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The Church in the Writings of Peter

Wayne Galloway
10/18/20 - Sunday Evening Worship

The Church In The Writings of Peter

 

Introduction:

 

1.  We have been studying about the church in the last several lessons. 

2.  Throughout the study we have seen a consistent picture of the church in the teaching of Jesus, in the Gospel accounts, in Acts, in the writings of Paul, Hebrews and James.

3.  James and Peter are good Jews.  James’ Jewish perspective is consistent with the church portrayed in the writings we have already considered.

4.  Is this the case with Peter?

 

Discussion:

 

I.  The word “church” does not occur in either 1 or 2 Peter.  Therefore our study must be confined to various allusions.

 

     A.  Those addressed in 1 Peter are addressed as “aliens” or “exiles.”

           1.  They have no fixed location, nor anchor point like Jerusalem was for the Jews.

           2.  Since both James and Peter were associated with the church at Jerusalem, if

                there were a “mother church concept” in their minds the writings of James and

                Peter would be a reasonable place that we would expect to find it.  But no such

                concept is in evidence.  There is no ecclesiastical establishment.

     B.  Those addressed are “chosen,” “sanctified,” and “obey Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:1-2).

           2 Peter addresses “those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours” (2

           Pet. 1:1).  They are called and chosen (2 Pet. 1:10).

           1.  1 Cor. 1:2 identifies the church of God as those “sanctified.”

           2.  Romans is addressed to those of “obedient faith” (1:5).

           3.  Ephesians is addressed to those who are “faithful in Christ Jesus” (1:1).  Chosen

                (Eph. 1:4).  Called (4:4).

           4.  Colossians is addressed to “the saints and faithful brethren in Christ” (1:2).

           5.  The language is similar.

     C.  The group in 1 Pet. has been initiated into a corporate whole by virtue of their

          salvation through the sprinkled blood of Jesus Christ (1:2).  Those in 2 Pet. have

          been “made partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in

          the world” (1:4).  The evidence is they are all incorporated in the same group.

     D.  This incorporation affects their conduct (1 Pet. 1:14ff).

     E.  So, although the word “church” is not used incorporation into one group is in

          evidence.

 

II.  The building image (temple) is found in 1 Pet. 2:4-8.  Cf. Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:9.  The image extends from a physical building to a spiritual house(hold).  See 2 Sam. 7.

 

     A.  They are parts to a corporate whole.

     B.  Christ is the corner stone.

      C.  They are a priesthood (cf. to the temple image in Paul, ex. 1 Cor. 3:16-17; Eph.

            2:21).

 

III.  They have become the people of God (1 Pet. 2:10).

 

      A.  Similar to the nation of Israel.  Cf. concepts of spiritual Israel in Paul.

           1.  Peter uses a variety of images associated with such O.T. themes (exiles, 1:1-2;

                Passover allusion, 1:18-19, imagery of 2:9).

           2.  This is in line with other N.T. evidence that the church is a spiritual fulfillment of

                Israel.

      B.  1 Pet. 2:10 gives evidence that Peter is writing to Gentiles, those previously

           regarded as not a people.  Peter is a good Jew writing to Gentiles and including

           them within the people (Israel) of God.

      C.  As priests the whole community has the right of approach to God (1:9).

 

IV.  Nothing in 1 Peter or 2 Peter regarding worship.

 

      A.  It is obvious that God is to be honored.

      B.  1 Pet. 5:6 says, “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.”

 

V.  Peter reveals some things about leadership in the church.

 

     A.  He speaks to elders (5:1).

     B.  He uses shepherd imagery (2:25; 5:2) and refers to the flock of God (5:2).

     C.  This function is to be exercised without “lording over” (5:3).

     D.  Special gifts are to be used in serving (4:10).

     E.  All of this is consistent with what we have studied previously regarding the function

          of leadership.  It is service oriented and does not involve ecclesiastical hierarchy.

 

VI.  Peter briefly mentions baptism in 1 Pet. 3:20-21.

 

      A.  It is given a place of importance.

      B.  It is linked to the resurrection of Christ and to salvation.

      C.  He mentions being born again in 1:3.  While he does not specifically associate

            baptism with being born again the association of resurrection and salvation may

            very well suggest it.  Cf. Jn. 3:5.

 

VII.  For Peter the word of God is critical (1:22-25; 2 Pet. 1:16-21).

 

       A.  It is associated with the purification of souls.

       B.  It is a critical element of the new birth.

       C.  It abides forever.

       D.  The community of God highly values the word of God.

       E.  2 Peter’s emphasis upon matters of doctrinal and moral purity place heavy

               emphasis on the revelation of God as opposed to the teaching of false prophets.

 

Conclusion:

 

1.  The Epistles of Peter add consistent evidence to the N.T. documents we have already studied.

2.  This has a stabilizing influence on my understanding of the church.

3.  It provides a radical contrast to the institutionalized concepts so typical in our world today.

4.  The organizational structure, the service orientation, all stand in contrast to the hierarchal arrangements so typical of religious organizations today.

5.  The address to Christian individuals and congregations is noticeable different than addressing the ecclesiastical establishment ruling from denominational headquarters.

6.  What we see revealed in the N.T. is quite refreshing:  leadership under Christ, submission to the word of God, humble submission, being the people of God, serving one another, giving our lives as obedient children, being holy like He is holy, proclaiming His excellencies.  Refreshing!!!