I also told you that many people do not believe you can lose your salvation, so tomorrow we’ll answer the question…
1 Peter 1
The Risen Christ
Pontus’s human history began in 350 B.C., when a group of Corinthian settlers, who had been driven out of their Sicilian settlement and displaced into the world of Micras, landed at the current site of Thalassapolis. They selected a site about 3-4 km inland from their landing point, as was common practice in establishing a Greek settlement during this period, providing the ideal balance between protection from a seaborne landing and having trade access to the sea.
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
“Strangers” – people temporarily residing on earth but whose home is in heaven (cf. 1 Chr 29:15; Ps 39:12; Heb 13:14).
Scattered throughout Pontus…Bithynia” – Jewish and Gentle Christians scattered throughout much of Asia Minor. People from this area were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. Paul preached and taught in some of these provinces.
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
“Father…Spirit…Jesus Christ” – all three persons of the Trinity are involved in the redemption of the elect.
“Sanctification” – see 2 Thess 2:13 – a necessary aspect of salvation, not something reserved for special Christians (see 1 Thess 3:13, 4:3).
The order of the terms employed suggests that the sanctifying work of the Spirit referred to here is the influence of the Spirit that draws one from sin toward holiness.
Temple of Augustus Imagine an ancient Roman temple, which was built in around 20 BC. Then, the Roman Empire captured the Galatia Province, while the colours, the shapes and the size of the temple were main symbols of the area.
Nowadays, some thousands of years in the future, you can come across only a few remaining ruins of that bygone era.
Fortunately, they are well-preserved and they provide tempting opportunities to enjoy the wonderful ancient construction and architecture of the temple. This is the Temple of Augustus and it is located in the heart of Old Ankara – the district of Ulus.
Peter says it is “unto” (or “for”) obedience and sprinkling of Christ’s blood, i.e., the Spirit’s sanctifying leads to obedient saving faith and cleansing from sin (see 1 Cor 7:14).
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
“Lively hope” – in the Bible, hope is not wishful thinking, but a promise, a firm conviction, much like faith that is directed toward the future.
“Resurrection of Jesus Christ” – secures for His people their new birth and the hope/promise that they will be resurrected just as He was.
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
“To an inheritance” – believers are born again not only to a hope but also to the inheritance that is the substance of the hope. The inheritance is eternal – in its essence (it is not subject to decay) and in its preservation (it is divinely kept for us).
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
“By the power of God through faith” – there are two sides to the perseverance of the Christian. He is shielded (1) by God’s power and (2) by his own faith.
Thus he is never kept contrary to his will nor apart from God’s activity.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
Ancient stone houses, Cappadocia, Turkey Many rock cut dwellings like this one were established in Cappadocia primarily as monastic communities. Although Cappadocia makes its first entrance into history in the 6th century B.C. when it was a Persian satrapy, the origins of its unusual geology began in the Tertiary period some 50 million years ago. Since that time, a series of eruptions from Mt. Erciyes and Mt. Hasan have spewed out tremendous quantities of volcanic material which solidified, and through the forces of erosion, the incredible tufa coned landscape was formed.
It is with the advent of Christianity, however, that Cappadocia becomes of interest to the average contemporary tourist.
The Romans took control of the region in 17 A.D. and it came under Christian influence with St. Paul passing through on his way to Ancyra in the 4th century.
Those who were persecuted for their religious beliefs, and those who favored an ascetic existence in which hardship brought them closer to God sought refuge in the region.
These early Christians dug into the soft but firm rock to create dwellings, monasteries, and churches, as depicted in this photo, over hundreds of years In addition to being noted for its eroded landscape and cave dwellings, Cappadocia is best known for its cereals, potatoes, fruits and wine.
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
“That the trial of your faith…might be found” – see Rom 5:3; Jas 1:2-4. Not only is the faith in itself precious, but Peter’s words indicate that the trial of faith is also valuable.
This trial is ongoing and temptations that we defeat strengthens our faith. Yet, it can also destroy us, which we will talk about tomorrow.
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
“Spirit of Christ” – the Holy Ghost is called this because Christ sent Him (see Jn 16:7) and ministered through Him (see Lk 4:14, 18).
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
“Holy Ghost sent down from heaven” – by Christ, on the day of Pentecost, at which Peter was present. God the Father also sent the Spirit (Jn 14: 16, 26).
“Which things the angles desire to look into” – their intense desire is highlighted by the Greek word rendered “to look into.” It means “to stoop and look intently” (see Jn 20:5, 11).
I had understood v. 12 to mean that the angels are, since they are not people, do not have access or association with the Holy Ghost like we do, but they know of His existence and therefore are curious about Him.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
“Be ye holy; for I am holy” – to be holy is to be set apart from the sin and impurity of the world.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
The Palace of King Jayavarman On the right is the corner of the Terrace of the Elephants, which stretches away for some 350 m to the north.
To the west stand the remains of two temples, one of which can be seen here through the trees.
These temples, Baphuon (visible here, built in the mid-11th century) and Phimeankas, in the trees further to the right, pre-date Bayon and were incorporated into the palace complex built by King Jayavarman VII.
Most of the original palace structure was made of organic material (a fancy name for wood!) and has long since disappeared.
Most of what remains are the foundation platforms of the complex.
“Foreordained” – God knew before creation that it would be necessary for Christ to redeem man (cf. Rev 13:8), but He has revealed Christ in these last times. Or the Greek for “foreordained” may also be rendered “chose,” or “foreknown.”
The meaning would be that in eternity past God “chose” Christ as Redeemer.
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.
“Born again…by the word of God” – the new birth comes from about through the direct action of the Holy Ghost (Tit 3:5), but the word of God also plays an important role (see Jas 1:18), for it presents the gospel to the sinner and calls on him to repent and believe in Christ.
Monument to Hannibal at Gebze (Kocaeli), Turkey Near the ancient Libyssa, Bithynia Reputed to be Hannibal’s burial place.
“Corruptible seed…incorruptible” – in this context the seed is doubtless the word of God, which is imperishable, living and enduring.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
“Flesh is as grass” –see Ps 37:1-2, 103:13-15; Is 40:5-8.
25 But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
To obtain salvation you have to accept the gift of God’s love.
At the beginning you will see the beauty of mathematics, the creator being God of course.
