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1 Peter verse 3
Peter from Fisherman to Theologian
As Peter wrote his letter to the dispersed Jewish Christians, he gave a lot of information in just a few written words. It’s really doctrine. So, I plan to break it down into bite-sized pieces based on what Peter is writing.
Let’s do a little review. The Apostle Peter is writing this letter. He is one of the twelve disciples of Christ Jesus. As I mentioned, Peter is writing to specific Jewish Christians who left Jerusalem and probably Antioch. They left because of the war going on in their country. Remember, this was written to certain people but also written to Christians for all times. It is not bound to one time period. That is why the Bible is a living, breathing book of books. It is God’s words written for those who believe.
Eleven words that Peter wrote.
1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!”
Let’s start with the first Word, “blessed.” This is a different word than “blessed” as used in the “Sermon on the Mount.” This word Peter is referring to is from the Greek, which we get our Word, “eulogy” meaning “to praise.”
Let’s read that again, replacing the word blessed with praise. “Praise be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Peter is praising God for Jesus the Christ.
I could go on, but I want to clarify this doctrine. Who is God the Father?
Who is God the Father?
God the Father is the creator of the heavens, the earth, and everything in them. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” God speaks, and things happen. God does way more than that, but for this post, I don’t want to go off on any rabbit trails. God the Father created mankind to have relationship with him. Sin messed that up.
Who is the Son of God?
Jesus is the manifested Son of God. God speaks, and the Son follows through on the Father’s instructions. The Son of God (Jesus) creates. John 1:1 in the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God.”
Jesus is the “Word.” The Word creates.
John 1:3: “All things were made through him (Jesus), and without him (Jesus), nothing was made.”
John 1:14: “And the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us.”
Going back to God the Father, in Genesis 1:3, “And God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light. – God spoke the “Word” –(Jesus) the Son of God. Or Christ, the Son of God, creates. This is why the Apostle John said, “and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:2-3 is very important – it says, “He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him (Jesus), and without him (Jesus) was not anything made.
What does that mean? It means, Jesus the Christ was in the beginning when God the Father made the world. Think of it this way if you were to speak out loud. “I create trees.” When those words come out of your mouth, the speech, the words, manifest the creation. The words create. God the Father spoke it, Jesus the Son created. The WORD manifested creation.
Jesus said in John 14:31, “I do as the Father has commanded me.”
The recipients of Peter’s letter knew the scriptures very well. Remember, as children, they had to memorize the Torah or the first five books of the Old Testament. The readers of the time had a great understanding of these biblical truths. As Peter writes, the light bulb comes on for the refugees. Add in the Gospel books, and everything falls into place. As Christians in the United States, we are at a slight disadvantage in understanding what the early Jewish Christians already understood. This is why it is so important to read your bible.
To be continued…