Let's look at the opening verse of Peter's work. "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ ...." That's enough for today, just the identity of the writer. First Peter 1:1

There's a whole school of educators, Bible students, who question Peter's authorship. In fact, most of modern academia does so. Let's settle that matter today, as far as these Lessons are concerned.

The Real Author of the Book, of First Peter, is God the Holy Spirit! He wrote all Scripture. Paul made this clear in Second Timothy 3:16. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable ...." Or even Peter himself in Second Peter 1:21. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

Then, again from my perspective, the real man, Simon Peter the Disciple of Jesus Christ, is the human writer. The one whom the Holy Spirit used to hold the pen!

These words, all 105 verses of First Peter, as well as that little second Epistle too, are from the man who claimed to be the source. "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia." Again, First Peter 1:1

The scholars may argue that the vocabulary of the Petrine Epistles differs greatly from his speeches and his sermons in the Book of Acts. That these little Books "copy" Paul too much, since Peter and Paul had such a "strained" relationship in their earlier days. That the "suffering" conditions depicted in the lives of the saints Peter addresses occurred much later than Peter is thought to have lived. And on and on they go, almost ad nauseam!

No matter what, the Bible says Peter wrote First Peter ... and that's good enough for me. Otherwise the Word of God would be presenting a falsehood, something I do not believe it does at all, anywhere!

So for a few days or maybe even weeks we're going to notice Peter's first little Book.

Authentic to the core!

Anyone reading here today wish to join us?

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2:

A verse in Acts has been on my mind. Because it relates to Simon Peter, the author of two New Testament Epistles. "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13

Two things are told us here about Peter, John too for that matter. But since we're studying First Peter our focus will be on that Disciple.

Peter is "unlearned," a translation of the Greek adjective "agrammatos." It means "illiterate!" A man who does not  know the alphabet! Hence, likely a person who can neither read nor write.

Furthermore, Peter is "ignorant," according to this crowd associated with the Jewish high Priest anyway! This word is "idiotes," basically the English word "idiot!"

Wow!

Yet we are told that the Book of First Peter contains some excellent grammar, polished terms of expression, and a smooth flow of thought!

How can this be?

How can we reconcile these two sets of facts?

Here's one way.

Peter, fisherman and rough country citizen for sure, knew Jesus. He was saved by the Grace of God and personally witnessed most of the Life of Christ, practically all Jesus' public Ministry!

Yet Peter was likely poorly educated. Though he surely was able to read and write some ... despite the criticism these enemies leveled at him. Certainly though ... the man was no scholar.

Not capable, without miraculous help, to compose a beautiful Letter of five chapters called First Peter.

But maybe Peter had help!

With composing and writing and expressing his Epistle.

Who, you might ask, could have done so?

I think the same young man who wrote the second Gospel, the Gospel of Mark. A man named John Mark.

Now he was educated, Mark.

And had already written a sixteen chapter masterpiece! About Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Let's allow Peter to give us a real "hint" to the probability of my theory. "The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son." First Peter, next-to-the-last-verse, 5:13. Peter and Mark were very close! Spiritually like father and son!

So we can say Mark is Peter's "son" in the faith!

Mark became Peter's hands. Peter's secretary. Peter's spokesperson. Peter's editor. Peter's means of producing his two Epistles!

Yes, the same man who wrote Mark the Gospel, under the Holy Spirit's Inspiration, also likely wrote Peter's dictated account of the Christian life.

And that's why Peter's first Letter is so polished, so skilled, so beautiful, so power-packed!

Here's the first of Peter's 105 classic verses, from his First Epistle "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia." Peter spoke it. Mark wrote it. The Holy Spirit canonized it. God Himself empowered it.

That we in the next few days, maybe weeks, can enjoy it!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3:

One thing about First Peter that has impressed me is the fact that he, Simon Peter, is so "unlike" Paul! Even in his introductory paragraph this is the case. Peter is very much his own man here. For example, the word "saints," so common in Paul, is missing altogether in Peter!

Let's thank God for the glorious truth that all Preachers are not alike. God calls and equips individuals to preach his Word! And we do not need to be "duplicates" of each other.

But the heart of today's Lesson is this. Peter is describing those whom he calls "strangers," the recipients of his Epistle. "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." First Peter 1:2

Notice with me, in relating God's saving action toward lost men and women, toward sinners, the Apostle includes each Member of the Godhead. God the Father "chose" Christ Jesus to be our Saviour. God the Holy Spirit sanctified us, set us apart unto Jesus. Then our Lord Himself sprinkled us, washed us in His Blood!

See those Names?

"God the Father."

"The Spirit."

And "Jesus Christ!"

And this is done to all who believe! The wide world of "whosoever wills" that trust Jesus as Saviour.

So we must at least admit this. And it's not a dissimilarity with Paul this time. It's a definite parallel.

Salvation involves the Trinity!

And Peter, all true Bible Teachers really, is a preacher who proclaims One God, but manifest in Three Persons!

God the Father devised the Plan of Salvation.

Jesus the Son came and shed His Blood to make it possible.

And God The Holy Spirit convicted me of sin, drawing me to the Saviour, to Jesus.

And God then simply allowed me to believe on His Precious Son.

Good preaching, Peter.

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4:

Peter is praising God!

