Bible Discussion Thread

INTRODUCTION TO 1 PETER (Part 8):

VIII. THE OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF I PETER:

I PETER 1:1 - 2:10: The Foundation of Salvation.

So, before Peter even talks about suffering, he wants to teach about the various areas that make up the foundation of our salvation, to show that whatever we suffer, or whatever we suffer by way of persecution, it cannot change our salvation at all.

I PETER 2:11 - 3:12: The Submission in Salvation.

If you study Peter's thorough presentation of what submission means in the bible, I think you will find it very interesting. Once a person is saved, they are given the various relationships, both with other believers as well as with the world, and they are to line up with the Lord with each person. And he lists and shows what those relationships should be like.

I PETER 3:13 - 4:6: The Persecution in Salvation.

I PETER 4:7 - 5:9: The Exhortation in Salvation.

I PETER 5:10-11: The Benediction in Salvation.

I PETER 5:12-14: The Conclusion to Salvation.

So, it's all based around salvation, but all of these issues of suffering and persecution, and submission, and function, all of these different things are part of our salvation. It should not be looked at as being separate.

And that seems to be the theme in all of these letters because if you are poor, and suffering, and things are getting worse, you begin to wonder. I mean here in America with all that we have, even we sometimes begin to wonder "Lord, why are you doing this to me?"

That's often our approach to things as if though we have it bad. But we don't, not compared to these believers that we study about in Peter's letters.