The American Wisdom Series 
 http://www.americanwisdomseries.com

Presents 

Revelation 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
 published at http://www.theseason.org/ 

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

 Now here is our revised study of:

I Peter

Chapter 3

"Submission, Between Husbands and Wives; to Christ."

Peter is addressing the husband and wife's relationship here, as God had intended it to be. This chapter is directed towards the obtaining a happy relationship in the marriage and the home. God did not intend there to be conflict in the home, and when the members of a family follow the directions from His Word, there can be happiness in a marriage. When we follow God's example for our lives then every day is a good day, and there is hope. The most important part of any marriage is that there be communication between the husband and wife, father and mother, and with the children. Then each member knows where they stand and what is expected of them.

Communication is the two way flow of ideas and information, when each family member learns to listen to the others with understanding, and a willingness for the concern of the other person. Communicate with the inner-person that you are talking to, like when you are speaking to the Holy Spirit of God. You don't try to overpower God when you speak to Him, but you talk to Him with love and submission to do what is said. There is no perfection in the flesh so don't try to force it on your loved one, but learn to be understanding. We must learn to mature as a Christian, and grow up within the inner man. So this chapter discusses the relationship that should exist between the husband and his wife, even when one is saved and the other is a non-believer.

I Peter 3:1 "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;"

This verse picks up where the last chapter ended, and "likewise" here means, in the same manner of getting along with the boss, the government, the brotherhood, or those over you. This same subject continues in thought. The object in this verse and chapter is, "your ability to rise above childishness in association with those people that are around you.

"The Word" spoken of here is not the words coming out of the husband or wife, but the Word of God that does the guiding and the directing. The Word of God tells you to the exact point that you should go along with the conversation and actions of your mate. If the wives words are in accordance with the Word of God, and they are practicing what God's Word says we are to do, then by her actions, her husband may be won over to Christ. This is addressing the Christian woman that is married to a non-Christian man. If he is not in the Word of God and does not accept that Word, then let your conversation and deeds be in sweet kindness of God's love for you.

I Peter 3:2 "While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear."

What is meant here is that when you live with someone, you don't want to live in fear of them. As "fear" is used in this verse, it is innocent chaste conversation given with an "alarm". In conversation between one mate to another, wife to the husband and when the husband is not a Christian, or vise versa, there should be a limit to just how far the conversation should go, in compliance with I Corinthians 7, and when that point has been exceeded, there should be a separation. As long as there is a degree of respect between the two, then the marriage should be held together. No woman should be required to live with any man that abuses her with physical harm and cursing abuse, and it is not required by God.

I Corinthians 7:13 "And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him."

I Corinthians 7:14 "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy."

Both Peter and Paul are saying that if the husband is a non-Christian, it is alright for the marriage to exist, only when you have conversation, let the conversation be from and in accordance with the Word of God. This doesn't mean to continually read the Scriptures to Him, but by doing the example that Christ set forth. However, the "alarm" or "fear" should be there for the wife, when you have a non-Christian husband married to a Christian wife. It is senseless for the wife to stay with a no-good husband that goes into a rage and may kill her.

When the husband refuses to allow the wife to read and study the Word of God over a long period of time, and stands in your her of serving God, that is the time for the separation and divorce. However, a loving woman can change a good man, when she loves and leads her man in the ways of Christ.

I Peter 3:3 "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;"

This is continuing with the wife's approach to her husband. This does not say that a woman should not wear gold, nor adorning herself through her hair, and be wearing fancy clothing. It is saying that what the wife has within her spiritual self, the inner person of that wife speaks so much stronger then what she could wear. The tone of her voice, and the smile on her face is much stronger then the gold around her neck, and the fancy hair-do. God is telling you not to depend on what you can do to your physical body, to change your husband and win your husband over to God. Learn to use the God given gifts that God gives every woman.

I Peter 3:4 "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."

Let the wife lead her unsaved husband by that inner spirit within her heart or mind, the inner person which is the soul. It is the soul or inner person that is not corruptible [see death], for we know that upon death that soul doesn't go to the grave but returns to the Father that gave it. The use of her heart or mind in meekness and with a quiet spirit in leading her man is the greatest gift that God has given to the wife.

I Peter 3:5 "For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:"

Wives, learn to put your husband as the subject of your life. He is as important to you as you are important to him.

I Peter 3:6 "Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement."

Abraham's wife Sarah was in complete subjection to her husband, and Peter is telling the wives to use her as an example as to how they should be in subjection to their husbands. The word "amazement" as it is used here in the Greek is "ptoeomai" and is better translated "terror or calamity".

