Peter Encourages the Churches
Paul has recently left Rome, where Peter remains. As persecution picks up, Peter sends encouragement to the churches planted elsewhere.
The time of Peter’s writing is believed to be about the time Nero/Caesar began his early persecution of the Christians. He started his persecution as a way to deflect suspicion away from himself for the devastating fire in Rome. He blamed it all on the Christians and fanned the flames of suspicion within the city of Rome itself. For now, the persecution is localized, but it will spread. Peter’s letter is a warning to the churches to stand firm when it comes. Let’s join Peter as he exhorts the churches to stand strong AND respect the authority placed over them.
Holy Spirit, lead this journey today. Show me what You want me to see. Open my heart and mind to hear Your story and truths. Let me see Peter’s time through Your eyes.
♥ ♦ ♥
It has only been six months since Paul left Rome. Peter is keeping tabs on him, out of curiosity as to how the gospel is spreading. Right now, Paul is somewhere in Spain. Peter is overjoyed to hear the results of the work.
Things have been heating up in Rome. Only a few short weeks after Paul left, the city experienced a devastating fire. Much of the city is in ruins. The people are still rebuilding from the ashes. As they rebuild speculation and rumors abound regarding the origins of the fire. Many blame Caesar. Some say he was trying to clear the way for his own building project; which of course, he vehemently denies.
One devastating rumor is a report that, while the city was burning, Caesar was playing on his cithara. Authorities have Caesar miles away from Rome at the time of the fire and he returned to assist in the rebuilding out of his own treasury. Yet, the suspicion of the people remains.
Caesar has begun blaming the Christians for the fire. Rumors have spread, accusing the Christians of heinous acts. ALL the reports are twisted interpretations of doctrine or practices in the Christian community. One such twisted rumor is that Christians are cannibals, eating the flesh and drinking the blood of others. This, of course, is false, but the remembrance practice of Jesus’ final meal with His disciples has them ‘eating His body’ in bread form and ‘drinking His blood’ in the wine.
Reports of the accusations reach the church. Peter shakes his head in disbelief as he listens to the account.
“How could anyone believe such lies?” he asks.
“Creative thinking” suggests one of the elders of the church.
“Hateful thinking is more like it” another offers.
“More than that. It is dangerous inferences” adds another. “With these kinds of rumors, all of Rome will soon hate the believers.”
All eyes turn to Peter as the question is raised; “What are we going to do about this?”
“Not a thing” replies Peter. “We will serve our Lord as we always have, including remembering His death.”
“But what about the rumors?”
“When given the opportunity, we will explain our practice and have an opening to witness to those who will listen. For the rest, we will leave it in the Lord’s hands.”
“Surely the people will begin to hate us and persecution will come.”
“I’m certain that it will. But the Lord Himself spoke these words to a crowd as He witnessed. He never backed away from them or explained to those who were frightened by His statements. Neither will we. And, yes, persecution WILL come. It came for our Lord, and He faced it. We will do the same, KNOWING that because of HIM we are enduring it.”
Heads nod around the room and a decision is made. They will endure with gladness whatever comes, as it presents an opportunity to stand for the Lord.
It isn’t many days after this meeting that a few Christians are arrested. Caesar has them brought before him. They stand boldly before him. They show the respect due his position, but they do not cower in his presence.
“Do you know why you are standing before me this day?” Caesar asks with narrowed eyes.
“No mighty Ceaser, we do not. We have done no wrong.”
“Done no wrong” roars Ceaser. “You were overheard eating flesh and drinking blood! Do you call this ‘no wrong’?”
“It is a misunderstanding my lord. If you will permit us to explain…”
“I will not! I have heard enough. Take them to the prison and lock them away. Tomorrow at noon, bring them out for the people to witness their fate.”
Rather than falling to their knees in supplication, the men stand even taller. They do not resist their guards as they are led away. This puzzles Caesar greatly, but he holds his tongue.
“We will see how they behave tomorrow” he says to himself as the men are led away.
As the sun dial approaches the noon, Caesar has the men brought out of prison and flogged in the city square. Their crimes are listed as insurrection against Rome.
