhead.

And all enlarged words are prophecies from the O.T.

The symbol {XVII #.} after a word/phrase means that word/phrase is given in Greek on page XVII (1stPet)-- scroll down (if necessary) to that #;

the symbol  means the Greek is the same as for the same word recently covered;

the symbol  means the word does not exist in Greek.

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Chapter 4 Peter writing

<1>

Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourself also with the same attitude, because He who suffered in His body is done with sin. As a result, He in us via the Holy Spirit does not live the rest of His earthly life{XVII 35.} for human desires, but rather for the Will of GOD. For You have spent enough time{XVII 35.} in the past doing what pagans choose to do-- living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing & detestable idolatry. They think it strange that You do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, & they heap abuse on You on the ark. But they have to give account to HIM Who is factually ready to judge both the living & the dead. For this reason the Gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged not according to men who live in regard to the body, but live according to GOD in regard to the spirit.

Long after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist:

• There is a ref. to the dead coming to life: When Christ died, At that moment the curtain of the Temple was torn from top to bottom. The earth shook & the rocks split. The tombs broke open & only the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life They came out of the tombs, & later after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city & appeared to many (talk about a living testimony). But note that in affect they were preached to-- they witnessed the curtain being torn from top to bottom (signifying that this was God's doing).
• Note that well after Jesus' resurrection:
  • Peter said, He commanded Us to preach to all the people, & to testify that HE is the 1 whom GOD appointed as judge of the living & the dead (Acts 10:42);
  • I mentioned that 1st, to tie it closely to the above-- the many holy people who had died were raised to life when Christ died. But Peter began that dissertation in Acts 10:34;
  • In Acts 10:37-38 he said, pointing out how Jesus was prepared, You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached-- how GOD then anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit & power... In the same way we were better prepared (i.e., those that were);
  • Paul said (Acts 19:4), John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, as we saw, a preparation for ministry. Those that Paul was talking to had only been baptized via John's baptism-- which remains today. Recall what we saw in ch. 3 above (near the end of <2>), that even water baptism now saves-- as a preparation for ABCing.
  • But to complete the truth, let me point out that, having already received John's baptism (Acts 19:4), they were baptized again into the name of the LORD Jesus-- ah, but more: When Paul placed His hands on Them, the Holy Spirit came upon Them (Acts 19:5).
  • Let me say again, that baptism before/after ABCing both have their value (& that includes baby sprinkling)-- before, the value is preparation (it's more likely to happen); after, the value is identification with the Body of Christ-- especially with a particular church. And let me say also that if you're aggravated sometimes with the various denominational disagreements, please believe with me that 1 sweet day the human factor will be absent in the Body of Christ!

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded & self-controlled so that You can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to 1 another without grumbling. Each 1 should use whatever gift{XVII 32.} He has received to serve others, faithfully administering{XVII 38.} GOD's Grace{XVII 31.} in its various forms. If anyone speaks, He should do it as 1 speaking the very Words of GOD{XVII 39.}. If anyone serves, He should do it with the strength GOD provides{XVII 34.}, so that in all things GOD may be praised through Jesus Christ. To HIM be the glory & the power for ever & ever. Amen.

<2>

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial You are suffering, as though something strange were happening to You. But rejoice that You participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that You may be overjoyed{XVII 30.} when HIS Glory is revealed. If You are insulted because of the name of Christ, You are blessed, for the Spirit of glory & of GOD rests on You. If You suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler{XVII 29.}. However, if You suffer as a Christian{XVII 40.}, do not be ashamed, but praise GOD that You bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the Family of GOD; & if it begins with Us, what will be the outcome for Those who do not obey the Gospel of GOD? And, If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly & the sinner? (Pro 11:31). So then, those who suffer according to GOD's Will should commit themselves to Their Creator & continue to do good{XVII 36.}. Well, after all that, I'm not at all aggravated as I said I was, at the manner in which the various denominations disagree (or as some put it, "agree-to-disagree"). Neither am I irritated as I sometimes was when I know I speak the Word some refute, though it's clearly in the Bible (plainly written for all to see), for I know it either hasn't been read or they are in denial-- I'm learning to continue to do good with what God has assigned me to do. Short of it, "Thank You Jesus, for the suffering now. May I remain willing!"

Chapter 5 Peter writing

• To the elders among You, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings & 1 who will also share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of GOD's Flock that is under Your care, serving as overseers-- not because You must, but because You are willing, as GOD wants You to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over Those entrusted to You, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, You will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
• Young men, in the same way be submissive to Those who are older.
• All of You, clothe yourselves with humility toward 1 another, because, GOD opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Pro 3:34). Humble yourselves therefore, under GOD's Mighty Hand{XVII 33.}, that HE may lift You up in due time. Cast all Your anxiety on HIM because HE cares for You.

Be self-controlled & alert. Let me place something in here just clarified last night-- taken from something my pastor spoke to a group of people (the part he spoke is in parenthesis): Sure the Holy Spirit is in our hearts, but still we must mature to spiritual strength, for "between our hearts & what we say/do are the choices of our minds." Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion{XVII 37.} looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because You know that Your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering. And the GOD of all grace, who called You to HIS Eternal Glory in Christ, after You have suffered a little while, will himself restore You & make You strong, firm & steadfast. To HIM be the power for ever & ever-- lean upon this. Amen.

With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to You briefly, encouraging You & testifying that this is the True Grace of GOD. Stand fast in it. She who is in Babylon, chosen together with You, sends You Her greetings, & so does My son Mark. I do not know who is referred to by She who is in Babylon, for Babylon is not mentioned anywhere else in the N.T., except in vv. 11-12 of Matt 1:2-16 (which lists the genealogy-- 38 generations --from Abraham to Jesus). V. 16 has Mary (the husband of Joseph) as the mother of Jesus. There were some dozen generations from the exile of Judah to Babylon (followed shortly by the return of Judah) until the birth of Jesus; She who is in Babylon might be a referral to a church in Babylon.

This we know:

• God & Mary > Jesus (Matt 1:16);
• Joseph & the same Mary > 4 "brothers" of Jesus: James (s.a. Gala 1:19), Judas (see next pt.; this Judas was called Jude in Jude 1:1), Joseph, Simon (not to be confused with Simon Peter);
• when Jesus was 1st choosing disciples, He chose Simon-- which He named Simon Peter (Matt 4:18; Mark 1:16; Luke 5:8 & John 1:40); John 1:42 adds that he was the son of John & would be called Simon Cephas;
  • also He chose James & John sons of Zebedee (Matt 4:21; Mark 1:16; Luke 5:10)-- as selected below;
  • also He chose Matthew the tax collector (Matt 9:9-10)-- also as selected below;
  • also He chose Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth (Mark 2:14)-- but he was not selected;
• later, when Jesus selected 12 apostles from His disciples:
  • all 3 listings (Matt 10:2-4; Mark 3:17-19 & Luke 6:13-16) have these same 11: Simon Peter & brother Andrew, James & John sons of Zebedee (together named Boarganes in the Mark listing), Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus; Simon the Zealot & Judas Iscariot;
  • but only the Matt & Mark listings have Thaddaeus;
  • whereas the Luke listing has Judas son of James;
• But Judas son of Simon Iscariot (John 12:4; 13:2) betrayed Jesus; the 11 apostles remaining per the Luke listing are all cited in Acts 1:13.

Greet 1 another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of You who are in Christ.