Three verses into his First Epistle he writes: "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." First Peter 1:3

The idea behind the word "blessed" here, or "eulogetos" in Greek, is "saying good things" about a Person!

That's adoration and honor and worship!

But why is Peter so praising God, God the Father?

Two reasons, the one being foundational to the other. Look at the verse more carefully now. "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."

Catalyst number one, why Peter wants to uplift God so much. Because of the "Resurrection" of Jesus Christ from the dead! He is happy, Peter is, excited and thrilled ... because of Jesus' Resurrection!

Thank You Father for raising You Son from the Grave!

Catalyst number two, a great reason for praise. Because God through Jesus' Resurrection has "begotten us again!" What does that mean?

He made us "born-again" children of His!

Because Jesus lives ... we can live too, spiritually and eternally!

Let's all thank the Lord God in Heaven today!

Because Jesus conquered Death and the Grave! Because Jesus is a Resurrected Saviour!

And because, through Jesus' Death and Burial and Resurrection ... we have also been raised from our deadness in sins! We have been born anew from Heaven above!

Thank you, dear God.

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5:

There's a slight difference of emphasis between Peter and Paul in several areas. In their written Biblical correspondence, I mean. Today we will notice one of these as an example.

Paul the Apostle, when talking about our salvation, generally speaks of its past tense qualities. The Lord saved me, note the "ed" on the verb. It happened months or years ago, when I exercised Faith in the Lord Jesus and His Shed blood. First Corinthians 1:18 serves us well here. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

But Peter often highlights the future aspects of our salvation! And today's Text serves as proof of my assertion. We are born again ... "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." First Peter 1:4-5

I point you to the last clause here. Ours is a "Salvation ready to be revealed in the last time!"

Of course our sins are forgiven!

And yes, my blunders and shortcomings and errors of the present are also "under the Blood."

My soul is saved, completely and finally and perfectly. Jesus did all that at the old rugged Cross.

But in the future ... my whole body will be saved, transformed, renewed. We shall exchange our now vile bodies and they will be fashioned like unto Jesus' Glorious Body! At our Lord's Second Coming, His Rapturing of the Church!

And that's to be revealed at the last time, just like Peter is teaching us in his magnificent little Epistle. "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Look again, our inheritance, its complete fulfillment anyway, will also be shown us in the future!

Wow!

Paul ... the past.

Peter ... the future.

Combined ... what a glorious Plan of Salvation our Father in Heaven has devised!

No fear of the past.

Great joy and hope in looking to the future.

I am so glad I've been saved by the Grace of God!

How about you?

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6:

Sometimes the little Bible Book of First Peter is nicknamed "The Epistle of Suffering." That's because the Apostle there says so much about "hard times" in the Christian life.

Today I'd like to show you his "first mention" of the subject. Like he's hinting that more is to come, more discussion on the topic of enduring difficulties for Jesus' Sake.

First Peter 1:6-7, that little paragraph, says: "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. 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."

Yes, Spirit-filled Christians who are growing in faith will often be "in heaviness." Though down in their hearts they still rejoice in Jesus! The Greek noun "heaviness" is "lupe," meaning "sorrow, grief" and sometimes even "pain."

But good news! We're in such dire straits only for "a season," thank the Lord! This is an adjective in Greek, "oligos." It suggests anything "little, small, few." For the saint of God, much joy along with little grief!

Next Peter talks about the "trial" of our faith. How precious that can be. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold ...." This noun translated "trial" is "dokimion," meaning "testing or proving something to demonstrate that it is real or genuine!"

Wow!

Yes, we will have times of great pressure and keen discomfort as we live for Jesus in a hostile world. But, in the long run, there awaits for the Believer: "Praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."

Yes!

Looks like First Peter indeed does seek to encourage the discouraged, suffering Child of God!

More about this later as we survey the whole book, Lord willing. Meanwhile we will just delight in the fact that "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5

Amen.

       --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 7:

When it comes to the subject of joy, at least in the New Testament, probably the Book of Philippians excels. It has in fact been nick-named by many teachers "The Epistle Of Joy."

But First Peter delights in this Christian Grace as well, in joy. Yet First Peter is most often dubbed "The Epistle Of Suffering."

Listen to Peter write about Jesus, just this one line today: "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." First Peter 1:8

Peter himself had seen Jesus, many times.

Yet he was writing to a large group of scattered Believers who had never once beheld our Saviour. Not literally anyway.

Still, Peter commends their "love" for the Lord, their not-yet-seen Lord! The Lord Jesus Christ in Whom they had "believed," the word means "trusted," unto Salvation.

And what was the result of that love for Jesus? And of that belief in the Son of God? "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet ..."

Yet what, Peter?

Joy!

The result is ... a state of exceptional joy! The result of knowing and believing in Jesus, of loving Him with all our hearts.

This much joy, or this kind of joy: "Ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

The words here used for "joy" are all intensive. Exceeding joy! Exuberant joy! Literally "much" joy! The verb rejoice" is "agalliao," built on the root word "agan," clearly seen here. And "agan" means "much!" Lots and lots and lots of joy!

The noun "joy" is "chara," a cognate of the Greek word for Grace, which is "charis!" God's Joy is a derivative of God's Grace! I am joyful because I am saved!

And that joy is also characterized by another adjective, "unspeakable." And "aneklaletos." means "not able to be fully spoken of!" Indescribable! Beyond anyone's ability to verbalize!

Wow!

How blessed we Christians really are!

All this flowing from a Saviour we have not yet seen in His Body! Yet sitting at the Right hand of God praying for us this very second! And coming back to get us one sweet day, maybe soon.

"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." First Peter 1:8

Amen!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8:

Simon Peter writes a clause in his First Epistle that is extremely interesting. He shares a fact about the "angels" that is absolutely captivating!

Talking about the Gospel that's been preached to us, in all its truth and glory and fullness, Peter almost incidentally inserts these words: "which things the angels desire to look into." First Peter 1:12

The Prophets, their preaching, the Truth about Jesus, the Gospel, the Holy Spirit Who is sent from Heaven to convict and bring us to Jesus ... "which things the angels desire to look into."

Our being born again, believing by faith in the shed Blood of Jesus ... "which things the angels desire to look into."

The old rugged Cross and all the sufferings it involved for our Saviour ... "which things the angels desire to look into."

Wow!

The angels of God, "innumerable" according to Hebrews 12:22, obedient servants of Jesus ... desiring to know more about the Gospel!

The verb "desire" used here is "epithumeo," meaning "to covet, to crave, to long for to an extreme!"

And the infinitive "to look into" is graphic as well. "Parakupto" means "to bend forward, to stoop forward, to bow the head!"

Keen interest here!

Paul elsewhere says the angels are even looking at how we live our lives for the Lord! "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men." First Corinthians 4:9, "made a spectacle" translates "theatron," meaning "to be gazed upon," the basis for our word "theatre" obviously!

And when we worship at Church, apparently Paul believed the angels even watch then as well. Talking to the ladies he wrote: "For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels." First Corinthians 10:11

And First Timothy 3:16 assures us the angels could not get enough of "looking" at Jesus when he was on earth! "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

They are interested, all right!

Paul also clearly believed angels were watching as he preached or wrote the glorious truths of Scripture! Even when teaching a young preacher: "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality." First Timothy 5:21

Maybe the angels are so captivated by the Gospel, by our salvation, because Jesus is the Center of it all! His greatest Work, saving our souls, will be the constant theme of eternity! We know this much, they are worshipping Him right now! "And let all the angels of God worship him." Hebrews 1:6

Wow!

To possess as a gift, to forevermore enjoy, to live daily a recipient of God's great Salvation!

What a gift!

And what an interest to even the angels!

Tell us again, Peter. About the Gospel, about the greatest Message of the ages ...  "which things the angels desire to look into."

Thank you.

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 9:

Peter, who must have been a "fundamentalist" in the very best sense of the word, preached about the Blood of Jesus!

The great Apostle wrote: "Forasmuch 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; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." First Peter 1:18-19

The verb "redeemed" translates the Greek root "lutroo," which means "to pay a price" or "to ransom" or in its most basic form, "to set free!"

That's what Jesus did for us when He saved us! He set us free from the prison house of sin!

But what is the exact "price" our Lord paid for our Salvation? With What Commodity did He redeem us?

Peter clearly says, "with the precious Blood of Christ."

Do you readers agree with me, more importantly ... with the New Testament?  "Forasmuch 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; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."

And by Blood here, I am persuaded, Peter meant Jesus' actual Blood! His literal Blood!

It has become theologically fashionable these days to say that the Means of our redemption is NOT Jesus' liquid Blood, not the flowing-in-His-veins Blood! I cringed while writing that last sentence.

They instead say, those non-literalists concerning the Blood, that the Blood is merely a symbol for Jesus' Death!

That It's a metaphor only!

That Jesus' Death, presumably in whatever form it occurred, would effect our salvation, forgiveness of sins included.

Peter did not say that!

Peter would not have agreed!

Neither do I.

It IS Jesus' literal Blood that saves!

John thought so too. "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." First John 1:7

Have you, dear souls visiting us today, been washed in the Blood of Jesus? In the Blood of the Lamb of God?

By faith, of course, but trusting in the shed Blood of God the Son to save from Hell and deliver to Heaven!

Say it again, Peter.  "Forasmuch 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; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."

Amen!

     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10:

Peter, in his First Epistle, writes to those of us who are saved. In discussing Jesus, His vicarious Death for our sins, Peter continues: "Who by Him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead." First Peter 1:21

What did Peter just say? He's referring to "We Christians who by Jesus do believe in God, That raised Jesus from the dead."

Yes!

The following fact is crystal clear to Peter. God raised Jesus from the dead! That's God the Father. And we all believe this to be so!

But then later in his Epistle, Peter adds more information. "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." First Peter 3:18

The verb "quickened" here is "zoopoieo," simple meaning "made alive!" Here we learn that the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead! And we all believe this to be so too!

Yet again, Jesus Himself once claimed that He Himself was involved in His Own Resurrection! Listen carefully, read it all. "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again." John 10:17, amazing!

Jesus said "I gave My Life." And also "I will take it again," an obvious reference to His Resurrection! Virtually our Lord is saying "I will raise Myself from the dead!" And if Jesus said it, we all believe this as well!

Look at this!

Jesus' Resurrection is clearly an event of history. Literally, physically, exactly as the Bible says.

And the entire "Godhead," Paul's word, is involved! The Father, the Holy Spirit, and yes the Son ... cooperating as the One Union He is ... raised Christ from the tomb! From the grave! From the dead!

