Workers
For Jesus Online Bible Study
The Book of 1 Peter
Timeline of the Bible
God creates the world. --- God destroys the world with the flood,
but saves Noah and his family.--- God chooses Abraham and his
descendants to His people. ---Abraham's grandson, Jacob, has 12 sons
who lead the 12 tribes of Israel.--- The Israelites become slaves in
Egypt.--- God helps the Israelites escape and leads them to Canaan.
---The Israelites fight in wars and take control of Canaan.---Judges
lead the Israelites, but the Israelites want to have kings instead
of judges. --- David is Israel's greatest king.--- Israel divides
into 2 parts: Israel and Judah.--- The people of Israel and Judah
continue to sin and worship false gods.--- God allows the Assyrians
and the Babylonians to take the Israelites out of Israel and
Judah.--- The Israelites (Jews) live in Babylonia and then Persia.--- When Persia defeats the
Babylonians, the Jews go back to Judah.--- The Jews build God's
Temple in Jerusalem again.---
Greece defeats Persia, and the Greeks control Judah (also now called
Israel).--- The Jews become independent for 100 years.-- The Romans
take control of Israel.--- Jesus is born. At age 30, Jesus begins
his ministry. ---Jesus is crucified and then is resurrected. --- A
Roman named Saul is converted to Christianity and becomes Paul.---
►Christianity spreads. ---
Paul and other apostles write letters to Christians in other
places.
◄This
book of the Bible happens during this time In the year, 70 A.D., God's Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed
again.
This book was a letter written
by Peter to Christians living in Asia Minor. It was written in about
64 A.D.
Some scholars do not think it was really
written by Peter. They feel the language was from someone more educated
than Peter. Other scholars feel that it was written by Peter.
When the letter was written, Nero was the
Roman emperor. After a big fire in Rome, Nero wanted people to stop
blaming him, so he started blaming the Christians. He said they set fire
to the city. He started having the Christians in Rome arrested and
killed. Peter wrote this letter to support and encourage the
Christians who lived in areas of the Roman Empire.
Later, Peter was also killed by Nero. He
was crucified upside down on a cross.
1 Peter 1 - 5
Jesus is our living stone. Stay focused and live holy
lives. Christians should behave like Christ during
their hard times. We suffer at times, but God will save us. Instructions for church leaders
1 Peter 1
You can have hope in Christ even in hard times.
This letter is from Peter, an apostle
of Jesus Christ. The letter is to Christians who live in the areas of
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. [1] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered
throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, God the Father has selected you
and made you clean by the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus Christ. I send
grace and peace to you. [2] Elect
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the
Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto
you, and peace, be multiplied. Our God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ is
blessed. His great mercy gives us hope. Jesus Christ was resurrected and lives
again. You will live again and live forever. Heaven has a place for you that is
perfect and will never go away. [3] Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us
again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4]
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you, The power of God will save you. Your faith in God will
help you. God will save you to live forever. [5] Who are kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Even if you are going through a hard time,
rejoice and be happy. [6]
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in
heaviness through manifold temptations:
Hard times will test your
faith. These times are more precious than gold. Gold can be destroyed if
it is heated in fire. Your faith will cause you praise and honor when you see
Jesus Christ. [7] That the trial of your
faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried
with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of
Jesus Christ:
You love Jesus
even though you have never seen Him. Your faith in Jesus makes you have
joy. You are full of glory. Your faith saves your souls. [8] Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now
ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of
glory: [9] Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your
souls. In the
past, prophets told about grace that would come to you. They knew Jesus
was coming and would suffer to save us. But they didn't know when He would come. [10] Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched
diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: [11]
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them
did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the
glory that should follow. Now that Jesus has come, we preach the gospel.
The Holy Spirit was sent from heaven to help us. Even the angels want to know
more. [12] Unto whom it was revealed, that not
unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now
reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy
Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Stay focused and live holy
lives. So, you must
prepare your minds. Be alert and be focused. Keep hoping for the grace
that will come to you when Jesus returns. [13]
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the
grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Obey God's laws
the way children obey their parents. Don't do sinful things like you did before
you were saved. [14]
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in
your ignorance: Jesus said, "I am holy. You should be holy." Like
Jesus is holy, you should be holy in everything you say. [15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye
holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye
holy; for I am holy. Always respect God the Father. He judges people
by their actions. He loves all people the same. [17] And if ye call on the Father, who without
respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your
sojourning here in fear: You were not saved with silver and gold. Those metals
will decay. You were not saved by things that your parents and ancestors said.
