The transformation god has made in christians through christ is so extensive, so. Peter clearly knows his community, and we can all learn from him, whether we are pastors, teachers, or parents. He addresses the book, in the very first verse, to the elect exiles aliens. Christians were mistrusted and thought to be subversive. The living stone and a chosen people pepperdine digital. The text carries on the theme of isaiah 6 and even leviticus 11. James lewis, holiness page 4 the final text read is 1 peter 1. I beseech you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against your soul. Scattered strangers elect exiles of the dispersion. If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Idea of exile and select ot passages in 1 peter 33 2. The two epistles of simon peter were, like those of james and hebrews, written to the christian jews of the dispersion i peter 1.
Guide for individuals and life groups download the pdf by clicking below. Exiles are vulnerable to discrimination, loss of jobs, etc. He addresses the book, in the very first verse, to the elect exiles aliens scattered all over asia. Social location and christian vocation scot mcknight ffective pastors know their community. The title i am an alien, comes from a word and a concept that peter uses over and over throughout the book.
Peter, an apostle of jesus christ, to those who are elect exiles of. Peter, an apostle of jesus christ, to gods elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of pontus, galatia, cappadocia, asia and bithynia. In fact you can see 1 peter as a set of exhortations, each based upon an old testament quotation. What the coming of jesus has done is put the foundation of the promises on a visible, demonstrable footing. He means for them to stop thinking of themselves as locals, but as people who arent from around here.
The phrase aliens and exiles is thus not only a description of their. Over the course of twelve weeks, well be studying the book of 1 peter together. Studies in first peter abilene christian university. And we see the difference in those first two verses. Pdf christian identity in the first letter of peter. I peter in biblical perspective the elect in the exile. Other bible versions say exiles, pilgrims, and visitors. This is a letter written to the chosen people of god, who are exiles, aliens, sojourners, or pilgrims. They are encouraged to persevere, knowing that a greater reward will be theirs on the day of salvation.
People love peter because there is something about him we can identify with. Aliens and strangers in 1 peter dr sean du toit alphacrucis. This put them in a precarious position socially, politically and legally. Peter also calls them foreigners, sojourners, aliens, strangers, or exiles, depending on the translation being read.
There, christians are instructed to live as exiles in the sense. Jan 23, 20 peter, an apostle of jesus christ, to those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in pontus, galatia, cappadocia, asia, and bithynia, 1 peter 1. Studies in 1 and 2 peter, christ and culture, eschatology tagged 1 peter, eschatology, ethics, strangers and aliens, twofold kingdom strangers and aliens 10. Brief survey of previous studies on temple in 1 peter 1 1. For most commentators and certainly traditionally, aliens and. Their status as exiles grows directly out of such election to participation in the divinely willed. Elsewhere, christians are called strangers and exiles. Exiles in a strange land 1 in the elect exiles series 1. I want to spend the next few weeks just reading a book of the bible with you 1 peter, because i love the questions that this book asks and answers. And we are still aliens and exiles and sojourners, just like the fathers and like the other old testament saints. Amidst these powerfully descriptive labels, what unfolds is essentially an extended application of jesus words from mark 8. As i showed in a previous post, 1 peter is addressed to the elect exiles of the dispersion 1.
Understanding 1 peter new covenant bible fellowship. Sojourners and exiles before the gentiles 1 peter 2. The author presents himself as peter the apostle, and, following catholic tradition, the epistle has been held to have been written during his time as bishop of rome or bishop of antioch, though neither title is used in the epistle. If anyone suffers as a christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify god in this name. Peter introduces the letter by announcing his authority and their identity.
In terms of identity, though exiles and aliens within roman culture, they are children of. There are admonitions in scripture which come to mind, such as that in 1 peter. Peter likely wrote the letter with the help of silas 1 peter 5. Theologically, it describes how disciples of jesus live faithfully in a hostile culture. Christians are like immigrants, foreigners, temporary residents, refugees. Pdf temple, exile and identity in 1 peter andrew m.
These believers refused to join in the worlds rebellion against god, and they were mocked and rejected for it. Jobes foreigners and exiles was 1 peter written to roman colonists. To gods elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify god on the day he visits us. In christ all the promises of god are yes 2 corinthians 1. Reeder iii may 20, 2018 morning sermon i will read through what we covered for axiom 1 has we prepare to look at axiom 2 on how elect exiles journey in this world to the celestial city to the majesty and glory and christ. Parker 41 the church as the renewed israel in christ. Sep 03, 2015 peter wrote a letter to christians facing massive opposition and even persecution for their faith. Beloved, i urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Elsewhere, christians are called strangers and exiles on the earth.
