New Testament BCM 103 Dr. Dave Mathewson Gordon College/Denver Seminary

Peter Exam prep Exam prep Announcements Announcements

Theme James, Peter, and 1 John named after the person who wrote it, contra Pauline letters named after the church/person it is addressed to James, Peter, and 1 John named after the person who wrote it, contra Pauline letters named after the church/person it is addressed to Leader of church addressing a group spread over a wide area (cf. James) Leader of church addressing a group spread over a wide area (cf. James) 1 Peter not addressing Jewish problably Gentiles 1 Peter not addressing Jewish problably Gentiles He will refer to the Gentiles using language of OT applied to church: chosen, elect, holy people He will refer to the Gentiles using language of OT applied to church: chosen, elect, holy people

Intro. to 1 Peter 1 Peter 5:9: suffering all over the world, 1 Peter 5:9: suffering all over the world, First century general Roman sanctioned persecution was rare, 5:9 suggests more local pressure and suffering not from Roman government First century general Roman sanctioned persecution was rare, 5:9 suggests more local pressure and suffering not from Roman government 1 Peter 5:13: Babylon a code word for Rome; Peter writing from Rome (cf. Rev.) 1 Peter 5:13: Babylon a code word for Rome; Peter writing from Rome (cf. Rev.) 1 Pet. 1:1 spread out provinces of Rome 1 Pet. 1:1 spread out provinces of Rome Encouraging them to maintain steadfast Encouraging them to maintain steadfast

The Purpose of 1 Peter Key term: suffering Key term: suffering verb “to suffer”: 12 of 41 NT occurrences in 1 Peter noun “suffer”: 4 of 16 NT occurrences in 1 Peter

The Plan of 1 Peter Chaps. 1-3: call to appropriate Christian conduct  form a community/holy temple /church is the way to resist and endure the suffering Chaps. 1-3: call to appropriate Christian conduct  form a community/holy temple /church is the way to resist and endure the suffering Chaps. 4-5: call to persevere—uses Christ as an example of one who did not retaliate; Isa. 53 suffering servant theme Chaps. 4-5: call to persevere—uses Christ as an example of one who did not retaliate; Isa. 53 suffering servant theme Holy conduct in the face of suffering Holy conduct in the face of suffering

The Church and the Temple 1 Peter 2: description of church—comparing community to stones of the temple (cf. Essenes) OT temple Prophets predict Jesus and rebuilt temple his church rebuilt temple his church Purity and holy conduct because they are temple Suffering dislocation/persecution: temple  identity

1 Pet. difficult text 1 Pet. 3:18 one of the most troubling verses in NT 1 Pet. 3:18 one of the most troubling verses in NT What story about Jesus spirits in prison and preaches to them and they go back to Noah and the ark? Who are these spirits? What story about Jesus spirits in prison and preaches to them and they go back to Noah and the ark? Who are these spirits? Influenced the Apostles Creed Influenced the Apostles Creed

The Apostles’ Creed I believe…in Jesus Christ…who…was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day he rose from the dead; Focus on “He descended into hell” Got from 1 Pet. 3:18

1 Peter When? When? At the time of Christ’s Resurrection (v. 18) At the time of Christ’s Resurrection (v. 18) Where? Where? Is this a specific location? Perhaps in the heavenly realm Is this a specific location? Perhaps in the heavenly realm Who? Who? The spirits who were in prison awaiting judgment (Genesis 6.1-6) The spirits who were in prison awaiting judgment (Genesis 6.1-6) What? What? A message of judgment A message of judgment

Gen In those days when the children of men had multiplied, it happened that there were born…beautiful daughters. And the angels, the children of heaven, saw them and desired them… (1 Enoch 6) In those days when the children of men had multiplied, it happened that there were born…beautiful daughters. And the angels, the children of heaven, saw them and desired them… (1 Enoch 6) These are among the stars of heaven which have transgressed the commandments of the Lord and are bound in this place until the completion of the ten-million years according to the number of their sins….This place is the prison house of the angels (1 Enoch 21) These are among the stars of heaven which have transgressed the commandments of the Lord and are bound in this place until the completion of the ten-million years according to the number of their sins….This place is the prison house of the angels (1 Enoch 21) For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for the day of judgment (2 Peter 2.4) For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for the day of judgment (2 Peter 2.4) And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority, but abandoned their proper dwelling – these has he kept in darkness, bound in everlasting chains for judgment…. (Jude 6) And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority, but abandoned their proper dwelling – these has he kept in darkness, bound in everlasting chains for judgment…. (Jude 6)

Application to Peter’s readers Nothing to fear Christ has suffered on their behalf, he has defeated the forces of evil just like in the days of Noah Nothing to fear Christ has suffered on their behalf, he has defeated the forces of evil just like in the days of Noah