Although the original readers of Peter’s letter were experiencing relatively mild opposition from their neighbors, in I Peter 3:8-22, he wanted to prepare them for worse persecution to come and the unfair suffering they would have to endure. As in all the letter, God calls on us both to preach and to practice what we preach, no matter how others might be treating us. In fact, when we endure unfair suffering as Christians, we receive special blessings and opportunities to demonstrate our faith.
Two stories combine to show how Jesus has power to make people whole again and to call us to believe his words.
The Jerusalem Council kept the door of salvation open to all Jews and non-Jews who repent and believe in Jesus Christ.
Ever since there began to be two groups preaching and baptizing, there were those who wanted to set up a competition between them. In...