Wow!

We serve and love and worship a living Lord, a resurrected Lord!

Praise His Name!

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 11:

We usually think of John as the great Disciple of Love. He's writes so much about the subject. And seemed to love the Lord so much, "leaning" on Jesus' breast at every opportunity.

But Peter says a lot about love too. And today we're going to notice an example. "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." First Peter 1:22

First Peter, the whole Epistle, is most often taught as a Body of Scripture that accents our relationship with the outside world. How to respond to the caustic remarks and abuse Christians often face out there.

But in today's verse Peter lays aside those concerns and teaches us to love each other, our brothers and sisters in Christ. With "unfeigned" love! "Obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren."

The adjective "unfeigned" is spelled in Greek "anupokritos." It looks unfamiliar but that's not the case. The prefix "an" is the same as our little particle "un." It negates the meaning of a root word. It's called in Greek an "alpha privative." And the heart of our word here is "hypokritos," when transferred into English ... "hypocrite!"

Peter just taught us to love one another "un-hypocritically!" Do not be deceitful, "fake" lovers of fellow Christians! Do not "play-act," putting on a false mask, when interacting with the folks who know the Lord and love Him dearly! "Obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren."

Then Peter adds another descriptive word, "fervently." Word for word he says, "See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently."

This is an adverb, "ektinos." It means "to stretch out" with all one's might, "teino" is the root word here. Striving to love energetically and fully to the height of one's ability! Do your very best in loving and caring for the brethren and sisters in Christ!

Yes, Peter too is a Preacher who knows that the Body of Christ functions best when in harmony.

Let's take his advice today!

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12:

Peter loves the Word of God, the "Scripture of Truth" as Daniel 10:21 so accurately calls it.

And the Book of First Peter is heavily loaded with praises for the Bible. Let's look at one such paragraph today. "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 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. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." First Peter 1:23-25

Three descriptive clauses reside in the pericope just printed, the last three verses of First Peter's initial chapter. About the Word of God I mean.

It "lives" forever.

It "abides" forever.

And "endures" forever!

Therefore we can rest assured, the Truth of Scripture is eternal!

The Psalmist helps us here. "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." Psalm 119:89

Wow!

Textbooks, without exception, must be regularly updated.

Newspapers seldom last a single day.

Hard drives can all be deleted. They are not everlasting!

Books age and then fall apart and ultimately disintegrate.

But the Bible, its truth and message and intent ... is eternal!

Peter is right.

Oh, how we should treasure the Word of God!

Jeremiah did. "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts." Jeremiah 15:16

Job did too. "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of the Lord's lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." Job 23:12

Even God Himself does, according to Psalm 138:2. "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."

The Bible!

Read it today.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13:

Today we study a single clause from the pen of Simon Peter, Disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. We will get to see how the Holy Spirit used certain word combinations to write the Bible, the Scripture of Truth.

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

The English words "laying aside" are very important. So significant in fact that they are the first words in the sentence, both in Greek and English!

The original word Peter would have written here for "laying aside" is the Greek participle "apothemenoi." It's a blend of two words, if you count its prefix. "Apo" means "away from." And "tithemi" means "to put or place" something.

Combined "apotithemi" means "to take something and place it far away!" Now with that in mind, that definition, let's hear Peter again: "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings ...."

In the Christian life, if we are to grow in the Lord, there exist some things we must "put away" from us!

Now, using this same participle in its very same form as here in the First Peter 2 location, we notice three other places in the Bible where it is found. This exact verbal unit.

So we are about to learn of other things to be "put away" from ourselves. Here we go ...

Paul says: "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." Ephesians 4:25, lying must go!

Next: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" Hebrews 12:2, those little easily besetting, pesky sins too!

And then James 1:21, built precisely like First Peter 2:1, today's Text! "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." Still more sins to be crucified!

So it's clear to see at least one thing from these verses. The Holy Spirit does repeat words, important ones too!

Also ... as Believers in Jesus there are some things we really need to lay aside. What a list!

Dear reader visiting us this Thursday in September, try to find at least one thing in these verses that you can carefully mark ... and put out it of your life forever!

If that can be accomplished by each of us today ... the Lord will certainly have been glorified!

Amen.

     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 14:

Peter, like both Paul and James, can master the art of the "Sentence Sermon." Here's an example, First Peter 2:17. "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."

Each verb here is in the imperative mood, a clear command! Each also is expressed in the present tense, "keep on doing" these things day after day! And all the verbs are plural, too. Peter is advising the whole body of Believers, congregations of Christians. The Churches to whom he's writing.

Note these words again. "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."

The first and last clauses focus on humans, first everybody and then the king. The middle clauses are spiritual in nature, dealing with other saints and with God Himself.

We could today take this single verse of Peter's, memorize it and then begin to practice its admonitions. What a difference these things could make in our lives.

What balanced Christianity this would be!

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 15:

I am not saying that Peter is a pessimist, not at all! But in his First Epistle he does cover many of the negative contingencies of life. He tells us how to live when things are not going smoothly!

That's one reason those five precious little chapters, what we call First Peter, are often called "The Epistle Of Suffering."

For example, when the Apostle discusses the husband-wife relationship in his third chapter, he writes six verses to the wives ... then only one verse to the husbands.

