1 Peter

The church is growing and the powers that be are not happy.  Christians are being persecuted and are wondering, “Why God?”  Hmmm.  Peter reminds them that God is still there with them and that though we will have struggles with Satan on this Earth, we should still rejoice because eternity is so much longer than our time here.  That is hard to remember when we hurt today.  I try and remind myself of the old song, “Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King . . .”  Be patient and rejoice – soon and very soon. – Cindy

1 PETER

AUTHOR:  The apostle Peter. (1:1)

DATE:  Around AD 65

IN TEN WORDS OR LESS: Suffering for the sake of Jesus is noble and good.

DETAILS, PLEASE:  As the early church grows, the Roman Empire begins persecuting Christians – and Peter assures them that God is still in control:  “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (4:12).  What is the proper response to such suffering?  “Rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy” (4:13)

QUOTABLE:  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour. (5:8)

UNIQUE AND UNUSUAL:  Peter clarifies exactly how many people rode out the great flood on Noah’s ark: eight (3:20).  Genesis indicates that “Noah . . and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives” (Genesis 7:7) were in the boat but leaves unsaid whether any sons might have had multiple wives.

SO WHAT?  Life may be hard, but God is always good.  And for Christians, there’s a much better day ahead.