First and Second Peter are grouped in what are called the General Epistles, written to the Church at large. The theme of First Peter is the refining and growth potential in our sufferings, 1Pe 1:3, 1Pe 1:6; 1Pe 2:2. This epistle was written to believers scattered by persecution throughout Asia Minor (1 Pe 1:1). The date was circa 64-65 A.D.—the beginning of Nero’s persecutions. First Peter is the best known and loved of these epistles, called by E.J. Goodspeed, “One of the most moving pieces of persecution literature.” This epistle is written to suffering believers, and is styled by Isaac Walton as, “affectionate, loving, lowly, and humble.” This epistle conveys an intense expectation of the Lord’s return as seen in 1Pe 1:5, 1Pe 1:7, 1Pe 1:13, 1Pe 2:12, 1Pe 4:13, 1Pe 4:17, 1Pe 5:1, 1Pe 5:4.
Gene Cunningham - October 26, 2019
PA 2019 Session 6
Author is addressing believers Hebrews 6:4-6 "It is impossible to renew them to repentance...;" (check out Hebrews 6:9-12). The author is comparing them to the generation that rejected the promised land in Numbers 14:1-45, and lost the blessing (see Num 14:37). These First Century Jewish believers had ample evidence of what was coming upon Jerusalem—the destruction of 70 A.D., being instructed in the following seven prophetic warnings (see page 12 of Conference Notes): 1. Daniel’s 70 weeks: Messiah “cut off,” Jerusalem destroyed (Dan. 9:26) 2. The warning of John, Israel’s last prophet (Matt. 3:7, 11–12; Luke 3:7) 3. Jesus’ warning: “by your words …” (Matt. 12:37) 13 4. The Pharisees’ response to the parable of the vineyard (Matt. 21:40–41) 5. The seven woes, ending in the prophecy of Jerusalem’s destruction (Matt. 23:36–39) 6. The self-incrimination of the nation before Pilate (Matt. 27:25) 7. The cry of Jesus on the cross and the rent veil (Matt. 27:50–51; John 19:30) The Seven Terminal Generations (see page 13 of Conference Notes) 1. Noah’s generation: Genesis 6:3. 2. The Exodus generation: Genesis 15:12–18. 3. The Exile generation: Daniel 9:1–2; Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10 4. The Messiah generation: Daniel 9:25–26. 5. The 70 A.D. generation: Matt. 23:36; 24. 6. The Rapture generation: Matt. 24:32–35. 7. The Second Advent generation: Matt. 24:36; Matt. 24:22
Scripture References: Numbers 14:1-45, Hebrews 6:9-12, Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:5-17, Numbers 14:37
From Series: "An Appeal for Faithfulness in and Age of Apostasy"
On October 25th – 27th, 2019 Basic Training Bible Ministries and Abundant Life Church in Uniontown, PA presented “An Appeal for Faithfulness in an Age of Apostasy – The Five Warning Passages from The Book of Hebrews”. The theme comes from Hebrews 2:1 “Therefore, we must give more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”