You were saved by Christ's blood. His blood was precious. He was like a
perfect lamb that did not have any spots. [18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not
redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain
conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with
the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Jesus' future was
already planned before the world was created. No one could see Him until the
recent times when He was on the earth.
He was here to save you. [20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but
was manifest in these last times for you, You believe that God raised
Jesus from the dead. He gave Him glory. Now, you have hope. [21] Who by him do believe
in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith
and hope might be in God. You became pure because you obeyed the truth through
the Holy Spirit. You have loved your brothers. Continue to love your
brothers with a pure heart. [22] Seeing ye have purified your souls in
obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see
that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: You are born again from the
word of God. That cannot be corrupted or made bad. God's word lives and stays
forever. [23] Being born
again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which
liveth and abideth for ever. All flesh is like grass. The glory of man is like
grass. Grass just dries up, and flowers die. [24] For all flesh is as grass, and all
the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower
thereof falleth away: But God's word lives forever. This is the word of the
gospel that is preached to you. [25] But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.
And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1 Peter 2
Jesus is our living stone.
Don't continue to think badly. Don't
be hypocrites. Don't be jealous and say evil things. Be like newborn
babies. Cry for the sincere milk of the word of the Lord. The word will make you
grow. [1] Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies,
and envies, and all evil speakings, [2] As newborn babes, desire the
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
You already know that the Lord is good. [3] If so be ye
have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Come to Jesus like a living stone. God chose Him, but men
rejected Him. God chose Him so He is precious. [4] To whom coming, as unto a
living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, You are also like
a stone house where people make sacrifices to God by Jesus Christ. [5]
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood,
to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. The scripture says, "See,
I am putting a cornerstone in Zion. He is the main cornerstore. He is
precious. Anyone who believes in Him will not be confused." [6]
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief
corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be
confounded. You
believers know that Jesus is the cornerstone, and that He is precious. But
people who do not obey Jesus do not see that the stone is precious. They are the
builders that threw away the cornerstone because they didn't think it was good
enough. Now, Jesus is the most important stone. [7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but
unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the
same is made the head of the corner,
The people who didn't see the importance of the stone tripped over it. They
did not obey the word. They stumbled and sinned. [8] And a stone of stumbling, and
a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient:
whereunto also they were appointed. But, you are special people. You are a royal
priesthood. Your nation is holy. You praise God who has called you out of
darkness. He has called you into His wonderful light. [9] But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvellous light: You were in the darkness. Now, you are God's people.
You did not have mercy in the past. Now, you have God's mercy. [10] Which in time past were not a people, but
are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained
mercy.
You should
live like servants to do God's work.
Dear beloved, I am begging you to resist tempation. Temptation is war against
your soul. [11] Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Be honest when you are talking
to people who are not Jewish. Even if they are saying bad things about you,
behave well. They will see that you have good behavior. They will give you
glory on the day when Jesus returns. [12] Having
your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against
you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify
God in the day of visitation. You should follow the rules of your government to
honor the Lord. It doesn't matter if it's a king or local government. They are
sent by the Lord to punish people who break the laws and to praise the people
who obey the laws. [13] Submit yourselves to every
ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; [14] Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the
punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. When you do the right
things, you make the ignorant and foolish men quiet. That is God's will. [15]
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the
ignorance of foolish men: You are free because you are God's servants.
