Like
a Rock: A Study of Peter
Part
1
Background from the NT: Acts chapters 1-4
A.
Eyewitness to history
Peter's credentials to preach
the Gospel are based on having been there to witness Jesus' ministry.
He experienced first-hand the most spectacular events of His life, death,
resurrection and ascension. However,
it's his understanding and use of the Scriptures that made him effective
in his ministry.
1.
Peter and the other disciples in the boat when Jesus calmed the storm
(Mark 4:35-41)
2.
The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-9)
3.
Peter recognizes Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 16:13-20). See
also John 6:65-69 (my personal favorite).
4.
Peter, James & John with Jesus when he raises Jairus' daughter from
the dead (Luke 8:49-54)
5.
Peter looks into the empty tomb (Luke 24:12)
B.
From Disciple to Apostle
Peter begins ministering and leading
in the first few days following the Ascension.
Now known as Apostles, the original 11 Disciples were doing what Jesus
told them to do, wait in Jerusalem for a movement of the Holy Spirit.
(Acts ch 1)
1.
During that time, (Acts 1:20) Peter used the scriptures to address the
issue of Judas, and the need for a replacement.
He quotes Psalms 69:25 and 109:8.
2.
Pentecost -- Peter
addresses the crowd. (Acts ch 2). Peter
quotes scripture to describe what it all means: Joel 2:28-32, Psalms 16:8-11, and Psalm 110:1
3.
The Christian church was born as a result of God's movement on those
present, combined with Peter's ability to recognize it and preach it in light
of the Holy Scriptures. Many
believers came to a saving knowledge of Christ in those early days.
C.
The Persecution Begins
Things are heating up in Jerusalem
now, as the young Christian movement begins to take hold.
There are now about 5000 of them, and the Jewish religious establishment
is threatened. Peter and John are arrested and present their case.
(Acts ch 4) (Side note on
the definition of a Sadducee: they didn't believe in the resurrection of saints,
that's why they were "sad, you see.")
1.
Peter preaches the facts on Jesus, and quotes scripture to back it up,
using Psalms 118:22.
2.
The Jewish leaders are flabbergasted at Peter's oratory ability despite
his humble background. They warn
him not to preach anymore. Note
Peter's wonderful response in Acts 4:19-20.
3.
Following that encounter, Peter ministers to the followers and during a
prayer on their behalf, quotes Psalms 2:1-2. The result of that prayer meeting is a renewed strength in
God.
Like
a Rock: A Study of Peter
Part
2
Background from the NT: Acts chapters 5 - 11
A.
Peter's role in the early Church continues
1.
Showing forth the Power of God
a)
The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11)
b)
Signs and miracles (6:12-16)
2.
Declaring the Authority of God
a)
Freed from prison to preach the Gospel (5:17-32)
b)
Gamaliel's own confession of God's authority (5:33-41)
c)
Peter & the Apostles continues to teach & preach (5:42)
3.
Ministering to the Family of God
a)
The first Deacons are appointed (6:1-7)
B.
His mission field expands
The stoning of Stephen in Jerusalem
(chapter 7) marks a turning point in the tide of persecution against the church.
Believers are scattered abroad in ever increasing numbers, taking the
Gospel with them. The apostles,
however, haven't been driven away. Peter
begins a series of travels to visit new churches in distant cities.
1.
Encounter with Simon in Samaria (8:9-25)
2.
Healings in Lydda and Joppa (9:32-43)
3.
During this time, Saul begins his ministry following the Damascus road
encounter.
C.
The Paradigm Shift
When someone goes through an
experience or has some revelation that alters a fundamental belief or way of
looking at things, they are said to have undergone a paradigm shift.
Have you ever noticed how God loves to shift our paradigms?
Sometimes He does it gradually over time.
In other cases, it's sudden and severe, like Paul's experience. With Peter, it was dramatic, but not nearly as painful.
1.
Cornelius' 3 pm vision (10:1-8)
2.
Peter's noon vision the next day (10:9-16)
3.
God ties it all together (10:17-48)
4.
Sometimes the hardest part is convincing others (11:1-18)
Like
a Rock: A Study of Peter
Part
3
Background from the NT: Acts 12; Acts 15:6-11; 1st
Peter 1-3
A.
The Acts accounts of Peter ends
1.
The great escape (Acts 12:1-19)
a)
Herod beheads James, intends to do the same to Peter
b)
The church prayed without ceasing
c)
The Angel of the Lord led him safely out into the street
d)
The believers thought he was a ghost when Peter came to them
2.
The Jerusalem meeting with Paul & Barnabus (Acts 15:6-11)
a)
There was disagreement on whether gentiles had to follow the laws of
Moses in order to be saved.
b)
Paul & Barnabus were sent to Jerusalem to have a meeting with the
other believers about it
c)
During the meeting, Peter stands up, reminds them how Cornelius was
saved, and convinces them that all are saved through the Grace of God, and
not works
3.
