1. What is the message of v. 13a?

 

1. What is the message of v. 13b?

 

Note: In the phrase “at the revelation of Jesus Christ” the greek word translated “at” is ev which is probably expressing the instrumental case, and carrying the significance of “by means of”; hence this phrase may properly be translated, “by means of [the] revealing (disclosure—a & g p. 91) of Jesus Christ.”

 

1. State briefly in your own words the message of verse 13.

1 Peter 1:14-16

1. What is the meaning of holy in these verses in the phrase “be holy”?

1 Peter 1:17-18

1. What is the connection between the exhortation to be holy in v. 15 and the admonition to fear in verse 17? Is it God’s basis of judgment set forth in v. 17? Is it because you now call God Father?

 

1. What is the significance of redemption being from the way of life inherited from your fathers in this verse?

 

1. In verse 17 by what hope are our life’s activities controlled?

1 Peter 1:19

1. What is the significance of Jesus being called the amnos Lamb here, rather than the arnion Lamb of the Revelation? (See answers section of this booklet under 1 Peter 1:19.)

1 Peter 1:20, 21

1. According to verse 20, 2la, for whom did Jesus appear?

 

1. Who is the proper object of our faith and hope in this verse?

 

1. By implication (v. 20a) how long has God known us and our need?

1 Peter 1:22

1. How do we purify our souls in v. 22a? Note “in” ev = instrumental case – cf. v. 13 above.

 

1. For what purpose do we purify our souls, in this verse?

1 Peter 1:23-25

1. What is the active agent in the new birth? What is born again? Cf.v.22. See also Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 520.

 

1. In conjunction with what does one experience the new birth?

 

1. What is the problem with the flesh (sarx) of Peter’s hearers?

1 Peter 1:1-25

Summarize briefly the story of chapter one.

Assignment Answers

1 Peter 1:13

1. What is the message of v. 13a? Therefore, study carefully!
   The significance of the phrase, “fix your hope completely on … grace,” is quite obvious. First, the salvation of the soul (v. 9) apart from grace does not happen, and second, faith proved through trials is essential for grace to be effective (w. 7, 10, 9).
2. The significance of the phrase, “the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” is perhaps not so obvious.
   In verse 7 the phrase “the revelation of Jesus Christ” seems to this writer to refer quite clearly to the second coming appearing, or revelation, of Jesus.
   However in our verse, verse 13, for the phrase “the revelation of Jesus Christ” to be a reference to the second coming of Jesus would mean that the restorative power of grace, provided by the resur­rection of Jesus (v. 3), would not be available through faith, but would rather be “brought to you” at the second coming of Jesus. Such a teaching would be strange in the light of the teaching of other Gospel writers, I think, and vv. 1-9 of this chapter.
   Another significance of the phrase is quite apparent. As noted in connection with the question we are studying, in the phrase “at the revelation of Jesus Christ” the Greek word translated “at” is ev, which is probably expressing the instrumental case, and is therefore carrying the significance of “by means of”; hence this phrase may properly be translated, “by means of the revealing (disclosure— a&g, p. 91) of Jesus Christ.”1
   With such understanding the translation of the message of verse 13b is easy and exciting! “Fix your hope completely on the grace being brought to you when Jesus is revealed to you as the Christ, the Savior of your soul, the source of your eternal life.” Believing the gospel here brings eternal change.
   “They had seen Christ by the witness of the Holy Spirit, by the revelation of God to their souls” (The Desire of Ages, p.386_.
   “The… sacrificial service… gave the Israelites a veiled, indistinct view of the mercy and grace to be brought to the world by the revelation of Christ” (Selected Messages, vol.1, p.237).
   “At the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1Peter 1:13 revelation equals disclosure (a&g 91).
3. Study carefully the gospel because it will reveal to you Jesus the Savior, and that revelation brings the grace to you which results in the salvation of your soul (See, i.e. Selected Messages, vol.1, p.237; The Desire of Ages, p.386).