“Caesar is being lenient at this moment, but his response will grow sterner with time if your actions rise to his notice again” the head centurion calls out as the whip rips flesh from the men’s backs.
The men all grit their teeth and remain silent, as their Lord had done in Jerusalem those many years ago. They take comfort in the fact that they are suffering for the Lord.
Thirty-nine lashes each are administered on the bodies of the captives. When the soldiers slit the bonds on their wrists that held them to the whipping post, they all collapse to the ground. The first to approach them is Peter. He hods a gourd of wine. Carefully he pours some into each man’s mouth to dull the pain.
As the centurions retreat back to their garrison, more of the believers move to surround the men and offer them comfort. “Take them to the church” Peter instructs as he begins assisting one of the men from the ground.
Once inside the church, the men’s wounds are washed and tended. As they are being ministered to, the elders gather to discuss today’s actions.
“These men don’t have a seditious bone in their bodies! Trumped up nonsense to make Caesar feel justified in what happened today” one of the leaders says. His face is red with anger as he keeps opening and closing his hands into fists.
“Jesus warned us that there would come a time such as this. That does not excuse what happened today, but it does explain it” Peter tells the elders. “Rather than grumbling, let us rejoice. For so they treated our Lord in His day. These brothers have been found worthy to serve along side Jesus in His testing.”
Heads nod around the room. They all take courage in standing for the gospel of the Lord. They vow to one another to be strong, if they are dragged away in chains. As the injured men are being cared for and the elders are talking amongst themselves, Peter feels the hand of the Spirit calling him to write a letter of encouragement and warning to the churches beyond Rome.
The day has been long and filled with questions from the brothers and sisters in the Lord. The most frequent one being, is should they do anything to prevent this from happening to themselves. They vow to stand for the Lord, but would rather not have to do so in this same manner.
Those who received the flogging share their testimony many times before the day is done. “Caesar’s accusations were false and flawed from the beginning. He refused to allow us to answer his charges. It is as if he found us guilty without our presenting any evidence.”
These were the facts of the case, but their story didn’t stop there. “Even while in prison, bound by chains, we felt FREE. The Spirit of the Lord sustained us. While being whipped as well. It is an honor to suffer for the faith. I will NEVER deny Jesus, no matter what the cost!”
This is the story the men tell repeatedly, for the rest of their lives. Caesar did NOT ‘break them’ as he tried to do. The church grows stronger on this day instead of weaker.
Peter’s heart has heard the stories and rejoices with the men, but it is time to spread the word about what is coming. Peter knows that the persecution in Rome will deepen and that it will eventually spread. Also, persecution is NOT confined to the halls of Rome. It is present everywhere the gospel is preached.
All day long, the Spirit calls to Peter to write a letter to the churches. He has not been able to draw away from the work of caring for the people, yet. As he retires to bed, he begins putting the pieces together for the letter he knows he will write in the morning.
Peter’s sleep is filled with insights from the Spirit to include in the letter. It is after all a letter of the Spirit, dictated by Peter. He knows that his words will be God’s words, just as certain as Stephen’s were the day he was killed for speaking the truth.
After breakfast Peter asks that Silvanus come to him. The message is dispatched and answered right away. Silvanus stands before Peter within the hour.
“How may I be of service to you, dear brother?”
“I am in need of your writing skills. My handwriting is barely legible on the best of days” Peter says with a grin. “And the length of what I have to say would put the reader at a grave disadvantage.”
Silvanus smiles and inclines his head. “I would be most honored to serve as your scribe.”
Peter claps his hands. “It’s settled then. We will begin at noon. I presume that this will give you time to clear your schedule” Peter says with a lift on the end, indicating a hopeful question.
“It will indeed” Silvanus replies.
Silvanus stands at Peter’s door with his writing supplies a little before noon. When he is admitted, he notices that Peter has a place already waiting for him.
“This will do perfectly” Silvanus says as he begins arranging his supplies.