Why?

Because Peter is assuming that the wives are married to unsaved husbands who are disobedient to the Gospel. Maybe even mildly inconsiderate if not abusive to their wives. And so the bulk of First Peter 3:1-7 focuses on "How a saved wife should live to seek to persuade her lost husband to come to Jesus."

Peter almost by nature notices the harder side, the more difficult side of Christian living.

And again when discussing the slave-master relationship in First Peter 2:18-24, the great Apostle figures these slaves are mostly serving non-believing, harsh owners. And he writes accordingly, how to do right, behave in a godly way in the face of such wicked men.

I am thankful today that the Bible addresses all circumstances! When living for Jesus is easy ... and when it is hard.

Peter once more today, a verse that illustrates my point. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. 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." First Peter 4:12-13

The Bible, what a balanced Book it is!

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 16:

Really today's Verses should be a sermon. A full-length one at that! They present one of the most succinct statements about daily Christian life I've ever seen. Simon Peter and his helpers are quite skilled at writing! Especially since the Holy Spirit inspired all they penned, all 105 verses of what we now call the Epistle of First Peter.

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." First Peter 3:8-9

The "finally" means Peter is concluding his great section about how to behave in the Christian home. The following instructions are now all-inclusive. Sort of a summary. Every believer does these things.

"One mind" translates the Greek word "homophron," simply meaning "same mind." This is an ancient way of saying "in harmony, in unison." No divisions allowed, no schisms!

The words "having compassion" actually translate the compound term for "sympathetic," easily spelled "sumpathes." It means caring for someone "with feeling, with passion," not simply out of duty or obligation.

And "love as brethren," is just an adjective in Greek, familiarly spelled "philadelphos." But it's an adjective with nearly imperatival properties.

"Pitiful" is their word for "intestines!" And "eusplagchos" means "good" feelings from deep within one's own person! Literally, from one's "insides!"

"Courteous" is "philophron," meaning "being fond or loving the mind or the thinking others!" And if subjective rather than objective it would mean "being of a loving mind" oneself. Having a kind disposition.

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

"Rendering" just means "giving." And "evil" translates "kakos," carrying the idea of "ill-will or spite or revenge." But even more basically meaning "of a bad nature, of no account."

And "railing" is "loidoria," speaking "reproachfully." Overly criticizing a person really!

And "blessing" is "eulogia," our word eulogy! It literally says "good talking!" Uplifting speech!

And all these instructions, commands ... are suggestive of our Christian duty, for thereunto we are "called." With "kaleo" meaning "summoned" by the Holy Spirit.

And the result of such unusual living?

Such kindness?

A "blessing" from God! Word for word as Peter taught it: "That ye should inherit a blessing."

And the noun for God's "blessing" is identical to the word just used for our response to the unkind words others may heap upon us ... "blessing." That's "eulogia" again.

If I "bless" my brothers and sisters in Christ ... the Lord will in turn "bless" me!" And this is a promise! Part of our "inheritance" in Christ Jesus!

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." First Peter 3:8-9

Wow!

What a set of instructions of how to live for Jesus!

                               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 17:

Simon Peter is a preacher! Of course we knew that from the Book of Acts alone, especially that great Day of Pentecost sermon he preached.

But in his Epistles too, the man knows how to proclaim God's Word. In fact, Peter is a special kind of preacher. The best kind I think. He's an expositor! He explains the Scriptures, systematically.

Here's an example.

Peter's base Text: "What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth." Psalm 34:12-16

Peter's incisive exposition, enlargement, exegesis of the Text: "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. Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 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." First Peter 3:10-12

Yes, there exist minor differences between David's Psalm 34 words and Peter's New Testament words.

But the message remains the same!

And Peter certainly puts various emphases in places David did not. Likely because of the particular spiritual needs Peter's congregations were facing.

But still, here it is. One Preacher explaining word for word what an ancient Text, a Psalm from around 1,000 BC, has said to be true!

I love this!

I have dedicated my life and ministry to this kind of preaching. Explaining some Bible Text verse by verse. And God has blessed this approach tremendously.

Glory to his Name!

It's our prayer that some preacher reading here today will attempt this method. Preaching that enlightens our eyes, but based exactly on a group of Bible verses found in the most powerful Book ever written!

Preaching like they did back in Nehemiah chapter eight when that great Old Testament Revival began. "So they, the preachers, read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused the people to understand the reading." Nehemiah 8:8

That's it!

     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 18:

Simon Peter lacks much of the education that Paul the Apostle possessed. Peter is "unlearned," according to Acts 4:13. The adjective is "agrammatos," meaning "not lettered," or at least not a graduate of some accepted school of his day.

So Peter's writing surprises us all!

While lacking the polish and depth of Paul, Peter nonetheless writes under the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

And at times Peter is as eloquent and skilled as any man who ever handled a pen. Today we see an example.

"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. By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison. 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. 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. Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." First Peter 3:18-22

This beautiful paragraph contains three outstanding participles, parallel in scope! Let me show them to you. "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, (1) being put to death in the flesh, but (2) quickened by the Spirit. By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison. 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. 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. Who is (3) gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." The participles, as you can see, have been numbered for easy identification.

How informative!

How parallel!

How educational!

