1 Peter 3:15...How Important Is this?

[Edward]

1 Peter 3:15

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:/(KJV)

How important is this? No importance? Of moderate importance? Or perhaps it is infinitely important?

Personal faith is a very personal thing. Or is it?!

 

[JLB]

1 Peter 3:15

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:/(KJV)

How important is this? No importance? Of moderate importance? Or perhaps it is infinitely important?

Personal faith is a very personal thing. Or is it?!

I believe it is very important.

The hope we have is the resurrection from the dead.

To live with The Lord on past our physical death.

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:22-25

and again -

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:19-25


Giving people hope in this day and time is very important in my opinion.


JLB

 

[ravindran_eee]

For me it is extremely important.. Yes, we are talking about personal faith.. WHich is personal.. But how rooted are we in our faith? Remember, Peter is writing at a time of extreme persecution.. I didn't look up the verse.. If I am right, this verse was written in context with persecution.. It is more to say be grounded on your faith and hope.. Even if your persecutors question why do you have to go through this.. What is your hope when you are not seeing any good in this world.. So it is extremely important to be able to explain our hope..

It reminds of the parable of sower in Mathew.. I was just discussing that with my wife yesterday night!! The seed that falls among thorns and bushes.. Peter is warning people about the same situation.. Don't get carried away by the persecution and worries of the world.. Be rooted firm..

 

[Edward]

I agree brothers, that it is extremely important to have an answer ready for the reason of our hope in the Lord. While faith is indeed a personal thing, I believe that it is also a public thing for this reason. It is a legitimate question that people have asked and will continue to ask. I believe that this is our Christian Obligation to have this answer canned and ready.

For those who have given this no, or little forethought, or don't know/wonder what to say... an easy way to approach this is by giving your own personal testimony to people. It is a simple thing to recount from memory the blessings and answers to prayers that the Lord has done for you. Testify! Testify! :yes

 

[Chopper]

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts

I like how the ESV translates this verse...."but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in you". Sanctify (KJV) means to "set apart" and honor (ESV) means weighty and a high and lofty opinion. Together they could be interpreted "set apart to a high, holy position.

When considering a person who comes to you wondering why you live as you do, first, convey the high, holiness of Jesus in your life and perhaps give your testimony of your Salvation and your blessed life.

This, to answer your question, Is infinitely important!

 

[Aardverk]

Thank you most sincerely Edward for raising this; I will use it as my signature line. It is my reason for being here but the last part - 'yet do it with gentleness and respect' (ESV) is all to often completely ignored. I also find it very interesting that the reference to 'gentleness and respect' is completely missing from some versions of The Bible. Unfortunately I am not linguist enough to understand why. Can anyone explain?

With my life creeping ever closer to its end, I dearly want to understand why people believe as they do but most times I ask that sort of question on this forum I just get accused of attacking Christianity. I actually got suspended once when I innocently asked why people believed that The Bible was the word of God. I obviously wont ask that again but it is the question I most want to be answered. I truly do not understand.

 

[Chopper]

With my life creeping ever closer to its end, I dearly want to understand why people believe as they do but most times I ask that sort of question on this forum I just get accused of attacking Christianity. I actually got suspended once when I innocently asked why people believed that The Bible was the word of God. I obviously wont ask that again but it is the question I most want to be answered. I truly do not understand.

Hello forum friend, I sense in you a terrible need to know Truth. As a pastor/teacher for almost 40 years, I've been asked that question about the Scriptures. I'm sorry about your suspension but don't know all the facts about it. Your need strikes at my compassion so I'd like to help you any way that I can. I know that God loves you and wants you to understand His Word. I love you too.

I'd like to start with what I tell people at the start of such a conversation. The Bible, Old Testament and New Testament record things that would happen way, way in the future and we find in the New Testament that exact fulfillment. Not just a few times but many. The first major point is that the Bible proves itself!

