Major Themes in 1 and 2 Peter

Easy Reading Edition

88 MAJOR THEMES IN 1 AND 2 PETER

SABBATH

—

JUNE 17

June 17–23

READ FOR THIS WEEK’S LESSON: Isaiah 53:5, 6, 9;

Leviticus 16:16–19; Leviticus 11:44; Romans 13:1–7;

1 Corinthians 14:40; 2 Timothy 3:16.

MEMORY VERSE: “ ‘He himself carried our sins’ in his

body on the cross (Isaiah 53:5). He did it so that we

would die as far as sins are concerned. Then we would

lead godly lives. ‘His wounds have healed you’ (Isaiah

53:5)” (1 Peter 2:24, NIrV).

PETER WRITES HIS TWO LETTERS to help believers deal

with problems they face in real life. In his rst letter, the big

issue (problem) Peter deals with is the persecution that

Christians face. In 2 Peter, the great problem is false teachers.

What is important is that Peter responds to both problems

(persecution and false teachers) by pointing to Bible truth. The

sufferings caused by persecution lead Peter to think about

the sufferings and death of Jesus. He thinks about how these

experiences resulted in (led to) our salvation. Peter also says

the false teachers are going to face judgment. But their judg-

ment will take place after Jesus returns with the saved to this

earth after the thousand years in heaven have ended.

In this nal week’s lesson we will look in more detail at

ve of the themes Peter writes about: (1) the suffering of

Jesus that led to our salvation; (2) our response to the truth

that God will judge our actions at the last judgment; (3) the

hope we have in the soon return of Jesus; (4) order in soci-

ety and in the church; and (5) the importance of the Bible

as a guide to the way we should live.

Major Themes in 1 and 2 Peter

The suffering and death of

Jesus led to our salvation.

MAJOR THEMES IN 1 AND 2 PETER 89

Lesson 13SUNDAY—JUNE 18

SUFFERING, JESUS, AND SALVATION (1 Peter 2:22–25)

Read the following verses. Write down what each one

teaches us about salvation:

1 Peter 1:2 _____________________________________

1 Peter 1:8, 9 ___________________________________

1 Peter 1:18, 19 _________________________________

1 Peter 2:22–25 _________________________________

1 Peter 3:18 ____________________________________

Peter often mentions salvation when he talks about

Jesus’ suffering as a Substitute for sinners. For example, in

1 Peter 2:22–24, Peter writes about the suffering of Jesus.

He uses words that echo Isaiah 53:5, 6, 9. Peter’s words

give images, or word pictures, of substitution and sacrice.

There are many sacrices described in the Old Testament.

Sinners brought their offerings to the temple. Then they laid

their hands on them. This act was a symbol. It showed that

the sin had been transferred from the sinner to the animal.

Then the animal died in the sinner’s place (Leviticus 4:29,

30, 33, 34; Leviticus 14:10–13). The blood was a symbol of

sin on the altar. Then the sin was cleansed and removed on

the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:16–19).

The blood of the sacrice had an important part in paying

the price for sin. In a similar way, Peter says that Christians

have been bought by the precious blood of Jesus (1 Peter

1:18, 19). Paul, too, expresses the same idea of substitution.

He says that Jesus knew no sin. But He became sin for us

(2 Corinthians 5:21). As 1 Peter 3:18 says, Christ suffered for

our sins. He is the Holy One who suffered for the unholy (us).

Like Paul (Romans 3:21, 22), Peter also talks about the

need for faith (1 Peter 1:8, 9). His point is that salvation is

not earned by godly behavior. Instead, God grants salvation

to us when we believe in what Jesus has done for us and

accept Him as our personal Savior. Our certainty of salva-

tion is found in Jesus. It is not found in ourselves.

Jesus is your Substitute. Why is He the hope of sal-

vation? What comfort can you draw from this wonderful

truth?

Jesus became sin for us,

and He suffered for our

sins.

90 MAJOR THEMES IN 1 AND 2 PETER

Lesson 13 MONDAY—JUNE 19

HOW SHOULD WE LIVE? (2 Peter 3:10, 11)

There is a theme that Peter returns to more often than

any other. It is found in the question he asks in 2 Peter

3:10, 11: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. ...

And what kind of people should you be?” (NIrV).

Read the following verses: 1 Peter 1:15–17, 22;

1Peter 2:1; 1 Peter 3:8, 9; 1 Peter 4:7–11; 2Peter 3:11.

What does Peter say in these verses about Christian

behavior?

Peter thinks carefully about Christian behavior at many

points in his two letters. And each time many themes

are repeated. First, Peter points out the link between the

judgment of God and Christian behavior (1 Peter 1:17

and 2 Peter 3:11). In other words, God will judge every-

one’s actions. So a Christian should live a holy life.