An example of this, is when some small thing happens, such as the breaking of a dish, or the spilling of a glass milk, don't make it an event that causes a calamity between you two. Learn to handle the little things, and pass them over with as little conflict as possible. Remember that this is still dealing with the saved wife married to the unsaved husband, however it goes the same for the saved husband also. Peter is telling you not to be so knit-picky in dealing with your husband. Being so knit-picky all the time will soften your influence over him, and your ability to be the leader in the home. In this way the wife can put to rest many of the problems that could arise in a marriage. Like him for what he is, and learn to handle him and live with those little clumsy things that he may do that may rub you the wrong way. So don't let a little sudden calamity destroy or interfere with your children's well being in a loving family.

I Peter 3:7 "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."

Here God is telling husbands to use your head in dealing with your wife. All wisdom and knowledge comes from God, and we are told to be familiar with God's Word. When you use the teachings of Christ, and the ways of His Word in your life, you will give honor to her. This is the most surest way of keeping her. There are always other men out on the street that would like nothing better then to take over that wife that you are treating as dirt.

You are to treat your wife as the weaker vessel, even though in most cases in life she proves she is not. Have you ever wondered why your prayers are hindered or not answered? This is giving you the answer. The "grace of life", is the unmerited favor that our Heavenly Father has given to you upon your repentance of your sins. Peter is telling you that when you sin, lose your temper, or anything that could hinder your marriage, take it to the Lord, and repent to Him. When you and your wife are both right with God, then you will be right to each other. Your wife may put up with many of the hard things that you say to her, or the other way around, but God will not put up with your sins. Why drive a wedge between yourselves in your marriage? You should both learn to get right with God first, and then settle the differences between yourselves. Don't let jealousies, strife, spilt milk, or any childish thing stop your prayers from being answered, for that is where the blessings are.

I Peter 3:8 "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:"

This is not just directed to the marriage, but to all of the brethren, one to another. We are to be compassionate to each other, putting their needs to mind with love to each other. The word "pitiful" as used in the Greek text is #2155 in the Strong's Greek dictionary. "Eusplagchnos, yoo'-splangkh-nos; to be sympathetic, tenderhearted." Be compassionate and have mercy to those around you.

I Peter 3:9 "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."

All blessings come from God. You do the work and live the life for Christ, and God the Father gives you the blessing for doing it. "railing" as used here in the Greek text is the word "blasphemous", or making up stories about people that are not true. Talking behind someone's back, and doing evil to them, even when they are doing it to you. God is telling you if and when you refrain from doing this to another person, He is going to give you His blessings. God is also going to give you an eternal blessing that is your inheritance, which is eternal life.

When people talk against you, and show do evil to you, the best way to quiet them is to say nothing but good things about them, overlook their faults, and soon all they will see in you is good. Paul addressed this in Romans 12:17; "Recompense to no man evil for evil, Provide things honest in the sight of all men."

Romans 12:18 "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceable with all men."

Romans 12:19 "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

The thing that is important in the long run, is that others may be won over to Christ and be saved. If you have to take a little heat for a while in this life, and a soul is saved by what you do, then that is victory. If the person that is doing harm and evil to you does not accept the Lord, then it is for the Lord only to determine the vengeance that should come upon the evil doer, and not you.

Romans 12:20 "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink:for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."

Romans 12:21 "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

This chapter started out with the word "likewise", meaning that this chapter continues on just like that last chapter ended. Christ died for us, and He set the example as to how we are to live. When we live in that manner, we will be happy, and be right in our marriage and with those that we are around. God will bless you for it.

I Peter 3:10 "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:"

If you love the life you are living and are happy in it, then know that this is because you have been following the things that God has instructed you to do. Those things that make you to be a good husband or wife, a good employee or employer, a good neighbor and brother in the Lord. It shows that you are being honest and are using the "unmerited favor" that God is giving to you. This is saying that it works both ways, when you give God's way, it comes back to you, whether in lip service, your deeds, or whatever you give to others, it will come back to you.

I Peter 3:11 "Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it."

Let him avoid or keep away from evil, and even the appearance of evil. Seek out peace and the ways of the Lord, hunt for it and make it part of your life. Side step that argument and problems that come your way, and sometimes it comes at the expense of your own pride. This is not saying you should suppress a conflict with your mate, this is not dealing with the communication between the two of you, for those matters should be dealt with when they arise. However we are to love people for who they are, and in every group there is likely going to be someone that is hard to get along with.

I Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."

The One that died for you, Jesus Christ, is on all those that try to do right in their lives. When you try to do right in all matters in your life, then when you come to the Lord in prayer, His ear is open to your request. There is a flip side to this also, for those that do not try to obey God's Word, His face is turned against them. God will not hear their prayers, except the prayer of repentance, and they will not have the blessings of God. This is not talking about the evil of killing and stealing, but the evil of strife that can exist within your own home and family. It is impossible to be happy without the blessings of God. A Christian wants more from God than just to be heard of God, but he or she desires to be given what is requested in our prayers. If what you ask is in the will of God, He will grant it to you. God knows whether it is good for you or not, and that is why we must learn to trust Him, and accept the answer from Him.

