'Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.' (1 Peter 1.3-9, NIV)
1 Peter 1 is the opening chapter of the First Epistle of Peter, written to encourage and strengthen Christians facing persecution and trials. The chapter focuses on themes of salvation, hope, holiness, and endurance in suffering.
Introduction (1.1-2):
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, addresses his letter to believers scattered across various regions. He emphasises that they are chosen by God, sanctified by the Spirit, and saved through Jesus Christ.
A Living Hope (1.3-12):
Peter praises God for giving believers a "living hope" through Jesus’ resurrection. He reminds them that their inheritance in heaven is imperishable. Though they may face trials, their faith is being refined like gold. He highlights that salvation is something even prophets and angels longed to understand.
Do you need encouragement? Peter’s words offer joy and hope in times of trouble, and he bases his confidence on what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. We live with the wonderful expectation of eternal life. Our hope is not only for the future; eternal life begins when we trust Christ - we have eternal life now!
Our faith is not faith at all until it is put to the test! Without testing, without proving it, it’s just something in the mind. Peter wrote, ‘...so that the TESTING OF YOUR FAITH, being more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ!’ (1 Peter 1:6-7).
God puts this test of faith in all our lives. He tested my faith. When I had cancer in my throat many years ago, I said to the Lord, ‘If You want me to go to Russia, I want a miracle.’ God worked that miracle and I had to leave my home, my security, and go to Russia!
When I was in prison for smuggling Bibles into Russia I was sentenced to what could have been ten years. I was not allowed a Bible, but I reminded the Lord that in Acts 16 when Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they began to praise the Lord, He sent an earthquake and freed them. By faith I asked the Lord to do the same for me – He answered – and opened my prison doors by a miracle!
Call to Holiness (1.13-21):
Peter urges believers to prepare their minds for action, be sober-minded, and set their hope fully on God's grace. Since God is holy, they must also live holy lives. He reminds them that they were redeemed not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ.
We are saved by faith that God has accepted the sacrificial death of His Son, on the cross. He died in our place, for our sin. This makes everything else not just valueless, but totally invalid. The desire of our hearts should be to KNOW CHRIST! Our traditions and customs, our religious churchianity, whatever denomination we are – all of that is worthless – all of this is to be forsaken that we might might KNOW HIM! What is important is obedience to the Word of God. The Apostle Paul’s desire was to KNOW CHRIST and the POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION. To know Him and the Power of His Resurrection means that we ourselves, by faith in Christ, have passed from death to life! That’s why Scripture says we must be born again, from above. The old life – DEAD! That’s the symbolism of water baptism: we have died with Christ, we’re buried in the water – and we rise up to new life. By faith. That’s why baptising infants is pointless. They haven’t yet repented and believed! Godparents – no one – can do this for them! This is what Paul says in Phil 3:10ff, “My heart’s desire is that I might KNOW HIM, AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION.
Today, in Russia and Ukraine, older traditionalists coming forward for salvation or healing will immediately cross themselves, believing that it is a necessary part of their religion. This is NOT a part of our salvation nor is it found in the original Greek in which the New Testament was written. Anything other than this has come only from traditions and doctrines which have been introduced into the church by men, not by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, who does not contradict the Word of God. Only obedience to the command of God can give full assurance of salvation.
Love and Obedience (1.22-25):
Believers are called to sincere love for one another, as they have been born again through the living and enduring Word of God. He quotes Isaiah, emphasising that while human life is fleeting, God's Word lasts forever. I believe everything in the Word of God is true! Either believe it all, or don’t believe any of it! If you start to take bits out of the Bible, what have you left? The Bible is so rich, so full of promises. I want you to eat the Bible like you eat breakfast or lunch – take, eat, live the Word of God! It’s the Bread of Life, it’s more important than food! Jesus said man cannot live by bread alone, but by the Word of God (Luke 4:4). I can fast, I can pray, but I can’t do without the Word of God!