Years ago if the Spirit had asked Peter to undertake such a task, he would have responded like Moses did in the beginning; “Can you ask someone else please?” Today, Peter feels privileged and ready to take on this task. He chuckles to himself. “I’m no Paul, but I know that I can do this through Your hand Lord” he breathes as he prepares to begin.
Silvanus is ready and he signals Peter of this. He waits patiently with poised pen.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
“To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
“May grace and peace be multiplied to you” (1 Peter 1:1-2).
“Here we go Lord” Peter thinks to himself. “Lead the way.”
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:3-9).
Peter’s mind can’t help but remember the joy the men exhibited yesterday, after all that they had suffered. After a moment, he brings his mind back to the present work.
“Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look” (1 Peter 1:10-12).
Peter envisions the angles in Heaven trying to get a peek into the fullness of God. It brings a smile to his face. He returns to the seriousness of his task after a moment.
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’ And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for ‘All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.’
“And this word is the good news that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:13-25).
Peter nods as he takes a drink to moisten his mouth. He is ready to continue, but waits for Silvanus’ pen to stop scratching before continuing on. When Silvanus rests his pen, Peter resumes speaking.
“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:7-3).
Peter knows that this is a rhetorical question for anyone who is a true believer. But it must be asked before the hearer can truly become part of the living spiritual house of God.
“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:
“‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’
“So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.’
“They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:4-12).
“Here comes a hard part” Peter thinks to himself. “Those who are ‘free’ find it hard to submit to those they don’t agree with; and those who persecute them.”
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:13-25).
Peter turns his attention to the family. He knows that Paul has addressed this before with the Gentiles. He wants to restate it to the Jews who have become believers.
“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:1-7).
Peter addresses the whole church now.
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For ‘Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil’” (1 Peter 3:8-12).
“To the matter at hand; persecution” thinks Peter as he presses on.
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does” (1 Peter 3:13 4:6).
Peter feel an urgency for the body to respond to this call NOW instead of waiting. “There is no telling when Jesus will return.”
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:8-11).
Peter is drawn back to the warning regarding suffering for the Lord again.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And ‘If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?.’
“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (1Peter 4:12-19).
Peter turns his attention to the elders of the people. It will be their responsibility to see that all receive this message from the Lord. And they will be the example the believers follow.
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:1-11).
Peter feels a release in his spirit to bring this letter to a close.
“By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. Greet one another with the kiss of love.
“Peace to all of you who are in Christ” ( 1 Peter 5:12-14).
Peter breathes a sigh of relief as he watches Silvanus finish writing. When the pen is laid to the side, Peter peppers Silvanus with questions.
“Was I speaking too fast? Were you able to understand my meaning? Do you think the believers will understand it?”
Silvanus holds up his hands. “Please, one question at a time. Yes, I was able to keep up and understand your meaning. It is up to the Lord to help the listener understand. Our job is simply to obey.”
“You are right, of course. It is that this is the first time I have attempted writing a letter and to such a broad audience.”
“I KNOW that this was Spirit led and inspired. That alone takes the burden from your shoulders. These are God’s words, and His responsibility to ensure they are received by those He intends them for; tomorrow and long into the future.”
Peter cannot argue with that. He nods and waits quietly as Silvanus dries the parchment. Silvanus will recopy it in better handwriting before presenting it to Peter to proof read and finally send it on to the churches.
This final process takes time, but within a month, the letter is on its way to the churches. Peter returns to his duty as an elder and the whims of Caesar continue to rain down on the Christian believers. Many will feel the whip, chains, and even death because of Caesar’s desire to look good in the eyes of the people of Rome.
(to be continued)
This story is another of the ‘stitches’ that I ‘dropped’ along the way. I’m hoping that it is the last of them. Like Peter, I worry about having the right words to convey God’s message. That is why Peter’s letter is reproduced entirely in the story.
Father God, thank You for allowing me to be part of Your story. For letting me climb back into the time of the early church. Thank You also for when You placed me in history. I don’t know what my life would have been like back then, but I’m certain it would look nothing like it does today. I’m wondering what it will look like in t/he future with all the changes in my life now.
Whatever lies ahead, I will walk it by Your side. I am safe in Your arms!
