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1 Peter 1: Proving Our Faith
In Acts, we know Peter as a leader of the church in Jerusalem. What was the basis for his interest in foreign lands?
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Acts 1:7–8 Jesus said, “You are not allowed to know the timing of events that are under my Father’s authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the most distant places on earth.”
Acts 8:14–15 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria was receptive to God’s message, Peter and John were sent to pray with the believers, that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 1:1 From Peter, a special messenger of Jesus Christ, to God’s people living in foreign lands, including Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
King James
Acts 1:7–8 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 8:14–15 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
If “grace” is “God’s unmerited favor,” what is required of us?
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John 15:10 “If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”
Romans 8:35–36 Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us? No affliction or tragedy, peer pressure or embarrassment, poverty or peril—not even the threat of death—was enough to make him change his commitment. Our love for him should have the same kind of commitment. As the song writer said, Yes, God. For your sake we face the threat of death all the time, like sheep destined to be sacrificed.
1 Peter 1:2 May you whom God always knew would become part of his family know abundant peace and unmerited favor, saved and made spiritually clean through your obedience and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
King James
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
Romans 8:35–36 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
1 Peter 1:2 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.
What is there about Jesus’ resurrection that gives us hope?
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Romans 6:5 If we have become like Christ in his death, so committed to pleasing God that we are willing to sacrifice our lives for his sake, then we will also live in the likeness of his resurrection, without sin.
1 Thessalonians 2:19 So what is our source of hope and gladness, our greatest reason to rejoice? It is knowing you will live in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ when he comes,
1 Peter 1:3 Praise God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who mercifully brought us hope for life by raising Jesus from the dead.
King James
Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1 Peter 1:3 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,
What guarantees our future with Christ? Why might people have doubts?
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Numbers 23:19 God does not have our human flaws. He cannot lie, nor can he do anything that later would be cause for repentance. When he makes a promise, you can be sure he will fulfill it. Whatever he says, he will do, always keeping his word.
Hebrews 6:18 By the promise and the affirmation, he twice gave his word in which he cannot lie. Thus we can be absolutely sure that our hope of salvation is secure.
1 Peter 1:4–5 We have the perfect inheritance, guaranteed and irrevocable, recorded in Heaven for us so it cannot become obsolete. It will not deteriorate or disappear. Our faith in God empowers us for the salvation we will see fully revealed in the last day.
King James
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
1 Peter 1:4–5 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.
In times of pain and suffering, how can we be overjoyed? What might give us reason to weep?
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Matthew 24:29–30 “Soon after those days of suffering, darkness will blanket the sky. The sun will hide and the moon will give no light. All the stars will disappear, and the powers of the universe will be shaken. The Son of Man will appear in the sky, and the people of the earth will mourn. They will see him arrive in the clouds, with power and great glory.”
Romans 8:28 All those who love God and are working to fulfill his purpose should know that all things will work together for good.
2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer for Christ’s sake, we will reign with him, but if we deny him, he will deny us.
1 Peter 1:6–7 In this hope we can be overjoyed, even in the midst of sorrow and painful times of testing. The proving of your faith is more valuable than the purest gold, which is sure to perish, for when Jesus Christ appears, you’ll experience eternal praise, honor, and glory.
King James
Matthew 24:29–30 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
1 Peter 1:6–7 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:
How can we love someone we have never seen?
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John 20:29 “Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen me, yet believe.”
Romans 10:14 But how can people believe Jesus when they haven’t heard what he said and did? They can’t—not unless you’re willing to tell your stories about what Jesus has done for you.
Colossians 1:5 You heard the good news and believed, making your hope in Christ secure.
1 Peter 1:8 Without seeing Jesus, you love him. Though you have never looked upon his face, your faith fills you with glorious, inexpressible joy.
1 John 4:19 Because God first loved us, we make a habit of loving others.
King James
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
1 Peter 1:8 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:
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
What does our trust in God have to do with our salvation?
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Matthew 24:13 “But those who remain faithful until the end will be saved.”
Romans 6:22 Free from sin, you can make God your exclusive employer. Your feeling of self-worth will soar when you know your actions have pleased him and your employment will last forever.
Romans 10:10 With our mouths, we confess what we believe, but with our actions, we show how our lives have been changed, which follows the truth we know in our hearts.
1 Peter 1:9–10 Your complete trust in him will result in the saving of your souls, which the prophets longed to see when they predicted the unmerited favor that would come to you.
King James
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
1 Peter 1:9–10 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
Why did the prophets know what was coming but not know when?
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Luke 2:25–26 At the same time, the Holy Spirit led a righteous man named Simeon to enter the Temple. Simeon had eagerly anticipated the arrival of the Messiah, who would restore Israel. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would not die until he had seen God’s anointed.
1 Peter 1:11–12 They wondered how and when the spirit of Christ, speaking through them concerning his suffering and glory, would come in the flesh. They knew their words were for others, not themselves, for they could only try to imagine the good news preached to you now by the Holy Spirit.
