First Epistle of Peter Part 3: A New Identity in Christ (1:13-2:10) Videos of this Bible may be found on YouTube under “Joseph Polzin”, or through this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHtgiS3iZfCsFPTp1bb-HrQ/

I. Who was the entire Old Testament pointing forward to/fulfilled in? Explain how that creates a continuous story between Israel in the Old Testament and Christians in the New Testament.

II. Why is it significant that Peter now applies Old Testament imagery, which would have been relevant for Israel, to his audience of mostly Gentile Christians?

III. Old Testament images to describe our new identity as Christians:

a. 1:13 – “Girding up your loins”

i. Cf. Exodus 12:11

ii. Why did Israel need to “stay ready” in Exodus 12?

iii. Why was it important for Israel to remember the Exodus event every year?

iv. What do we as Christians remember as our “Exodus event”?

v. For what do we stay ready as Christians?

b. 1:14-16 – “Holy people”

i. Cf. Leviticus 11:44-45. Who is first and foremost holy?

ii. What does “holy” mean?

iii. Who makes us holy? What is our purpose for being holy?

First Epistle of Peter Part III: A New Identity in Christ (1:13-2:10) Page 2 c. 1:17-21 – “New Exodus and Passover”

i. Cf. Exodus 12-15

ii. What does the “time of our exile” mean (v. 17)?

iii. How is that like both Israel’s Exodus (post-Egypt) and their Exile (Babylonian Captivity)?

iv. Who is our Passover Lamb (v. 19)?

v. From what was Israel “ransomed”? From what were we “ransomed”? (v. 18)

d. 1:22-25 – “New Covenant People”

i. Cf. Isaiah 40:6-8. What stands forever?

ii. Through what are we “born again” (end of v. 23)?

iii. Why is it important that we are born of God’s Word, not something from within ourselves?

iv. Specifically, what “word” is the “good news” (end of v. 25)?

v. Read Jeremiah 31:31-34. How is this fulfilled in the coming of Christ?

vi. How does the description of God’s people in vv. 33-34 fit what Peter is describing in 1:22-25?

e. 2:1-8 – “New Temple”

i. Who is the “living stone” in v. 4? Cf. Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42

First Epistle of Peter Part III: A New Identity in Christ (1:13-2:10) Page 3

ii. Who are the “living stones” in v. 5? Built upon whom?

iii. Why do you think this imagery was so significant to Peter in particular? Think of the meaning of his name, and read Matthew 16:15-18.

iv. Why was the tabernacle, and then later the temple in Jerusalem, so significant for Israel? What was found there?

v. Why is it then significant for us that we are “being built up as a spiritual house,” i.e. a temple?

vi. What are the “spiritual sacrifices” we offer in our lives? What makes them acceptable to God?

vii. What happens to those who do not accept Christ (v. 8)? Also, read Matthew 21:44.

f. 2:9-10 – “New Kingdom of Priests”

i. Cf. Exodus 19:4-6. How was Israel like a “kingdom of priests” for the world?

ii. What does Peter say is the purpose of our “priesthood” in v. 9?

iii. What “priestly” things do we do?

iv. How is the “priesthood of all believers” or “priesthood of the Baptized” different than the office of public ministry (pastors)?