Were called to live up to who we are, no matter what the world seeks to do around us. Peter calls his readers strangers or foreigners in 1 peter 1. However, it does mean that we exert our influence as very happy, brokenhearted outsiders. The word exiles means aliens, foreigners or strangers. Until the esv, the new international version was actually the best. Pdf aliens and strangers in 1 peter sean du toit academia.
Practice interrogating key words as well as term of conclusion therefore, term of explanation for, terms of purpose or result so that, in order that, that, as a result, terms of contrast but, yet, expressions of time including then. Rhetorically, it heads the major body of the letter 1 peter 2. The first epistle of peter, usually referred to simply as first peter and often written 1 peter, is a book of the new testament. Peter is identified as the author of the letter in 1 peter 1.
Peter isnt writing to people who were forced from their homes to live in a. It is one of my responsibilities at north park university to teach undergraduate students the entire bible in one semester. Peter, an apostle of jesus christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout pontus, galatia, cappadocia, asia, and bithynia, who are chosen what is the meaning of 1 peter 1. Wilkins 53 peter s theology of discipleship to the crucified messiah 1 peter 2.
There, christians are instructed to live as exiles. Were foreigners here, and we shouldnt expect to be treated differently until our king claims dominion forever and ever 1 pe 5. Like our emails, their letters included the identity of. The church in america now finds herself in a postchristian world. Exiles in a strange land 1st in the elect exiles series 1 peter 1. By capturing this covenantal imagery, peter begins his exhortation to perse verance by reminding us. That is, exiles are reminded of their extraordinary possession. The gospel accounts tell us that peter was a fisherman from bethsaida. Dear friends, i urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. The opening paragraph celebrates gods grace and the christian hope, into which the christians have been born again. Christian exiles by john piper ligonier ministries. To peter, suffering is something the christian should always see coming. Those verses are not describing jewish life in a synagogue. The behaviours and activities of christians in asia minor and elsewhere seemed odd to their neighbours.
Peter, an apostle of jesus christ, to those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in pontus, galatia, cappadocia, asia, and bithynia, 1 peter 1. Studies in 1 peter siburt institute for church ministry. How should those who are, in christ, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation 1 peter 2. In this lab, john piper begins a new series through this hopefilled letter to exiles. Leonhard goppelt observed in his commentary on 1 peter that this designation indicates the socio. Ancient letters ancient letters always had a certain form. The term exiles means that we live out this vocation as resident aliens in a land that is yet to be our homea place currently characterized by systemic injustice and corruption.
The purpose of the letter is to encourage believers to stand fast while they endure suffering and distress in the present evil age. The tone of this letter to exiles changes radically in the new section of 1 peter, which begins in 1. They were rumoured to be atheists, incestuous, and even cannibals. Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a savior, the lord jesus christ phil. They are elect exiles who are living life according to the redemptive plans of the triune god. Maintain good conduct among the gentiles so that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers. The fact that we are exiles on the earth 1 peter 2. The idea that christians are strangers in the world is a key motif in the letter. Why is it important for believers to live good lives. It appears peter is speaking to christians exiled from heaven, and not jews exiled from palestine. Key words see importance of key words learn how to mark key words and the associated discipline of how to interrogate them with 5wh questions.
Sojourners and exiles living in a foreign and hostile land. We know peter s readers lived like gentiles 1 peter 4. An overview sermon of 1 peter 27 new heart, gods spirit, and the forgiveness of sin in a once for all sacrifice. The hope of exiles on the earth resource by john piper. Ask what your group remembers about the recipients, the author, and his purpose for writing. Part of this identity is their social and theological location as aliens and exiles nrsv. Christ, and to be an alien and exile in this world, in his focus on the then. Peter says these christians, and indeed all christians in every age, are exiles 1. The event of exile and its historical significance 12 2.
We have lived for a long time under the constantinian era. The metaphor for the christian as a stranger or alien in this world is very powerful, one that makes for great preaching. Peter, messenger of jesus christ, sends this letter to the exiles of the dispersed tribes in pontus, galatia, cappadocia, asia and bithynia, whom god the father knew and chose long ago to be made holy by his spirit, that they might obey jesus christ and be cleansed by his blood. By capturing this covenantal imagery, peter begins his exhortation to perse verance by reminding us that we are the new covenant people of god whom.
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