Eleventh Avenue Church
The following is reprinted with permission of The Timely Messenger

AN INFORMAL SURVEY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

A Dispensational Approach
I PETER

By: R B. Shiflet

I. THE REALITY OF SALVATION 1:2-21
II. THE REQUIREMENT OF BROTHERLY LOVE 1:22-25
III. THE READINESS FOR WORSHIP 2:1-3
IV. THE "ROYAL PRIESTHOOD" AND THE BODY OF CHRIST 2:4-10
V. THE REMINDER TO LIVE HOLY LIVES 2:11-12
VI. THE RESPONSIBILITY TO AUTHORITIES 2:13-17
VII. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WIVES AND HUSBANDS 3:1-7
VIII. THE REPRESENTATIVE TRAITS OF CHRISTIAN LIVING 3:8-12
IX. RECOGNIZING THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST 3:13-15

X. REFLECTIONS ON SUFFERING-OURS AND CHRIST'S

    A. Our Suffering

        1. For Doing Good-

I Pet 3:17 (KJV) "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."

            a. A Good Conscience----"Pet 3:16 (KJV) Having a good conscience

The Word of God has much to say about the conscience; in fact, hours of study could be devoted to this subject. Paul could testify that he had lived with all good conscience before God (Acts 23:1); he said he exercised himself in order that he might have a conscience void of offense (Acts 24:16). In Paul's first letter to Pastor Timothy he wrote of a good conscience (I Timothy 1:5,19). He admonished Timothy to hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience (I Timothy 3:9), warning him of the danger of a conscience seared as with a hot iron (4:2). Titus was warned of a defiled conscience (Titus 1: 15). 

Peter's reference to a good conscience seems to point back to the preceding verses. If we sanctify the Lord God in our hearts and know His Word, we have the essential elements for a good conscience-basically, a knowledge of good and evil, with the implication that we
follow the good and shun the evil. He is saying that if the Christian has to suffer, it is better that he suffer for doing good rather than for doing evil. 
            b. Good Conduct- "Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." (I Peter 3:16)

If we live consistent Christian lives, even though we are slandered by those who accuse us of evil, they will eventually bring shame upon themselves because of their false accusations.

        2. For Doing Evil-I Pet 3:17 (KJV) "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."

Peter has already dealt with this issue in 2:20: I Pet. 2:20 (KJV) For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but it when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God.

    B. Christ's Suffering-

l Pet 3:18 (KJV) 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: Because this verse contains so much truth concerning the purpose and results of Christ's suffering, we leave it until our next installment, simply calling attention to the fact that He suffered once-literally once for all--in an act of sacrifice that never needs to be repeated, indeed, it cannot be repeated!