Christians sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for missionary work in Iran
Wed 05 Jul 2017
By Eno Adeogun
A judge in Iran has sentenced four Christians to 10 years imprisonment each for engaging in missionary activities and "conducting activities against national security", according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
Iranian national Nasser Navard Goltape, and Yusif Farhadov, Eldar Gurbanov and Bahram Nasibov from the Republic of Azerbaijan were arrested on 24th June 2016, after traveling to Tehran to visit their Christian friends.
They were released on bail from Evin Prison more than four months later, with the Azeri men returning to their home country.
Four years ago, Mars Hill Church in Seattle seemed too big to fail.
Just 17 years old, the church was drawing an average weekly attendance of 12,329 to 15 locations. In fiscal year 2013 alone, Mars Hill baptized more than 1,000 people, planted 53 churches in India, and supported 20 church planters and evangelists in Ethiopia. It released 50 new worship songs, gave away more than 3,000 Bibles in the United States and Ethiopia, and took in nearly $25 million in tithes and offerings.
Then, in a few breathtaking months, the whole thing collapsed. Founder and lead pastor Mark Driscoll’s bent toward the provocative, which was part of his draw, increasingly came under fire, fanned by a series of controversies.
Driscoll announced he was taking a break in August 2014, then resigned less than two months later. By the end of October, lead preaching pastor Dave Bruskas announced the whole thing was shutting down.
“We don’t have anything in church history this apocalyptic, as far as a behemoth like Mars Hill—not only a city but national and international voice—collapsing in a two-month period,” said Taproot Church pastor Dan Braga, who watched the whole thing from the adjacent suburb of Burien.
Mars Hill’s final announcement was optimistic: “With her final breath, Mars Hill gave birth to 11 newly independent churches where, by God’s grace, the gospel will continue to be preached, his name will be glorified, and thousands will be saved by Jesus.”
Technically, that was true. But the legacy of Mars Hill is a lot more complicated.
Tidal Wave of Hurt
The collapse of Mars Hill released a tidal wave of hurt, disillusioned people. Many quit Mars Hill; some quit church or Christianity altogether. Hundreds limped into other area churches, asking about church bylaws and pastoral pay structures before even introducing themselves.
“We had some serious trust issues,” said Neil Huck, who started attending Mars Hill in 2004. He spent a decade growing from “a baby Christian to a less baby Christian” under Driscoll’s leadership.
“It’s like your dad left, and your family is broken,” he said. “There is nothing healthy about that. You get through it, and your faith strengthens, and good has come from it. But it wasn’t healthy.”
1
[a]Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To
those who have received a faith of the same [b]kind as ours, [c]by the
righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be
multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that
His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness,
through the true knowledge of Him who called us [d]by His own glory and
[e]excellence. 4 [f]For by these He has granted to us His precious and
magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine
nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 5 Now for
this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral
[g]excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your
knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your
perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in
your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are
increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind
or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10
Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling
and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never
stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
12
Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though
you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present
with you. 13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to
stir you up by way of reminder, 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly
dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15
And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be
able to call these things to mind.
Eyewitnesses
16
For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the
power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His
majesty. 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an
[h]utterance as this was [i]made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My
beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”— 18 and we ourselves heard this
[j]utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
19
[k]So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay
attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the
morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no
prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no
prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy
Spirit spoke from God.
2
Peter 1
V
1–4: PRECIOUSNESS Starting his second letter, Peter reverts to the thought of
preciousness. Here, he extols the precious faith obtained by the righteousness
of our Saviour God, Jesus Christ. He also recommends the ‘exceedingly great and
precious promises’ which enable Christians to partake of God’s divine life and
blessings in a world of corruption.
V
5–11: PURPOSE Pleased to escape the corruption in the world, the Christian
should add certain things to the salvation he has in Christ. These things are
virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness
and love. Fruitfulness follows. So does an awareness of sin and gratitude at
having been cleansed from it. The Christian’s purpose should be to live a
fruitful life, sensitive to his Saviour. This is the evidence of a true call of
God and will keep a Christian from stumbling. It is saving faith that produces
a life like this, giving us assurance of an abundant entry into everlasting
life through Jesus Christ.
V
12–15: PASSING Peter believes his life will soon pass away. He is determined to
establish the Christians in God’s truth and leave behind him a reminder of the
importance of living for Christ.
V 16–21: PROPHECY The Christian did not follow
man-made fables, but God’s Word attesting the fact that He was ‘well pleased’
with His Beloved Son. That voice came from heaven, but there is a surer
prophetic Word, the Bible, which guides us into God’s truth. Someone may
mistakenly think he has heard a voice from heaven, but the Word of God can
readily be seen and examined. God revealed His Word in the Bible by moving holy
men, by His Holy Spirit, to record His infallible truth.
The
promises of God reveal his particular and eternal purposes to which he is
unchangeably committed and upon which believers can totally depend. These
promises are, however, conditional upon obedience on the part of believers.
