FIRST
PETER
Chapter Five 1
Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall
be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight
thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready
mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to
the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a
crown of glory that fadeth not away. 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves
unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with
humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due
time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober,
be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that
the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ
Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen,
settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12
By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly,
exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and
so doth Marcus my son. 14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace
be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Submission and Settling A. Elders and their Attitude and Zeal--
Vs. 1-4 1. Elders are instructed by a leading
elder- Vs. 1 Peter was NOT a Pope. Elder is not higher
than pastor. Paul appointed elders in all churches-- (Acts 14:21-23)
Discuss, after reading sections, the insert on the Pope and his alleged power
and authority. Titus appointed elders-- (Titus 1:5) Elders are the highest
authority-- Acts 21:17-18; 15:4-6; James 5:14-- Call elders because Apostles were
gone. John calls himself an elder also-- II John 1:1; III John
1:1. Human place of dignity in heaven-- Rev. 11:16 Do they rule?
NO! They lead in worship of the Lamb (19:4) Psalm 107:31-32--
This is the model-- elders must lead in praise and worship.
2. An Elder's chief duty-- Feed the flock of God- Vs. 2
Where did Peter get this teaching? Cf- John 21:15-17
Also, Paul instructed elders this way-- Cf- Acts 20:26-31 Why?
Wolves will attack. Paul instructed Timothy thus-- Cf- II Tim.
4:2 What is to be fed to the flock? Answer: I Peter 2:2; Job
23:12 (How much actual Word did Job have?); Deut. 4:10; Psalm 119:103; Micah 4:2
in Kingdom (Isa 2:2-3). Feeding on the Word is timeless for God's people.
So an elder who is not learned in the Word of God is a human elder, NOT a
spiritual elder. I Tim. 3:2. 3. How NOT to take
the oversight-- Vs. 2-3 This does not mean that an elder
is to be starved-- Cf- I Cor. 9:7 4. The reward
of a faithful elder-- Vs. 4 B. Those younger
than elders-- Vs. 5-9 1. The younger submit to
the elders- vs. 5-6-- The consequences of not submitting?
NOT attack by the pastor-- Rather, God will resist the proud. When is submission
rewarded? Ans.- Later.
2. All young men, cast your care on the Lord-- vs. 7
Why is this said to young men? Ans.- They get up fire and zeal. Note
militia. Note Hitler. Note Arafat.
3. The need for zeal and attention is still there- vs. 8-9
What is the strategy? Ans. Soberly catch Satan's attack Resist Satan.
Cf. James 4:7; I John 2:14-- This is the work of young
Christian men. So what is the Church full of in this age? Young
wimps who have nothing to say. Their wives lead.
So, who does the Militia resist? Government. Satan is not discerned
by the Christian right. Who does the Reformed movement
resist? The abortionist, while they pour another high ball.
Resisting the right attack, the genuine attack, is urgent. Cf. II
Cor. 2:11 We have to know his devices BEFORE the attack. Story of the
customer who attacked the family and the Bible. She was not after the family,
she hated God. 4. How to rebuke
an elder-- Cf- I Tim. 5:1; 5:19 (The former context calls for
this discussion here.) C. Peter's Prayer for Maturity--
Vs. 10-11 (Discuss other texts here)
Perfected-- Hebrews 13:20-21- How is this done? Stablished--
Romans 1:11- Work of God Strengthened-- This word
only found here. Settled-- Ephesians 3:17-18- In love =
comprehend. Col. 1:21-23 D. Last Greetings and Signature--
Vs. 12-14 Peter was in Babylon, NOT Rome. Babylon
was still populated sparsely in about 1250 AD. (Get citation) Vs. 14- This
is not a sloppy kiss on the mouth of cheek as in Western culture. Was an
embrace-- Very discreet. Feely feely christianettes use this by transliteration
and make the church gathering violate I Cor. 7:1-2
_____________________________________ CONCLUSION to I Peter:
The aged Apostle is in this letter passing on the highest
authority in the Lord's Church to elders. He also demands
they continue the office of teacher without human lordship.
This is so urgent today!! It is violated from the Vatican to Fundamental
Baptist KJV Only Churches world wide. Are we willing
to obey?
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