1 Peter (2015)

If you have an inquiring mind, you’ll enjoy hearing many vital questions answered about 1 Peter. Listen to this lesson to learn whom the intended audience for this book was: Gentiles or Jews. Several supporting reasons for the majority view that it was addressed to Gentiles are discussed but stronger arguments are convincing in the belief that it was intended for Jews, including terminology and the quoting of Old Testament passages. Another question concerns where Peter was when he wrote this book and historical Babylon seems to be the most likely location. Next, we ask, why was this epistle written? Based on the number of times the word suffering and words for adversity are used, it becomes obvious that the audience for the book were undergoing persecution and troubles in their life. Look forward to the encouragement and strength we can derive for our own lives from a study of this book.

Was the Apostle Peter the first Pope? Listen to this lesson to learn about the compelling leader of the disciples. See how this impulsive, gregarious, and out-spoken fisherman slowly learned to trust God. Examine the episodes that demonstrate his willingness to follow Jesus from the first time he met Him and how he had to be rebuked several times. Find out why Jesus called him Cephas, or rock, and what it means when Jesus told him he was being given the keys to the kingdom. Just as Jesus called him a tool of Satan on one occasion, see that we are also tools when our priorities are not shaped by Scripture.

From cowardly denials to fearless leader with phenomenal courage. Listen to this lesson to see how this transformation took place in the life of the Apostle Peter. See how throughout the early days of the church Peter takes control, preaching bold sermons even though threatened by the leaders of the Sanhedrin. Find out how he was always present as new groups of people heard the gospel and accepted the message. Hear about the vision he had of non-kosher food coming down from heaven and how he learned that the Gentiles were now included in the Church. See how he is miraculously delivered from prison and continues Jesus’ healing ministry. Be encouraged that, like Peter, when you focus on the end game and the inheritance waiting for you, you can handle the suffering and trials of your own life.

When the Bible talks about someone being elected, does it mean that they are chosen to be saved? Listen to this lesson to see that election does not refer to salvation or justification but it concerns being selected for God’s purpose in history and refers to serving God. In the Old Testament, see that Abraham was selected after He was saved. Understand that election means the choice one just as Christ was the Choice One of God. See that when we accept Christ as our Savior, we possess His righteousness and are qualified to have a mission and a purpose in God’s plan.

Time to put on your thinking cap! Some truths are so foundational but technical, that they must be studied many times until they become clear. Divine election and foreknowledge are two of those concepts. Listen to this lesson to gain a comprehensive understanding of how Christians are God’s choice ones designed to be conformed to His Son through obedience. See how God’s foreknowledge encompasses all that will happen, could happen, and should happen. Find out that God brings order out of chaos to fulfill His plan, giving us complete peace when we put our trust in Him.