God’s
promises are irrevocable
He
is absolutely trustworthy Nu 23:19 See also Tit 1:2; Heb 6:13-18
He
is unchanging Ps 110:4; Mal 3:6-7; Jas 1:17-18
He
has the power and will to fulfil his promises Isa 55:11 See also Ro 4:21
He
is faithful in keeping all his promises Jos 21:45; Jos 23:14-15; 1Ki 8:56; Ps
145:13; Heb 10:23
His
promises stem from his goodness and glory 2Pe 1:3-4
God
may confirm his promises with an oath Ge 22:15-18 See also Ge 26:3; Isa 45:23;
Am 6:8; Am 8:7
Examples
of God’s promises through covenant relationship
Ge
9:8-17 with Noah With Abraham: Ge 15:9-21; Ge 17:1-22; Heb 11:8-9,17-19
Ge
26:3-4 with Isaac With Jacob: Ge 28:13-15; Ge 46:2-4 With Moses and the
Israelites: Ex 19:1-6; Ex 24:1-8
Nu
25:10-12 with Phinehas With David: 2Sa 7:5-16 pp 1Ch 17:4-14; 1Ki 8:15,24
Jer
31:31-34 with Jeremiah
The
grounding of God’s promises in Christ
God’s
promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ 2Co 1:18-20 See also Mt 5:17; Lk
4:16-21; Ac 2:29-31; Ac 3:21-26; Ac 7:37; Dt 18:15-18; Ac 13:23,32-34; Ac
26:6-7; Ro 1:2-3; Ro 15:8; Heb 9:15
Jesus
Christ brings superior promises through the new covenant Heb 8:6-8 Jesus Christ
mediates a covenant of inner transformation, willing obedience, intimate
relationship with God and forgiveness of sins forever. See also Eph 1:13-14;
Heb 7:22; Heb 11:13,39-40; 2Pe 1:1-4
Jesus
Christ has the right to make promises on God’s behalf Jn 3:34-35 See also Jn
1:1-2,14; Jn 8:25-29; Heb 1:1-3
God’s
promises must be received by believers
They
are received by faith Gal 3:22 See also Jn 1:12; Ro 4:13-16
They
are received by perseverance and obedience Heb 10:36 See also Ro 4:19-24; 2Co
7:1; Heb 6:12
God’s
promises unite believing Jews and Gentiles Eph 3:6 See also Ac 2:38-39; Ro 9:8;
Gal 3:29; Gal 4:28; Eph 2:11-18; Heb 11:39-40
Disaster
awaits those who reject God’s promises Jos 23:12-16; Jn 3:18-20,36; 2Ti
2:11-13; Heb 6:4-12; 2Pe 3:3-10
Particular
promises of God in Christ
The
gift of the Holy Spirit Lk 24:49; Ac 1:4; Ac 2:33; Eph 1:13
The
fulness of life and eternal life 2Ti 1:1; Heb 12:26-28; Jas 1:12; Jas 2:5; 1Jn
2:25
To
those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,
Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according
to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit,
[a]to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace
[b]be yours in the fullest measure.
3 Blessed be
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy
has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable
and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected
by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the
last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while,
if necessary, you have been distressed by various [c]trials, 7 so that the
[d]proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which [e]is perishable,
even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and
honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen
Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you
greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and [f]full of glory, 9 obtaining as the
outcome of your faith the salvation of [g]your souls.
10
As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come
to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 [h]seeking to know what person
or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the
sufferings of Christ and the glories [i]to follow. 12 It was revealed to them
that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have
been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy
Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to [j]look.
13
Therefore, [k]prepare your minds for action, [l]keep sober in spirit, fix your
hope completely on the grace [m]to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus
Christ. 14 As [n]obedient children, do not [o]be conformed to the former lusts
which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but [p]like the Holy One who called you,
[q]be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You
shall be holy, for I am holy.”
17
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s
work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18
knowing that you were not [r]redeemed with perishable things like silver or
gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with
precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20
For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared [s]in
these last times for the sake of you 21 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.
22
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a [t]sincere
love of the brethren, fervently love one another from [u]the heart, 23 for you
have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is,
through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
“All
flesh is like grass,
And
all its glory like the flower of grass.
The
grass withers,
And
the flower falls off,
25
But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And
this is the word which was [v]preached to you.
Matthew
Henry's Commentary
Verses 1-2
In
this inscription we have three parts:—
I.
The author of it, described, 1. By his name—Peter. His first name was Simon,
and Jesus Christ gave him the surname of Peter, which signifies a rock, as a
commendation of his faith, and to denote that he should be an eminent pillar in
the church of God, Gal. 2:9. 2. By his office—an apostle of Jesus Christ. The
word signifies one sent, a legate, a messenger, any one sent in Christ’s name
and about his work; but more strictly it signifies the highest office in the
Christian church. 1 Cor. 12:28; God hath set some in the church, first
apostles. Their dignity and pre-eminence lay in these things:—They were
immediately chosen by Christ himself,—they were first witnesses, then
preachers, of the resurrection of Christ, and so of the entire
gospel-dispensation,—their gifts were excellent and extraordinary,—they had a
power of working miracles, not at all times, but when Christ pleased,—they were
led into all truth, were endowed with the spirit of prophecy, and they had an
extent of power and jurisdiction beyond all others; every apostle was a
universal bishop in all churches, and over all ministers. In this humble manner
Peter, (1.) Asserts his own character as an apostle. Hence learn, A man may
lawfully acknowledge, and sometimes is bound to assert, the gifts and graces of
God to him. To pretend to what we have not is hypocrisy; and to deny what we
have is ingratitude. (2.) He mentions his apostolical function as his warrant
and call to write this epistle to these people. Note, It concerns all, but
especially ministers, to consider well their warrant and call from God to their
work. This will justify them to others, and give them inward support and
comfort under all dangers and discouragements.
II.
The persons to whom this epistle was addressed, and they are described,
1.
By their external condition—Strangers dispersed throughout Pontus, Galatia,
etc. They were chiefly Jews, descended (as Dr. Prideaux thinks) from those Jews
who were translated from Babylon, by order of Antiochus king of Syria, about
two hundred years before the coming of Christ, and placed in the cities of Asia
Minor. It is very likely that our apostle had been among them, and converted
them, being the apostle of the circumcision, and that he afterwards wrote this
epistle to them from Babylon, where multitudes of the Jewish nation then
resided. At present, their circumstances were poor and afflicted. (1.) The best
of God’s servants may, through the hardships of times and providences, be
dispersed about, and forced to leave their native countries. Those of whom the
world was not worthy have been forced to wander in mountains, in dens and caves
of the earth. (2.) We ought to have a special regard to the dispersed
persecuted servants of God. These were the objects of this apostle’s particular
care and compassion. We should proportion our regard to the excellency and to
the necessity of the saints. (3.) The value of good people ought not to be
estimated by their present external condition. Here was a set of excellent
people, beloved of God, and yet strangers, dispersed and poor in the world; the
eye of God was upon them in all their dispersions, and the apostle was tenderly
careful to write to them for their direction and consolation.
2.
They are described by their spiritual condition: Elect according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, etc. These poor strangers, who were oppressed
and despised in the world, were nevertheless in high esteem with the great God,
and in the most honourable state that any person can be in during this life;
for they were,
(1.)
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. Election is either to
an office: so Saul was the man whom the Lord chose to be king (1 Sam. 10:24),
and our Lord says to his apostles, Have not I chosen you twelve? (John 6:70);
or it is to a church-state, for the enjoyment of special privileges: thus
Israel was God’s elect (Deut. 7:6), For thou art a holy people unto the Lord
thy God; the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself
above all people that are upon the face of the earth; or it is to eternal
salvation: God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. This is the election here
spoken of, importing God’s gracious decree or resolution to save some, and
bring them, through Christ, by proper means, to eternal life. [1.] This
election is said to be according to the foreknowledge of God. Foreknowledge may
be taken in two ways:—First, for mere prescience, foresight, or understanding,
that such a thing will be, before it comes to pass. Thus a mathematician certainly
foreknows that at such a time there will be an eclipse. This sort of
foreknowledge is in God, who at one commanding view sees all things that ever
were, or are, or ever will be. But such a prescience is not the cause why any
thing is so or so, though in the event it certainly will be so, as the
mathematician who foresees an eclipse does not thereby cause that eclipse to
be. Secondly, Foreknowledge sometimes signifies counsel, appointment, and
approbation. Acts 2:23; Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and
foreknowledge of God. The death of Christ was not only foreseen, but
fore-ordained, as 1 Pet. 1:20. Take it thus here; so the sense is, elect
according to the counsel, ordination, and free grace of God. [2.] It is added,
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. By the Father we are here to
understand the first person of the blessed Trinity. There is an order among the
three persons, though no superiority; they are equal in power and glory, and
there is an agreed economy in their works. Thus, in the affair of man’s
redemption, election is by way of eminency ascribed to the Father, as
reconciliation is to the Son and sanctification to the Holy Ghost, though in
each of these one person is not so entirely interested as to exclude the other
two. Hereby the persons of the Trinity are more clearly discovered to us, and
we are taught what obligations we are under to each of them distinctly.
(2.)
They were elect through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience, and
sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. The end and last result of election is
eternal life and salvation; but, before this can be accomplished, every elect
person must be sanctified by the Spirit, and justified by the blood of Jesus.
God’s decree for man’s salvation always operates through sanctification of the
Spirit and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus. By sanctification here understand,
not a federal sanctification only, but a real one, begun in regeneration,
whereby we are renewed after the image of God and made new creatures, and
carried on in the daily exercise of holiness, mortifying our sins more and
more, and living to God in all the duties of a Christian life, which is here
summed up in one word, obedience, comprehending all the duties of Christianity.
By the Spirit some would have the apostle to mean the spirit of man, the
subject sanctified. The legal or typical sanctification operated no further
than the purifying of the flesh, but the Christian dispensation takes effect
upon the spirit of man, and purifies that. Others, with better reason, think
that by spirit is meant the Holy Ghost, the author of sanctification. He renews
the mind, mortifies our sins (Rom. 8:13), and produces his excellent fruits in
the hearts of Christians, Gal. 5:22, 23. This sanctification of the Spirit
implies the use of means. Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth,
John 17:17. Unto obedience. This word, as it is pointed in our translation, is
referred to what goes before it, and denotes the end of sanctification, which
is, to bring rebellious sinners to obedience again, to universal obedience, to
obey the truth and gospel of Christ: You have purified your souls in obeying
the truth through the Spirit, 1 Pet. 1:22.
(3.)
They were elected also to the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus. They were
designed by God’s decree to be sanctified by the Spirit, and to be purified by
the merit and blood of Christ. Here is a manifest allusion to the typical
sprinklings of blood under the law, which language these Jewish converts
understood very well. The blood of the sacrifices must not only be shed but
sprinkled, to denote that the benefits designed thereby are applied and imputed
to the offerers. Thus the blood of Christ, the grand and all-sufficient
sacrifice, typified by the legal sacrifices, was not only shed, but must be
sprinkled and communicated to every one of these elect Christians, that through
faith in his blood they may obtain remission of sin, Rom. 3:25. This blood of
sprinkling justifies before God (Rom. 5:9), seals the covenant between God and
us, of which the Lord’s supper is a sign (Luke 22:20), cleanses from all sin (1
John 1:7), and admits us into heaven, Heb. 10:19. Note, [1.] God hath elected
some to eternal life, some, not all; persons, not qualification. [2.] All that
are chosen to eternal life as the end are chosen to obedience as the way. [3.]
Unless a person be sanctified by the Spirit, and sprinkled with the blood of
Jesus, there will be no true obedience in the life. [4.] There is a consent and
co-operation of all the persons of the Trinity in the affair of man’s
salvation, and their acts are commensurate one to another: whoever the Father
elects the Spirit sanctifies unto obedience, and the Son redeems and sprinkles
with his blood. [5.] The doctrine of the Trinity lies at the foundation of all
revealed religion. If you deny the proper deity of the Son and Holy Spirit, you
invalidate the redemption of the one and the gracious operations of the other,
and by this means destroy the foundation of your own safety and comfort.
III.
The salutation follows: Grace unto you, and peace be multiplied. The blessings
desired for them are grace and peace. 1. Grace—the free favour of God, with all
its proper effects, pardoning, healing, assisting, and saving. 2. Peace. All
sorts of peace may be here intended, domestic, civil, ecclesiastical peace in
the church, and spiritual peace with God, with the feeling of it in our own
consciences. 3. Here is the request or prayer, in relations to these
blessings—that they may be multiplied, which implies that they were already
possessed in some degree of these blessings, and he wishes them the
continuation, the increase, and the perfection of them. Learn, (1.) Those who
possess spiritual blessings in their own souls earnestly desire the
communication of the same to others. The grace of God is a generous, not a
selfish principle. (2.) The best blessings we can desire for ourselves, or one
for another, are grace and peace, with the multiplication of them; therefore
the apostles so often make this their prayer in the beginning and end of their
epistles. (3.) Solid peace cannot be enjoyed where there is no true grace;
first grace, then peace. Peace without grace is mere stupidity; but grace may
be true where there is for a time no actual peace; as Heman was distracted with
terror, and Christ was once in an agony. (4.) The increase of grace and peace,
as well as the first gift of them, is from God. Where he gives true grace he
will give more grace; and every good man earnestly desires the improvement and
multiplication of these blessings in himself and others.
Matthew
Henry's Commentary
Verses 3-5
We
come now to the body of the epistle, which begins with,
I.
A congratulation of the dignity and happiness of the state of these believers,
brought in under the form of a thanksgiving to God. Other epistles begin in
like manner, 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:3. Here we have,
1.
The duty performed, which is blessing God. A man blesses God by a just
acknowledgment of his excellency and blessedness.
2.
The object of this blessing described by his relation to Jesus Christ: The God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here are three names of one person,
denoting his threefold office. (1.) He is Lord, a universal king or sovereign.
(2.) Jesus, a priest or Saviour. (3.) Christ, a prophet, anointed with the
Spirit and furnished with all gifts necessary for the instruction, guidance,
and salvation of his church. This God, so blessed, is the God of Christ
according to his human nature, and his Father according to his divine nature.
3.
The reasons that oblige us to this duty of blessing God, which are comprised in
his abundant mercy. All our blessings are owing to God’s mercy, not to man’s
merit, particularly regeneration. He hath begotten us again, and this deserves
our thanksgiving to God, especially if we consider the fruit it produces in us,
which is that excellent grace of hope, and that not such a vain, dead,
perishing hope as that of worldlings and hypocrites, but a lively hope, a
living, strong, quickening, and durable hope, as that hope must needs be that
has such a solid foundation as the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Learn, (1.) A good Christian’s condition is never so bad but he has great
reason still to bless God. As a sinner has always reason to mourn, notwithstanding
his present prosperity, so good people, in the midst of their manifold
difficulties, have reason still to rejoice and bless God. (2.) In our prayers
and praises we should address God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; it is
only through him that we and our services are accepted. (3.) The best of men
owe their best blessings to the abundant mercy of God. All the evil in the
world is from man’s sin, but all the good in it is from God’s mercy.
Regeneration is expressly ascribed to the abundant mercy of God, and so are all
the rest; we subsist entirely upon divine mercy. Of the nature of regeneration,
see on John 3:3. (4.) Regeneration produces a lively hope of eternal life.
Every unconverted person is a hopeless creature; whatever he pretends to of
that kind is all confidence and presumption. The right Christian hope is what a
man is begotten again unto by the Spirit of God; it is not from nature, but
free grace. Those who are begotten to a new and spiritual life are begotten to
a new and spiritual hope. (5.) The hope of a Christian has this excellency, it
is a living hope. The hope of eternal life in a true Christian is a hope that
keeps him alive, quickens him, supports him, and conducts him to heaven. Hope
invigorates and spirits up the soul to action, to patience, to fortitude, and
perseverance to the end. The delusive hopes of the unregenerate are vain and
perishing; the hypocrite and his hope expire and die both together, Job 27:8.
(6.) The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the ground or foundation
of a Christian’s hope. The resurrection of Christ is the act of the Father as a
Judge, of the Son as a conqueror. His resurrection demonstrates that the Father
accepts his death in full discharge for our ransom, that he is victorious over
death, the grave, and all our spiritual enemies; and it is also an assurance of
our own resurrection. There being an inseparable union between Christ and his
flock, they rise by virtue of his resurrection as a head, rather than by virtue
of his power as a Judge. We have risen with Christ, Col. 3:1. From all this
taken together, Christians have two firm and solid foundations whereon to build
their hope of eternal life.
II.
Having congratulated these people on their new birth, and the hope of
everlasting life, the apostle goes on to describe that life under the notion of
an inheritance, a most proper way of speaking to these people; for they were
poor and persecuted, perhaps turned out of their inheritances to which they
were born; to allay this grievance, he tells them they were new-born to a new
inheritance, infinitely better than what they had lost. Besides, they were most
of them Jews, and so had a great affection to the land of Canaan, as the land
of their inheritance, settled upon them by God himself; and to be driven out
from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord was looked upon as a sore judgment,
1 Sam. 26:19. To comfort them under this they are put in mind of a noble
inheritance reserved in heaven for them, such a one that the land of Canaan was
but a mere shadow in comparison with it. Here note,
1.
