The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Peter

  • Faith, More Precious than Gold

    “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 honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

    1 Peter 1:7

    Peter was one of the most well known of Jesus’ twelve disciples. After Jesus’ resurrection, he became one of the great leaders of the church. We can learn much about that ministry in the first twelve chapters of Acts, where thousands of people were saved, and the church was established.      

    In the book of First Peter, Peter wrote a letter to the Christians who had left their homeland, scattering into the countries around. Remember the persecution that had begun (see Acts 8:1; 11:19). Peter wrote words of encouragement to them along with words teaching them more about the Christian life.  

    Peter began by reminding them of the hope that is only found in Jesus’ resurrection. “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” (1 Peter 1:3).

    • Lively means “to live, have life; of things living, lively, active, and enduring opposed to what is dead or inactive.” 
    • Hope means “those who experience the hope of salvation through Christ, eternal life, and blessedness.” 

    It is only through this “lively hope” of eternal life (by salvation only through Christ) that gives Christians the strength to live a life pleasing to Jesus while here on earth. This “hope” is to give Christians a confidence that people of this world do not have. With that hope, Christians (God’s children) have a promise of inheritance. “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). Remember the promise that Christians have been given of eternal life in heaven with Jesus. Do you remember that “inheritance incorruptible”? Remember what Romans teaches us. “17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:17-18). We should remember the promise of inheritance with Jesus, in Heaven.

    In addition, recall the promise that God will be with those who belong to Him, and will take care of them. “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). Notice that it takes “faith”. One day, Christians (because of their faith unto salvation) will live in Heaven with Jesus, forever. See what Jesus said that is recorded in the book of John. “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28). Christians are promised eternal salvation.

    With that promise, Christians are to rejoice – no matter what. “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations” (1 Peter 1:6).   

    • Manifold means “variegated; many-colored.” 
    • Temptations means “a trial in which God brings His people through adversity and affliction in order to encourage and prove their faith and confidence in Him.” 

    Understand that as Christians there will be many trials that will be endured. Remember what Jesus said in the book of Matthew. “11. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). However, with those trials, the confidence and faith in God will be strengthened.

    Why are trials necessary? They prove a Christian’s faith. “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 honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 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” (1 Peter 1:7-9). Fire purifies gold, just as trials purify a Christian’s faith, preparing them to be presented “unto praise and honour and glory” when Jesus returns for His people. It is then that Christians will receive the promised reward of eternal salvation. Remember something else that Jesus said that is recorded in the book of John. “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Although no one today has physically seen Jesus, because of the written Word of God (the Bible), we have the ability to hear and believe upon Jesus (see Romans 10:9-10).

    Can your faith withstand the trials, making you more Christ like?

    Or

    Do you need to believe upon the One (Jesus) of which you have not yet seen?

    http://biblicalpath.com/index.php/how-to-be-saved/

  • A Very Important Message

    “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”
    Acts 2:42

    Shortly after Jesus ascended into heaven, Peter preached the Gospel message of Jesus to the Jews in Jerusalem. One reason was because they had rejected Jesus, crucifying Him, and many of them had witnessed that crucifixion. They were guilty for His death. “23. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it (Acts 2:23-24). Holden means “to use strength to hold or retain.” When Jesus could not be held by death, He took the power of death that had previously been held by the devil, Satan. See the following verse to understand this: “… that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14b). Understand that death could not hold Jesus, for he conquered it. Jesus gave the power of life to any who would believe in Him. 

    Peter continued to explain to the people that because Jesus could not “be holden of it”, Jesus rose from the dead. And the people to whom Peter was preaching, were witnesses of that fact: “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32). What were they to do with that information? “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). All of the house of Israel should have recognized that Jesus, whom they had crucified, was both Lord and Christ. Christ means “the Savior of the world.” They were to believe Jesus was the Savior of the world. After hearing that Jesus had died, was buried, and raised again – conquering death once and for all, the people were brought to a time of decision. Those people were given the choice to believe or reject.

    How did they respond? “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). When they heard the Gospel message preached, they were “pricked in their heart.” Pricked means “greatly pained or deeply moved.” It is important that the Gospel message had a movement in their heart. Sometimes we call this “conviction” (which means “found guilty of an offense”). However, it is more important what those people did with that movement. Peter told them what they must do. “38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:38-39). The people had to take action: repent. Repent means “to imply pious sorrow for unbelief and sin, and a turning from them to God and the gospel of Christ.” Repentance is a response between a sinful man and God. Baptism is an outward testimony of what happened to that individual’s heart. Notice that God “called” them. Call means “God’s call through the Gospel message.” 