The Lord Jesus, in three great moves, accomplished our redemption! He was "put to death," a substitutionary atonement. He was "quickened by the Spirit," raised from the dead by God Himself. And He has "gone to Heaven," to sit at the Right Hand of the Father and make intercession for us!

Do you see them?

That's the Truth ... about Jesus.

And that's great writing also!

Thank you, Peter, for being totally dedicated to the Lord!

So should we, to the best of our abilities.

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 19:

Not only did the Lord save our souls when He redeemed us, He also began the life-long process of transforming our minds!

Simon Peter writes about this great change in the fourth chapter of his first Epistle. "Arm yourselves likewise with the same mind." First Peter 4:1

The verb "arm" translates "hoplizo," which means "to furnish oneself with all the tools he needs for a job at hand." When transferred into a military setting, "to put on one's armour!"

Arm your minds!

That is, "Get ready!"

Prepare yourselves.

Think ahead.

Saturate your thinking with Scripture.

Likely Peter in today's context has the Christians to whom he's writing "arm" themselves mentally for the "persecution" and "suffering" they are soon to face.

"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind ...."

Paul elsewhere in Ephesians chapter six has us putting on the "helmet of salvation" as we fight the devil. That's also arming our minds!

Let's get intellectually involved in our faith as well as spiritually and emotionally and physically so.

In Luke 2:52 we are told of Jesus that He increased in "wisdom" as well as stature and grace!

Give the Lord your thinking as well as everything else.

Let's hear Paul again. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8

Amen!

     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 20:

Peter views "time" a little differently than Paul. That is, God's plan of the ages. Both say the same things, just with varying emphases. And on occasion Peter is more concise that Paul.

For example, as Peter discusses the "end times" he gives a twofold piece of advice to us who now live. Here are his words: "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." First Peter 4:7

By the "end" of all things, a phrase Paul never employs, Peter means the "goal" of all history. For that matter the "goal" of all prophecy too! Yes, the Greek noun "end" translates "telos," a simple little word meaning "the termination point, the outer limit," or better "the final purpose."

Peter has our great God, since He spoke the worlds into existence, guiding "time" toward a final goal line! Toward a culmination day. Every dispensation, every block of time God ever gave mankind ... each fits together and adds to its predecessor certain events. One epoch unfolding upon the other, until the whole chronological "canvas" has been painted! Until Jesus has fulfilled all of God's Will! Until the saints are all safe in the Presence of God! Until all evil has been judged and banished!

Folks, we're headed to such a "goal!"

And furthermore to Peter, that goal is "at hand!" A little Greek word meaning "near." And if Peter called it "near" two thousand years ago ... I'm thinking it could happen any second now! At least the Rapture Phase of it!

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

Yet the Apostle, having presented his conviction, now teaches us two things to be pursuing in these end days.

"Be ye sober," that's one.

And "Watch unto prayer," the second.

"Be sober" is the infinitive of "sophroneo," a verb meaning "of sound mind!" Thinking gravely and seriously and frequently about the things of God! Literally the word means " a saved, spiritually healthy mind!" One that thinks according to God's directions. Lay aside foolishness!

Another view, give your mind to God! Let Him control it. Let Him "reign in" (another meaning for "phrao" really) any divergent views, contrary to revealed Truth in Scripture!

And the clause "watching unto prayer" actually suggests being "sober!" Not under the influence of any wine! Not controlled by another influence, nothing but God and His Word!

Don't be intoxicated. Be alert and aware ... unto prayer. In other words, as the days grow darker and sin abounds more profusely pray more than ever! More intelligently call on God!

Discipline your time so that more prayer opportunities are available! Pray in days of apostasy and lukewarmness!

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

Pretty good advice!

Let's all practice it.

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 21:

In the New Testament Peter says to a group of Believers in Jesus Christ: "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves ...." First Peter 4:8, where these words are placed near the first of an exhortation on how to live in the last days.

Paul does this too, carefully teaches us as Christians certain things we must do "one to another." Peter does not lack in this category either, as our verse today proves.

"Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves ...." Short words, but heavy on wisdom.

The Greek and English Texts both begin with the preposition "above," giving this little word heavy emphasis in the sentence. It's simply spelled "pro" in Greek and means "before!"

It's like Peter is saying that charity is the first of the Christian Graces we must develop. That we must allow to grown in our lives. Truthfully this "agape" love, again the Greek word employed, is a gift to us from God the Holy Spirit, bestowed upon us when we were saved. "Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:5, where "shed abroad" means "poured out." In Greek, "ekcheo," implying this love "gushed out" all over us!

So carefully listen to Peter now. "First of all, most importantly, essentially, foundationally ... have fervent charity among yourselves ...." That's what the Lord is teaching us, folks.

And the adjective "fervent" is interesting too. "Ektenes" means "stretching out" to meet someone! Have the kind of love for fellow saints that "endeavors diligently" to help them live for Jesus. Really tries hard!

And of course the noun "charity," as I said earlier, is "agape," a word the Holy Spirit refurbished to represent the Very Love of God Himself, as in John 3:16. The "Love" that sent Jesus into the world to die for sinners. That unselfish, that giving!

"Agape" technically is thought to be derived from a little Greek word "agan," which just means "much!" God, in other words, has "a lot" of Love to give! Inexhaustible! Unending! Everlasting! Unconditional!