 

[Aardverk]

Hello forum friend, I sense in you a terrible need to know Truth. As a pastor/teacher for almost 40 years, I've been asked that question about the Scriptures. I'm sorry about your suspension but don't know all the facts about it. Your need strikes at my compassion so I'd like to help you any way that I can. I know that God loves you and wants you to understand His Word. I love you too.

I'd like to start with what I tell people at the start of such a conversation. The Bible, Old Testament and New Testament record things that would happen way, way in the future and we find in the New Testament that exact fulfillment. Not just a few times but many. The first major point is that the Bible proves itself!

Thank you Chopper, I doubt we will get away with debating it here for long but let us try. We may be allowed a brief off-topic foray as it is VERY MUCH related to 1 Peter 3:15.

Let me comment on your last two sentences. The Bible is composed of many different original documents but there are also a great many more documents that were rejected at Nicea. It was very strongly argued that the OT be left out completely but the ultimate decision was obviously to include it. The process of selection and editing went on for a long time, to the evident frustration of Constantine, who wrote to the 'biscops' telling them not to keep wasting time on 'trivial matters'.

What came out of that council may or may not have been a very different document if the 'biscops' had not been under time pressure from Constantine. Just maybe, some of the apparent contradictions in The Bible would have been removed. It is all too easy for two people to find conflicting scripture to support their personal view. The one thing that the editing did achieve was to ensure that references from the OT appeared in the NT. It would have been a pretty poor editing job if they had not done so. Given the protracted selection and editing, I can not make too much of the references that inevitably do appear.

We are told that the documents left out of The Bible were left out because they were not supported. Self evidently, If you reject everything that does not support your view, whatever is left should obviously support your view.

I hope I have made that clear without insulting anyone's beliefs.

 

[Edward]

I doubt we will get away with debating it here for long but let us try. We may be allowed a brief off-topic foray as it is VERY MUCH related to 1 Peter 3:15.

That's within reason I think. I'll allow it. But let us remember to not put down Christianity and to keep to the topic and not sway into addressing personalities in a off topic way. In this way, thinking reasonable discussion and edification may be possible.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

It is good to know the Bible well enough to give answers.
Sometimes we find ourselves not knowing the answer.
At that time there is nothing more powerful than our personal testimonies.
When speaking the truth of our testimonies, the Spirit of God is surely present to convey our message to all listeners.
I helped bring a young orthodox Jewish couple to a saving relationship with Jesus simply because I didn't know the Bible and my only defense was my testimony.
When the Spirit of God is present speaking through you, there is no excuse for anyone to reject the truth.

Salvation through Jesus Christ is beyond reason.
One needs to get past reason and receive Him through the faith God has given each and every one of us.

 

[Vaccine]

We are told that the documents left out of The Bible were left out because they were not supported?

Hi Aardverk! In line with the OP I believe the Bible is the word of God based on prophecies like Psalm 22, and revelations like Job 38:22 and Lev 6:28. I like verses like those since they transcend arguments about editing or who or when it was written, but ask how could they know these details, apart from divine inspiration?
I've only read one source (evidence that demands a verdict) on the canon and am interested in learning more. Can you elaborate who is telling us that?

 

[Chopper]

That's within reason I think. I'll allow it. But let us remember to not put down Christianity and to keep to the topic and not sway into addressing personalities in a off topic way. In this way, thinking reasonable discussion and edification may be possible.

Thank you Edward for that grace. I will heed your instructions and will make every effort to abide by forum rules.

 

[Christ_empowered]

I think the idea that faith is an intensely personal thing is largely a by product of our increasingly post-modern culture. Your truth is your truth...what's true for me may not be true for you, so on and so forth. I dunno. I'm big on not making people upset, so I tend to just say "yeah, I got born again," and if someone asks questions, I'll go into it, without trying to seem like I'm pushing my faith on them. The Bible indicates that Christians experience persecution for their faith, which may explain why every born again Christian I know is regarded as backwards, ignorant, and deluded....that could also have to do with location, though (near a cluster of universities).

