Now we'll look at the second half of the section.
NIV reading of 1 Peter 3:18-22
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive,[c] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[d] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Now Peter gives the reasons he can instruct us as he did in vv. 13-17 when he said that you are blessed when you suffer, and to have no fear, and that it is better to suffer for doing good than evil.
The reason Peter could say all that to his churches and to ours is that "For" or "Because" Christ also suffered to "bring you to God." In other words, if God can take an unjust death and turn it into the means of eternal life for everyone who believes ('to bring you to God'), perhaps God can take your faithful suffering as you do good, whatever that suffering might be, and turn it into a means of God reaching people!
To drive the point home, Peter ends this passage by reminding us that the very Jesus who was unjustly nailed to a Roman cross, is now at the right hand of God with everything, everything, everything now in submission to him.
So, take heart in your suffering as you do good. God can do a whole lot with it - He can bless you, give you courage ('fear not' v. 14), and even turn it into a way of advancing His perfect mission in this world to bring salvation.
Thoughts, questions, etc.
This is totally awsome; almost incomprehensible.
ReplyDeleteI want to read it again and again. I eagerly seek ways He can use me. Nancy
Matt - I don't know about everyone, but posting a new verse every other day is faster than I can keep up. You probably don't want to drag things out too much, but just for me, it feels like I fall behind and have a hard time getting back into the groove.
ReplyDeleteDave, I'm ok shifting down a little...anyone else have thoughts on this?
ReplyDeleteNancy, agreed...read it over and over again. As the Psalmist says, 'hide' or treasure God's words in your heart!
I liked the "everything, everything, everything" phrase. I guess that means everything! As a Psalmist indicated, we cannot get our minds around it. Not that we should not try.
ReplyDeleteAny interest in pursuing vv. 19-20?
ReplyDeleteI'm ready for 19-20. Nancy
ReplyDeleteOK. vv. 19-20
ReplyDelete19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water
This has often been understood to mean that Jesus descended into hell (it's in some of our creeds like the one we say at Baptism) and preached to those already in hell.
Several things to suggest this is not what Peter meant at all:
(1) "made alive" probably refers to Jesus' resurrection
(2) proclamation to the imprisoned spirits: probably does not mean those who have died and are in hell, but rather angels (fallen?) who have been around since the time of Noah and who are now held up until the last day (see Revelatin 20:1-2)
(3) Jesus' proclamation probably involves pronouncing judgment on these powers/principalities (as Paul might call them in Ephesians)
(4) So, Peter's churches are being told that like Noah and a few select family members who were living faithfully while everyone else wasn't, and like Jesus who was faithful and obedient when most everyone else either misunderstood or rejected him, Peter's church are assured that as Noah triumphed, as Jesus triumphed, so shall they if they hang on, stay faithful, and trust God with all of it.
Good stuff Matt. There's also the very last bit: "[they] were saved through water." I think this is a not so subtle plug for baptism, and the rebirth it symbolizes.
ReplyDeleteSo, Peter's churches are being told that like Noah and a few select family members who were living faithfully while everyone else wasn't, and like Jesus who was faithful and obedient when most everyone else either misunderstood or rejected him, Peter's church are assured that as Noah triumphed, as Jesus triumphed, so shall they if they hang on, stay faithful, and trust God with all of it.
ReplyDeleteMakes one want to live faithfully , no ?
You got it Doc. The only caveat is that the triumph may be long in coming according to our time tables.
ReplyDeleteMatt - So very true. Steadfastness in faith is the key. 'The heart is willing, but the flesh is weak.'... this is the rub isn't it? nrs
ReplyDeleteNancy , tell me about it !
ReplyDeleteDave , the H2O thing is not subtle , you are right !
ReplyDelete