by Wells, Steve
(5.16a) “Pray one for another, that ye may be healed.”
(5.16b) “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
35 Has there ever been a righteous person?
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
(5.17) “Elias … prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”
237 How long was Elijah’s drought?
God’s 92nd Killing
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
(5.20) “He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death.”
157 Does hell exist?
1 PETER
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. — 1 Peter 2.18
The author claims to be the apostle Peter (1:1), but most scholars think it was forged. Illiterate (Acts 4.13), Aramaic-speaking, first century, Palestinian Jews didn’t write letters in Greek.
There are a few things in First Peter that should be of interest to skeptics. Slavery is approved in 2:18, women are insulted in 3.1-7, and believers are told not to run away from skeptics in 3.15.
Here are the highlights.
We are all predestined to be saved or damned. We have no say in the matter. It was all determined by “the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” 1.2
The author believed that he was living in the “last times.” 1.5, 1.7, 1.20, 4.7
“Gird up the loins of your mind.” 1.13
“The precious blood of Christ … was foreordained before the foundation of the world.” 1.19-20
“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.” 1.24
“Submit yourselves … to the king.” 2.13, 17
Slaves should “be subject to [their] masters with all fear,” to the bad and cruel as well as the good and gentle. 2.18
“Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands.” 3.1
Women are to use “chaste conversation, coupled with fear.” 3.2
They are not to braid their hair, wear gold, or put on any “apparel.” 3.3
A wife should call her husband “Lord” as Sarah did. 3.6
In relation to her husband, the wife is “the weaker vessel.” 3.7
“Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.” 3.15
God drowned everyone on earth except for Noah and his family. 3.20
Things may get rough for Christians, but it will really be hell for nonbelievers. 4.17-18
“The devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 5.8
1 PETER 1
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
(1.1) “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ”
The author of 1 Peter claims to be the apostle Peter. Most Bible scholars, however, believe it was forged. (According to Acts 4.13, Peter was illiterate.)
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.
(1.2) “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through … the … sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” We are all, according to Peter, predestined to be saved or damned. We have no say in the matter. It was all determined by “the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.”
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,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
(1.5) “Salvation … 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:
7 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:
(1.7) “Your faith … might be found … at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
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:
9 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:
11 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.
12 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.
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;
(1.13) “Gird up the loins of your mind.”
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
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:
(1.17) “Without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work”
304 Is Salvation by faith alone?
21 Does God respect anyone?
18 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;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
(1.19-20a) “The precious blood of Christ … was foreordained before the foundation of the world.” God planned to kill Jesus from the get-go.
God’s 135th Killing
(1.20b) “In these last times”
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.
22 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:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
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:
(1.24) “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.” Life is ephemeral. Enjoy it while you can.
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1 PETER 2
2 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile,
and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
(2.1) “Laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings” Avoid evil, malice, hypocrisy, and envy. Don’t speak badly about others.
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
(2.12) “That … they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God.”
339 Should we let others see our good works?
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
(2.13a) “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man.” Even unjust laws and dictators?
449 Should we obey human or divine law?
(2.13b-14) “Submit yourselves … to the king … for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” Monarchy is the Biblically-approved form of government whose purpose is to punish evildoers and praise do-gooders.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
(2.17) “Fear God. Honour the king.”
132 Should we fear God?
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
(2.18) “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.” Slaves should “be subject to [their] masters with all fear,” to the bad and cruel as well as the good and gentle.
336 Should we serve God alone?
42 Does God approve of slavery?
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
1 PETER 3
3 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
(3.1) “Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands.”
464 Should women have the same rights as men?
(3.2-6) Wives are to use “chaste conversation, coupled with fear.” They are not to braid their hair, wear gold, or put on any “apparel.” They are to do these things in imitation of the “holy” women of the Old Testament who were “in subjection to their own husbands: even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.”
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
(3.2) “While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.”
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
(3.3) “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel.”
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
(3.5) “For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.”
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
(3.6) “Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.”
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
(3.7) “The wife … the weaker vessel”
(3.8-11) Be compassionate and courteous. Don’t seek revenge when you are harmed by another. Speak kindly of others. Do good and avoid evil.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
(3.8) “Having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.”
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
(3.9) “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing”
10 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:
(3.10) “Let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.”
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
(3.11) “Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”
12 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.
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
(3.13) “Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?”
310 Do bad things happen to good people?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
(3.15) “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in
you.” Christians should be ready to explain why they believe what they do. This is a good verse to remember when they refuse to debate you.
468 Should believers discuss their faith with non-believers?
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18 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:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 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.
(3.20) “Eight souls were saved by water.” God drowned everyone on earth except for Noah and his family. This verse is used by young-earth Creationists to show that New Testament writers believed the Old Testament stories.
God’s first killing
21 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:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
(3.21-22) “Jesus Christ: who is … on the the right hand of God.”
349 Is Jesus God?
1 PETER 4
4 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: