Hello again. If you’re following the series, we’ll be covering some new material just around the corner. If you’re just checking in, I suggest you skim Parts 1–11 to catch up.

My plan is to circle back to the Apostle John in John 21 to complete this series. It’ll take a few more posts to get there.

I have some excellent perspectives on the flood, the disobedient, and new insight concerning Christ (re: 1 Peter Chapter 3) in the remaining few posts in this series. You do not want to miss these posts.

Before we go further, here is a refresh of the key points in the previous posts beginning with Part 5.

Refresh

In Part 5, I explain the meaning of John 21:18–19. Jesus tells Peter, in so many words, he is coming personally to take him unto himself – to “father” Peter into “sonship”. Christ is going to unveil the truth of the baptism journey to Peter.

In John 21 Jesus gives Peter advance notice change is coming. Peter in short order will be faced with spontaneous and unplanned responses. Christ is going to take Peter deep in him.

Peter is about to undergo a deep work of the Spirit of God.

John 21 is the “first mention” of Christ specifically giving notice to an individual of his plan to come and reveal his nature to them. Jesus spoke of it in the Gospels but here we see specific application to Peter.

Peter is on the threshold of beginning yet another journey in Christ, an uncharted journey, a path known only to Christ, a path of unprecedented change.

(I note Peter is in no position to help establish the church until he has been more firmly established in Christ, a journey Christ knows well, and one which Peter of his own volition would not naturally choose. Christ intervenes and takes Peter on the path he has already blazed.)

Peter, like many of us, would love to ignore and bury many of his own wounds, brokenness, sins, griefs, and sorrows, and focus on ministering to others. It’s in our fallen nature to keep our “fallenness” hidden and secret and project wholeness.

But Christ is not about to let that happen. Jesus knows Peter needs care. Jesus knows Peter needs healing deep in the inner man. Jesus knows Peter needs cleansing in his body, soul, and spirit.

The redirection of Peter’s life in the hands of another, a path he would not choose, (John 21:18), is the “heart of the gospel,” the promise of God to not leave him, nor us, orphans, but to come and sanctify in the comfort and grace of the Holy Spirit.

This is the “taking,” “appearing,” “revealing,” “coming,” “preparing,” “baptism,” etc., used in numerous Scriptures throughout the New Testament, in the appropriate context, of the promise of Christ to take us unto himself.

John 21 is not about Peter’s future martyrdom, but, Romans 6 – being baptized into Christ to walk in newness of life – the journey of transformation and sanctification Christ pioneered.

Baptism, Peter’s, yours and mine, is not a one – time dunk, but a journey in Jesus. One Christ initiates.

A time of Christ revealing his nature, his person, by grace. A time of cleansing deep wounds, grieving losses, binding up brokenness and bringing justice to sin.

A time of rolling back the sea of shame and condemnation that Christ might access the deep areas of our being needing cleansing and healing.

A time of grieving loss in righteousness, putting to death bitterness.

A time of training, discipline and gifting. The birthing and maturing of the father – son relationship – to know and be known, to love and be loved, intimacy, connection and union with Jesus.

Yes, a time and season where the word of God is written deeply in the heart of man and woman. The liberation and expansion of the territory of the heart – reclaiming and inheriting the land Christ redeemed.

This is the promise of the Father Jesus died for. This “baptism” is the “heart of the gospel,” to make man and woman into the likeness of Jesus, coming to maturity, unity and completeness.

Every generation has this opportunity commensurate with their level of faith and understanding, gifting, resources, and revelation of the word of God and the Holy Spirit.

Right now, Christ is searching for those he can take deeper and advance his kingdom. It’s risky, unknown and uncharted territory to the natural man.

What thoughts come to mind when you read and hear the beckoning call of Christ and his kingdom? Jesus sees beyond your thoughts, knows what’s deep in your inner man. He knows how to create a rich and deep hunger and thirst for him.

What Jesus purchased is available to you and me in greater measure than any time in history. The measure of Christ available today, to you and me, is unsurpassed by any generation (and yes, even the Book of Acts generation).

Part 6 is about “testimony.” The book of Hebrews is the story and journey of Christ, his personal testimony. The same holds true for James, Peter and John in their letters.

Here is an excerpt from Part 6:

“The early apostles are inviting us into their home, the home of their heart. Their letters tell us of their struggles, sufferings, and testify and exhort us to follow in their footsteps as they followed in Christ’s.

Simply, in different ways and expressions, they are the word of God made flesh. The mystery of the gospel – the word of God and the Holy Spirit transforming and sanctifying their natures unto holiness – bringing to death the old nature to walk in newness of life.”