King James
Luke 2:25–26 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
1 Peter 1:11–12 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Why should we expect our journey to be difficult?
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Matthew 11:29–30 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn to walk my way, for I am gentle and humble of heart. In me, you will find rest for your souls, because my yoke fits and your share of the load is light.”
John 15:20 “Remember what I said before. The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you. If they had listened to me, they would listen to you.”
2 Timothy 3:11–12 You know how the Lord delivered me from the persecution and suffering I endured at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, for all who live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted in some way.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, tighten the seatbelts of your mind and be alert, prepared for a difficult ride, eagerly anticipating God’s unmerited favor at the end when Jesus returns.
King James
Matthew 11:29–30 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
2 Timothy 3:11–12 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
What are the benefits and liabilities of self-serving desires?
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Proverbs 16:18 Pride will destroy a person. Arrogance is sure to take a fatal fall.
Act 20:35 By my example, you have seen how we should work to help those in need. Remember that Jesus said greater blessing is found in giving, not receiving.
Philippians 3:8 Without a doubt, I consider everything that hinders my knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as a total loss. I have sacrificed everything I had before, seeing it as garbage, so I could have the treasure that Christ has for me.
1 Peter 1:14–16 Like obedient children, avoid the self-serving desires that you once pursued in ignorance. In all you say and do, be like your heavenly Father, pure in actions and motives, for God says in Scripture, “You must be holy, because I am holy.”
King James
1 Peter 1:1 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
1 Peter 1:14–16 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
If we are not saved by works, why would God judge us by want we do?
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Matthew 12:33 “Either a tree is good, and its fruit is good, or the tree is bad, and its fruit is bad. A tree must be judged by its fruit.”
James 2:17 So you see, a declaration of faith alone is dead without the actions that give it life.
1 Peter 1:17 If God is your Father, who has no favorites but judges by what you do, then honor him during your short time on Earth.
King James
Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
1 Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
How does the value of silver and gold compare to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ?
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1 Peter 1:18–19 Your freedom was not purchased with corruptible things like silver or gold, nor was your foolish behavior forgiven because of your ancestry. As a perfect lamb, without spot or blemish, Christ sacrificed himself.
King James
1 Peter 1:18–19 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:
What comfort can we gain from knowing that God’s plan for the end was laid out from the beginning?
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Isaiah 46:10 From the beginning, I told you what the end would be. What hasn’t happened yet will surely happen, and I will accomplish my purpose.
1 Peter 1:20 This was God’s plan from the beginning, fulfilled in these last days.
King James
Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
What are the best proofs that God raised Jesus from the dead?
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John 10:18 “No one will take my life from me. I choose to give it up. I have the power to lay it down and to take it up again, because this is what my Father has commanded.”
Acts 3:15 After you killed the giver of life, God raised him from the dead, which we know is true because we have seen him.
Romans 8:11 If the Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, is dwelling in us, then our fleshly bodies will experience abundant life in the Spirit.
1 Peter 1:21 Your faith and hope in God comes from believing he raised Jesus from the dead and crowned him with glory.
King James
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
How are we changed when we embrace the truth instead of what we might otherwise want to believe?
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John 8:31–32 To those who believed, Jesus said, “If you keep following what I say, you really are my disciples. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Romans 2:8 But those who ignore the truth, seeking to please themselves, will follow an unrighteous path that ends with God’s wrath.
1 Peter 1:22–23 After purifying yourselves by embracing the truth, with the Holy Spirit bringing unconditional love for others, keep on loving with a passionate heart, being born again, not of flesh but of the Holy Spirit by God’s eternal word.
King James
John 8:31–32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Romans 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
1 Peter 1:22–23 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: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Why might it be important to remember how short our live on Earth might be?
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Matthew 24:44 “Because you do not know when the Son of Man will arrive, you must always be ready.”
1 Peter 1:24 The flesh is like grass that withers under summer heat, like the flower whose blooms soon fall to the ground.
King James
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
1 Peter 1:24 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:
What gives God’s word permanence?
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Numbers 23:19 God does not have our human flaws. He cannot lie, nor can he do anything that later would be cause for repentance. When he makes a promise, you can be sure he will fulfill it. Whatever he says, he will do, always keeping his word.
Isaiah 55:10–11 “The rain and snow fall from above and don’t return until the earth has been watered so life springs up and bears fruit, giving seed to the farmer and bread to hungry. So shall my word be, when it leaves my mouth—always producing results, always fulfilling my purpose. It cannot fail.”
James 1:16–17 Make no mistake, my friends, all that is good and fulfilling comes from God, who brings light to the darkness, always the same, never rising or setting to cast shadows.
1 Peter 1:25 God’s word remains forever, which is the good news that was preached to you.
King James
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Isaiah 55:10–11 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
James 1:16–17 Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.