But, you should not use this freedom as an excuse to do bad things. [16] As free, and not using your liberty for
a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. You should honor all men. You
should love all of your brothers. You should respect and honor God. You should
obey your government's rules. [17] Honour all
men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Christians should behave like Christ during
their hard times. Workers, you should obey your
bosses. You should obey all of your bosses: the good and fair bosses and the
bosses who are not good. [18] Servants,
be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but
also to the froward. If a man who loves God goes through tough times and
continues to obey God, it is very good. What good is it if a bad man is
punished for doing bad things? He deserved to be punished. But if a good man has
bad times, and he continues to obey God, God will bless this. [19] For this is thankworthy, if a man for
conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. [20] For
what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it
patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently,
this is acceptable with God. Christ called us to suffer even if we don't deserve
it. He wants us to follow his example. He
did not sin. He never said anything bad. [21] For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should
follow his steps: [22] Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his
mouth: People
made fun of him and criticized him. He suffered, but he didn't threaten the people who
were bad to him. He stayed focused on God. He knew that God would judge
everyone fairly. [23] Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he
suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously: He
took our sins on his own body on the cross. Now, we don't sin. We live righteous
lives. His stripes (wounds from when He was beaten) healed us. [24] Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on
the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose
stripes ye were healed.
In the
past, you were like lost sheep. But now, you are back with your Shepherd and the
leader of your souls. [25] For ye were as sheep going astray; but
are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
1 Peter 3
Instructions for married women.
This message is
for women who are married. You should respect and follow your husband.
Even if he is not a Christian, he may learn to follow Jesus by watching your
actions. He will listen to your good words and see your respect for God. [1] Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if
any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation
of the wives; [2] While they behold your chaste conversation coupled
with fear.
Things like fancy clothes or fancy hair do not make a woman beautiful. God
looks at what is in her heart. God values a meek and quiet spirit. [3] Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of
plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; [4]
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible,
even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of
great price.
Women in the past trusted God. They respected and
followed their husbands. Sara obeyed her husband, Abraham. She called him
lord. You are the true daughters of Sara. Don't be afraid of
anything. [5] For after this manner in the old time the holy women
also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own
husbands: [6] Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose
daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Instructions for married men. Husbands, do the
same. Honor your wives. They are not as strong. Together, you will inherit
grace. Your prayers will not be limited. [7] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving
honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of
the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. Finally, all of you should do
these things: believe the same things, have compassion for each
other, love as brothers, have mercy on others, and have courtesy. [8] Finally, be
ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be
pitiful, be courteous:
God will
help you when you are suffering.
You should not take revenge if someone doesn't treat
you well. You should not scream at someone even if they scream at you. Remember
that you are blessed by God. He has called you. You will inherit His blessing.
[9] Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for
railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that
ye should inherit a blessing.
The person who will love life and be happy will not talk about bad things. He
will reject evil. He will do only good things. He will seek peace. [10] For he that will love life, and see
good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no
guile: [11] Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and
ensue it.
The Lord watches over people who are righteous and obey Him. His ears
listen to their prayers. But, the Lord does not look kindly at people who do
evil. [12] For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and
his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them
that do evil.
If you are doing good
things and follow God, who will hurt you? [13] And who is he that will harm you, if ye be
followers of that which is good? If you suffer because you are doing good things, be
happy. Don't be worried or afraid of what can happen to you. [14] But and if ye suffer for
righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be
troubled; Keep
the Lord God in your hearts. People will see how good and brave you are. They
may ask you why you continue to have hope. Be ready to tell them about
Jesus. [15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready
always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that
is in you with meekness and fear: When you honor Christ and do the right things,
evil people will tell lies about you. They will want to make you look bad. [16] Having a good conscience; that,
whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that
falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. If it is God's will for
you to suffer, it is better to suffer than to do evil things. [17] For it is
better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil
doing.
Christ also suffered because He was doing the right things. He took the sins for
us so that He could bring us to God. His earthly body was killed, but His
spirit still lives. [18] For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for
the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but
quickened by the Spirit: He preached to the spirits in prison through Noah. They had not
obeyed God when Noah was building the ark. The 8 people in the ark were saved by
water. [19] By which also he went and preached unto
the spirits in prison; [20] Which sometime were disobedient, when once
the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a
preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. Even now, water saves with
baptism. Baptism by itself does not make a person clean. The person must obey
God and believe that Jesus Christ was resurrected. He has gone to heaven.
He sits on the right hand of God. Angels obey Him. He has all power. [21]
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting
away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: [22] Who is gone into heaven, and
is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made
subject unto him.
1 Peter 4
Continue to pray and be faithful.