Heaven is the undoubted inheritance of all the children of God; all that are
born again are born to an inheritance, as a man makes his child his heir; the
apostle argues, If children, then heirs, Rom. 8:17. God giveth his gifts unto
all, but the inheritance to none but his children; those that are his sons and
daughters by regeneration and adoption receive the promise of eternal
inheritance, Heb. 9:15. This inheritance is not our purchase, but our Father’s
gift; not wages that we merit, but the effect of grace, which first makes us
children and then settles this inheritance upon us by a firm unalterable
covenant.
2.
The incomparable excellencies of this inheritance, which are four:—(1.) It is
incorruptible, in which respect it is like its Maker, who is called the
incorruptible God, Rom. 1:23. All corruption is a change from better to worse,
but heaven is without change and without end; the house is eternal in the
heavens, and the possessors must subsist for ever, for their corruptible must
put on incorruption, 1 Cor. 15:53. (2.) This inheritance is undefiled, like the
great high priest that is now in possession of it, who is holy, harmless, and
undefiled, Heb. 7:26. Sin and misery, the two grand defilements that spoil this
world, and mar its beauty, have no place there. (3.) It fadeth not away, but
always retains its vigour and beauty, and remains immarcescible, ever
entertaining and pleasing the saints who possess it, without the least
weariness or distaste. (4.) “Reserved in heaven for you,” which expression
teaches us, [1.] That it is a glorious inheritance, for it is in heaven, and
all that is there is glorious, Eph. 1:18. [2.] It is certain, a reversion in
another world, safely kept and preserved till we come to the possession of it.
[3.] The persons for whom it is reserved are described, not by their names, but
by their character: for you, or us, or every one that is begotten again to a
lively hope. This inheritance is preserved for them, and none but them; all the
rest will be shut out for ever.
III.
This inheritance being described as future, and distant both in time and place,
the apostle supposes some doubt or uneasiness yet to remain upon the minds of
these people, whether they might not possibly fall short by the way. “Though
the happiness be safe in heaven, yet we are still upon earth, liable to
abundance of temptations, miseries, and infirmities. Are we in such a safe
state that we shall certainly come thither?” To this he answers that they should
be safely guarded and conducted thither; they should be kept and preserved from
all such destructive temptations and injuries as would prevent their safe
arrival at eternal life. The heir to an earthly estate has no assurance that he
shall live to enjoy it, but the heirs of heaven shall certainly be conducted
safely to the possession of it. The blessing here promised is preservation: You
are kept; the author of it is God; the means in us made use of for that end are
our own faith and care; the end to which we are preserved is salvation; and the
time when we shall see the safe end and issue of all is the last time. Note, 1.
Such is the tender care of God over his people that he not only gives them
grace, but preserves them unto glory. Their being kept implies both danger and
deliverance; they may be attacked, but shall not be overcome. 2. The
preservation of the regenerate to eternal life is the effect of God’s power.
The greatness of the work, the number of enemies, and our own infirmities, are
such that no power but what is almighty can preserve the soul through all unto
salvation; therefore the scripture often represents man’s salvation as the
effect of divine power, 2 Cor. 12:9; Rom. 14:4. 3. Preservation by God’s power
does not supersede man’s endeavour and care for his own salvation; here are
God’s power and man’s faith, which implies an earnest desire of salvation, a
reliance upon Christ according to his invitations and promises, a vigilant care
to do every thing pleasing to God and avoid whatever is offensive, an
abhorrence of temptations, a respect to the recompence of reward, and
persevering diligence in prayer. By such a patient, operating, conquering
faith, we are kept under the assistance of divine grace, unto salvation; faith
is a sovereign preservative of the soul through a state of grace unto a state
of glory. 4. This salvation is ready to be revealed in the last time. Here are
three things asserted about the salvation of the saints:—(1.) That it is now
prepared, and made ready, and reserved in heaven for them. (2.) Though it be
made ready now, yet it is in a great measure hidden and unrevealed at present,
not only to the ignorant, blind world, that never enquire after it, but even to
the heirs of salvation themselves. It does not yet appear what we shall be, 1
John 3:2. (3.) That it shall be fully and completely revealed in the last time,
or at the last day of judgment. Life and immortality are now brought to light
by the gospel, but this life will be revealed more gloriously at death, when the
soul shall be admitted into the presence of Christ, and behold his glory; and
even beyond this there will be a further and a final revelation of the
amplitude and transcendency of the saints’ felicity at the last day, when their
bodies shall be raised and re-united to their souls, and judgment shall pass
upon angels and men, and Christ shall publicly honour and applaud his servants
in the face of all the world
The Bible
Panorama
1 Peter 1
V 1–2:
PILGRIMS
Peter, the apostle, writes to the Christian pilgrims who have been dispersed
throughout what we know as modern Turkey. He wishes them multiplied grace and
peace. Although geographically scattered, their position as the elect is
focused in God. The Father’s foreknowledge, the Spirit’s sanctifying, and the
shed blood of Jesus Christ are all highlighted in the greeting. Sanctification
and obedience are to be priorities for them.
V 3–9:
PRECIOUS
Starting with God’s mercy and their hope, through the resurrected Christ, Peter
reminds them of an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that awaits them in
heaven, and of the preciousness of their faith which is being tried through
grievous trials. This will lead to great rejoicing and the certainty of their
eternal salvation.
V
10–12: PRIVILEGE Prophets, and even angels, would love to know what these
Christians now know about the sufferings and glory of Christ, made real to them
through His gospel. They are privileged people!
V 13–16:
PRIORITY
They are to reject former sins and lusts. They are to be holy because God is
holy. Holiness is the hallmark of real conversion, and must be the priority of
each Christian.
V 17–21: PRAYER Those who
call on the Father in prayer should have a consistent conduct that honours Him.
The precious blood of Christ, shed in God’s economy before the world was
founded, has redeemed them. Their faith and hope are in God, knowing that the
once crucified Christ is risen from the dead.
V 22: PURITY The Holy
Spirit has given them purity through obeying the truth. Their love for one
another is to blend purity with fervency.
V 23–25:
PERMANENT
Just as God lives forever, so His Word endures forever. They have been born
again spiritually through incorruptible and unchangeable seed. Their gospel
blessings will also last for ever.
Dictionary
of Bible Themes
6510
salvation
The
transformation of a person’s individual nature and relationship with God as a
result of repentance and faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the
cross. All humanity stands in need of salvation, which is only possible through
faith in Jesus Christ.
6511
salvation, nature of
Salvation
involves a change in the relationship between God and a person. Salvation
includes God’s adoption of believers into his family, his acceptance of them as
righteous and his forgiveness of their sins. It also includes personal renewal
and transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Salvation
as a change in status before God
Access
to God Ro 5:1-2 See also Eph 2:13; Heb 4:16
Adoption
into the family of God Jn 1:12; Ro 8:22-24; Gal 4:4-7
Forgiveness
of sin Ac 5:30-31 See also Ps 32:1-2; Mt 26:28; Ac 10:43; Ac 13:38; Eph 1:7;
Col 2:13
Heavenly
citizenship Php 3:20-21 See also Eph 2:19; Col 3:1-2; Heb 12:22-24
Inheritance
from God Ro 8:17 See also Col 1:12; Rev 21:7
Peace
with God Eph 2:13-17 See also Isa 53:5; Jn 16:33; Ro 5:1-2; Col 3:15
Righteousness
in the sight of God Ro 1:17 See also Isa 61:10; Ro 3:22; Ro 4:3-13,25-5:1 The
idea of being righteous in the sight of God lies at the heart of Paul’s
doctrine of justification by faith; 1Co 1:30; 2Co 5:21; Php 3:8-9; 2Ti 4:8; Heb
11:7
Salvation
as a change in a person’s nature
Becoming
a new creation 2Co 5:17 See also Ro 6:4; Gal 6:14-15; Eph 2:15
Deliverance
from God’s righteous condemnation Ro 8:1-2 See also Isa 50:8; Ro 5:15-17; Ro
8:33-39; Col 1:22
Deliverance
from the power of sin and evil Gal 1:3-4 See also Ro 6:14; Ro 7:21-25; Ro
8:2-4; 1Pe 2:24; Rev 1:5
Inner
personal renewal 1Jn 1:7 See also Ps 51:1-2,7; Heb 1:3; Heb 10:19-22
New
birth Jn 3:3-7 See also Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23; 1Jn 3:9
The
presence of the Holy Spirit Ro 8:10-11 See also Gal 5:2-25
Easton's
Bible Dictionary
Election of
Grace
The
Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and
privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God
for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an
election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom.
9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life
(2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18).
The
ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11;
Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15:16, 19). God claims the right so to do (Rom. 9:16,
21).
It
is not conditioned on faith or repentance, but is of soverign grace (Rom.
11:4-6; Eph. 1:3-6). All that pertain to salvation, the means (Eph. 2:8; 2 Thess.
2:13) as well as the end, are of God (Acts 5:31; 2 Tim. 2:25; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph.
2:5, 10). Faith and repentance and all other graces are the exercises of a
regenerated soul; and regeneration is God's work, a "new creature."
Men
are elected "to salvation," "to the adoption of sons,"
"to be holy and without blame before him in love" (2 Thess. 2:13;
Gal. 4:4, 5; Eph. 1:4). The ultimate end of election is the praise of God's
grace (Eph. 1:6, 12). (See PREDESTINATION.)
Encyclopedia
of The Bible
SALVATION
I.
The need for salvation
A.
Man’s sin. According to the Genesis account, when God created man He entered
into a covenant with him in which, by following the pathway of obedience, man
might then rise to a confirmed state of holiness; whereas, should he choose to
disobey, he would then fall to enslavement under sin. Obedience would lead to
eternal life in communion with God; disobedience would bring death and slavery
to Satan. The positive dimension of this covenant is to be inferred from the
Scripture, whereas the negative side is explicit.
As
Genesis 3 makes clear, man chose to disobey his Creator. When confronted with
the serpent, Eve succumbed to the challenge to assert her independency of God.
She endeavored to deify herself and dethrone God. Pride is the essence of sin!
Sin is not only a lack of conformity to or any transgression of the law of God;
it is also, and perhaps even more fundamentally, a rendering of one’s personal
relationship with his Creator. When man disobeys a command of God he offends the
loving and holy One who as the absolute Spirit Person sustains all life.
In
Adam all men sinned (Rom 5:12). The Apostle Paul establishes the universal
condemnation of all men because of their sinning. All, whether Gentile or Jew,
have sinned and are failing to reflect the glory of that original impress of
the imago dei (Rom 3:23).
B.
Man’s guilt. Because of man’s sin he is deserving of God’s judgment. After
establishing from Psalm 14 that Jews and Gentiles are alike under the power of
sin, Paul states, “Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those
who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world
may be held accountable to God” (Rom 3:19). In theological language guilt means
liability to punishment on account of sin; it means to be answerable to God for
contradicting His holiness. Guilt must not be confused with moral pollution nor
with mere demerit. For various reasons one may feel guilty when there is
neither pollution nor personal demerit. Likewise one may not feel guilty where
both exist.
The
sense of guilt for disobeying God is immediately evident in the account of the
Fall. After Adam and Eve had taken of the forbidden fruit we learn of their
vain effort to hide from God. A sense of shame compelled them to flee from
their Creator. Man in his fallen condition has been doing this down through the
entire course of human history. But all men exist in a responsible relationship
to their Creator, and if they do not fulfill this responsibility in loving
obedience to Him through faith in Jesus Christ then only judgment and the
second death await them.
C.
Man’s estrangement. Because of sin man’s predicament may be described as one in
which he finds himself a victim of anxiety, dread, despair, frustration,
alienation, absurdity, meaninglessness and estrangement. He has cut himself off
from God, his fellow-man and himself. In this situation man either seeks to
make meaning for himself by deifying himself (humanism) or by admitting his
failure to discover any meaning (nihilism).
Evidences
of man’s estrangement from his God, his fellow-man and even himself scream at
us in contemporary art forms—literature, music, painting, sculpture,
architecture, drama, motion pictures.
II.
The nature of salvation
A.
Biblical terms. 1. Hebrew יֵ֫שַׁע, H3829, יְשׁוּעָה, H3802. The word yash’ and its
cognates have the basic meaning, “to be wide,” “roomy”; fig., “to be well off”
or “prosperous”; “to be free.” An understanding of this OT word group is
imperative to an understanding of what is implied in Matthew’s statement
concerning Jesus as meaning “savior” (Matt 1:21). The usage of yasha’ and its
cognates disclose the following important concepts as integral to the overall
meaning of salvation.
a.
In the majority of OT references salvation is seen to be the work of a
sovereign God (Isa 43:11). It is Yahweh who saves His people from Egypt (Ps
106:7-10); from Babylon (Jer 30:10); from trouble (Jer 14:8). See also: 2
Samuel 22:3; Isaiah 43:3; Ezekiel 34:22; Hosea 1:7; 13:10-14; etc.
b.
Salvation is accomplished in history. The first occurrence of the word yasha’
is found in Exodus 14:30. In this reference there is the account of Israel’s
deliverance from Egyp. bondage: “Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the
hand of the Egyptians.” This national deliverance made the deepest impression
on the Heb. mind, an impression which was to be maintained by the annual
Passover feast (Deut 16:1). This deliverance of Israel from Egypt is the
supreme OT sign of Yahweh’s saving grace. It pointed beyond itself, to that
central saving event of history, the coming of Jesus Christ. It is most
significant that Luke describes the decisive victory of Christ over Satan in
terms of a new Exodus (Luke 9:31, Gr.).
c.
Salvation is deliverance from enemies. Among these enemies were death and its
fear (Ps 6:4, 5; 107:13, 14); the lion’s mouth (Ps 22:21); the battlefield
(Deut 20:4); the wicked (Ps 59:2); sickness (Isa 38:21); trouble (Jer 30:7);
and sins (Ps 51:14; 130:8; Ezek 36:29). In the OT times God was conceived to be
the Savior from all foes, both spiritual and physical.
d.
Salvation is deliverance to the Lord. Yahweh not only delivered His people from
that which would destroy them but He also brought them to Himself. His
salvation was not merely a rescue from a dangerous situation but it was also a
rescue for a special purpose, that purpose being that those rescued should
worship, praise and glorify Him through lives dedicated to obeying Him in all
of life (1 Chron 16:23; Isa 43:11, 12; 49:6, 7; Zech 8:13).
A
unique feature of the OT concept of salvation, as compared to the pagan
religions of that time, is the fact that it was understood as the prerequisite
rather than simply the goal of obedience. The order is well expressed by the
psalmist, “Save me, that I may observe thy testimonies” (Ps 119:146). The
entire Bible makes it very clear that the imperative of do for man is based
upon the indicative of done by God.
e.
Salvation is appropriated solely by faith in God apart from any reliance upon
supposed merit or human effort. This was true salvation both on a national and
individual scale (Ps 44:3; 55:16; 86:2; 138:7; etc.).
2.
Greek σωτηρία,
G5401. As used in the LXX the word was frequently equivalent of yasha’,
denoting the saving power of God in the crises of history nationally and in the
people of God individually. This saving grace is further seen not to be
confined to this age but to also anticipate the future, and it causes the man
who has experienced it to rejoice and glorify his Creator.
In
the NT soteria is used of “deliverance from enemies” (Luke 1:69, 71; Acts 7:25;
Jude 25) and of bodily health and safety (Acts 27:20, 34; Heb 11:7), but the
distinctive use is in respect to spiritual deliverance. Several important ideas
emerge in this sphere:
a.
The whole initiative of salvation is with God. “For God has not destined us for
wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 5:9).
See also John 3:16, 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 1:15; 2 Timothy 1:9;
Titus 3:5; Revelation 7:10; 19:1.
b.
Jesus is the center of God’s saving work; in no one else is there salvation
(Acts 4:12; Heb 2:10; 5:9). Without Him and His work there is no soteria.
c.
Salvation in the NT sense of spiritual deliverance means a total salvation. God
saves fallen man—body and soul. Specifically, soteria is salvation from
physical illness (Matt 9:21; Luke 8:36), from lostness (Matt 18:11; Luke
19:10), from sin (Matt 1:21), from wrath (Rom 5:9).
d.
Salvation is eschatological. Although the Christian begins to enjoy his
salvation here and now there is yet a time coming when he will realize it in
all its fullness. That time will be at the Second Coming of Christ, a day when
He will be enthroned as King of all the world (Rom 13:11; 1 Cor 5:5; 2 Tim
4:18; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:5; Rev 12:10).
In
summary, soteria is the rescue of fallen man through Christ from all that would
ruin his soul in this life and in the life to come.
B.
Biblical categories
1.
General obedience. The word or idea of obedience is used of Christ with
sufficient impact in the NT to be taken as a comprehensive characterization of
His redeeming work. Paul wrote, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were
made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous” (Rom
5:19). Again, writing of Christ, he stated, “And being found in human form he
humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil
2:8). The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews states, “Although he was a Son,
he learned obedience through what he suffered” (Heb 5:8). Christ redeemed us by
rendering a perfect obedience to the will of His Father. This He did by obeying
all the demands of the law (moral, ceremonial, and civil) and by suffering its
penal sanctions.
