Intro: Fiery Trials

Meadowood fire fighter school.

          Starting the fires

          Propane fire training.

Today we are going to start a series on 1 Peter, a book that is all about facing fiery trials and persecution.  Tonight will be an introduction and then we will be taking one chapter a night as we meet.

Background

When doing a study on a book of the bible there are some key pieces of information you want to look at first in order to start getting a context and general environment that the book came to fruition under such as Date Written, Author; Audience and Key Themes.

Timeline:

Book                   Date Written      Approx time span

          James        44-49AD             44-49AD

          Matthew     50AD                             27-30AD

          Mark           50AD                             27-30AD

          Galations   50AD                             50AD

          1 Thess     51AD                             51AD

          2 Thess     51AD                             51AD

          1 Cor.         55AD                             55AD

          2 Cor.         55AD                             55AD

          Romans     56AD                             56AD

          Luke           60-61AD             27-30AD

          Acts            60-62AD             30-60AD

          Ephesians 60-62AD             60-62AD

          Colossians 60-62AD             60-62AD

          Philippians 61AD                             61AD

          Titus           62-64AD             62-64AD

          Philemon   62-64AD             62-64AD

          1 Peter      64AD                             64AD

          1 Timothy   65AD                             65AD

          2 Timothy   66-70AD             66-70AD

          2 Peter       67-68AD             67-68AD

          Hebrews    67-69AD             67-69AD

          Jude           68-69AD             68-69AD

          John           80-81AD             27-30AD

          1 John        90-95AD             90-95AD

          2 John        90-95AD             90-95AD

          3 John        90-95AD             90-95AD
Revelation 94-96AD             94-96AD

Date written: 64AD

Other events:

Peter’s death (church tradition)      67-68AD
Destruction of Temple          70AD

Author: Peter

In John MacArthur’s book “Twelve Ordinary Men the chapter on Peter is entitled: Peter – The Apostle with the Food-Shaped Mouth, which I think is a very apt summary of the character of Peter.  A deacon of a previous church I attended had a t-shirt with the saying: A closed mouth gathers no foot.  These two extremes characterize what Peter was and what he was not.  To be fair this description best fits Peter for the years with Christ before Pentecost.  Afterwards he displays his growth in wisdom and maturity and deed. 

(The following notes are from MacArthur’s book.)

There are four lists of the twelve apostles in the New Testament:  Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:13-16 and Acts 1:13.  All four lists have the same twelve men and the order is very similar in each.  The first name in each list is Peter.

“The Twelve are then arranged in three groups of four.  Group one always has Peter at the head of the list, and that group always includes Andrew, James and John.  Group two always features Philip first and includes Bartholomew, Matthew, and Thomas.”

“The first group were most likely called first (John 1:35-42) and were with him the longest” which also MacArthur believes were the most intimate with him.  Of the first group of four Jesus kept three very close to him and they were with him at key times in his ministry; Peter, James and John.

Each of the twelve had unique personalities.  “Peter was eager, aggressive, bold and outspoken – with a habit of revving his mouth while his brain was in neutral.”  He often acted before thinking.  He was often the first to speak, the first rebuked and always appearing at the center of the action.  But God was growing him to a position of leadership.

Turn with me to…

”Matthew 10:2: “Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter.” The word translated “first” in that verse is the Greek term protos.  It doesn’t refer to the first in a list; it speaks of the chief, the leader of the group.  Peter’s leadership is further evident in the way he normally acts as spokesman for the whole group.  He is always in the foreground taking the lead.  He seems to have a naturally dominant personality, and the Lord put it to good use among the twelve.”

In John 21:15-17 we have the emotional apex and perhaps the spiritual turning point of Peter’s relationship with Christ.  This is where Jesus asks Peter if he loves him three times.  Three times, just like the three denials before which Peter impulsively said he would rather die than deny.

But the Lord knit Peter together in his mother’s womb.  This molecule here….that atom there….so many hairs on the head.…and so many in the beard.  A pinch of this characteristic and a portion of that one.  Having the right family….born in the right birth order….having the right job…all in preparation for his calling to follow Jesus and to learn his roll in the body.  And after his emotional apex with Jesus we have a man who defiantly stands before the Sanhedrin presenting the gospel.  A man who truly becomes worthy of the name “The Rock”

Before he was known as “The Rock” he was known as Simon.

“Simon was a very common name.  There are at least seven Simons in the Gospel accounts alone.  Among the Twelve were two named Simon (Simon Peter and Simon the Zealot).”

Matt 13:55 Jesus has a half-brother named Simon
John 6:71 Judas Iscariot’s father was called Simon
Matt 26:6 Jesus ate with a leper named Simon
Luke 7:36-40 There is a Pharisee named Simon
Matt 27:32 The man recruited to carry Jesus’ cross was named Simon

Peter’s name at birth was Simon Bar-Jonah, or Simon son of Jonah (sometimes rendered Jonas or John).