Peter's journeys in his latter years are unclear.
Discuss the argument around whether or not he spent time in Rome.
B.
Thirty years later: The Epistles of Peter
The intervening period between the
event of Acts 15 and the time that Peter is thought to have written his two
epistles, (AD 63-66) is a mystery that the Bible does not clearly address.
This much we know: during that time, Paul was reaching the gentiles,
Peter was reaching the Jews, and the church was growing despite ever-increasing
persecution. Peter addresses his
letter to the dispersed Jews living all over Asia minor.
1.
The hope of salvation (1 Pet 1:3-9)
2.
Live out your faith (1:13-23)
3.
The Rock of Salvation (2:1-10)
a)
Again, Peter quotes the scriptures: Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 28:16
4.
How to live right (2:11- 3:7)
a)
He uses Christ as the model
b)
He quotes Isaiah 53:7-9
c)
Common-sense advice for couples (note verse 7)
5.
A doctrine on suffering (3:8-22)
a)
Don't repay evil for evil
b)
Don't be intimidated by it
c)
Always maintain the moral high ground
d)
Observe & follow the model of Christ
Like
a Rock: A Study of Peter
Part
4
Background from the NT: 1st Peter 3 - 5
A.
The importance of Baptism (3:18-22)
This short passage is difficult to
understand, and has been debated for centuries. It can be divided into two central themes:
1.
Christ's resurrection brings us to God (3:18-19)
a)
Four popular views of this text
(1)
Christ's Spirit preached the coming judgment to the people of
Noah's time through Noah himself
(2)
Jesus proclaimed judgment to the fallen angels in Hell
(3)
Jesus went down into Hades and released the Old Testament saints
(4)
Jesus went down into Hades and proclaimed judgment on those
condemned in Old Testament times
2.
Baptism symbolizes our resurrection with Christ (3:20-22)
Whatever the exact meaning of the
previous verse, Peter is drawing a comparison to the flood of Noah's day, and
the immersion of Baptism.
a)
We're not saved by Baptism, but
b)
Baptism is the outward testimony of our salvation
B.
Having said all that… (4:1-19)
1.
Change the way you live (v 1-6)
a)
Follow the example of Christ's suffering
b)
Let unbelievers make fun if they want -- God will judge them
2.
Use what God gave you (v 7-11)
a)
Be sober and prayerful
b)
Do all things with love
c)
Be faithful with the gifts God has given
3.
Don't be surprised at suffering (v 12-19)
a)
Expect suffering, and rejoice in it (v 12-14)
b)
Be sure your suffering is based on a Christ-like life (v 15-17)
c)
Trust God through it all, quoting Proverbs 11:31 (v 18-19)
C.
Peter wraps it up for now (5:1-13)
1.
He addresses the pastors (v 1-4)
a)
See also Rev 2:14-15, topic of "Nicolaitanism"
2.
He addresses the flock, quoting Proverbs 3:34 (v 5-7)
3.
A warning about the adversary (v 8-9)
4.
A prayer for the Grace of God (v 10-12)
Like
a Rock: A Study of Peter
Part
5
Background from the NT: 2nd Peter
A.
God's Provision (ch 1)
1.
We are partakers of His divine nature (v 2 - 4)
a)
we receive grace, peace, life, godliness, knowledge, incorruption
2.
Victorious living in Christ (v 5- 11)
a)
the Spiritual Growth Cycle: Virtue,
Knowledge, Self-control, Patience, Godliness, Kindness, Love…
b)
leads to rewards in Heaven for persevering
3.
Peter recognizes that his end is near (v 13-18)
a)
As Jesus foretold in John 21:18-19
b)
A reminder of his witness of the Transfiguration (v16-18)
4.
Peter tells us why he constantly quotes the scripture (v 19-21)
a)
It's like a light in the darkness
b)
It comes from God
B.
False Teachers (ch 2)
Peter now contrasts the righteousness of the prophets of old
to false prophets who were among the people of the time, and warns that that
crowd is still around.
1.
Beware their method: using feigned words to invoke our covetousness
(v 3)
2.
But God spares His own (v 4-10)
3.
A scathing description of false teachers (v 11 - 17 )
4.
A warning to those falling for the doctrines of false teachers (v 18 -
22)
C.
The Hope of His Coming (ch 3)
1.
Remember the scriptures and the testimony of the apostles (v 2)
2.
Despite what the scoffers say, just as God judged the old world by the
flood, so shall he judge this world by fire
(v 3-7)
3.
The Day of the Lord will be:
a)
Delayed for the hope of repentance (v 9)
b)
Sudden, unexpected and dramatic (v10)
4.
We should live our lives accordingly (v 11 - 18)
a)
There's nothing in this world for us.
Even if there were, it's all going away.
Copyright 2003 Leon V. Smith. All rights
reserved.