Second, several times Peter mentions that Christians

should be holy. In the Hebrew Bible, things that are

holy are set aside for use in the temple (Exodus 26:34;

Exodus 28:36; Exodus 29:6, 37). Or they are set aside

for God’s purposes (for example, the Sabbath in Genesis

2:3). In fact, God’s plan was that His people should

be holy, just as He is holy (Leviticus 11:44; Leviticus

19:2). Peter touches on this theme too (1 Peter 1:15,

16). The process of setting something aside as holy is

called “sanctication.” And Peter wants his readers to

be set apart as holy. The Holy Spirit is the One who will

set them apart. He will give them power to obey Jesus

(1 Peter 1:2).

Third, Peter has given some details about the kind of

behavior that is proper for those who are sanctied, or

set apart to be holy (1 Peter 2:1). They should be joined

as one in spirit. They should “love one another.” They

should have minds that are not proud but are “humble”

(1Peter 3:8, NIrV). They should be good, godly, and lov-

ing (2 Peter 1:5–7). Indeed, they must show love at all

times (1 Peter 4:7–11). Finally, Peter urges his listeners

to give all their cares and worries to Jesus (1 Peter 5:7).

How can we learn to encourage one another with-

out criticizing or judging? And how can we live the

kind of life that Peter calls for in his letters?

Christians who are set

apart to be holy must show

love at all times.

MAJOR THEMES IN 1 AND 2 PETER 91

Lesson 13TUESDAY—JUNE 20

HOPE IN THE SECOND COMING (2 Peter 3:1–10)

Read the following verses. What do they say about

future events?

1 Peter 1:4 _____________________________________

1 Peter 1:17 ____________________________________

1 Peter 4:5, 6 ___________________________________

1 Peter 4:17 ____________________________________

2 Peter 3:1–10 __________________________________

Persecution is one of the most important issues facing

those who read Peter’s rst letter. Peter comforts his read-

ers with the thought that there is a future reward waiting for

them in heaven. It cannot be taken away, even if their lives

are made difficult because of persecution.

Peter points out two things that will take place in the

future: (1) the last judgment and (2) the destruction of evil

by re. Yes, there is persecution now. But Peter shows that

justice and judgment will take place.

Peter mentions judgment three different times in his rst letter

(1 Peter 1:17; 1 Peter 4:5, 6; 1 Peter 4:17). He says that God

the Father does not favor one person more than another. He

judges all humans according to their deeds (1 Peter 1:17). Peter

notes that Jesus Himself stands ready to judge the living and

the dead (1 Peter 4:5). Peter also makes the interesting obser-

vation that judgment starts with the members of the house of

God (1Peter 4:17). And Peter also states that “ungodly people”

will be destroyed in a worldwide restorm (2 Peter 3:7, NIrV).

Peter spends some time dealing with other problems.

One of these problems has to do with whether or not Jesus

is really coming back (2 Peter 3:1–10). Peter points out the

reason for the “delay” of Jesus’ second coming. It is to give

people more time to turn away from sin and be saved. Peter

also points out that we know for sure that there is a future

judgment. So that fact should lead everyone to live a holy

and blameless life. And we should push forward in faith and

obedience, whatever we are facing.

Why must you also push forward in faith and obedience,

whatever you are facing? What other choice is there?

Peter explains the reason

for the “delay” of Jesus’

second coming. It is to

allow more time for people

to turn away from sin and

be saved.

92 MAJOR THEMES IN 1 AND 2 PETER

Lesson 13 WEDNESDAY—JUNE 21

ORDER IN SOCIETY AND IN THE CHURCH

(1 Peter 2:11–21)

Read the following verses. What does Peter say in

these verses about the importance of both government

and church leadership? According to Peter, how should

Christians respond to both? How should Peter’s words be

applied to our situations today, regardless of where we live?

1 Peter 2:11–21 _________________________________

______________________________________________

1 Peter 5:1–5 ___________________________________

______________________________________________

Both Peter and Paul discuss the purpose of rulers and the

right use of power. Peter lived at a time when government

authorities and religious powers persecuted Christians.

This fact makes what he and Paul have to say all the more

meaningful (1 Peter 2:13–17; Romans 13:1–7). For both

men, rulers have been put in place by God Himself. They

are meant to act as a check against those who would do evil.

Of course, there are times when ruling powers can be the

problem. Christians faced this problem in Peter’s time. And

the problem would only get worse for many years to come.

But, overall, the main purpose of government is to enforce

law and order and to keep people safe. Good government

is one of the blessings that God has given to humans.

No doubt Peter would share Paul’s strong belief that

order is also needed in the church (1 Corinthians 14:40).

Peter likewise asks the church leaders to “be shepherds

of God’s ock, [who are] the believers under your care”

(1 Peter 5:2, NIrV). Shepherds, then, are to lead and tend to

the members of the church. Local churches, after all, need

to be led well. Good leaders provide the church with a plan

and a goal. They have the ability to bring people together

and unite them in work. They help others to use their spiri-

tual gifts for the glory of God.