I'm interested in how our Bible was put together, too. I always kind of assumed that God had His hand in the process, kind of like God had His hand in the creation of the documents themselves. Then again...to an unbeliever, that sounds like a really easy way out of explaining what was probably a rather complicated process.

 

[Chopper]

why people believed that The Bible was the word of God. I

Hi again Aardverk, I'm glad that this question of your's is open for discussion. I have heard, over the years, similar statements concerning the process of canonization. This is my thinking on the Word of God as we have it today. I like the "English Standard Version" of the Bible. It is the best version that I've owned because of words that were hard to understand for me were changed to portray the exact meaning of either Hebrew or Greek. For this old country preacher needs a Bible that makes it plain. What I have done is not pay attention to what is spoken negatively about the method of canonization. I focus my attention on how to be saved by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, how to live a godly life in light of the fact that my Savior is coming back to get me. The Bible is very clear on those facts.

At the age of 34, I was the owner of "Pilot Press Printing Co." in Portland, Maine. A friend of mine tried to lead me to Jesus but my excuse for not going any further with that conversation was, "I don't believe those Scriptures because good men wrote the Bible so we would live good lives". A few months later he invited this motorcycle dude to go to church with him. I did, and heard the Good News about Jesus dying for my sins and if I would receive Him as my Lord and Savior, He would give me a new life. And, oh boy, did He! My life changed drastically and I never looked back. Most of my friends saw the difference which gave me an opportunity to tell them how great is was to be "born again". It took awhile to understand Spiritual things. My friend, I found this Scripture to be true. 1 Corinthians 2:9-14 "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him, these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that man, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit Who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned".

Aardverk, since you are not a Christian, the Scripture refers to you as a "natural person" and a lot of Scripture will not make sense to you until you become "born again". After that, over time, you will accept many spiritual things that you don't understand now.

So what's the bottom line? Believe the Good News (Gospel) that Jesus Christ died so that your sins would be forgiven, He was buried but rose again by the power of God and is seated with the Father in your behalf. Jesus loves you and wants to welcome you into the family of God and become His son. Romans 10:9,10 says "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved". (all my references are from the (ESV)

I pray that you will receive Jesus and come into the family, I want you to be my brother!

 

[Edward]

Thank you Edward for that grace. I will heed your instructions and will make every effort to abide by forum rules.

Thank you very much Chopper. I kind of like the tone and direction of this thread and am following it, without really adding much because it is interesting the back and forth going on and I don't want to derail it in any way, just listen to you guys talk. Carry on Brother!

 

[Aardverk]

why people believed that The Bible was the word of God. I

..... if I would receive Him as my Lord and Savior, He would give me a new life. And, oh boy, did He! My life changed drastically and I never looked back.

I envy you that Chopper (I wondered where you got that name!); it is what I have hoped would happen to me for many, many years. I was brought up a Christian but found too many things that I was taught to be wrong and the people 'teaching' me seemed totally uninterested in understanding my problems and doubts, I just got beaten for not believing what they told me.

Later, I studied The Bible and became quite devout for a few years BUT when I studied the origins of The Bible I found nothing to help me understand why people believe it is the word of God. I became thoroughly disillusioned. The fact that we have 200 major Christian denominations and hundreds more minor ones certainly didn't help me find one true way forward. It just confirmed my growing impression that people just believe whatever they like and find scripture to support it.

Men open this book, their favourite creed in mind;
Each seeks his own, and each his own doth find. S.Werenfels ​

I THINK I understand the notion that the Holy Spirit will show the way but it hasn't happened yet. I was taught as a child that 'Faith is a supernatural gift of God'. Sadly, I have never received that gift and I can't pretend otherwise.

I pray that you will receive Jesus and come into the family, I want you to be my brother!

