1 Peter Chapter 1
Peter opens with greetings (v1) and identifies the believers as those who are elected under grace, that show due diligence to repentance under the ministrations of the Holy Spirit; being predestined into their inheritance of eternal life that is the evidence of the sanctification in His presence, (The Holy Spirit is God and is here) that was gifted with the completion of Christ's example of obedience, His death on the cross. The new covenant is sealed with the shedding of His blood, as a sprinkling before which when Moses did the same over the people to seal them in the old covenant he fore-shadowed Christ's death. Blessing them with grace, Peter continues.
Praising God for the resurrection of Christ, the sure evidence of the new covenant's efficacy before the apostles, Peter describes this as a new "lively hope" that the words of Christ of the new covenant are sure and true, and should spur the believer onward. (v3) The end of the predestined ministry of the Holy Spirit is to bring those elect believers into their eternal life so that the whole body of believers might be holy: (an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled.) The predestination is a sure sign that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is continuing (fades not away) and is reserved. (God has bought them from the world to justify them before Himself.) (v4)
The power of God through the training of the Holy Spirit is gifted to those that have faith, imputing the righteousness of Christ to the elect so that whilst they are trained, they might stand saved before God (v5) (which will happen in "the last time".) Peter encourages them that they show great love toward God for that salvation even whilst they are being tested with temptations, (To test their faith that they do not run after "G v p" statements, but have received the love of the truth as revealed in the word of God: new testament and old.) (v6)
The testing of faith, which is more precious than any perishable riches, (for under the election of grace it is the one thing that purchases salvation by and for the believer.) although it is tested, it is based on the sure words and example of Christ - the faith of the believer is to praise with thanksgiving the Lord who saves - which will be found to be fulfilled at the second coming of Jesus Christ, when He comes for His elect and the dead in Christ are raised. (v7) Thanksgiving to God, that will far outweigh the satisfaction for God that would be had in punishing them as unbelievers were they not saved. (The meaning of the "might be found" bit.)
God, whom they have not seen but love - or more to the point the second coming of Christ that as an event they have not seen, they believe in already with joy; rejoicing in their inheritance and the mercy from God with thanksgiving already; (v8) so that they are displaying presently the purpose of their salvation: that they might be a people saved by God in whom He takes great satisfaction. (v9)
That salvation which was assured by the old terstament prophets who inquired of the Holy Spirit with great care (much obedience) concerning the grace that would come in Christ; (v10) that they would understand that which was the intent of God for Christ's example and the giving of grace to a saved people, (v11) not being saved under grace themselves, but to inform us as to the intent of God and His will concerning His people Israel. The words of the prophets are now preached by the apostles through the Holy Spirit, which by ministering through them reveals the true intent of God's will, (The mystery of God) which the apostles have desired to look into. ("angels" is a term for messenger here) (v12)
The mystery of God is the continuing revealing of God to His people through increasing perfection. First Christ as an obedient Son, then many children with the Holy Spirit being made obedient; then with Christ all such obedient; then finally the Father will join us on the last day.
Peter encourages them to be sober and cautious; (v13) to hope continually to be shown the grace required to bring them into obedience to be with Christ at the second coming; for this they are predestined by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and will continue whilst they are repentant (being proven to not hold to any "G v p" statement, so that the believer repents of their mistake rather than expecting God to change, even if temporarily on respect of persons towards a believer)
The purpose of the Holy Spirits ministry is to keep them obedient (and stood in the truth), not fashioning their faith (and by extension their behaviour - a double minded man is unstable in all His ways) in order to paint a picture of God that will satiate any lust for money, sinfulness etc. (Which in their former ignorance (before the ministering of Christ and said Holy Spirit) they were also in bondage.) (v14)
But as after the intent of God to predestine His people into eternal life, the believer who knows His creator knows the closeness of God: and also His sovereignty and His will for them to be obedient (v15) Which was evidenced personally by the example and ministry of Christ: as well as the mystery of God examined through the words of the prophets. (v16)
If any man calls on the Father to give Him something (that would be a "G v p" statement) the believer should be mindful God does not change and does not give gifts based on the respect of persons one over another: but to requirement and need for the work of God towards His people, so they should be fearful to be quiet and show themselves approved, displaying proper faith showing the liberty of God over the believer. (v17)
God gives spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit for the ministering and edification of one believer toward another, to encourage (and strengthen the understanding of the gospel and the obedience and correction of the Holy Spirit Himself in His own ministry.) To the end that it (the gift) should save souls and filter out for Him a people.
Therefore since we were not bought with corruptible things such as money and wealth, but are ministered to for eternal life by the Holy Spirit having being given spiritual gifts rather than money and wealth with which to edify one another, we should realise that our former ignorance and tendency towards "G v p" statements that is the end of improper faith was in fact a vain tradition received from our former teachers. (v18)
We were bought with the precious example of Christ and that was to His death, He being sinless and with perfect faith, full of the knowledge of the Father's will. (v19) And not just the knowledge of the Father, but having been with Him in the beginning. (v20) (but has now been shown to the world in these last times of the mystery of God.) The believers believe in God by Christ, who was raised from the dead so that the believers might have that "lively hope" quickened by God so that they should believe in God, as Father, and Son (glorified) and Holy Spirit (given). For If Christ is glorified so that His words are now become a new covenant, then He is God, and the gospel is testament. The Holy Spirit is given and God's kingdom is here, which is our hope to the coming again of God. (v21)
Seeing as how any "G v p" statement holds as regards to faith, it also holds towards behaviour (See the epistle of James for more on this) because if God is not important enough to warrant our good works, then we have another "G v p" statement. So although ones mind can be properly approaching God, so that the believer loves the receipt of truth from His teachers, He should also fervently love His fellow students (v22) without respect of persons, but charitable to all, in such a manner that does not conflict with the training of the Holy Spirit. The fear of God should be towards good works also.
The believers are reminded they are born again, not of their vain traditions held in their ignorance or by money, but by the gospel, the words of Christ which are the new testament. Neither are they bought with corruptible wealth, but are predestined in grace by the Holy Spirit's ministering towards their eternal life by the promised words of God spoken of by Christ. By His example, if we call on the Father to give good things to us, we should fear - for we love and edify each other not with wealth but with God's promises, so that we might all inherit eternal life. (v23)
For giving each other gifts if we are rich may give us much to boast of, but we are edified with God's words. (v24) Our worldly wealth is temporary and passing and will not remain ours forever, but the promises of God that we give each other ministering the gospel will last forever - even to the saving of a soul, which is the purpose of God's gospel. (v25)
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