strangers and aliens

Strangers And Aliens (1): Christ’s Abounding Graces (1 Peter 1:1–2)

by R. Scott Clark on September 23, 2015 | 2 Comments

I suspect this sort of idea is difficult for some of us to receive with joy. It is not on many of our agendas to to be so identified with Christ, in this hostile world, as to be required to suffer and die for him. It was only Peter’s agenda, however, and therefore on God’s agenda. Remember, the Lord Jesus had promised Peter, “when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go” (John 21.18). Jesus predicted Peter’s martyrdom and Peter was, in effect predicting suffering, if not martyrdom for his readers. Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (2): Doxology, Suffering, And Salvation (1 Peter 1:3–9)

by R. Scott Clark on September 25, 2015 | 3 Comments

For the Apostle Peter, Christians are delivered from Pharaoh, as it were, but we are not yet in Canaan. We are “in Christ” and with him we have been raised from the dead. We have an inheritance (below) we have not yet . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (3): The Good News Of The Salvation Has Now Been Announced (1 Peter 1:10–12)

by R. Scott Clark on October 4, 2015 | 2 Comments

What is the central unifying narrative thread in the history of redemption? For many American evangelicals the default answer to this question is: national Israel. For them it is a mark of faithfulness to Scripture to assume that the central, unifying thread . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (4): Living As Resident Aliens (1 Peter 1:13–21)

by R. Scott Clark on October 12, 2015 | 1 Comment

Peter wrote this epistle to be circulated among Christian congregations in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). He wrote to them about their faith, their hope, and their life living in this world—God’s world—as those who have been delivered out of Egypt, as . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (7): The Living Stone And The Living Stones (1 Peter 2:4–6)

by R. Scott Clark on October 29, 2015 | 1 Comment

There is a strain of modern evangelical theology that looks forward to the literal rebuilding of the Israelite temple and to the re-institution of sacrifices, albeit, in that case, memorial sacrifices. This passage should help us see one of the important reasons . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (9): The Israel Of God (1 Peter 2:9–10)

by R. Scott Clark on November 11, 2015

Under Moses and then under the Monarchy there were three special offices in Israel: Prophet, Priest, and King. These offices, of course, were given as part of the formation of God’s temporary, national people Israel, named after Jacob (Gen 32:28), whom God . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (11): Silencing Critics Through Submission (1 Peter 2:13–17)

by R. Scott Clark on November 23, 2015 | 6 Comments

When, c. 64–66 AD, the Apostle Peter wrote to the churches in Asia Minor (the areas named cover most of modern Turkey) Christians were a small, minority religion in the Greco-Roman world. Nero was Caesar and his reign was shortly coming to . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (12b): Servants Imitating The Suffering Savior (1 Peter 2:18–25)

by R. Scott Clark on December 13, 2015 | 1 Comment

1 Peter 2:18–25 18Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20For what . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (12c): Servants Imitating The Suffering Savior (1 Peter 2:18–25)

by R. Scott Clark on December 24, 2015 | 1 Comment

1 Peter 2:18–25 18Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20For what . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (12d): Servants Imitating The Suffering Savior (1 Peter 2:18–25)

by R. Scott Clark on December 27, 2015

His suffering was an example to us but it was more than that. It was substitutionary. Jesus suffered in the place of those whom he came to save. He paid the debt owed by all his people, a debt they owed but could never pay. Further, because, by grace alone, through faith alone, by the Holy Spirit, we are united to Christ in his death, we have been separated from from sin. Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (13a): Living Among The Pagans (1 Peter 3:1–6)

by R. Scott Clark on January 3, 2016 | 1 Comment

1 Peter 3:1–6 1Likewise, 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, 2when they see your respectful and pure conduct. . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (13b): Living Among The Pagans (1 Peter 3:1–6)

by R. Scott Clark on January 7, 2016

1 Peter 3:1–6 1Likewise, 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, 2when they see your respectful and pure conduct. . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (13c): Living Among The Pagans (1 Peter 3:1–6)

by R. Scott Clark on January 19, 2016 | 2 Comments

1 Peter 3:1–6 1Likewise, 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, 2when they see your respectful and pure conduct. . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (14): Recognizing Differences (1 Peter 3:7)

by R. Scott Clark on January 26, 2016

1 Peter 3:7 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. (ESV). . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (15a): Turning The Other Cheek (1 Peter 3:8–12)

by R. Scott Clark on February 2, 2016 | 1 Comment

When a group faces external pressure, criticism, or perhaps even persecution of some kind it may lead to internal fractures and schism. The Apostle Peter was aware of this possibility among the congregations in (modern) Turkey. He has been urging them to respond appropriately to those outside the congregation but in this section he turns his attention to those within the congregation. How ought they to relate to one another? Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (16c): Defending The Faith (1 Peter 3:13–17)

by R. Scott Clark on April 13, 2016

  13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (16d): Defending The Faith (1 Peter 3:13–17)

by R. Scott Clark on April 26, 2016 | 1 Comment

The pagans have no frame of reference by which to understand what we are saying. The Christian faith is a mystery. We claim that a Jewish rabbi was crucified and raised on the third day, that he was and remain, in fact, God the Son incarnate. There is nothing about paganism that prepares them to understand that. Further. the pagans think about religion as a matter of works, as a matter of a quid pro quo. They think that the gods are powers to be controlled and manipulated. We make offerings and we perform duties and thereby, they think, we have obligated the gods to be good to us. That is not the Christian faith. We say that God has been gracious to us in that while we were sinners (disobedient and judgment deserving), God sent his Son to obey for us, in our place, and to die for us, as our substitute. We say that we are right with God not by anything we have done or can do but merely because God has credited to us who believe all that Jesus did for us. That is a supernatural religion. The pagan has a natural religion. He elevates nature (works) into a religion and seeks to use it to control the gods. Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (19b): Living In Light Of The End Of All Things Already Begun

by R. Scott Clark on June 8, 2016

7The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10As each . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (21b): Be Not Surprised By Fiery Trials (1 Peter 4:12–19)

by R. Scott Clark on June 27, 2016

12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when . . . Continue reading →

Strangers And Aliens (21c): Be Not Surprised By Fiery Trials (1 Peter 4:12–19)

by R. Scott Clark on July 13, 2016 | 1 Comment

12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when . . . Continue reading →