I Peter 3:13 "And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?"

God takes care of His own, and if you are within His Will and right by Him, there is no one that can harm you.

I Peter 3:14 "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;"

If some calamity comes and you are caught in that calamity, you don't need to be afraid. God will see you through it. There is not much in this life that you can count on, but God is one that you can always count on. When the going gets a little tough, that that is the time that God's people like it the best, for we can handle it with God on our side. Suffering for "righteousness sake", is for the sake of doing things right; doing things as God has told us to within His Word. Your faith should allow you to stand when the tough times come.

I Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear:"

Sanctify the Lord in your hearts, keep your minds focused on His Word so that you can give an answer to any man that has a question of the Lord and His Word. We are to give our answers with humbleness and reverence for our Lord. When people see that you have your life and home in order, they will come to you with their problems. When they do, we are to give them the answers from God's Word as to how the Word is applied to their situation. Give your answer in a humble way to protect your credibility.

One of the most critical times that Christians face with their problems, is when there is a death in the family. If you have the information as to "where are the dead", and the hope that we have in Jesus Christ, this is a good time to plant a seed and soothe a heart. Let them know that though the flesh body is being laid in the tomb to be done away with, the real person that resided in that decaying body has departed to be with the Heavenly Father the instant that life departed from that flesh body. That is the hope that we have in Christ, for it is the eternal life that comes to them that love Him and by faith believe in Him and repent to the Father in Jesus name. This is one of the best times to bring comfort in the heart of another soul. It is a beautiful thing when you have the answers to give when they are needed.

I Peter 3:16 "Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoesrs, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ."

You don't have to worry about getting even when you are a Christian and in the will of God. God will pick the time and the place to do the getting even, and He will use that act for the glory of God. Many times the vengeance that comes will even bring that person to the Lord in repentance, and from that act of an evil deed done to you, they become saved. You don't know how the Spirit of God will use that act in the mind of the evil doer, only by your doing things God's way, He will bless you for it.

I Peter 3:17 "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing than for evil doing."

There is a difference between your suffering for well doing, and you suffering for evil doing. As we read above, if you suffer for well doing, then God is with you, and you shall receive blessings and rewards for you acts. However, when you suffer for evil doing, God will turn His face from you, and he will not hear nor answer your prayers. Do you want God's protection over you, and His help in your problems? If you do you will stay in the will of God.

I Peter 3:18 "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:"

The purpose for Jesus Christ's coming to earth and living in the flesh, was so that He would die on the cross for your sins. Jesus was just [righteous] in all manner of His flesh life, and in His death "the Just" suffered for the sins of the unjust. Jesus Christ came to earth to die so that you do not need to go to hell, but by your faith in Him and belief in what Jesus has done on the cross, through your repentance to the Father in Jesus name you can be saved. It is your soul that receives eternal life, and when this flesh body dies and is laid in the ground, it is your spirit and soul that is quickened, or goes on living eternally. That is the work of the Holy Spirit, giving you new changed life, where there was only a dead soul before. Jesus died to bring all souls to the Father.

If you ever had any question as to what part of Jesus died on the cross, you have it right here. Jesus Christ's flesh body died, whereas His spiritual body was quickened or made alive by His Spirit. Jesus was spiritually alive when He descended into the prison to preach to those lost souls.

I Peter 3:19 "By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison,"

These spirits that Christ preached to in prison, where the spirits of the saints that died prior to His death on the cross.

I Peter 3:20 "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering for God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."

Not the word "sometime", they were not disobedient all the time like the fallen angels, but were disobedient while living in the flesh body. Do you think that it was the weather that saved those adamic souls? They were saved from the water, and the reason that God saved them is given in Genesis 6:9; "THESE ARE THE GENERATIONS OF NOAH: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God."

The key to understanding this verse is in the word "perfect", for in the Hebrew text, it is the word "tamin", which means "without blemish as to breed or pedigree." In Genesis 6:1-7, when men started to multiply on the face of the earth, daughters were born to them. When the sons of God beheld the daughters of men, they desired them. Many "sons of God" or fallen angels left their place of habitation in the heavens and came to earth and multiplied with those daughters of flesh man, and from them came the Nethinim. This is what the book of Jude is all about.

Jude 6 "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."