First Peter 5:5 says to “put on a spirit free of pride

toward one another” (NIrV). How can we learn to do

that? What can you do to apply this rule in your own

dealings with others?

The main purpose of

government is to enforce

law and order and to keep

people safe.

Lesson 13

MAJOR THEMES IN 1 AND 2 PETER 93

THURSDAY—JUNE 22

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BIBLE (2 Peter 1:16–20)

Read the following verses. What do they say about the

Bible? How do these verses help us understand how

important the Bible should be to our lives and to our faith?

1 Peter 1:10–12 _________________________________

2 Peter 1:16–20 _________________________________

2 Peter 3:2 _____________________________________

2 Peter 3:16 ____________________________________

In his second letter, Peter points his readers to two

sources of authority when he says, “I want you to

remember the words the holy prophets spoke in the past.

Remember the command our Lord and Savior gave through

your apostles [leaders; teachers]” (2 Peter 3:2, NIrV). Today

we have the same opportunity to get help and wisdom for

our problems from the words of “holy prophets.” And the

source of that wisdom is the Old Testament. It is true that

the living apostles are no longer available to us. But in a

way we have something better. We have their Spirit-lled

words or testimonies, which live on after them.

In 2 Peter 3:16, Peter reminds his readers that the Bible

is the source of truth. But Peter warns that the Bible itself

can be misunderstood. And this can lead to terrible results.

His words should be a reminder to us of nine basic rules

for studying the Bible. (1) We should read the Bible with a

prayerful heart. (2) We should try to understand how a cer-

tain set of verses relates to the meaning of the whole chap-

ter where it is found. (3) How do those same verses relate

to the book of the Bible where it is found? (4) And how do

those verses relate to the whole Bible itself? (5) What was

the author talking about when he wrote them? (6) We should

understand the history or background that was happening

when a group of verses was written. (7) We should read the

Bible in order to nd spiritual truth. Reading the Bible will give

us wisdom. And it will show us that our salvation through the

death of Christ is at the center of the Bible (1 Peter 1:10–12).

(8) Finally, we should ask, What truth does God wish us to

receive from the Bible? (9) And how can we apply that truth

and the Bible to our own lives in a way that will strengthen

and build up the kingdom of God?

We should study the Bible

with a prayerful heart.

94 MAJOR THEMES IN 1 AND 2 PETER

Lesson 13 FRIDAY—JUNE 23

ADDITIONAL THOUGHT: In his letters, Peter places spe-

cial attention on Christian life and how we should treat one

another: “You have made yourselves pure by obeying the

truth. So you have an honest and true love for each other.

So love one another deeply, from your hearts” (1 Peter

1:22, NIrV). Notice in this verse how Peter links being made

pure with obedience to the truth. He is saying that the truth

changes us. It makes us into people who love one another

deeply and with “a pure heart.” Can you imagine how differ-

ent our lives and churches would be if we truly lived up to

this ideal? Think what it would do to unite us as believers

in the church!

“Brothers and sisters, will you carry the spirit of Christ

with you as you return to your homes and churches? Will

you put away unbelief and fault nding? More than ever

before, we are coming to a time when we shall need to

come together and work as one. When we unite, there

is strength. But when we quarrel and separate from one

another, there is only weakness.”—Adapted from EllenG.

White, Selected Messages, book 2, pages 373, 374.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

In 2 Peter 3:12, Peter says that we should “look forward” (NIrV)

to the day of God. Some Bible translations of this verse say that

we should be “looking for and hastening” (NKJV) Jesus’ second

coming. The word “hastening” or “to hasten” means to hurry some-

thing along or to make it happen sooner. So with this idea in mind,

how can we “hasten” the coming of Jesus or help it happen sooner

rather than later?

We say the Bible is God’s “rst book,” and nature is God’s “sec-

ond book.” Sadly, both books can be “misread” or misunderstood.

For example, many people do not believe that God created the

heavens and the earth. Instead, they believe that life on this earth

came about by changes that happened slowly over a long period

of time. These changes are known as the theory of evolution.

Those who believe in evolution teach that the world is not created

by God. They say that it just looks that way. So how are we to read

and understand God’s “second book” (nature) in the right way?

What are the limits of what the second book can teach us about

God? What help can we get from the rst book (the Bible) that can

help us understand the second one correctly?

“When we unite, there is

strength. But when we

quarrel and separate from

one another, there is

only weakness.”—Adapted

from Ellen G. White,

Selected Messages, book 2,

pages 374.

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of God’s will, revealing God’s eternal truths

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If you have never studied the

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Allow God’s Word to answer your

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Do you have questions about God and faith,

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The Bible provides reliable, credible answers.

M A RK A. FI NLEY