    The Gospel message is very simple: when one hears, feels the conviction (that “call”), then one must just believe. In other words, simply believe and receive without question. Jesus spent much of His ministry calling people to a time of decision – to believe in Him, or choose to reject Him. When Peter preached to the people, he preached the same message: God must call the individual’s heart, and that individual must repent, believing in Jesus. Then it is important to reveal to others just what God did (a testimony) by being baptized before witnesses. What did the people do once they understood? Those who believed and responded to God’s call were baptized, and there were three thousand people who believed! 

    What they did next was very important. “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Once there has been such a change in one’s heart and life, it is important to learn how to live this new life. Continued stedfastly means “faithfulness and steadfastness in the outgoings of the Christian life – especially in prayer.” They understood that learning from the Apostles was important (doctrine means “the teaching of the Apostles” and we now find it in our Bible). These new Believers not only learned the doctrine, but fellowshipped together. This is something important that Christians should do even today: read their Bible, learn from Bible teachers who know God’s Word, and fellowship with other Believers as opposed to the lost world who have not given their hearts and lives to Jesus. Next, read of the blessing for those who not only believed, but also shared the Gospel message with others. “… And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47b).

    Have you been called to repent from your sin and believe in Jesus?

    Have you shared the Gospel message with others?

    How to be Saved

  • Faith Comes by Hearing

    “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
    Romans 10:17

    After much healing and preaching, Jesus sent the multitude away. “35. And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:35-38). First, recognize Jesus told them to pass over to the other side. They should have had confidence that they would make it, because Jesus told them they would. Next, see that they should not have worried because Jesus was with them. This can be seen as a practical test to see if they had learned anything that Jesus had been teaching them. How did they fare? We find these seasoned fishermen afraid in a storm.

    Jesus slept on the ship – even when a storm arose. The disciples were fearful and woke Jesus. “39. And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41. And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:39-41). Jesus rebuked the storm, and it ceased. Jesus then questioned the disciples. How could they be so afraid? Understand that their lack of faith caused them to fear. Faith here means “in an absolute sense of Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah and Savior.” Jesus wanted to know why they had no faith. After all the things the disciples had witnessed and learned, they still needed to know more. They still did not understand Jesus is God. There is an important verse that can help us understand what the disciples had not yet learned. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Jesus is the Word of God. Remember: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

    Most remember when Jesus fed the five thousand men plus women and children. As He was teaching, Jesus had compassion on them and because much time had passed, He fed them with the five loaves and two fishes (see Matthew 14:13-21). John tells us what the people’s reaction to this miracle was. “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone” (John 6:15). They wanted to force Jesus to become a king.

    Instead, Jesus sent the disciples in a ship across the sea where He would join them. Jesus went up on the mount to pray. “22. And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.” (Matthew 14:22-26). Remember, Jesus had told them to go to the other side before Him. When the disciples saw someone on the water, they were afraid.   

    “27. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32. And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:27-33). Peter asked Jesus to call him onto the water to Him. Peter acted, in faith, when he heard Jesus. However, as Peter walked on the water, he became afraid. He still had more to learn. When he cried out, Jesus saved him. After these events, we see the disciples’ faith had grown. They now acknowledged that Jesus is the Son of God.   

    Do you read your Bible, hearing the Word of God, allowing your faith to grow?

  • We are His Workmanship

    “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
    Ephesians 2:10

    John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by preaching repentance. In that message, John was preparing the people’s hearts to understand their need for Jesus. After John the Baptist introduced the people to Jesus, read what happened. “35. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36. And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:35-36). John again declared Jesus as the Lamb of God. “And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus” (John 1:37). Recognize that these men left John the Baptist to follow the One for which John had come to prepare the way. John had done His job: he had directed the people’s attention to the Savior of the world, Jesus. These men left John, and they followed Jesus.

    “38. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39. He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day … 40. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother” (John 1:38-40). John’s disciples called Jesus Rabbi (Master); yet another indication that they had turned their focus from John to Jesus. They were ready to hear the teachings of Jesus now that they had met Him. Rabbi means “a doctor, teacher, master; a title of honor in the Jewish schools.” After Andrew believed in Jesus, he immediately found his brother, Simon (Peter), and took him to meet Jesus.

    “The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me” (John 1:43). Jesus called Philip, too. What did Philip do? “Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45). Philip recognized who this man was that called him. Philip understood that Jesus was the Promised One that Moses and the prophets had written about in the Old Testament. Immediately he went and found Nathanael to bring him to Jesus. (Remember, that is what Andrew had done. Andrew immediately went and found his brother, Simon.) Today, when a person meets Jesus, becoming a Christian, the immediate response should be to introduce others to Jesus, too.

    Nathanael was a skeptic – at first. Nevertheless, after Jesus told him where he had been, Nathanael believed. Remember that each person has the choice – to believe or not to believe. Nathanael believed.

