Living Like a Christian

 
Living Like a Christian
1 Peter 3:8–4:6

By Pastor Dan Kennedy
© May 19, 2013
www.pastorkennedy.com

If we were to invite Peter, the roughhewn fisherman, outspoken disciple and to be martyred Apostle of Jesus, to tell us what we should be like, as followers of Jesus Christ we would most likely hear what he wrote to those believers who were disbursed and seriously persecuted, in the passage we are reviewing today.  Times were tough, real tough.  The writing of this letter by Peter in the mid-AD 60’s, would only be a few short years from Peter’s own crucifixion, and before General Titus and his four legions of Roman soldiers would go to Jerusalem to destroy the city and burn the Temple in AD 70.

In order to have a clear overview of the passage, let’s review it right now:

1 Peter 3:8–4:6
8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, 
“Whoever would love life 
and see good days 
must keep his tongue from evil 
and his lips from deceitful speech. 
11 He must turn from evil and do good; 
he must seek peace and pursue it. 
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous 
and his ears are attentive to their prayer, 
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. 

Living for God 
4	Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. 

Let’s Look More Closely at the Passage
1 Peter 3:8–4:6 

Attitude:  Responsibility in Relationships in the Body of Christ

8 Finally, all of you, 

•	Live in harmony with one another; 
•	Be sympathetic, 
•	Love as brothers, 
•	Be compassionate and humble. 
•	9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 

Godly “MUSTS” for a Satisfying Life (originally from Psalms 34:12-16)

1 Peter 3:10 For, 
“Whoever would love life 
and see good days 
[Our Tongue]
must keep his tongue from evil 
and his lips from deceitful speech. 
[Our Turning]
11 He must turn from evil and do good; 
he must seek peace and pursue it. 

[Who Is Watching Us?]
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous 
and his ears are attentive to their prayer, 
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 

Peter’s Continued Response rising from David’s Godly Principles

•	Normally we won’t need to worry about being harmed if we are eager to do good.

1 Peter 3:13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 

•	If you are unjustly mistreated, endure it patiently; God will bless you! 
(Remember last week’s message on the Ultimate Response to the Pain of Injustice? 1 Peter 2:18-25.  The Apostle Peter brings up the subject again.)

1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 
[Our continued Response to Injustice]
“Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” [Don’t be afraid]
15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. [Hold on to your Lord]
[Be Prepared] Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 
[Keep a Clear Conscience] 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Our Example
 1 Peter 318 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit….

Full Stop – Change in Direction (or is it?)

1 Peter 3:19 through whom also he (Jesus) went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.

Whoa! 
We were talking about living the Christian Life, with Jesus’ suffering being our example and all of a sudden the Apostle Peter is now talking about something totally unfamiliar to us!  Something we, most likely, haven’t even talked about before!

•	Jesus suffered severely, and died a cruel death – we know a little about that!  Christ’s suffering and death is hugely important.  Christians are to respond in like kind when we face injustice.
•	What is this brief but blinding bright window of information about the afterlife that just swung open before us, causing our eyes to blink and need time to adjust, before we can take it all in?

Mid-Sentence Change
Do you know what it is like when you are talking about a particular subject and something very pertinent (it makes total sense to you) comes to your mind and you insert it in the middle of a sentence, but it seems totally unrelated to the subject of the conversation, to those you are talking to?

This mid-sentence change is what these next few sentences of this passage may seem to us:

•	Jesus, in spirit, preaching to confined “spirits in prison”, while His body was dead in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb, but His Spirit was alive!

•	The subject of Noah, the flood, and how the flood relates to Christian baptism also involving a pattern of God’s deliverance from overwhelming sin in the world!

How are these subjects related to living a Christian life and suffering honorably as God would expect us?

Personal Observations about Peter’s Mid-Sentence Changes

Why Did the Spirit of God prompt Peter to include these unique topics in a message on responding to life’s trials as a Christian, to the persecuted church?  Here are my observations…  

1.	  God wanted us to know that though our body may be dead, our spirit is still alive.

2.	  God wanted us to know that those who abuse God’s Children unjustly (no matter how justly they felt at the time) will one day discover the sad truth and continuing consequences about what they have done. 

3.	  God wanted us to know that He always provides a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it.

Let’s take a quick look at these three areas.