And that last prepositional phrase "among yourselves," translates "eis eautau," with the pronoun being accusative or objective. This agape love is to literally be way down "inside us," not merely a "face" we wear! And "eautau" is actually in the text "eautous," plural! We are to have love among ourselves (all of us) for each other (for everyone else) who follows Jesus too!

Peter said a lot in a few words, didn't he? A whole lifestyle, really. "Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves ...." Words that will take the rest of our days to incorporate.

Let's get started!

       --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 22:

Just a little verb today, for our study time. It's found, among other places, in First Peter 4:11. "If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth." I've underlined it, at the end of the verse.

Peter has been discussing the "spiritual gift" God entrusted to each Believer when he or she was saved. Back in Verse 10 he told us, "Every man hath receiveth the gift."

In our specific Text those with the gift of "ministering," in Greek a form of the noun "diakonos," often translated as the gift of "serving" ... have been "given" an ability to serve others well!

The word used here is unusual in a context like this. It's "choregeo," a verb actually meaning "to be a chorus leader." Or at times "to furnish a whole choir at one's own expense." To provide everything needed to accomplish the task at hand!

That's what God does for each of us, equipping us to exercise our spiritual gift. To empower us to serve our Christian brothers and sisters.

Wow!

Let's learn to lean on the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father and the dear Holy Spirit ... gladly receiving from the Godhead all we need to obey His Will and follow His Paths!

And what's the ultimate purpose of this gift? Peter immediately tells us that too. "That God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

Amen!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 23:

Simon Peter, in closing his first Epistle, writes a concluding paragraph to preachers. In it he delivers a major command, for men of God anyway. Here it is: "Feed the flock of God which is among you." First Peter 5:2

In Greek the word for "feed," though a verb, is essentially the same as the word for "flock," though it's a noun.

"Poimaino" the "poimnion" of God, using the vocabulary Peter would have known so well.

Both words are related to the idea of sheep and their shepherds.

"Poimaino" really does mean "feed," but it includes a whole lot more as well! It actually involves all a real shepherd does for his animals. Feed, yes ... but also watch and protect and lead and discipline and shear and doctor and love and count. Care for them in every imaginable way!

Wow!

Let's all thank God today for our Preachers, those who do well the work to which God has called them.

But where did Peter get this idea?

Of feeding a flock as a word picture of the local Church?

He got it from Jesus!

After our Lord's Resurrection He three times commanded Peter to "Feed the Flock" of God!

"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 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. 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." John 21:15-17

That's where Peter got his inspiration to write the fifth chapter of His first Epistle.

We often do that. We preach or teach what we have earlier learned. And that's great ... when the Originator is Jesus!

Preachers, if we love Jesus ... we will diligently try to preach His Word to His children. To "feed" His sheep!

Amen.

      --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 24:

When Peter wrote that now well-known paragraph to his fellow-preachers, specifically First Peter 5:1-4, he said many judicious things. All of which were approved, inspired of God!

Here's one of his comments, instructions, for the Men of God.

In serving the Lord and His people, we must have a "ready mind." More fully: "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 ...." This is verse two of that paragraph.

So, all who preach Scripture, all called of God to that office ... must bring to it an attitude of readiness of mind.

But what's that?

In Greek the phrase "ready mind" is just one word, an adverb. It's spelled "prothumos." It partly means "before" or in the "forefront" ... the prefix "pro" insists on this. Then we must add "thumos," meaning "passion, heat, fierceness, fervency!"

Wow!

Preaching, to Peter anyway, was never to be languid or dull or lifeless! It was to be filled with passion! Energetic! On fire!

Not just enthusiastic to the exclusion of other factors either. Real preaching must still be packed full of Bible content! Anointed by the Holy Spirit! And a dozen other things probably.

But in the forefront, before all else, it must be sincere and earnest! Ignited by passion!

That's the way every prophet in the Old Testament lived and preached!

"With a ready mind."

That's the way the Apostles did too, including Paul.

"With a ready mind."

And that's still the standard for today!

"With a ready mind."

God deserves no less!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 25:

Last night I was preaching from First Peter and saw an interesting point of truth. We are told in chapter five that the Devil is our adversary. Peter compares him to a roaring lion.

Here's the whole verse: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." First Peter 5:8

The verb "may devour" caught my attention. It's spelled "katapino" in Greek, the classic definition being "to drink down!" To gulp and swallow something completely!

Satan's goal is to "drink" us Christians away!

This is quite an unusual way to express doing harm to an individual, to a Believer. "Seeking whom he may devour."

Does the adversary view us Christians more as "liquid" than "solid?" Or is Peter merely using a word picture?

Let's think a minute.

We as followers of our Lord are indeed to be filled with the "water" of the Word of God, according to Paul in Ephesians 5:26.

And the Holy Spirit covers us like the "dew," just water in a different form! See Psalm 133 for this analogy.

And to be anointed with "fresh oil," the plea of one Psalmist, is another "moist" example of healthy spirituality. Psalm 92:10 is the reference here.

No wonder the Devil wants to "devour" us, to "drink" us dry!

To rob us of God's Word!

To deplete us of the Holy Spirit's Power!

To snatch away our spiritual freshness and beauty!

He, our chief enemy, wants to steal our joy and vibrancy, drying us completely, leaving us mere "husks" in the faith!

