Study of First Peter Chapter 2                           Lesson 28

Review:

 

 

 

2:12  Isolating the sin nature (being a pneumatikos type) is to show in our life; has benefits as we deal with others.

 

Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles,

 

 

The focus here is  your behavior  avnastrofh, 

 

- In 1:18  Peter reminded us that there is nothing from our former manner of life, that is as an unbeliever,  that would commend us to God. 

- In 1:15 he had set the goal, that we are to live a lifestyle that is holy as the one who called us. 

 

What's Peter's emphasis in these  contexts?  That Christian conduct should be consistent with Christian character.  Your life should reflect the new nature in Christ!

 

Noted this word for behavior  avnastrofh in James 3:13 there we found that it  flows from wisdom that only comes from above!

 

The Christian life is most effectively demonstrated through our dealing with the routine issues of life.  As we do so living out the truth that we know.

 

Peter's appeal has a important purpose  2:12b 

so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers,

 

 

They were accused of being evildoers  [kakopoio,j] speaks of being criminal, committing something liable for punishment before a magistrate.

 

- The most common attacks against believers of the day resulted from their separation from paganism.  Why is that? 

 

Some historical background:

1.  In Rome religion fell into 3 categories.

#1 State religion:  emperor worship; not optional

 

#2 Religio-licita:  state approved, licensed (legitimate, recognized)

In this category was Judaism; So was Christianity in early days because it was identified with Judaism.

 

 

#3 Collegia:  secret societies, not legal.

 

2.  Those in the Church, believers,   began to clash with the influential classes of society!

Reason is that there were no social events or activities that were not involved with idolatry and no idolatry that was not involved with immorality.

 

3.  Another reason they were persecuted was their rejection of the idols of Rome!  i.e. Rome's gods.

 

4. 2 examples of the most common situations that brought charges against believers at this time:

#1. anti-establishment - that they were disloyal to the state, by their faith lived out

 

#2. Upsetting business or trade that is your costing us

Acts 16:16f;  Acts 19:23

 

 

Consequence of your excellent conduct:

they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

- What is being described here is the impact of your application of truth in your daily life having the desired impact by those who observe you.

 

 

- Word for observe is  evpopteu,w (pres ptc) which emphasizes that they view carefully, to watch over a period of time.

 

 

 

Observations on good works! 

1. We need to remember that as believers we are created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works.  Eph 2:10

 

2. We are to be careful to engage in good deeds in our life.  Titus 3:8

 

3. We are to be examples to others through our DGP.  Titus 2:7

 

4. We are to actively desire to produce divine good.  Titus 2:14

 

5. We demonstrate our faith, that is the content of our f/o/r by DGP.  Jas 2:18

 

6. We must be taught the Word, learn these things so that we are prepared to produce divine good.  2 Tim 3:14

 

glorify God in the day of visitation.

 

- this glorifying stands in antithesis to the accusations made against the believer 

 

Must ask???  How is possible for the heathen the pagan to glorify God?

Only way is for them to do that is by positive volition to the Gospel and thereby making the salvation adjustment to the justice of God. That is believing the gospel message.

 

in the day of visitation  inspection, oversight, visitation; is used in the sense of a demonstration of the power of God to bless or to judge.

 

- the aorist tense of glorifying emphasizes the point of believing in Christ, a positive response to the gospel so that at the point that the believer's works are made manifest, that is at the JSC, they also may be able to glorify God having produced in their life divine good.

 

 

2:12  keep on having your pattern of life excellent among the pagans in order that with what they slander you as evil doer  they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

 

Summary 2:12

 

1.  The excellent conduct here refers to consistent observable application of the truth, the doctrine, known as you field the CHP's of life daily.

 

2.  This is really the function of bonifide witnessing to the truth of Christianity.

 

3.  Sequence of events here in vs:12:

a.  strong exhortation to DGP, good works that has meaning and purpose

b.  they were maligned and slandered  by the pagans - undeserved suffering

c.  they were observed living their lives on the basis of DVPT

d.  this prompted many who previously maligned them to believe in Christ

e.  the bottom line is that ultimately God is glorified

 

4. This is an example in action of what James mentioned in 3:13.

 

5. The wise and understanding believer is the one who has the implanted word which provides the insight to apply truth in the practical issues of life.

 

6. The result is the wisdom of God overflowing in their life demonstrating the transforming power of God.

 

7. The ultimate proof, the demonstration of your declared position is how you conduct yourselves in your daily affairs.

 

8. Your social behavior is to be recognized as good, noble and excellent.  (from God's vpt)

 

9. The believers' works then become the acid test of his/her spiritual progress.

 

10.  Peter has challenged us to evaluate where we're at in our relationship with Christ and just how that relationship is being reflected in our life.