1 Peter - Jewish Teacher

Early Christian Gospel Leadership / The Two Sided Sword

As we recall, through the majesty and grace of Jesus Christ, Saul became Paul on that road to Damascus. As in the case of Peter, a transformation took place that changed the man from one life into another life quite different from any he had known or might have foreseen.

This is the glory of the call. Perhaps it makes sense to recall the wonderful and powerful words of Paul we have been given in blessing to understand the call. These words are found in Romans 11:9:

“For the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance”.

One cannot turn from these things. The NIV translates that they are irrevocable.

Paul was described by Christ as His chosen vessel to the gentiles, which includes us in this room. Peter, however, was focused upon bringing the gospel to the Jewish people. These two leaders acted in the early days as the two edged sword of Christ. So we need to view the teaching and writing of Peter from this perspective. His burden may well have been heavier as he was dealing with those who already felt chosen and elect. So his writing and teaching leans strongly upon the previous scripture that Jewish people would have known, the OT. 1st Peter abounds in OT language and most of the imagery he used in his first letter is taken from those sources (see below):

1:15 Lev 11:44-45 & 19:2 2:21 Isa 53:9

1:24 Isa 40:6-7 2:24 Isa 53:4-6 & 12

1:25 Isa 40:8-9 2:1 Ps 34:13-17

2:3 Ps 33:9 3:14-15  Isa 8:12-13

2:6 Isa 28:16 4:8. Prov 10:12

2:7 Ps 117:2 4:14 Isa 11:2

2:8 Isa 8:14 4:18 Prov 11:31

2:9 Isa 43:21 5:5 Prov 3:34

2:10 Hos  2:23 5:8 Ps 22:14

2:12 Isa 10:3

Let us keep always in the front of our minds that it is on the rock of this man’s faith, and words spoken to Christ himself by him, that Jesus instructed His church would be built (Matt 16:18). On that foundation of faith it rests still strongly today.