The Lord gave Simon his new name, but he did it in such a way that did not negate the old...yet.  Luke 6:14 -

Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew;

Sometimes the Lord referred to him as Peter (Cephas in Aramaic) and others Simon.  When the name Simon was used it was an indication that he was not acting the right way and needed to be disciplined.

There are a few occasions where the name ‘Simon’ is used where no rebuke or correction is needed.  The context is often secular or pertaining to worldly-physical topics such as “Simon’s Wife’s mother” (Mark 1:30) or “one of the boats, which was Simon’s” (Luke 5:3).

Thus usually when Peter needed rebuke or admonishment, Jesus referred to him as Simon.  It must have reached the point where whenever the Lord said “Simon,’ Peter cringed. He must have been thinking, Please call me Rock! And the Lord might have replied, “I’ll call you Rock when you act like a rock.” 

So we have our author, someone who came through quite a process into maturity under the ministry of Christ.

Audience:

Jewish authorities, unable to attack Jesus after his ascension, turned their attention to his followers.

Acts 4:1-3

 1As they (Peter and John) were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them,

 2being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

 3And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening.

They were threatened and beaten as a warning to stop preaching about Jesus.  Stephen being filled with grace and power, after performing great wonders and signs was dragged before the Jewish leaders and eventually was stoned to death.  All but one of the apostles were martyred. What started as persecution from the Jewish leaders, turned into Government policy.   The Christian’s refusal to participate in the Roman state religion was viewed as rebellion.  For over three centuries the vicious and savage persecution steadily increased.  At the end of that time Emperor Diocletian started an all out effort to stamp out the church completely.  His goal was to wipe out all of the Christians.  Shortly after, under new leadership in Rome and the Eastern empire, came the edict of Milan which granted full toleration to the Christian faith.

“As Peter penned this epistle, the dark clouds of the first great outbreak of official persecution, instigated by the insane Emperor Nero, were already gathering on the horizon.  Seeking scapegoats to divert the public’s suspicion that he had started the great fire of July, A.D. 64 (near the time 1 Peter was written) that devastated Rome, Nero pinned the blame on the Christians, whom he already perceived as enemies of Rome because they would worship none but Christ.  As a result they were encased in wax and burned at the stake to light his gardens, crucified, and thrown to wild beasts.  Though the official persecution apparently was confined to the vicinity of Rome, attacks on Christians undoubtedly spread unchecked by the authorities to other parts of the Empire.  It was as a result of Nero’s persecution that both Peter and Paul were martyred.  But before he died, Peter wrote this magnificent epistle to believers whose suffering would soon intensify.  Throughout the centuries, beleaguered Christians have benefited from the apostle’s wise counsel and gentile, encouraging words of comfort.”

Modern day:

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2008/s08080173.htm

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.com

\\ Tuesday, August 26, 2008

New Wave of Violence Against Christians in Orissa State

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

ORISSA STATE, EASTERN INDIA (ANS) -- More than 600 churches have been demolished, 4,000 Christians forced to flee from their villages, and at least 25 killed as a result of violent persecution in the state of Orissa in eastern India.

Reports from the area say Vishwa Hindu Parishad religious leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his associates were murdered in the Kandhamal District of Orissa on Saturday, August 23.

Although a Maoist group claimed responsibility for the murders, supporters of the slain leader claim that Christians were behind the killings. Hindu fundamentalists have launched a series of attacks against Christians in retaliation.

Since Sunday, August 24, churches, schools and other institutions, prayer rooms, and homes of Christians have been ransacked, burnt and destroyed. Christians have been assaulted and reportedly at least twenty-five have been killed, some of them burnt alive or cut into pieces.

In an August 26 email to the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), Swarupananda Patra, General Secretary of the All Orissa Baptist Churches Federation, said “All Christian villages [are] empty in Kandhamal as Christians, old and young, sick and pregnant mothers [are] hiding in forests exposed to the non-stop monsoon rains without food.”

He reported that Kandhamal is the hardest hit, with at least eight Christians killed and almost all Christian homes demolished, but Christians in the districts of Balasore, Bargarh, and Kalahandi are also experiencing severe persecution.

Patra also appealed for prayer. “Now we have no request except prayer from our Baptist world as we do not know how to face tomorrow.”

(((P. Ramesh Kumar, Principal of the Balasore Technical School, reported to the BWA on August 25, “We are all under immense danger and threat from these groups.…Please continue to uphold us in your prayer particularly for the safety of Christian brothers and sisters who are now hiding themselves in jungles.”

In response to the attacks, BWA General Secretary Neville Callam said, “Unfortunate events have taken place in Orissa in recent days. These began with the senseless killing of Hindu Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati on August 23. I am disappointed by the false claim that Christians have responsibility for this murder and I am saddened by the atrocities being visited on Christians in Orissa.

“I appeal to the governing authorities in India to intervene to save the lives of the many who are being victimized in the current crisis,” said Callam.

