Yesterday we finished 1st Peter and next week we'll be starting into Hebrews chapter 1. It's not entirely clear the exact order these 2-3 books were written, so I figure to do Hebrews next so that our Bible study will synch up with the Missions Conference theme (Heb 12:28-29):
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire."
Where we found James to be a very pragmatic book about Christian faith, we found 1Peter to be about the hope that is associated with that faith (1Pet1:3, 1:8, 1:13, 1:21, etc...). But 1Peter also deals with pragmatic, how-to-live issues. See 1Pet1:13f, 2:11f, 3:1-7, 3:15, 4:1ff, etc...). 1Peter concludes with an exhortation to the elders in particular regarding their performance of their duties (1Pet5:2-3) and regarding their faith and hope (1Pet 5:1,4).
I found it very interesting that these two books, James and 1Peter, being two of the first NT texts to be written, both quote (1Pet5:5, Jas 4:6) the same pasage of the OT as justification for their exhortations - Proverbs 3:34:
I also thought it interesting that they both tell Christians, "submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (Jas 4:7) and "humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God... Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1Pet 5:6f)
Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.
Faith... Pragma... Hope... Submission... Resistance...
Makes you want to go back and re-read James AND 1Peter again!!!
I'll look forward to seeing y'all this Sunday at Church, and again next Tuesday. Since were'starting a new book (Hebrews) this would be a prime time to invite some of your buddies to join us.
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Patrick Parker, is a Christian, husband, father, judo and aikido teacher, Program Director for a Cardiac Rehab, and a Ph.D. Contact: mokurendojo@gmail.com or phone 601.248.7282
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