Lesson 8 · August 19, 1893
Suffering for Righteousness' Sake.—1 Peter 3:12-22
Review Questions.—(a) What instructions are given to the wife? (b) What to the husband? (c) How will such instruction if heeded affect their prayers? (d) What injunction to union is given? (e) What disposition should we manifest toward those who speak against us?
1. God's Care for His People. Verses 12-14
- 1.What care has the Lord for the righteous?
- 2.How does he regard the evil?
- 3.What question is asked in verse thirteen? Note 1.
- 4.How should we feel when we suffer for righteousness' sake?
2. Our Duty in Time of Trouble. Verses 15-17
- 1.In time of trouble what should be the exalted object in our heart? Note 2.
- 2.What should we always be ready to do?
- 3.In what spirit should the answer be given?
- 4.What should be kept good?
- 5.What effect would such a spirit have on those who do us evil?
- 6.If it is God's will that we suffer, for what should it be?
3. Christ's Sufferings for Us. Verses 18-22
- 1.Who, though innocent, suffered for us?
- 2.Why did he thus suffer?
- 3.In what condition was he put to death? and how quickened?
- 4.To whom did he preach by his Spirit?
- 5.Through whom did he preach? Note 3.
- 6.At what time in the world's history did he preach?
- 7.How many were saved? and by what?
- 8.By what like figure are we saved?
- 9.Through faith in what?
- 10.What assurance is given us that Christ is able to save us from all that can come upon us?
Notes
1. Who Is He That Will Harm You, etc. In a general way this means that men will have no desire to harm those who are imitators of Christ, and under ordinary circumstances this has been true as promised (see ), but there are many exceptions to this general rule. But even though we suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, that will not work to our ultimate harm, though it causes present sufferings; for to them that love God all things work together for good; even in the greatest sufferings his followers are, through the love of God, more than conquerors. See . In the very sufferings then they may find happiness and rejoice. See also .
2. The Revised Version makes the latter part of and the first part of almost identical with the latter part of and the first part of verse 13. Isaiah reads: "Neither fear ye their fear nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself." Peter reads: "Fear not their fear, neither be troubled; but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord." Isaiah tells us in the next clause what the Lord will be to those who trust in him. "He shall be for a sanctuary," a safe and holy place; for in the time of trouble God will spread over us the pavilion of his power (), and hide us under the shadow of his wings (), in the secret place of his tabernacle ().
3. The Spirit of Christ is given to every child of his (); and the gift of preaching is bestowed through it (); through that Spirit Christ has always ministered to the souls in the prison house of sin (; ). In the days of Noah that Spirit spoke through the patriarch (), who by faith preached the message and saved his house (). As Noah by faith did what God enjoined, so we by baptism show our faith in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not the baptism that saves, but faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism is the manifestation of our faith, even as the baptism of Noah in the ark by the deluge was the manifestation of his faith in the power of God. It is not the mere act that saves, not the physical washing, but faith in a risen Redeemer, which cleanses the conscience of its dead works.
Bible texts in this lesson
1 Peter 3:12-14 · 1 Peter 3:15-17 · 1 Peter 3:18-22 · Proverbs 16:7 · Romans 8:28 · Romans 8:37 · Matthew 5:11 · Matthew 5:12 · 1 Peter 3:14 · 1 Peter 3:15 · Isaiah 8:12 · Psalms 27:5 · Psalms 34:7 · Psalms 17:8 · Romans 8:9 · 1 Corinthians 12:4 · Isaiah 61:1 · Psalms 51:12 · Psalms 51:13 · 2 Peter 2:5 · Hebrews 11:7
Your notes
Kept in this browser. Sign in to keep them on every device.