1. 1. Justice smiles and asks no more 1 Peter 3:18-22 Presented at the Lighthouse on 14 August 2013 by Garrett P. OHara. Original content and compilation (c) 2013 Garrett P. OHara http://cadencelighthouse.org/
2. 2. 18 , , , 19 20 , , , 21 , , 22 . Where are the periods?
3. 3. 18 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 esh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when Gods 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. 21 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, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. 1 Peter 3:1822 ESV
4. 4. 18 Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring you to God, by being put to death in the esh but by being made alive in the spirit. 19 In it he went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 after they were disobedient long ago when God patiently waited in the days of Noah as an ark was being constructed. In the ark a few, that is eight souls, were delivered through water. 21 And this pregured baptism, which now saves younot the washing off of physical dirt but the pledge of a good conscience to God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who went into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels and authorities and powers subject to him. 1 Peter 3:1822 NET cf. Isaiah 53:11-12 you here is plural Gk expresses bigger contrast here. Gk is antitupos / literally antitype A type is a divinely purposed anticipation which illustrates its antitype. These two parts of one theme are related to each other by the fact that the same truth or principle is embodied in each. - Lewis Sperry Chafer
5. 5. I. Salutation (1:1-2) II.The Believers Sure Hope of Salvation (1:3-12) III. Living in the Light of This Hope (1:13-3:12) A. Be Holy (1:13-16) B. ConductYourselves with Fear (1:17-21) C. Love One Another (1:22-2:3) D.A Holy Community Built on the Living Stone (2:4-10) E.Win the Respect of Outsiders byYour Conduct (2:11-3:12) 1. Living as Strangers and Aliens in the World (2:11-12) 2. Submission to Authorities (2:13-17) 3. Slaves and Masters (2:18-25) 4.Wives and Husbands (3:1-7) 5. Be of One Mind (3:8-12) IV. Hope in the Midst of Suffering (3:13-4:19) A. Following Christs Example of Suffering (3:13-22) B. Living for the Glory of God (4:1-11) C.The Blessings of Suffering for Doing Good (4:12-19) V. Final Instructions (5:1-9) A.To Elders: Shepherd the Flock (5:1-4) B.To theYoung: Be Submissive (5:5-6) C.To All: Resist the Devil (5:7-9) VI. Conclusion (5:10-14) A. Doxology (5:10-11) B. Final Greetings (5:12-14) Source: Outlines module in Accordance Bible Software
6. 6. Heresy alert A nice Japanese couple comes to your front door with literature. They bring you a bible and ask you to read this passage aloud. Why, even Christ died once for all time concerning sins, a righteous [person] for unrighteous ones, that he might lead YOU to God, he being put to death in the esh, but being made alive in the spirit. In this [state] also he went his way and preached to the spirits in prison, who had once been disobedient when the patience of God was waiting in Noahs days, while the ark was being constructed, in which a few people, that is, eight souls, were carried safely through the water. The man asks you,So according to this passage, was Jesus physically resurrected, or was he resurrected in the spirit?New World Translation
7. 7. Versions of verse 18 Greek: zoopoietheis de pneumati NIV, ESV, NASB: but made alive in the spirit NET: but by being made alive in the spirit NLT: but he was raised to life in the Spirit. KJV: but quickened by the Spirit:
8. 8. in the spirit 1. The word (pneumati) grammatically indicates that the (Holy) Spirit is the means by which Jesus became alive again. Since this is the case, the English translation by the Spirit is superior to in the spirit. (Reasoning From the Scriptures with the JehovahsWitnesses by Ron Rhodes) 2. The contrast of esh and spirit is not between two parts of Christs person (material versus immaterial) but between two broader modes of existence: the realm of unregenerate earthly life versus eternal heavenly life.The reference may not be to the Holy Spirit directly, but indirectly, since the Spirit permeates and characterizes the spiritual mode of existence. (NET First Edition Notes, 2005)
9. 9. Beginning of verse 19 ESV: in which... NASB: in which also... HCSB: In that state He also... NLT: So... NET: In it... NIV: After being made alive,... KJV: By which also...
10. 10. In which? In what? 1. The antecedent is spirit ( / pneumati) put to death in the esh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison... (ESV) That would could either mean Holy Spirit or Christ in spiritual state. Remember that the NT autographa were written without upper and lower-case letters. (Source: NET First Edition Notes, 2005)
11. 11. In which? In what? 2. Its a causal phrase. Which in the Greek applies to the entire concept behind it. Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. So he went and preached to the spirits in prison (NLT-SE) (Source: NET First Edition Notes, 2005)
12. 12. In which? In what? 3. Its temporal (related to time). For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits (NIV11)
13. 13. Beginning of verse 19 ESV: in which... NASB: in which also... HCSB: In that state He also... NLT: So... NET: In it... NIV: After being made alive,... KJV: By which also... Formal Formal Antecedent is spirit, but not the Holy Spirit Causal Dynamic, but not so interpretive Temporal Greek kai -- and, even, also, namely Means Interpretive versus non-interpretive.
14. 14. Questions to ask... 1. Who are the spirits in prison? unbelievers who have died? Old Testament believers who have died? fallen angels? 2. What did Christ preach? second chance for repentance? completion of redemptive work? nal condemnation? 3. When did he preach? in the days of Noah? between his death and resurrection? after his resurrection? Source: Wayne Grudem in Tyndale Commentary,Vol. 17, p. 166 In it he went and preached to the spirits in prison, (1 Peter 3:19 NET)
15. 15. True or false? Queen Elizabeth II was born in 1926.
16. 16. What Garrett thinks... Who are the spirits in prison? These spirits are now in prison (see NAS95 translation), but they werent at the time of being preached to. These are the unbelievers of Noahs day. What did Christ preach? Through Noah, Christ preached repentance. When did he preach? In the days of Noah. Whats in the spirit? Mode or realm of existence. Holy Spirit didnt have to make Jesus alive again long before His death on the cross. Augustus H. Strong -- Verb for preach is usually used for preaching the Gospel, not victory.
17. 17. Another possible position Who are the spirits in prison? Fallen angels who await judgment for leading the Noahic generation into sin. What did Christ preach? Victory over evil. When did he preach? Between the crucixion and resurrection. Whats in the spirit? Spiritual mode/realm of existence or action of Holy Spirit
18. 18. Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of theVirgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucied, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
19. 19. good conscience The full assurance that every sin is forgiven and that the Christian is an a right relationship with God So....baptism saves you? Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you not the removal of dirt from the esh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 3:21 NAS95) And this pregured baptism, which now saves younot the washing off of physical dirt but the pledge of a good conscience to Godthrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 3:21 NET) appeal A request to God for a good conscience pledge The response to God proceeding from a clear conscience
20. 20. Baptist view of baptism Primary signicance Outward sign of salvation Symbolic emphasis Identication with Christ Subjects Those able to believe Means... Immersion Romans 6:4; 8:38 Key arguments 1. Baptism always symbolized the faith of the one being baptized Matthew 3:5-6 2. NT has only believers being baptized. Acts 2:38-41; 18:9-13; 3. Jewish proselyte baptism demanded the faith of the recipient. Sources: TheTheology Program, v. 6, class 6, by Credo House Ministries; Dictionary of BibleThemes by Martin H. Manser and Alister E. McGrath
21. 21. Reformed view of baptism Primary signicance Initiation into the covenant community Symbolic emphasis Removal of sin Subjects Infants and adults Means... Sprinkling Eze 36:25; Zec 13:1; Heb 10:22; possibly Mk 7:3 Key arguments 1. Church replaces Israel; baptism replaces circumcision. Col 2:9-12 2. Whole families included in NT baptisms Acts 16:15, 33 3. Rescue of Noah is a precursor to baptism 1 Peter 3:20-21 Sources: TheTheology Program, v. 6, class 6, by Credo House Ministries; Dictionary of BibleThemes by Martin H. Manser and Alister E. McGrath
22. 22. So, Peter, what if youve trusted in Christ but you dont want to get baptized? huh?
23. 23. Or maybe the ip side... What if someone is baptized and he hasnt trusted Christ? huh? If youre Baptist... You mean babies? If youre Reformed or Roman Catholic...
24. 24. right hand of God Christs authority is that of the King. At Gods right hand, Christ rules every authority. This was a common metaphor in the ancient world. who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. (1 Peter 3:22 NAS95) OT References Power - Ps 89:13 Protection - Ps 16:8 Gods presence - Ps 16:11 Gods saving power - Ps 60:5 Symbol of victory - Ps 18:35 Symbol of defeat of Gods enemies - Ex 15:6 Symbol of Gods mighty works - Ps 45:4 Symbol of judgment - La 2:4 NT - Fathers right hand Christ exalted to Gods right hand - Heb 1:13 Christ will return at Gods right hand - Mt 26:64 Christ rules every authority at Gods right hand - 1 Pe 3:22 Christ takes scroll from Gods right hand - Rev 5:1-7 NT - Christs right hand Place of the righteous on judgment day - Mt 25:34 Privileged place granted by the Father - Mt 20:20-23
25. 25. 18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the esh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you not the removal of dirt from the esh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. (1 Peter 3:1822 NAS95) Why does Jesus position at the right hand of God matter? Jesus Christ makes our appeal to God.
26. 26. Christ suffered to bring you to God. Likewise, you may suffer to bring others to Christ. But God will save you, much like He saved Noah and Christ.
27. 27. Let us sing, though erce temptation Threatens hard to bear us down! For the Lord, our strong Salvation, Holds in view the conquerors crown: He Who washed us with His blood Soon will bring us home to God. Let us wonder; grace and justice Join and point to mercys store; When through grace in Christ our trust is, Justice smiles and asks no more: He Who washed us with His blood Has secured our way to God. - John Newton
28. 28. Application How might you apply 1 Peter 3:8-9 when discussing controversial, but non-essential issues like these? How might you connect Christs preaching through Noah into your own life? How can we exercise condence in our appeal to God for a good conscience when we are suffering? How might we avoid despair when we have a hard time interpreting Scripture?