1 Peter 2:19; John 14:8, 9

1891 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-184
Keyword(s):  
Peter 2 ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-17
Author(s):  
Philip Richardson

Peter’s reference to ‘spiritual sacrifices’ in 1 Pet. 2:5 is unspecified and scholars have proposed a variety of possible solutions to identify their referent. In this paper, we shed light on this question by considering how the term may have been heard by the readers in their historical context. Most scholars consider the audience to be majority Gentile and clearly in a diaspora setting (1 Pet. 1:1). Philo, as a Hellenistic Jewish author writing to the diaspora, has much to say about spiritual sacrifices, connecting them with the rational soul of virtue, which is purified from the passions and issues in virtuous conduct. Returning to 1 Peter, we observe the wider context of 1 Pet. 2:5 emphasizes purity of heart and soul, a disciplined mind and a self-controlled avoidance of passion, which also issues in virtuous conduct. This framework would have helped the original readers to identify the spiritual sacrifices.


1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Van Wyk ◽  
F. J. Van Rensburg

This article attempts to do the foundational work for a construct of the probable socio-historic context of household servants mentioned in 1 Peter 2:18. The article provides a general perspective of the different social classes, especially the lower classes in the Graeco-Roman society during the first century A.D. It is proposed that not all slaves were part of the lowest level of the social structure and that not all Roman citizens were equal or functioned as part of the top level of the social pyramid. Many slaves were indeed household servants. Some ex­- slaves (freedmen and freedwomen), however, were also classified according to this category. It is possible and probable that some (poor) citizens and (poor) foreigners were household servants.


2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Lotter ◽  
Timothy Van Aarde

This article is dedicated to Professor Sarel van der Merwe as missiologist and what he had done for the cause of the missio Dei in South Africa. The role of the laity in the missio Dei was one of the most significant developments followed by most church denominations. The priesthood of believers was the reformational perspective rediscovered by Martin Luther. The reformed tradition rediscovered the role of the laity in missions, which the Baptist church tradition has now developed most extensively in terms of missions. The Catholic Church has recognised the apostolicity of the laity in a decree called ‘Apostolicam Actuositatem’ at the Second Vatican Council in response to the crises of the church. The charismatics gave recognition to the role of the laity through the spiritual gifts of each believer. The role of the laity and of the priesthood of believers has its biblical precedent and foundation in 1 Peter 2:5, 9 and Ephesians 4:1–16. The contribution of Ephesians is that it provides the church with a missional mandate for the ordinary believer to participate in the missio Dei –, a mandate that has to be rediscovered in every age. The priesthood of believers provides an orientation for a biblical missional ecumenism. 


2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Skaggs
Keyword(s):  
Peter 2 ◽  
1 Peter ◽  

2012 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Christo Van der Merwe

A homily on discernment of faith in a chord of three. This article reflects on discernment as a key Christian faith practice of the believing community that wants to live according to its vision and mission as articulated in 1 Peter 2:21: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. This homily is presented as a chord consisting of three notes that entices the readers to contribute their own harmonies – to witness to their own contexts of tension between true and false prophecy, to choose for God’s presence in Jesus Christ and to perservere as followers of Jesus amid the coldness and cruelty of this world. These disciples choose Jesus in spite of the chaos in their own lives and in their world. A similar choice was made by one of the criminals on the cross alongside Jesus (Lk 23:42). The three notes that make up the chord are: discernment on the basis of the Bible with the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to distinguish the will of God for the road ahead.


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