The Strand Study Bible

I PETER

Author: Peter Theme: Learning to Live Above Your Circumstances (by the Grace of God - I Peter 5:12)

About the Author: Peter, also called Simon or Cephas, was a Jew of the city of Bethsaida, near the Sea of Galilee. He and his brother, Andrew, were fishermen (Mt 4:18) and partners in business with James and John (Lk 5:10). It seems, John the Baptist was the first to introduce Andrew and Peter to the Savior (Jn 1:35-39). Some months later, Peter and his brother became apostles (Mt 4:18-20). Along with James and John, Peter belonged to that special “inner circle” that was closest to Jesus (Gal 2:9). For the next 39 years, from c. AD 28-67, until his death, Peter faithfully served his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He wrote two epistles and became known as “the preacher” to the Jews. Secular tradition tells us that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome. About the Book: Peter writes to the persecuted Christians that were scattered throughout Asia Minor. He reminds them that the trials and testing they were experiencing are more valuable to them than gold. He then exhorts them to be like-minded in their faith. I Peter was written from Babylon (probably another name for Rome) in approximately AD 65. Theologians are not sure as to who delivered the epistle. Notes of Interest: 1. I Peter quotes the OT 7 times. 3 of those 7 OT quotes refer directly to CHRIST . Note - 1 of the 7 OT quotations refers directly to the Pentateuch. Note - Isaiah is the OT book most often quoted in the book of I Peter ( 3 quotations). 2. Prophecies are referred to 10 times in I Peter . 3. There are 10 different OT characters referred to in I Peter : Abram, Sarah, Noah, and Noah’s family of seven 4. There is 1 inset map used in the book of I Peter . It is numbered chronologically (#72). Outline of I Peter : 1. Christians will face trials (I Pet 1) 2. God’s people ought to act like God’s people (I Pet 2) 3. Husband and wife relationships (I Pet 3) 4. God’s people ought to be like-minded for Christ’s sake (I Pet 4) 5. Exhortation to pastors (I Pet 5) I Peter 1 Greetings from Peter to Christians in Asia Minor Date Written - c. AD 65 abundant mercy hath 6 begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

1. Jn 1:40-42 2. or, “chosen” - Eph 1:4-5 3. Rom 8:29 a,b & Rev 13:8 4. II Thess 2:13 5. Joel 2:13 6. Jn 1:12,13 & 3:1-6 & Jms 1:18 & I Pet 1:23 & I Jn 5:1 7. Jn 10:28 8. Job 23:10 & Jms 1:2-3 & Rev 3:18 9. Fulfilled - Rev 4:2 (NT Rewards) (See - I Cor 3:13) 10. Fulfilled - Rev 4:1 (Rapture)

1 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Grace and peace from the Triune Godhead: GOD THE FATHER , GOD THE SON , and GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT 2 2 Elect according to the 3 foreknow- ledge of GOD THE FATHER , 4 through sanctification of the SPIRIT , unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of JESUS CHRIST : 5 Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his

5 7 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: The promise of rewards to all who are found faithful when CHRIST returns (Fulfilled - Rev 4:1,2) 7 That the 8 trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto 9 praise and honour and glory at the 10 appearing of Jesus Christ. PP

1:2a According to both Romans 8:29 and I Peter 1:2, there is an exact order to foreknowledge , election, and predestination. The order is not “predestination, election, and foreknowledge ,” but “ foreknowledge , election, and predestination.” Whom God “fore- knew” to be saved (because He is the Alpha and the Omega and knows all things before they happen – Isa 46: 9- 10 ), He “elected” to salvation, and then “predestinated” to be conformed to the image of his Son (predestination deals with sanctification, not salvation – Rom 8:29). The King James Study Bible notes: The goal of predestination is not to send some to hell and some to heaven, but is the believer’s glorification, to make every Christian increasingly more like His Son. 1 According to both Paul and Peter, both predestination and election are based on the foreknowledge of God (God’s prior knowledge of all things). Thus, foreknowledge ( Rom 8:29a,b and Psa 139:16 ) is the basis of our election ( I Thes 1:4 and Rom 9:22 ), not 2092