Thank you for that; it is much appreciated. It's amazing how few Christians actually try to help or even be friendly if you don't believe what they believe.

Romans 14:1 is always ignored.

 

[Chopper]

I kind of like the tone and direction of this thread

Thank you so much Edward, I respect your position at the forum and look forward to any advise from you that comes my way. I inlist your prayers for this thread.

 

[Edward]

Thank you so much Edward, I respect your position at the forum and look forward to any advise from you that comes my way. I inlist your prayers for this thread.

Done.® YW Chopper!

 

[Chopper]

I THINK I understand the notion that the Holy Spirit will show the way but it hasn't happened yet. I was taught as a child that 'Faith is a supernatural gift of God'. Sadly, I have never received that gift and I can't pretend otherwise.

Oh, my new friend, If I could come to you, I would hug you and weep on your shoulder because of all the hurt and mis-understanding that men, inspired by Satan, have tried to keep you from the Truth. Please allow me to quote a Scripture in Acts Chapter 2 Verse's 38,39 "Peter said to them, "repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calles to Himself."

Just look at that!!!! That's for you! WHAT EXCITEMENT. God is promising you Salvation and the Holy Spirit to teach you what is really the truth. As a mortal man, I can give you all kinds of information, some of it would be error but the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. Please, please, get on your knees, in spirit I'll be with you holding your hands, tell God that you want the gift of the Holy Spirit to teach you, Turn away from the things that God does not like, Believe that Jesus died, rose again and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Baptism will come a little later. My friend if you will do this as soon as you read this post, I promise you, I promise you just like my life, you will experience a drastic change in your life. Just like the Scripture I quoted, God is calling you to Himself to be His child. You will then be my brother and God and I want that soooooo much. After you receive Jesus, let me know right away, please.

 

[Aardverk]

....Please, please, get on your knees, in spirit I'll be with you holding your hands, tell God that you want the gift of the Holy Spirit to teach you, Turn away from the things that God does not like, Believe that Jesus died, rose again and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. My friend if you will do this as soon as you read this post, I promise you, I promise you just like my life, you will experience a drastic change in your life. Just like the Scripture I quoted, God is calling you to Himself to be His child. You will then be my brother and God and I want that soooooo much. After you receive Jesus, let me know right away, please.

Thank you again for that suggestion. I have done exactly as you ask, to the best of my ability. I will wait now to see what happens.

The caveat in your words is, 'Believe that Jesus died, rose again and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior'. For the purposes of my prayer, I suspended disbelief as well as I possibly could but that is as difficult for me as it would be for you to suspend belief.

This, I fear, is the true problem. If any of us believe - then we believe, if any of us disbelieve - then we disbelieve. There seems to be no way of overcoming that barrier. My disbelief, or rather my doubts, are based on facts not upon anything supernatural or instinctive. If I cannot move past that barrier for supernatural or instinctive reasons, I am left with a study of facts but facts have, so far, lead me to more and more doubt rather than more and more belief. That is why I have always asked people why they believe that The Bible is the word of God. Sadly I have never received an answer which makes sense - to me.

I'm sorry to say that, to me, it is a confusing collection of edited ancient texts and no more. It was compiled amid much arguing and disagreement with many previous strands of Christianity being completely dismissed and their scrolls destroyed. If I could only understand what it is that convinces people that it is indeed the word of God, I may just have a way past that barrier.

Based on the scrolls that we do still have, I do believe that Jesus existed and that he taught the then revolutionary message of love and peace. That was an unusual enough message at the time that he stood out from the crowd. He seems to have been very wise, very influential and much loved. Beyond that, we get a brief mention, by Pliny, of Jesus and his brother but no other historical support. I only mention this to illustrate that there is a dirth of facts to call upon and it becomes, to me, simply a matter of faith. Starting without that faith, how does one change? I seems an insurmountable barrier.

Attention to facts has moved me from your side of the barrier to my side and sadly I can't find any way back.