2.
Specific. The NT employs four terms which when taken together give a most
comprehensive portrayal of the saving work of the Triune God. These are:
sacrifice, propitiation, reconciliation and redemption. Sacrifice views
salvation as the answer to man’s guilt; propitiation as the answer to God’s righteous
wrath; reconciliation as the removal of the ground of God’s alienation from
fallen man; and redemption as a release from bondage to sin.
a.
Sacrifice (Gr. θυσία,
G2602). This word which is used approximately thirty-five times in the NT is
squarely rooted in the OT. The most frequent single occurrence of the term in
the NT is found in the Book of Hebrews. The primary though not exclusive
meaning of the term in Scripture is that of an expiation of guilt, atonement.
(See esp. Heb 5:1; 7:27; 8:3; 9:9, 23, 26; 10:1, 5, 8, 11, 12, 26; 11:4; 13:15,
16.)
b.
Propitiation (Gr. ἱλασμός,
G2662). This word is used only three times in the NT (Rom 3:25; 1 John 2:2;
4:10). The RSV has rendered all three texts with the word “expiation” which has
a more restrictive meaning. It would appear that behind the use of ἱλασμός,
G2662, there is the twofold sense of propitiation and expiation. The particular
stress of the word is prob. best taken as indicating God’s diverting of His
righteous wrath from the sinner through the atoning work of His Son.
Propitiation does not imply that the Son had to win over an incensed Father to
an expression of love toward man; rather, it was precisely because of His
eternal love that the Father sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
c.
Reconciliation (Gr. καταλλάσσω, G2904).
This word is used in only four Pauline passages (Rom 5:10, 11; 2 Cor 5:18-20;
Eph 2:16; Col 1:20-22). Reconciliation was a work of God in Christ whereby He
removed the ground of His holy alienation from the sinner and thus did not
impute his sins against him. The subjective change of the sinner’s attitude
toward God is a result of the historical event of the cross, the objective work
of reconciliation accomplished by Christ.
d.
Redemption (Gr. ἀπολύτρωσις, G667).
This word speaks the language of purchase and ransom. Redemption is the
securing of a release by the payment of a price. In the theological sense,
redemption means the release of the shed blood of Christ. Redemption from sin
embraces the several aspects from which sin is to be viewed scripturally: (1)
redemption from its guilt (Rom 3:24), (2) redemption from its power (Titus
2:14), (3) redemption from its presence (Rom 8:23).
C.
The necessity of the atonement. There are two major views reflected in the
historical development of theological thought.
1.
The hypothetical view. This position
maintains that God could have saved sinners without atonement. Other means were
open to an all-powerful God, but He chose this means as the best for the
accomplishment of His purpose. Two outstanding exponents of this view were
Augustine and Aquinas.
2.
The consequent absolute necessity view.
By the word “consequent” is meant the idea that God did not have to save
anyone; but, consequent upon the fact that He determined to do so, this view
maintains that He had to do so by means of atonement. Among those prominent
theologians holding this position there may be mentioned such men as G.
Smeaton, A. A. Hodges and L. Berkhof.
D.
Theories of the atonement
1. The
ransom theory.
(Origen, 185-254). This view, sometimes termed the military theory, argues that
Christ paid a ransom to Satan for the deliverance of those who were his
rightful captives. This position has been called the patristic theory inasmuch
as it was held in one form or another by a number of the Early Church Fathers.
2. The
satisfaction theory
(Anselm, 1033-1109). This view maintained that Christ’s death provided full
satisfaction for our sins and that His merit was more than equal to any
obligation which man could possibly incur toward God. Christ’s death was
centrally conceived of as His voluntary discharge of man’s obligation to God.
3. The moral
influence theory
(Abelard, 1079-1142). This view maintained that the life and death of Christ
was the supreme revelation of God’s love calculated to awaken in man a
reciprocal love and gratitude. The response of love is then taken to be the
basis both of justification and the forgiveness of sin.
4. The
example theory
(Socinus, 1539-1604). This view maintained that Christ’s death effected
reconciliation by affording motives and encouragement to man to repent and
believe. Christ’s power to save is based on the import of His teaching and the
influence of His example. Christ’s death was simply that of a noble martyr.
5. The
governmental theory
(Grotius, 1583-1645). This view maintained that Christ’s death is an exhibition
of divine regard for the law though He did not suffer its precise penalty; God
graciously accepted His suffering as a substitute for the penalty. The
atonement is viewed as a satisfaction, not to any internal principle of the
divine nature, but to the necessities of government.
6. The
dramatic theory
(Gustaf Aulén, 1879). This view maintains the essence of Christ’s work is to be
seen in terms of man’s liberation from the tyrants of sin, death, wrath and the
devil. Aulén maintains that this was the view of the early Fathers,
subsequently lost by Anselm and medieval scholasticism but recaptured by Martin
Luther.
7. The penal
substitution theory
(Calvin, 1509-1564). This view maintains that Christ’s death must be seen
centrally in terms of the forensic category of penal substitution. Penal
substitution is central to the Biblical teaching of atonement (Isa 53:5, 6; Rom
5:6).
All the
theories defined above have elements of truth but none of them taken by itself
provides a totally adequate explanation of the atonement. Christ by His death
did make full satisfaction for our sins; He did by His death seek to evoke the
love and gratitude of the believer, but not as a basis of acceptance before God.
He did provide an example for believers to follow (Matt 16:24; 1 Pet 2:21-23).
Most significantly however, He provided a substitute for us.
Be
Blessed today
Yours
by His Grace for the sake of His Church & His Kingdom
