Peter and the Christians to whom he was writing lived in a time of cruel persecution. Living for Christ was not easy. Many of those who identified with Jesus lost their possessions, their comforts, their freedom, and often their lives.

In the previous section, God told us that if we suffer it should be for doing right not for doing wrong. When we live right and suffer for it this will shame the accusers and be blessed by God.

Peter now encourages us by reminding us of how Christ suffered.

Transition

In our text this morning, we see the same three things displayed by the Lord Jesus Christ for an example to us.

Christ Suffered Unjustly (v.18)

1. Christ suffered for sins.
   1. He suffered for or on account of sins. He suffered not on account of his own sin, but the Just (righteous One) for the unjust (unrighteous ones). We may suffer for doing right, but we have done much wrong. Christ suffered though he was perfect in every way. He suffered on account of my sin and yours. He was our substitute. What an example to us!
   2. He suffered that He might bring us to God. The verb “bring” here means to open a way for one to go to God.
      1. Christ suffered for our sin, not because He had to but because He loved us and wanted to provide us access to God.
      2. Notice it says that he “might bring” us to God. This verb is a possibility. We have the ability to believe or reject. If we reject, Christ’s suffering will do us no good.
2. Christ suffered unto death.
   1. Christ was put to death in the flesh. Physically, Christ died. He endured the pain a Roman whipping and of death by crucifixion. He was innocent yet He died for the sins of the human race. Somehow He bore the penalty of all my sin, all your sin, and all the sin of every human.
      ☆ (1John 2:2) “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
   2. But He was quickened (made alive) by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit resurrected Him to life. We read this also in Romans. “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Romans 8:11) Because Jesus lives, all true Christians will be resurrected to eternal life.

Christ Proclaimed His Victory (v.19-21)

1. He proclaimed His victory to the spirits in prison (v.19).
   1. Who were the “spirits in prison” that refused to believe?
      1. Some think they were fallen angels who married men in Noah’s day and produced giants. They claim that at the flood those angels were cast into prison.
      2. Others think they were the unbelievers before the flood who refused to heed Noah’s preaching.
      3. We cannot say for positive who they were. Neither interpretation changes the point Peter was making.
   2. The word “preach” is kerusso which means to publish or proclaim openly. The context seems to suggest that Christ proclaimed His victory over sin. The word does not mean to preach the Gospel. There is no reason to think that He gave some dead sinners a second chance. The Bible denies that (Heb 9:27, etc.).
2. He also proclaimed His victory for us (v.20-21)
   1. Only eight souls believed and were saved from the flood. The majority is often wrong. Hearts were hard in Noah’s day as they are today.
   2. This emphasis here I believe is to encourage us in time of persecution. Believers are victors through Christ’s resurrection.
   3. The floodwaters did not save Noah’s family. The ark did. The same floodwaters that killed all life lifted up the ark and its contents to safety.
      ☆ (Heb 11:7) “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
   4. The floodwaters took Noah’s family from a wicked world to a new life to come. Baptism, like the flood, pictures leaving the old life of sin and entering into a new life of sanctification.
   5. Baptism is a figure of the flood. Baptism saves us in the same sense that the flood saved Noah, by means of an ark – Jesus Christ who rose from the dead. This passage does not teach that baptism is part of salvation or that baptism saves anyone from hell.
      1. Peter clearly stated that baptism does NOT put away the filth of the flesh. It does not cleanse from sin.
      2. But baptism DOES calls for a good conscience toward God. It is an outward testimony of an inward change.

Christ is now Blessed and Exalted (v.22)

1. Just as God blesses those who suffer unjustly, he blessed Christ.
   1. He is gone into heaven. Suffering in this life will eventually come to an end. Those who know Christ will go into heaven as well. John foretells a coming day when “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
   2. All creatures are subject to Christ. Those who had opposed Him are now arranged under Him. Just as God promised to bless us when we suffer unjustly, so He blessed His Son. We are on the victor’s side. We must not forget that. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
2. God gave Christ back His place at His right hand.
   1. This speaks of an exalted position, a position of honour, an “advancement to the highest personal dignity and sovereign power.” Henry
   2. On God’s right hand, Christ is our helper.
      ☆ “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:31)
      ☆ “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34)

Conclusion

When we suffer for doing right, we must remember the example of our Lord. He suffered far more than we ever will and He was entirely innocent. Being perfect and conquering death, Christ was able to proclaim His victory. He was blessed and exalted. If we suffer for doing right, we too will be blessed by God. Until that time, our Saviour is on the right hand of God to forgive and intercede for us.

Peter reminded us again of the purpose of baptism. It is an outward answer of a good conscience toward God. It is a testimony that you have left the old world and entered the new. Baptism by immersion is not an option; it is a command for every Christian. If you have not been baptised by immersion as a testimony of your salvation, you need to obey this command of the Lord.

Noah’s preaching was rejected. Only eight souls were saved in the ark. Times have not changed. Men’s hearts are still hard towards the things of God. Take heart. Boarding the ark, Jesus Christ, is the right choice. If you are in the ark, you will safely weather the storm.

If you have never received Christ, you may be religious but you are not in the ark of God’s safety. You will one day perish if you do not repent and place your faith in Christ alone to save you.

Song: Victory in Jesus – 496
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Christ’s Example of Suffering
23 August 2015 AM – 1Peter 3:18-22 – 1Pe15 – Scott Childs