1.  God wanted us to know that though our body may be dead, our spirit is still alive.

What happens to our spirit after our physical body is dead is indeed, a very important subject for all of us.  

a.	  What happens when we die?  This passage tells us that Jesus spirit stayed alive when His body was dead.   This reveals that our spirit does not die at our body’s death. 
b.	  Jesus taught that the spirits of those who have already died are alive (Matt. 22:31-32).  “God is the God of the Living!”
c.	  Paul taught that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:6-10).  But this passage is dealing with spirits of the departed prior to Christ’s resurrection.

There are normally two interpretations of 1 Peter 3:19

1 Peter 3:19 through whom also he (Jesus) went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.

The word “preached” used in 1 Peter 3:19-20 is not the word associated with “evangelization”, but for “proclamation” – a “proclaiming of the truth”.

Two Interpretations often given by Biblical Commentators on this passage:

1.	  The spirits preached to were unregenerate people who lived before the flood, who could receive His message of salvation.

2.	  The spirits to whom this proclamation was given were the fallen angels spoken of in other parts of Scripture who had crossed God-ordained barriers and intermarried with human women causing perversion so great only the destruction of almost all the human race would cleanse the earth.

Most commentators, including myself, believe Christ’s proclamation in 1 Peter 3:19 was to fallen angelic beings, not an evangelistic outreach to unregenerate pre-flood humans.

The Scripture does not record unregenerate people ever being given a “second chance”.  Remember the “rich man” who wanted his brothers warned less they come to the place of torment (Luke 16:27-31)?

This passage is different in context from 1 Peter 4:6, which I believe speaks of Christ’s gospel declaration to those righteous in faith, living in Paradise (at Abraham’s side, Luke 16:19-31 and Ephesians 4:4-12).  Jesus obviously did not spend three days in Hades (the place of the departed dead), only speaking to fallen angelic beings who were already destined for everlasting punishment.

Should Difficult Passages Be Skipped, or Can they Teach us Something?
Why should I take the time to discuss this, when we could easily skip it and go on to how to better live the Christian life?

•	God allowed this text to be included in Scripture.
•	Cults have a field day with evangelical Christians who don’t have an answer for mysterious Biblical passages.
•	God allows these mysterious passages to open up a brief window to the unseen dimensions of the afterlife, which should further encourage us to live our lives honorable to Him, even if we do not understand what God is doing!
•	Let’s take the time to see what we can learn from this passage.
1.  God wanted us to know that though our body may be dead, our spirit is still alive.

2. God wanted us to know that those who abuse God’s Children unjustly (no matter how justly they felt at the time) will one day discover the sad truth and continuing consequences about what they have done.

The following passages of Scripture are relevant, I believe, for our greater understanding of 1 Peter 3:19, 20.

Genesis 6:1–8 – Fallen angels, who fell further…the imprisoned angelic beings preached to by Christ.
6	When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.” 
4 The Nephilim (giants) were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. 
5 The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. 
2 Peter 2:4–5 
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; 5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others….
Jude 6–7 
6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. 

1 Peter 3:19–20 
19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water….

Ephesians 4:4–12 – Those of faith in Paradise/Abraham’s side with whom Christ proclaimed the fulfilled Gospel:  Jesus is the Lamb of God Sacrificed for the Redemption of Mankind!
4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: 
“When he ascended on high, 
he led captives in his train 
and gave gifts to men.” 
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 

1 Peter 4:6 – Reference to the righteous dead in Paradise/Abraham’s Side (Luke 16:19-31; Luke 23:43 – “today you will be with me in paradise”)
6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. 

What was Christ doing the Three days He was Physically Dead but Spiritually Alive?
1.	  He Proclaimed the Revelation of the Mystery of Salvation – through His Death and Resurrection.

a.	  Jesus proclaimed to disobedient spirits in prison (1 Peter 3:19-20; Jude 6-7)

i.  These angels had already been imprisoned for some 3,000 years, and Jesus was revealing to them He and His Father’s reasoning why rebellion, sin, death and judgment had been allowed.  Jesus had created them (John 1:3; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2).  Jesus loved them though they had sinned against Him, just as Jesus loves those who sin against Him on earth.  Jesus revealed to them the Father’s mystery.  Jesus proclamation of Truth was to these angels while still in their confinement and punishment.  God’s proclamation of Truth will remain constant to sinful and dammed humanity at the White Throne Judgment.