1Peter 1:14-16

1. The last half of verse 15 reads, become holy in all your conduct— so holiness here is shown by conduct. In verse 14 Peter’s readers are told that obedient children of God (v. 17) do not continue doing that which was their former (Special thanks to Richard Litke, Ph.D., Yale, for this insight.) desires— prior to receiving the grace which vv. 1-13 speak of— which desires were based in ignorance, but they are to become (Grk) holy because the One calling them is holy.
   Therefore, to be holy is to become like God, in their conduct, in these verses, and by implication, they become like God in their souls (cf. vv. 3-10).
   “If they would do the work that God has appointed them, they would be partakers of the divine nature. . . .” (3 RH 431, col. 2, par. 3).

1 Peter 1:17, 18

1. In verse 17 God is one who judges people by what they do— not by who they are. To pass the judgment of God you must be found in your works to be like God. The fear is based in the easiness with which one follows the evil way of life one received from one’s earthly father while one is calling God, the Holy One who redeemed him and told him to be like Him, Father. This is the connection between the admonition to be holy and to fear.
   For the child of God who follows Him there is also the fear that results from recognizing one will be judged by one’s works. The great condemnation one fears is to be found calling God Father, acknowledging His calling and redemption, and yet acting like one’s earthly father. In God’s judgment, profession does not replace works, claiming God as Father will bring condemnation to the disobedient child, but the rewards handed out are based on works done during our time on earth. (If you are not already acquainted with it be sure to read the article entitled “Upon the Throne of His Glory,” Sept. 20, 1898, 3 RH 607, 608, noting the element of works and reward in the judgment that takes place when Jesus comes again). See also Matthew 25:31-46.

 

1. Redemption in verse 18 has the special effect of giving one freedom to start fresh; it frees you from what you got from your parents. Therefore the redemption of verse 18 not only buys your freedom— the usual significance of ‘to redeem’—but it imparts moral power. “When the Lord Jesus visited our earth, he brought with him renovating energy” (3 RH 433, col. 3, par. 1.)

 

1. Our hope is based in the character of the Father— judging without respect of persons, judging according to our works.
   Note: In a class the question was raised, ”what was Christ’s concept of the Fatherhood of God?” The answer seems to be clearly implied in our text (v. 17). Father is not merely what God is like; it is what He is. A loving father does not have favorites among his children — he has no respect of persons — he acts impartially, reacting to what his children do; not to their name or color.

1 Peter 1:19

1. There are two words in the Greek New Testament that are translated lamb; amnos and arnion.
   Arnion lamb in the New Testament is a composite symbol carrying the meaning of both lion and lamb. The exact significance of the title in any particular passage must be determined contextually.
   Amnos lamb has only one significance linguistically — it means lamb-like qualities.
   For Jesus to be the amnos lamb in verse 19 means our redemption was not realized by the exercise of any of the qualities of a lion, but by the lamb-like qualities which were always associated with the word lamb, including the suffering and death which were the experience of the sacrificial lambs.
   The solution to sin is not brought about in our lives by violence, but by lamb-like qualities, including suffering, because to be holy, to be in harmony with heaven, we must act like Jesus. This implies we show the faith we have.

1 Peter 1:20, 21

1. He appeared for ‘us’ who are believers in God through Him.

 

1. We have repentance toward the Father and faith in the Son — our faith and hope is, in v. 21, “in God.” In this verse “God” means the Father and the Son.

 

1. From the foundation of the world.

1 Peter 1:22

1. By obedience to the truth, taught by the apostles

 

1. To love the brethren sincerely.

1 Peter 1:23-25

1. The word of God. Note: “The great storehouse of truth is the word of God- the written word, the book of nature and the book of experience in God’s dealing with human life” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p.125)

 

1. The preaching of the word (v. 25) preached by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven (v. 12).

 

1. It dies like grass, and its beauty falls out (v. 24)

1 Peter 1:1-25

Summary:

Because our only hope is to die like the grass apart from God (v. 24), we have been the recipients of God’s mercy (v. 3); mercy which provides grace to the individual when Christ is revealed to him (v. 13), through the word of God (v. 25); the same word of God which brings about the resurrection of the soul when it is received in faith (AA 381); the same faith which when it has been tested results in the salvation of your soul (v. 9); saved to participate in the imperishable inheritance reserved in heaven for you (v. 4).

For Added Blessing

Read the Spirit of Prophecy comments in the SDA Bible Commentary on 1 Peter, chapter 1 (7 SDABC 940).

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