    Many people followed Jesus because they wanted to hear His teachings – so many that they crowded Him. Jesus saw the empty ships, and asked Simon to thrust the ship out a little from the shore. Jesus taught the people from the ship. After finishing teaching, Jesus told Simon (Peter) to go out to the deep water and throw out their nets again to fish. Simon (Peter) initially objected – but then he obeyed Jesus. They caught so many fish that their nets broke, and then both ships began to sink because of the number of fish caught. How did Peter respond? “8. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken” (Luke 5:8-9). Especially notice that Peter was not the only one affected by this miraculous catch of fish. “10. And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him” (Luke 5:10-11). It was at this point that these four men forsook their old occupation as fishermen of fish, and followed Jesus as fishers of men. If you notice, it said, “they forsook all.” In Matthew, chapter four it tells us that James and John were working with their father. They left him, too. 

    People were trying not only to hear Jesus’ teachings, but also to be healed. Many people followed Jesus. He was drawing the people from a religious practice to a commitment of the heart – a heart committed to Jesus. Jesus saw the need of the people. Read what Jesus did. “12. And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles” (Luke 6:12-13). Apostle means “an ambassador; it indicates the distinctive relation of the 12 men Jesus chose to be His witnesses of Him before the world.” This was the third call of these men. They were initially called to believe in Jesus. Then they were called to follow Jesus. Finally, Jesus called them for a special purpose – to be His apostles.

    Just as Jesus called the twelve disciples (Apostles) for a special purpose, when someone today is saved (asks Jesus into their heart), Jesus has a special purpose for them as well. “8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8, 10). Not only are Christians His workmanship (workmanship means “the result of work; something produced; something made”), but God has before ordained (before ordained means “to make ready beforehand; used of God’s foreordaining for good, referring to glory and good works”) that new Christian to walk in that new life Jesus has for them. Jesus has a job for each Christian.

    Have you believed in Jesus, becoming a Christian?

    Do you follow Jesus and His teachings?

    Have you recognized the job that Jesus has for your life?

    How to be Saved

  • Why the History is Important

    “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
    1 Corinthians 10:11

    After reading 1 Corinthians 10:11, one can understand that God’s Word was written for us. In the Bible, we find examples of how we are to live our lives and to show us a picture of God’s plan. We are to learn from what is written in His Word. Each Bible “story” we have learned through the years is just a piece of the “puzzle” to complete the picture of God’s plan. History may appear boring, but we must understand how fascinating, and especially important, it is to be in our lives.

    Because the history found in the Bible is so important, we should desire to know that history – just like Peter, Stephen, and Paul knew it. We are to understand that history is there to help us better understand and know Jesus. The more we read in God’s Word, the more we begin to understand that God had a plan. In the Old Testament, men didn’t fully understand what that plan was, but through faith they believed. In the New Testament, God’s plan was revealed through His Son, Jesus. Men still didn’t understand until Jesus died, resurrected and ascended into heaven. But once they understood, they could not keep silent. They shared what they learned with others so they could know of God’s wonderful plan as well. 

    After Jesus ascended back into heaven with the promise to return, Peter preached the Old Testament history. He had a new understanding of who Jesus was ,why He had come, and that He would return one day. And what an amazing response he received! Three thousand believed! And when he preached again shortly thereafter, five thousand believed!

    But there was another man named Stephen who preached the same history, and he found a very different response to his message. The religious leaders stoned him to death. There was one specific young man who consented to Stephen’s death. His name was Saul. His initial response to the Gospel message of Jesus was to seek out anyone who believed in Jesus and imprison or even kill them.

    He made a special trip to find anyone, man or woman, who believed in Jesus. But on his way, he met Jesus. There was quite a transformation in his life. Instead of wanting to kill those who believed in Jesus, Saul (later called Paul) became a mighty preacher, and teacher, of the history revealing Jesus.

    Each of these men came to the understanding that all of the Old Testament teachings were just pieces of a great picture. As they began to contemplate the truths they had learned, they realized that they revealed the picture of God’s plan to send Jesus into the world to take away their sin – if they would only believe and receive Him.

    Have you ever worked on a puzzle? Each piece is only part of a greater picture. The picture is not complete without all of the pieces. You could guess what the picture was going to be, but you wouldn’t completely know without the final pieces. Once you put all of the pieces together, you can see that greater picture. But when you are missing a piece, the picture is incomplete. This is much like knowing some of the events of the Old Testament and missing pieces of it. You cannot see the complete picture without reading and learning all of the events in that Old Testament text. Throughout history, people would try to understand what God was showing them. They trusted that He held all of the pieces and would fit them into place in His own time. Once Jesus came, many understood that all of the Old Testament was recorded for us to understand God’s plan to send His Son, Jesus, into the world to redeem a sinful people back to Himself. He wants us to understand this plan so that we will know just how important it is to place our lives into God’s hand by trusting in Jesus.

    Do you enjoy doing a puzzle that doesn’t have all of the pieces? 

    Have you ever been so excited about Jesus that you shared with others what you have learned so they could know of God’s wonderful plan as well?

    Previously published at: Lighthouse Gospel Beacon