These were the giants of old, and through the years to the time of Noah, all souls on earth were contaminated by cross marriage, to where there was only Noah, His wife, and their family that were pure in pedigree, or their lineage blood line. It was the half breed creatures of giants, that came from the union of the daughters of men, and the fallen angels that left their first estate, that were the ones that the flood of Noah's day was to eliminate. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:37-39 that in the time just before His coming it will be just as it was in Noah's day.

Matthew 24:37 "But as the days of Noe [Noah] were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

Matthew 24:38 "For as the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,"

Matthew 24:39 "And knew not until that flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

The fallen angels are coming back to earth, and when they come they will be as we are, for we are created in their image, which is God's image. The time of their return is set, and shall be when Michael kicks them out of heaven where they are now. When they come to earth, their nature will be of peace and prosperity, just like their leader Satan. They will come to deceive you and anyone that will listen to them into believing that their leader Satan is the true Christ. Many, such as those that believe in the "any-moment doctrine", [rapture doctrine] will be taken by them immediately. They will not be able to wait patiently for the True Christ's return. There will be very few that can resist Satan at his coming, just like there were very few to come through the flood of Noah's time.

Genesis 6:7 "And the Lord said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them." "

Genesis 6:8 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord."

In our day, God's elect will be spared from the flood of lies that Satan casts upon the earth. It was the ark that saved Noah and his family from the waters, and there is also an ark in the end times that shall save God's elect from the flood of lies and deception that Satan shall bring upon the entire earth. That ark is given in Revelation 9:4; "And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men [women] which have not the seal of God in their foreheads."

The ark of the book of Revelation is "the seal of God in their foreheads" from Revelation 9:4. That "seal" is the Word of God, all of it from the beginning to the end, and that allows those with that Word in their minds to understand exactly what is going on in these final days, so that they shall not be deceived. Remember the flood of the last generation is not of water, but deception. It is all the lies, the supernatural acts that Satan will bring with him to this earth when he plays the role of the "instead of Christ", or Antichrist. You will either know it at the instant of Satan's coming, or you will not, and if you do not know that the first Christ coming to earth is Satan, you will accept Him as the true Christ. This is what we studied in I Peter 2:4-8, and it should be reviewed if there is a misunderstanding of that "Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence."

The ark became the type of savior to Noah and His family, for they did not have a savior as we do today, in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ had not been born nor died on the cross at the time of Noah. Those people did not have the opportunity to repent and have their sins forgiven as you and I do today. There was a temporary covering for the year, by burning a few pure animals, but it just didn't get the job done.

Every one that died in their flesh bodies, all the way back prior to Adam [Ha-adam], to the six day creation of male and female of Genesis 1:27, had not lived a perfect life by the law, for the law was given to convict of Sin, not to save from sin. All that is except three. Enoch was transfigured and taken by God. Genesis 5:24; "And Enoch walked with god: and he was not; for God took him."

Elijah was also take by God because of His righteousness. II Kings 2:11; "And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."

Moses went off into the wilderness, and God took the body of Moses, but these are the only men where there is no record of their death in the flesh. However, both Moses and David murdered a man, and that is sin under the law. So can we say that God is fair, if everyone that had died before the cross of Christ would be condemned to hell? This is why Jesus Christ went back to those that had died in their flesh bodies, and their souls were held in prison waiting for the day of judgment, and Jesus preached to each of them. He taught the souls that were held prisoners because of their sins. Even while the flesh of Jesus was still in the tomb, the Spirit of Jesus Christ went directly to paradise, to the wrong side of the gulf in paradise, and taught His children. They are the ones spoken of here in verse twenty, and many of them accepted that opportunity that Jesus Christ gave to them and were part of the resurrection with Christ. We will read more ot this in the next chapter.

I Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"

You are not going to get rid of the filth of the flesh body and it's nature until you pass away. However, just as the water floated the ark to give salvation to Noah from the flood, so also your baptism of a good conscience toward God, which is by your faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ shall save us today. The one is a type of cleansing, but don't loose sight of the fact that it is only a type. The only thing that can cleanse you from your sins is the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus was the only pure one that could pay the price because wee all fall short of God's law. You can't get rid of the flesh as long as you are in it, and flesh is sin.

I Peter 3:22 "Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to Him."

When you love Jesus and accept Him and have faith in Him, you have an advocate for your interest before the throne of God in heaven. Jesus is there to look after your best interest, when Satan comes before God's throne to accuse you of sin. Jesus Christ is there, sitting at the right hand of the Very One that is the creator of all things. It is an awesome thought to be considered in such high esteem.

Jesus knew from the very beginning of this earth age that we are not perfect, and yet He loved you and I so much that He was willing to die for each of us. Though mankind likes to judge people by their faults, Christ doesn't think that way, for He loved us in spite of our faults, enough to pay the price for the sins that we have committed.

                          study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.  We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

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Rhine Publishing Co.
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