October 15, 2016

Chapter 3 

Verses 1-2

Peter is now instructing Christians and their duties in marriage. He's talking to the new converted: men and women. And more: men and women married to unbelievers... But there was a difference: a Christian husband with pagan wife was a very different thing from a Christian wife with pagan husband. If a man converted it was almost an imposition for his wife to follow him. But if it was the woman who was converted first? Poor wife! Peter instructed Christians about the importance of the example to transform lives. So he's not saying that women are less important! He is just giving more emphasis to the marital relationship.

Verses 3-6

Peter follows teaching that the true beauty of a woman does not depend on her image. Gold and the external apparatus are corruptible and disappear, but the gentle and quiet spirit is more precious in the sight of God.

However, we must not understand that if a woman takes care of her appearance this is wrong. Remember that Christ calls his people, his Church, his bride! Every bride is beautiful, even the most simple.

The question is what value adornments have for you. Vanity cannot be above your time with God.The point is: my outward appearance may not be up care with the appearance of my spirit ...

And although Peter was talking to women, you have men nowadays spending more time than women to get ready ... So attention men too!

Verse 5

In verse 5 Peter recalls the example of the holy women. The reference is "women who preeminently represented the holiness of Israel's vocation, the “ saints”. Christian wives become true daughters of Sarah in the spiritual likeness.

When Peter says "Do not give way to fear" I believe he said:"- Fear God and do not fear anything, that is trusting in God and being strong and courageous!"

Verse 7

Peter goes on and now urges husbands to fulfill their duties to their wives. They are to live as partners. Women are also important but more fragile ... Women were then called weakest part because they are physically weaker, in some aspects, in comparison to men. This is not intellectual or moral inferiority, although that in the ancient world were it was admitted.  Husbands must honor their wives because they are heirs together of the grace of life with them wisely.

Verses 8-12

Living together in the Christian community

Christians should be like-minded. Should be sympathetic, c and humble.

If we want to live with quality and have happy days, we should abstain from backbiting and whatever evil, indulging in the practice of what is just and true. It is to be tireless in seeking peace, remembering that God always watches to guide us to express his approval or disapproval, and His ears are attentive to the prayers for guidance or assistance . On the other hand the Lord's face, the eyes of the Lord, the presence of the Lord, is against those who do evil.

Verses 13-14

Christ teaches us how to face hostilities and suffering

If we plant goodness is goodness that we will reap. But even doing good, we can still suffer. But if we suffer because of righteousness, the Lord's blessings will be upon us!

Verses 15

Peter recommends Christians to be ready to answer.  Christians must know God and His Word in order to give a rational explanation of the hope for which they were generated again. And all this must be done with gentleness and respect ("reverence") to God. Behaving in this way, they have or maintain good conscience, taking his false accusers to be ashamed.

Verse 17

Peter turns back to the thought of 1 Peter 2:12: Christ is beside those who are suffering, sharing that suffering, as He who was also falsely accused, having died for sins that were not His. And His death on the cross is more than an example, He opened the way for us to the Father.

Verses 19-22

Noah and his family obeyed God, entered the ark and were saved through water. Like Noah in the ark passed safely through the waters of the flood, so the baptized become safe by the water of baptism for the Church, that is, as flood waters carried the ark safely, so baptism leads the Christian. The figure of baptism does not mean the removal of the filth of the flesh, that is, not the mere cleansing of the body, but the answer of a good conscience toward God; rather, a "pledge" to God, derived from "a clean conscience" because the promise made at baptism. Baptism is a Christian discipleship confession before men ... Before God, is a pledge to live pure before Him and man.

Christ was gone into heaven. Angels, authorities and powers are in submission to him.

We must walk toward heaven too.

From Ana´s preaching