1 Corinthians 2:6–8 
The Mystery Not Revealed to the “Rulers of this Age”, until “the fullness of time”.
6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 

ii.  Why is this seemingly irrelative segment of Scripture inserted here?

 God the Father and His Son Jesus had experienced a torrent of “abuse” from the rebellious angelic host – cursing and every vile slander and abusive rage when they wanted power, but were removed from having authority in God’s abode and cast out at their rebellion.  Spiritual forces of darkness have used that abuse, slander and rage against God ever since, to every human heart and mind at one time or another.  God understands the vileness of this abuse and He understands what His response is and what ours as His Children, in like kind, should be.

b.	  Jesus proclaimed to those in Paradise or “Abraham’s Side” (1 Peter 4:6; Luke 23:43; Luke 16:19-31)

2.	  At His Resurrection Jesus Christ Ascended, leading a host of captives, and gave gifts to mankind (Eph. 4:7-12) 

Ephesians 4:7-12
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: 
“When he ascended on high, 
he led captives in his train 
and gave gifts to men.” 
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up….

Now let us move on to the second part of the verses that add even a wider dimension to the context of “suffering in trial” while “Living like a Christian”!

The Mystery of Baptism throughout Biblical History
1 Peter 3:19–22 
19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Four Concepts of “Baptism” in the Scripture
1.	  The “baptism” of Noah and his family (v.20-21).
There is hardly a greater account in the Scripture of a person of faith suffering the test of trial than that of Noah.  Many of the ancient cultures of the world have a “flood story” about a heavenly warning ignored by humans, the judgment of an epic flood of water to erase evil mankind, an “ark-boat” of some type for eight survivors, and the repopulation of the earth.  These flood stories were intertwined into the ancient cultural histories of the world, including the Sumerian, Greek, Chinese, Mayan, Acadia, Aztec, Hindu, Easter Island cultures, and many others.  Our modern day anthropologists seem to be greatly enamored with partial bits and pieces of skulls, teeth and bones to authenticate evolutionary theories.  With the preponderance of historical cultural evidence about the epic flood, one would think there would be a higher acceptance of the event, but when doing so would substantiate the existence of God and His judgment on sinful man, we find a totally arrogant alternative agnostic view postulated by those who disbelieve.
Noah and his family were “baptized” in the flood – saved from an evil generation and pressed to endure extreme trial – living in the face of some of the most degenerate circumstances and generation of people imaginable, enduring the year long wait – through the catastrophic 40 days and nights of the flood and waiting for the water to recede, and then becoming the only ones left on the face of the earth!  That is trial!!

God wanted us to know that He always provides a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it (1 Cor. 10:13).

2.	  The “baptism” of the Children of Israel in passing through the waters of the Red Sea (1 Cor. 10:1-4; Ex. 13:21; 14:22).  Is not this evidence of God’s people being released from 400+ years of suffering the huge trial of slavery in Egypt and then being symbolically baptized as a nation, to then be brought to a new life in the Promised Land?

3.	  The baptism of repentance, by John the Baptist (Matt. 3:6, 11; Mark 1:4).  The forerunner of Jesus Christ heralding the way for the Promised Messiah (Luke 1:17; 13-17) who is to bring true peace and cleansing…and John the Baptist suffering trial by beheading (Matt. 14:10).


4.	  The New Testament baptism symbolizing New Birth and Identification with Jesus Christ in His Death and Resurrection (Matt. 28:19-20, etc., see notes on “Baptism”).

1.	  God wanted us to know that though our body may be dead, our spirit is still alive.
2.	  God wanted us to know that those who abuse God’s Children unjustly (no matter how justly they felt at the time) they will one day discover the sad truth and continuing consequences about what they have done. 
3.	  God wanted us to know that He always provides a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it.

Final Thoughts:  Living for God 
1 Peter 4:1-5	
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 

Why should we be living like a Christian?

1.	  Because it allows us to have the very best life we could have on this earth.
2.	  And One day we will stand before the Throne of Almighty God and give account for our lives.

Revelation 20:11–15 
The Dead Are Judged 
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. 


This message is an explanation of hard to understand Biblical Truths with Eternal Significance.
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