• Three things which qualify something as precious:
  • Rarity: the only begotten Son of God - I John 4:9
  • Usefulness: that we might live through Him, a propitiation - I John 4:9-10
  • Intrinsic value: purity, He did no sin - Hebrews 4:15
• Precious to us in life
  • As a sacrifice for sin - John 1:29
  • As a sure foundation - I Peter 2:4-7
  • As food for the soul - John 6:48-57
  • As a guiding influence - John 8:12
  • As an intercessor, advocate - Romans 8:34
• He is precious unto us in the hour of death
  • Because of His promise - Revelation 2:10
  • Because of His presence - Hebrews 13:5,6; Luke 23:43
• He is precious to us in the day of Judgment and throughout eternity
  • Because of His rich rewards:
    • To eat of the tree of life - Revelation 2:7
    • To not be hurt of the second death - Revelation 2:11
    • Name retained in the Book of Life - Revelation 3:5
    • Be a pillar in the temple - Revelation 3:12
    • Sit with Him in His throne - Revelation 3:21
    • Abide where joy is unmixed with sorrow - Revelation 21:4
    • Live in the city of no night - Revelation 21:25
  • Because Heaven is more than just a place, it is being with Him who is there
    • To be at home with the Lord - Philippians 2:21
    • Where Jesus is we will find Heaven

[Sorry, no audio available for this lesson.]

• Companionship
  • Genesis 2:7-8 - God created woman as a suitable companion to man.
  • I Corinthians 11:8-9
  • Genesis 29:30-33 - Leah was married, but unloved.
• To glorify God and go to Heaven
  • I Peter 4:10-11
  • Acts 18:25-26 - Aquila and Priscilla
  • James 5:16
• To raise godly children
  • Ephesians 6:1-4
  • Ephesians 5:22-23 - One of the best things you can do for your children is to have a good marriage.

• The book was written by Simon Peter. Some have claimed that this is not the same Peter that wrote I Peter because of the difference in how he introduces himself in each book. In each book, however, he describes himself as an apostle, which means they were both written by the same man.
• The letter was written to the same audience as I Peter - Christians in Asia Minor. I Peter was probably written around 64-65 A.D. Peter is said to have died in 68 A.D., which dates this book around 65-68 A.D.
• This book was partly written to combat Gnosticism. Gnosticism was a mixing of Christianity and Eastern religions. It emphasizes the “evil” of matter and the “good” of knowledge.

• Commandments revealed: what must we do?
  • Hear
  • Believe
  • Repent
  • Be baptized
  • Be faithful
• Part 3: Fielding questions and rebuttals
  • “I believe Jesus saves me. Why do you believe in works-based salvation?”
    • Patiently reintroduce the need for obedience. Show multiple examples in the Old Testament of obedience resulting in God doing something (II Kings 5.
    • Their rebuttal: Romans 5:1
    • Response: Romans 6:1-15 - fellowship with God requires obedience.
  • “Ephesians 2:8 says my salvation is a free gift. Why are you telling me I have to repay grace?”
    • Ephesians 2:10.
    • Their rebuttal: Titus 3:5
    • Response: Acts 15:6-11.
  • “Baptism was added by men. God just said believe.”
    • This often derives from denominational perversion of baptism. See previous responses for second statement.
    • Their rebuttal: I Corinthians 1:17
    • Response: First, address context of I Corinthians 1.
  • “I was baptized as a public show of an inward faith. I was saved when I believed.”
    • Note in Acts, baptism is the culmination in each account of the conversion of the particular person (or group) being addressed. Furthermore, no one in Acts is seen teaching or preaching the gospel accurately before they themselves are baptized. No work happens before. Rejoicing happens after baptism.
    • Their rebuttal: I Peter 3:21
    • Response: Quoting the whole verse (in context) is important to understanding the meaning.
  • “Baptism is a pouring out of the Holy Spirit. A water baptism is just a symbol.”
    • Acts 8.
    • Rebuttal: Acts 2:38
    • Response: Note difference in the baptism. There is a baptism by the Holy Spirit only in two places (Acts 2.
  • “You’ve convinced me. Baptism is a part of God’s will for receiving Christ and His forgiveness. Thankfully, I’ve already been baptized.”
    • I Corinthians 14:15 shows it’s the conscious “appeal” to God.