Christ suffered for us when He was on
earth. You should be like Christ. If you suffer for Christ, that shows you are
not sinning anymore. That shows you have put your own desires to the side. That
shows that you obey God more than anything else. [1] Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm
yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh
hath ceased from sin; [2] That he no longer should live the rest of
his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
You sinned a lot
in the past. You drank alcohol a lot and partied a lot. [3]
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the
Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings,
banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Your sinner friends think it's strange that you don't
do those things anymore. They talk bad about you. [4] Wherein they think it
strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of
you: They will
have to explain themselves when God judges them. [5] Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the
quick and the dead. This is why the gospel was preached to people who are
now dead. It
was so they would live in the spirit with God. [6] For for this cause was the gospel preached
also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the
flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. Everything will end, so be
serious and continue to pray. [7] But the end of all
things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. Most importantly, love each
other. Being loving will make up for many sins. [8]
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall
cover the multitude of sins. Welcome each other into your homes without complaining. [9] Use hospitality one to another
without grudging.
You
should use your gifts well. Everyone has received a gift. Use your gift well and
use it to help other people. [10] As every man hath received the gift, even so
minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone has the
gift of speaking, he should speak God's word. If anyone has the gift of
ministry, he should minister with the ability God gave him. This way,
everything will be glorified through Jesus Christ. We praise His power
forever and ever. Amen. [11] If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man
minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all
things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for
ever and ever. Amen.
We suffer at times, but God will save us.
Loved ones, when you have a difficult
time, don't think it's just an unusual event. Be happy that you can share
Christ's sufferings. When He comes back in glory, you will also be full of joy. [12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the
fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: [13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;
that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If people give
you a hard time because you believe in Christ, be happy. God's glory
is on you. His glory is not on the people who talk bad about Him. [14] If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the
spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of,
but on your part he is glorified. If you are a murderer, a thief, a gossip, or you do
evil things, you deserve to suffer. But if you are punished for being a
Christian, don't feel ashamed. You are glorifying God. [15] But let none of you suffer as a
murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's
matters. [16] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be
ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. The time of judgment will
start with Christians. If it starts with Christians, it will be much worse for
people who do not obey God's word. [17] For the time is
come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us,
what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? If good people are barely
saved, what will happen to the sinners and those who don't believe in God? [18]
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner
appear? So,
people who suffer because they obey God's laws should trust Him to save their souls. [19] Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of
God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful
Creator.
1 Peter 5
Instructions for church leaders I
encourage you church leaders. I am also a church leader, and I also saw Christ
suffer in person. I will also see Christ's glory when He comes back. [1] The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall
be revealed:
Feed your flock of God's lambs which are in your congregation. Don't take care
of them just because you must or for pay. Take care of them because you
want to. [2] Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the
oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but
of a ready mind; Don't be a strict or bossy leader of God's children.
Be examples to the people you lead. [3] Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but
being ensamples to the flock. If you do this, you will receive a crown of glory when
the Lord appears. [4] And when the chief Shepherd shall
appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Also, you young people should
obey your church leaders. Obey each other and remain humble. God does not like the
proud people. He gives grace to the humble people. [5]
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be
subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the
proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Stay humble and obey God, so He will lift you high at
the right time. [6] Humble yourselves therefore
under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Give your worries to God
because He cares for you. [7]
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Stay serious and keep
watching. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion. He walks around looking
for someone to destroy. [8] Be sober,
be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour: Keep your faith strong. Remember that your Christian
brothers are going through the same things. [9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith,
knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in
the world. God
shows grace, and He sent Jesus Christ so that we can live forever. You will
suffer here on earth, but after that, you will be in heaven. You will be perfect
and strong. [10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his
eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you
perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. God will have glory and power
forever. Amen. [11] To him be glory and
dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Greetings from believers in other places. Silvanus is a faithful helper. I have written a little
to tell you that God's grace is true wherever you go. [12] By Silvanus, a faithful brother
unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that
this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. The church that is in Babylon
sends greetings to you. They support you. Marcus also sends greetings. He is
like a son to me. [13] The church that
is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my
son. Treat each
other well and help each other. I pray for peace to be with all of you who
believers in Jesus Christ. [14] Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with
you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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