But thankfully the verb "katapino" as used by First Peter 5:8 is expressed in the "subjunctive" mood! That means this "drying us up" goal is only a desire, a hope, a longing on the part of the wicked one!

It is not a certainty!

We, through the Power of God, can defeat the Satan!

Praise the Lord.

       --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

For those of you who wish to study this a little further, think about Jesus being thirsty on the Cross, John 19:28. Maybe that day two thousand years ago Jesus "devoured, drank down" the Devil!

End of Story. Victorious Saviour ... defeated devil! A dried-up old enemy, an old and decrepit lion!

LESSON 26:

The Bible is full of prayers, of course. Today we notice a brief but beautiful little petition Peter presented to his Lord.

He's praying for others, so this is technically called "intercessory" prayer. And what great praying it is!

"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 ...." First Peter 5:10

This one is unusual in that it includes an expected time of "suffering" for God's people! Then again, as we have learned ... First Peter says a lot about hardships and trials in the Christian life.

Peter's desire for the saved folks he's writing, a plea to God at least indirectly, is that they might experience four spiritual blessings from the Almighty.

That the Lord might "make them perfect." A word that suggests "setting a broken bone!" Mending and repairing and keeping things in good working order.

That they also may be "stablished." And this verb suggests a solid wall of protection being erected around the saints of God! No needless "ins" and "outs" being allowed! That kind of stability, faithfulness.

And "strengthened" is a word that usually is associated with "bodily vigor" according to the lexicons. Physical as well as spiritual stamina. The verb is related to the verb for "standing strong!"

And "settle" you uses the Greek root word that's most often linked to a strong "foundation" for a building or city or whatever. Built on the Solid Rock, that kind of idea.

Wow!

Four things to help Peter's converts stay steadfast, unmoveable in the Lord. "But that the God of all grace ... make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle you ...."

We can pray these things too.

Amen!

        --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 27:

The Apostle Peter once was accused of being "unlearned and ignorant!" Read Acts 4:13 for proof. At best that means Peter was not a highly educated man. Probably possessing the ability to read and write, but not with the expertise of an Apostle Paul for sure!

So scholars have debated for many years the issue of Peter's two Epistles. Really they are filled with some great composition! Skilled wordmanship! Clearly evidence of the Holy Spirit's inspiring Hand, Divine Authorship, of Scripture.

Yet there's another hint too. At the end of the First Letter Peter left us, he writes: "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." First Peter 5:12.

Here a man named Sylvanus is at least given credit for the penmanship of the Book. Maybe he even helped Peter "word" some of his more intricate paragraphs too!

Sylvanus is shortened to Silas in the Book of Acts. He was a close companion of the Apostle Paul at times, particularly on that great Second Missionary Journey.

Lesson today?

God often does things via teamwork!

Peter, yes he is God's Man.

But he may not be advanced in every area of life. No one is! Peter excels as a Preacher. But not so much as a scholar.

Enter Silas.

Blend the men together, their love for Christ and their desire to serve our dear Lord.

And what do you get?

One hundred five Verses of Scripture, divinely inspired and inerrant, mistake-free!

The Epistle of First Peter!

Thank God for it today.

      --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 28:

Peter closes his First Epistle with these words. "Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen." First Peter 5:14

Though unexpected in some ways, Peter has become a real Preacher of love! He has emphasized this Christian Grace again and again for five chapters now.

In fact, he's become a big user of the nominative of address "beloved," an adjectival form of the noun "agape." Peter consistently names the Believers to whom he's writing "dearly beloved" in Christ, or some similar term. He loved them in the Lord!

And in mid-epistle, Peter wrote: "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." First Peter 4:8, where "fervent" means "to stretch out" to the one being loved, no matter what! Go to great extremes to love your brothers and sisters in Christ!

And again, note his closing words.  "Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen."

Still loving, "charity" is the very Greek word "agape." God's kind of Love! Deep and unselfish and abiding and unrelenting and unconditional!

"Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen." Now they're even hugging and kissing, reverently no doubt. Men to men and ladies to ladies for sure. That was the ancient custom.

The noun kiss is "philema," a derivative of the verb "phileo" meaning "to treat a person affectionately, to be fond of him or her."

And the result of this kind of love?

Automatically if the Holy Spirit is present. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen."

Wow!

Peter, of all people!

The man with the sword at Jesus' arrest!

Talking so very much about love!

Maybe we had best listen.

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 29, CONCLUSION:

I preached this morning from the Epistle of First Peter. In a Church in Wiggins, Mississippi. Just a few verses from the early part of chapter one.

The Lord blessed, as always, but we could just sense a hunger for the Scriptures!

And Brother Bagwell was thrilled to have "plenty" to preach. First Peter, one hundred five verses in all. Each divinely inspired, inerrant!

We've been studying that little Book for a month now, all of September. And I feel enriched by doing so.

I wish to close our study with the same word Peter used in his conclusion, "Amen." First Peter 5:5, again the very last word.

It is here a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew noun. One also spelled "aman." It means "true!" Also "faithful, stable, reliable, sure, without doubt!"

So in farewell mode, to First Peter, we echo "Amen!"

Thank God for the opportunity to review those five chapters written by a man the world called "unlearned and ignorant." But God called "wise and Spirit-filled."

Let's all read it one more time today, First Peter.

Amen!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell