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The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is studying the book of 1 Peter.
The thing that separates Christianity from other religions is grace. It is simply God doing something for you with no strings attached. God’s grace is solely motivated by love: deep, abiding, unconditional, sacrificial love.
Peter wrote this letter to Christians who were going through various trials. The apostle knew that a severe “fiery trial” was just around the corner, and he wanted to prepare believers for it. God’s message to us is, “Be hopeful! Suffering leads to glory! God can give you all the grace you need to honor Him when the going gets tough! The future is still as bright as the promises of God, so—be hopeful!
We’ve been talking about Christians suffering for doing good by pointing to Jesus as our example. but this section of Peter’s letter is one of the most difficult portions of the New Testament.
1 Peter 3:18-22 NLT [18] 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. [19] So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— [20] those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. [21] And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. [22] Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.
The section presents three different ministries. If we understand these ministries, we will be better able to suffer in the will of God and glorify Christ.
Here are the three ministries presented In this section.
The Ministry of Christ
The Ministry of Noah
The Ministry of Christians today
Suffering for Doing Good
We’ve been talking about Christians suffering for doing good by pointing to Jesus as our example. but this section of Peter’s letter is one of the most difficult portions of the New Testament. Good and godly people have wrestled with these verses, debated and disagreed, but we are going to tackle them anyway.
Let me start by saying I agree with the interpretation and commentary of the writer of the commentary and study that I am using for this study. I am using the book “Be Hopeful: How to make the best of times out of the worst of times. New Testament Commentary 1 Peter by Warren W. Wiersbe. It doesn’t mean that he’s right, although I think he is, but as I have said many times Christians can disagree with things that do not affect salvation and still remain unified as a family. So here we go.
The section presents three different ministries. If we understand these ministries, we will be better able to suffer in the will of God and glorify Christ.
1 Peter 3:18-22 NLT [18] 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. [19] So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— [20] those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. [21] And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. [22] Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.
Here are the three ministries presented In this section.
The Ministry of Christ
The Ministry of Noah
The Ministry of Christians today
1. THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST (3:18–22)
Peter presented Jesus Christ as the perfect example of one who suffered unjustly, and yet obeyed God.
[18] 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.
He gave the example of Jesus Christ who was treated unjustly. Why? That He might die for the unjust ones and bring them to God! He died as a substitute.
Because of the work of Christ on the cross, we now have an open access to God. We may come boldly to His throne ! We also have access to His marvelous grace to meet our daily needs.
Romans 5:1-2 NIV [1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
In other words, Jesus suffered for well-doing; He did not die because of His own sins, for He had none.
1 Peter 2:22-24 NIV “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” [23] When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. [24] “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
Now to the difficult Scripture The proclamation of Christ
1 Peter 3:18-22 NIV [18] 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. [19] After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— [20] to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, [21] and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [22] who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
1 Peter 3:18-22 NLT [18] 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. [19] So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— [20] those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. [21] And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. [22] Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.
1 Peter 3:18-22 KJV [18] For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: [19] by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; [20] which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. [21] The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: [22] who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
1 Peter 3:18-22 AMPC [18] For Christ [the Messiah Himself] died for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous (the Just for the unjust, the Innocent for the guilty), that He might bring us to God. In His human body He was put to death, but He was made alive in the spirit, [19] In which He went and preached to the spirits in prison, [20] [The souls of those] who long before in the days of Noah had been disobedient, when God's patience waited during the building of the ark in which a few [people], actually eight in number, were saved through water. [Gen. 6-8.] [21] And baptism, which is a figure [of their deliverance], does now also save you [from inward questionings and fears], not by the removing of outward body filth [bathing], but by [providing you with] the answer of a good and clear conscience (inward cleanness and peace) before God [because you are demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. [22] [And He] has now entered into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with [all] angels and authorities and powers made subservient to Him.
The phrase “made alive by the Spirit” creates a problem for us. In the Greek manuscripts, there were no capital letters; so we have no authority to write “Spirit” rather than “spirit.”
Greek scholars tell us that the end of 1 Peter 3:18 should read, “Being put to death with reference to the flesh, but made alive with reference to the spirit.”
The contrast is between flesh and spirit, like in Matthew 26:41
Matthew 26:41 NIV “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Your spirit a human being’s spirit)
Our Lord had a real body
In the four Gospels, there is ample evidence that Jesus was fully human since He was born to a human mother (Matthew 1:25), He experienced hunger (Matthew 21:18) and thirst (John 19:28). Jesus also experienced temptation (Matthew 4:1) pain and suffering (Matthew 16:21), and He died (Matthew (27:50).
soul
John 12:27 NLT “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!
Matthew 26:38 NLT [38] He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
spirit
Luke 23:46 NLT Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
The difference between soul and spirit is a topic theologians and philosophers have debated for centuries. There's no single, universally agreed-upon definition, but here's a breakdown of two common interpretations:
1. Soul as the Essence of Being:
In this view, the soul is the essence of who you are – your thoughts, emotions, personality, and will.
It's what makes you an individual human being, separate from your physical body.
Some believe the soul continues to exist after death.
2. Spirit as the Connection to the Divine:
The spirit is seen as the part of you that connects to something greater than yourself, often referred to as God or a higher power.
It's associated with your sense of purpose, morality, and spirituality.
In some belief systems, the spirit might be seen as something separate from the soul, existing before birth and continuing after death.
Christianity often uses this two-part distinction:
The soul is the animating force of a living person, encompassing their emotions and desires.
The spirit is the connection to God, which is awakened through faith.
Here's an analogy:
Imagine a person as a tree.
The body is the physical structure, the visible trunk and branches.
The soul is the life force within the tree, making the leaves grow and the fruit appear.
The spirit is the connection to sunlight and water, the source of nourishment that allows the tree to thrive.
Keep in mind:
This is just one way of understanding soul and spirit.
Other religions and philosophies might have different interpretations.
Some believe soul and spirit are interchangeable.
Ultimately, the concepts of soul and spirit are ways to try to understand the intangible aspects of what makes us human and our connection to something beyond ourselves.
1He was the true God-Man. When He died, He yielded His spirit to the Father (Luke 23:46; see James 2:26). However, it seems evident that, if He was “made alive in the spirit,” at some point His spirit must have died.
It was probably when He was made sin for us and was forsaken by the Father (Mark 15:34; 2 Cor. 5:21). The phrase “quickened by [with reference to] the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18) cannot mean resurrection, because resurrection has to do with the body.
So on the cross, our Lord suffered and died. His body was put to death, and His spirit died when He was made sin. But His spirit was made alive and He yielded it to the Father. Then according to Peter, sometime between His death and His resurrection Jesus made a special proclamation to “the spirits in prison.” This raises two questions: Who were these “spirits” that He visited? What did He proclaim to them?
Those who say that these “spirits in prison” were the spirits of lost sinners in hell to whom Jesus brought the good news of salvation have some real problems to solve.
To begin with, Peter referred to people as “souls” and not “spirits”. In the New Testament, the word spirits is used to describe angels or demons, not human beings, and 1 Peter 3:22 seems to argue for this meaning.
Furthermore, nowhere in the Bible are we told that Jesus visited hell.
Acts 2:31 states that He went to “hades” (NASB), but “hades” is not hell. The word hades refers to the realm of the unbelieving dead, a temporary place where they await the resurrection.
When a Christian dies, he goes to neither place, but to heaven to be with Christ (Phil. 1:20–24).
The proclamation of Christ
Our Lord yielded His spirit to the Father, died, and at some time between death and resurrection, visited the realm of the dead, where He delivered a message to spirit beings (probably fallen angels; see Jude 6) who were somehow related to the period before the flood.
Jude 1:6 NLT [6] And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment.
1 Peter 3:19-20 NLT [19] So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— [20] those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.3.19-20.NLT
First Peter 3:20 makes this clear. The word translated “preached” simply means “to announce as a herald, to proclaim.” (kēryxen). It signifies "to herald," "to proclaim," or "to make an announcement," not necessarily good news.
It is not the word that means “to preach the gospel” that
1 Peter 1:12 NLT They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.
(euaggelizō): This is the verb form, which means "to announce good news," "to preach the gospel," or "to evangelize."
Peter did not tell us what Jesus proclaimed to these imprisoned spirits, but it could not be a message of redemption, since angels cannot be saved.
It was probably a declaration of victory over Satan and his hosts
Colossians 2:14-15 NLT [14] He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. [15] In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
Hebrews 2:14 NLT [14] Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.
How these spirits were related to the pre-flood era, Peter did not explain. Some students believe that “the sons of God” named in Genesis 6:1–4 were fallen angels who cohabited with women and produced a race of giants.
Genesis 6:4 NLT [4] In those days, and for some time after, giant Nephilites lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God had intercourse with women, they gave birth to children who became the heroes and famous warriors of ancient times.
The problem with that is that the good angels who did not fall are called “sons of God,” not the fallen angels.
Job 1:6 NIV [6] One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.
Job 1:6 AMPC [6] Now there was a day when the sons (the angels) of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (the adversary and accuser) also came among them. [Rev. 12:10.]
Job 1:6 HCSB [6] One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.
Note that Satan is distinguished from the “sons of God”).
The world before the flood was unbelievably wicked, and no doubt these spirits had much to do with it.
Genesis 6:5-8NLT [5] The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. [6] So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. [7] And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” [8] But Noah found favor with the Lord.
The resurrection of Christ
To validate and prove the proclamation of Christ there is the resurrection.
1 Peter 3:20-21 NLT [20] those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. [21] And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Since death comes when the spirit leaves the body
James 2:26 NIV As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Then resurrection involves the spirit returning to the body
Luke 8:55 NIV [55] Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.
It is because of His resurrection that Christians have the “living hope” we have been talking about
1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV [3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,
We must never minimize the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It declares that He is God, that the work of salvation is completed and accepted by the Father (Rom. 4:25), and that death has been conquered (1 Thess. 4:13–18; Rev. 1:17–18).
The gospel message includes the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1–4), for a dead Savior can save nobody. It is the risen Christ who gives us the power we need on a daily basis for life and service (Gal. 2:20).
We have the proclamation the resurrection and then the ascension all a part of Christ’s ministry after the crucifixion.
1 Peter 3:19-22 NIV [19] After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— [20] to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, [21] and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [22] who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Forty days after His resurrection, our Lord ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father,
Mark 16:19 NLT [19] When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
Ephesians 1:19-23 NLT [19] I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power [20] that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. [21] Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. [22] God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. [23] And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
Hebrews 1:3-4 NLT [3] The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. [4] This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
The main point Peter wanted to emphasize was Christ’s complete victory over all “angels and authorities and powers”
As Christians, we do not fight for victory, but from victory—the mighty victory that our Lord Jesus Christ won for us in His death, resurrection, and ascension.
Now what are these references to Noah all about?
2. THE MINISTRY OF NOAH
The patriarch Noah was held in very high regard among Jewish people in Peter’s day, and also among Christians. There are many references to the flood in both the Psalms and the Prophets.
Jesus referred to Noah in His prophetic sermon
Matthew 24:37-39 NLT [37] “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. [38] In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. [39] People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
He is named with the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:7.
Hebrews 11:7 NLT [7] It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.
Here’s the connection Noah was a “preacher of righteousness” during a very difficult time in history. In fact, he walked with God and preached God’s truth for many years before it rained. How many we don’t really know but, there are clues that allow for estimates:
Maximum timeframe: Genesis 6:3 mentions a timeframe of 120 years. But this likely refers to the maximum amount of time before the flood, not the building duration.
Noah's family: The scripture suggests Noah had sons who were grown and married before the flood (Genesis 6:18). This process likely took at least a couple of decades.
Based on these points, scholars offer different estimates:
Maximum of 75 years: This considers the time for Noah's sons to mature and marry, leaving a maximum of 75 years for building the ark.
Less than 75 years: It's possible Noah started building the ark before his sons were married, potentially shortening the construction time.
Genesis 6:3 NIV [3] Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”
Genesis 6:3 HCSB [3] And the Lord said, “My Spirit will not remain with mankind forever, because they are corrupt. Their days will be 120 years.”
and during that time was certainly laughed at and opposed.
The early Christians knew that Jesus had promised that, before His return, the world would become like the “days of Noah” and they were expecting Him soon.
2 Peter 3:1-3 NLT [1] This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory. [2] I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles. [3] Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.
As they saw society decay around them, and persecution begin, they would think of our Lord’s words.
Noah was a man of faith who kept doing the will of God even when he seemed to be a failure.
You're absolutely right. There's strong evidence that the early Church believed Jesus' return was imminent. Here's a breakdown of the supporting points:
New Testament writings: Several passages in the New Testament, particularly in the letters of Paul and Thessalonians, express the expectation of Jesus' return in their lifetimes (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).
First-century context: Judaism at the time held strong apocalyptic beliefs about the coming of the Messiah and the end of times. Early Christians likely inherited these beliefs and applied them to Jesus' return.
Urgency in teachings: The emphasis on themes like vigilance, readiness, and judgment in some early Christian writings can be seen as connected to the expectation of an imminent return.
Persecution: The early Church faced persecution, which might have fueled the belief in an imminent escape from this world through Jesus' return.
But there is another connection: Peter saw in the flood a picture (type) of a Christian’s experience of baptism.
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