He added: “Respect for the principle of religious liberty and the sacredness of human life requires nothing less. I also appeal to all Baptists worldwide to pray God’s protection for our brothers and sisters in Orissa.” )))

This is not the first time Christians in Orissa have experienced violent attacks. In December 2007, Hindu militants burned approximately 90 churches and 600 homes, killing an estimated 10 persons.

There are several Baptist conventions and unions in Orissa state that are member bodies of the BWA, with total membership in Orissa of nearly 500,000 baptized believers and approximately 3,500 churches.

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
Send this story to a friend.

INDIA – Government Warns States to Control Anti-Christian Violence – VOM Sources

VOM Prayer Updates for September 30, 2008
On Tue. Sep 30 2008 at 08:52 AM Moderator wrote:

VOM sources report India’s government formally warned Orissa and Karnataka state to control the anti-Christian violence that has continued into its fifth week following the murder of a Hindu leader by Maoists extremists. Despite the warning, VOM sources continue to receive reports of attacks on Christians in both states and throughout the country.

* In Orissa’s Kandhamal district, a Christian man was hacked to death by militants who stopped him and his wife while they were fleeing to a relief camp in the town of Phulbani on Sept. 20. His wife escaped the scene unharmed. Arson attacks on at least 10 houses and the kidnappings of Christians have also been reported. A young Christian woman was dragged from a relief camp into a nearby jungle where she was abused by a gang of extremists.

* In Karnataka, seven Christians were arrested and detained on charges of forcible conversion in Thalikare village and four churches, three in the city of Bangalore and one in Kodagu district, were ransacked and vandalized by extremists, also on Sept. 20.

Pray for an end to this wave of brutal violence. Pray that believers under attack will set Christ apart as Lord and not give in to fear. Pray that those who persecute Christians will come to repentance and faith in Christ.

1 Peter 3:14-17

\\ 1 Peter is directed to Christians in five distinct areas…all of which are located in what is now modern day Turkey.

\\ Pontus: ancient country NE Asia Minor; a kingdom 4th century b.c. to 66 b.c., later a Roman province.  Aquila and Priscilla were from here (Acts 18:2).  Some were present at Pentecost Acts 2:9

Galatia: Central Asia Minor.  Territory located in north central Asia Minor dominated by the Gauls, a Celtic tribe famed for warcraft and cunning, from the third to the first century b.c. 2 Roman province after the first century b.c. that included the traditional Galatian territory plus portions of other ethnic territories, especially to the south.

Cappadocia: the easternmost and the largest province of Asia Minor. Christianity very early penetrated into this country (1 Pet. 1:1). On the day of Pentecost there were Cappadocians at Jerusalem

Asia: a term occasionally referring to the old Persian Empire, but generally the Seleucid kingdoms, whose rulers were called ‘the kings of Asia’ (1 Macc. 8:6). When Attalus III died (133 b.c.), he willed his kingdom to Rome, who called the new province ‘Asia’ from the ruler’s title. Asia was evangelized quickly by Christian missionaries (Acts 13-16). Paul sent his Letter to the Galatians to the many churches in that region of Asia. The Revelation to John was addressed to ‘the seven churches of Asia,’ one of them being Ephesus the capitol.  From Asia Pliny (an ancient author, philosopher and military commander) wrote to Rome about persecuting the Christian churches.     J.H.N. Some people from Asia were present at Pentecost Acts 2:9

Bithynia a Roman province in northwest Asia Minor containing Christian communities by the time 1 Peter was written. The nt records no mission there. According to Acts 16:7, Paul and his companions ‘attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.’ Early legends attribute the evangelism of the province to Peter or Andrew. In any case, by a.d. 110 (56 years after 1 Peter was written the Christian movement had permeated both city and countryside, causing neglect of pagan temples and social unrest.

Key Theme:

The cost of oil is up. The cost of Gas is almost a dollar more than it was last year.  The housing market is down, the economy is in question, unemployment is up, banking and financial institutions are going bankrupt or being bailed out by the government or being sold and in September the stock market took a 950 point hit in two days and has been a yo-yo since. Not to mention the recent bailout made by the government for Wall Street and the economy.  There is no shortage of tough times for us all.  Certainly we are not facing the persecution previously mentioned.  In comparison we really don’t have problems..….just minor inconveniences.  Life is quickly put in perspective reading these stories.  But still, regardless we too live with our daily trials.  We face cancer, drunk driving, multiple kinds of abuse – verbal, physical, sexual, tax and employment issues, deaths of loved ones and medical burdens.  I have yet to meet a believer who does not have some sort of thorn in the flesh, a physical ailment.  I believe that the church while it will not go through the tribulation, will face increasing ‘fiery trials’ as the Last Days progress to their end.  First Peter is just as relevant today as it was when it was written.

As we study 1 Peter, we will see how the three themes of suffering, grace, and glory unite to form an encouraging message for believers experiencing times of fiery trial and persecution. These themes are summarized in 1 Peter 5:10, a verse we would do well to memorize.[1]

 10After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

----

[1]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (1 Pe 5:12). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.