The Rock and A Rock
1. Why couldn’t the apostle Peter have been the first pope, as the Catholic church claims?
Acts 3:12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
ANSWER: Peter did not claim his own holiness, but a pope does.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
ANSWER: Peter did not put human tradition above God’s word, but a pope does.
Acts 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Answer: Peter did not believe in indulgences, but a pope does.
Acts 10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. Acts 10:26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
ANSWER: Peter did not want people to bow before him, but a pope does.
Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. Acts 15:13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Acts 15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
ANSWER: Peter did not always make the final decision for the church, but a pope does.
Gal. 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
ANSWER: Peter did not claim that he was infallible, but a pope does. Therefore Peter cannot be, and was not a pope.
2. Who is the “rock” in the epistle of Peter?
- 1Pet. 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 1Pet. 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 1Pet. 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
ANSWER: Jesus
MONDAY
Peter’s Humility
1. What did Peter say about humility, based upon his epistle?
1Pet. 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 1Pet. 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
ANSWER: Grace is given to those who are humble and exaltation comes to those who humble themselves before God.
DISCUSSION QUESTION: How did Peter humble himself before the “mighty hand of God”?
2. What other lessons are mentioned right after the lesson of humility in the same chapter?
- 1Pet. 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1Pet. 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
ANSWER: Casting all your care on God, and be sober.
APPLICATION QUESTION: How is casting all our cares and being sober connected to our humility?
TUESDAY
Peter’s Sermon
1. What would be the outline of Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost?
Intro:
- Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
The prophecy of Joel was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.
- Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: Acts 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The death and the resurrection of Jesus
- Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
The death and the resurrection of Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of David.
- Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Acts 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Acts 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Acts 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Acts 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Acts 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Acts 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Acts 2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
2. What kind of message did Peter give on the day of Pentecost?
ANSWER: Prophecy
DISCUSSION QUESTION: In the days of the early rain, Peter preached a powerful message on the prophecy. So what type of messages do you think we should be giving as we are approaching the day of the latter rain?
WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY
Peter’s Message of Hope
1. What did Peter say about the hope in his epistle?
- 1Pet. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1Pet. 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 1Pet. 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1Pet. 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ
ANSWER: The hope of receiving immortality when Jesus comes back
2. What made this hope possible according to the epistle of Peter?
- 1Pet. 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
ANSWER: The death and the resurrection of Jesus
NOTICE: As God gave Jesus the glory, Jesus will give glory to us someday.
3. What does Peter wants us to do with this hope?
- 1Pet. 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear
ANSWER: Always be ready to share
4. What do we have to go through before we receive the promise of eternal glory?
- 1Pet. 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
ANSWER: Suffer a while, but the suffering will make us perfect in that it will establish, strengthen, and settle us in Him.
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