Miscellaneous Instructions, continued

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To Elders, Shepherds of the Flock

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"I exhort the Elders among you..." The term, exhort, covers a multitude of emotions. It could include begging, commanding, instructing or anything that will put his point across. What ever is necessary, Peter was willing to do to get these ministers to "tend their flocks".

To help them and to let them know that he knew what he was talking about, he reminds them that he to was a minister. He was not asking anything of them that he was not ready to put upon himself. Also, to help, he reminds them that he shared in their sufferings to the glory of Christ. He shared in the sufferings by being close to Jesus, the man, and having to see Him suffer in the Garden, during His trial and there on the cross, even from a distance. But now he shared in Christ's glory for he was present at the transfiguration and the ascension of Christ. Thus he established his credentials and then he give them his instructions.

1. "Feed the flock." Christ had told Peter three times to feed the flock. It was always preceded by the question, "Peter, do you love me?" It said to Peter, if you love me, you will feed my flock. This is the number 1 duty of the Pastor. Preach God's Word, don't water it down.
2. "Tend the flock." This requires a firm and loving hand. It requires administrating ability. It requires an unswerving position on doctrine and the proclaiming of right and wrong.

Do all this, Peter says, not by restraint, nor by a domineering spirit, but by love, and as a reward, "you will receive the unfading crown of glory." This crown is far more to be desired than money, prestige or power for it is a gift from the "Chief Minister" of eternal glory, a crown that will not fade or pass away.

How do you perceive the Pastor's duties?

To Saints

To the "lay people", the people in the pews, be subject to the Elders. Here Peter is asking for the younger Christians to be subject to the older Christians. Do this out of humility for God opposes the proud. Maturity is spoken of here, not only of age but also of service. We must give due respect to those of long experience. Also suggested is subjection to those who are duly appointed to lead. "Yeal to this authority." We believe that the Lord leads us in the election of those who lead us, we therefore believe that they are ordained by the Lord.

To do this requires humility. Matthew Henry says, "Humility is the great preserver of peace, let your minds, behavior and your whole being be adorned with humility. It will be the most beautiful cloths you will ever wear." God opposes the proud but gives Grace to the humble.

Then Peter lists some ways that we can demonstrate our humility. First, "Cast all of your cares upon Him." This is a demonstration of faith. God will either do away with your problem, or He will give you strength to bear it. We are not promised freedom from care, only Grace sufficient to bear it, this means placing it at the feet of Jesus. Secondly, we can demonstrate our humility by being sober and watchful for the Devil. The proud think they can outwit the Devil, but the humble know they cannot. Therefore we must be eternally watchful and to resist the Devil, we must be firm in the faith and put it all in the hands of Jesus.

Faith is a gift from God for the humble but for the proud, it is the result of their diligence, and this the Devil can destroy. The humble persevere to the end because they rely on Christ. The proud rely on themselves and they fail. So to those of us in the pew, Peter says be humble and respect the authority that is God given in the church, only the proud are disobedient.

Benediction

Notice Peter closes the letter with a prayer. He does not pray that they might be spared persecution, but that their persecution might be moderate and short. He also prays that they will not waver during the time of their persecution but will remain strong in the faith.

There are four points in these verses which Peter has made many times throughout the letter, lets remind ourselves of what they are.

1. All Grace is from God. He converts, He comforts, He sustains and he strengthens.
2. All whom He calls, He calls to eternal glory and happiness. (the eternal security of the believer and the joy of our salvation, even in persecution)
3. All who are called, suffer in this world. It is a part of Christian growth and a time of testing.
4. God does it all. the establishing, the perfecting, the strengthening, the persevering, all is the work of the Lord in the believers life. When we realize this, how can we help but be humble. Only the proud claim any part of this process.

Then Peter gives the "doxology". "To Him be dominion for ever and ever, Amen." Then he reminds then by whom he is sending the letter. Silvanus, Silas, Paul's companion. A faithful brother in Christ whom Peter held in high regard even though he was a Gentile. Peter also reminds why he wrote the letter. He wanted to declare the true Grace of God and to exhort them to stand fast in it even in persecution.

He sends greetings from the "Church at Babylon" which has caused some confusion for years. Was Peter at Babylon, as some think, or was he in Rome, as some think and using the term "Church at Babylon", derogatorily, referring to the church at Rome. I believe that he was actually at Babylon and was witnessing to the sincerity of the Christians there, something that was doubted by Jews and Christians alike because of their prejudice. But Peter assures them that the Christians at Babylon were chosen of God just as they were.

He sends greetings from John Mark and he instructs them to greet one another with the "kiss of love". Some translations call this the "kiss of peace". This was a custom in those days in Asia Minor that was the kissing of both cheeks, as a sign of peace, love and charity. He closes with the words, "Peace to all of you that are in Christ.

THUS ENDS PETER'S FIRST LETTER TO THE CHURCHES OF ASIA MINOR

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