The book of Hebrews forward is a mini Bible – a writing of testimonies.

It is a fitting conclusion to begin the ending of the Bible with Christ’s testimony in the book of Hebrews, followed by James, Peter and John (and to a lesser extent Jude), concluding with the testimony of the New Testament church and more in the book of Revelation.

It is also fitting one of the most revelatory Scriptures in the New Testament is found in 1 Peter 1:13 – the revealing of Christ in grace to the believer. This is bed rock Christianity, the “heart of the gospel.”

This Scripture represents Peter’s 30 plus year journey which Christ initiated way back in John 21.

Can you imagine Peter’s reflection on the last 30 years or so, of his “baptism in Christ,” as he writes his testimony of it for you and me in 1 Peter 1:13?

Also, it is fitting to note Peter’s testimony is not about the accomplishments in ministry but the sanctifying work of Jesus in his life – the offer he extends to you and me.

Christ likeness is the greatest gift and treasure we can apprehend in him.

And in this post, I note why these testimonies are important, in particular Christ’s. Because, if we don’t understand Christ’s journey and the apostles, how can we understand ours?

In closing, I note the following regarding Peter’s letters:

“When you and I read these letters, we are reading the word of God written on the tables of Peter’s heart. We are reading the word of God made flesh in the man named Peter. We are reading the story of the gospel journey in the life of one man. These letters are Peter’s “transfiguration” in writing.

These are not just words, but the meaning and experience of these words have been etched into the very fabric of who Peter is. You and I are reading the words of someone who has run the race and is about to cross the finish line.”

Part 7 is about revivals, past and present. The Old Testament “types” and the Old Testament revivals pointed to the promise of the Father, Jesus Christ.

Concerning the promise, I noted:

“The “promise” of being made new, putting off the sinful nature, newness of life in Christ – healing and restoration, is available now in Christ to you and me.

This is the beauty, majesty and mystery of the gospel. Christ’s value (in a manner of speaking, in our individual lives) may be likened, in a small measure, to the beauty we give him in return for the price he paid for us.

It behooves you and me to let Christ work the mystery of the gospel in our lives that he would receive the reward due him and fruit of his labors.”

Before one can bring revival, one has to be revived. And that’s Peter’s story, and yours and mine. Regarding Peter, I noted:

“Peter witnessed the majesty and power of the Holy Spirit operating in Christ but little did he or the other disciples understand Christ’s journey before his ministry.

In John 21, (Part 5 in this series), Jesus does not delay but invites Peter into the mystery of the gospel. Jesus knows if he waits too long after the crucifixion it will be harder for Peter to enter into the deep intimacy and preparation Christ has for him.”

Part 8 is about those who transit, for lack of a better term, different dispensations. Noah and his family were born in one era and transited to another.

Christ and the apostles, and many others, were born in the Old Testament, and through the work of God in Christ, ushered into the New Testament.

And there will be those who transit from the church age into the Millennium.

And, most importantly, there are those who transit from “death” into “life.” This is the transition from dying “to” sin to walk in newness of life – the baptism of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ pioneered the baptism from death to sin to resurrection this side of heaven. And this required the work of God in his life and requires the work of God and Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit in your life and mine.

Speaking of Christ, I noted:

“His life journey insured he would be able to emphathize with our weaknesses, struggles, failures, etc., in genuine and authentic care, delight and love.

Though Christ did not sin, he certainly faced the “pain” of sin’s temptation and is intimately aware the weaknesses of the flesh pose in the face of temptation.

This is part of the journey Christ invited Peter into as recorded in John 21 – to face the “pain” of sin’s temptation – his sinful beliefs and practices – and through Christ by grace in faith, ultimately overcome and be restored.”

And regarding Peter, I noted he opens 1 Peter with his testimony in verse two. He speaks as a Sage, an authority on the work of Jesus Christ in his life:

“In 1 Peter, he’s saying, ‘Look at me and see Christ in me. I am fighting the fight of faith, by the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of Jesus Christ.’

I exhort you to follow me, to endure sufferings and deprivations, to put off the old man and die to those sinful practices that formerly brought life, becoming obedient to the will of God and the moving of his Spirit.”

Part 9 is best summarized by the following excerpts,

“1 Peter is Peter’s revelation of himself – his heart and mind – to you and me, of what Christ has accomplished in him. It is the Word made flesh in the life of Peter.

Christ has written the revelation of himself on the tablets of Peter, and Peter is running, heralding the work of Christ in him for others to come and eat of the banquet of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter is Peter’s opportunity to publish the “good news” of Jesus Christ in him through testimony and exhortation. And it is a pattern for all those following in Christ as well.”

And regarding Christ’s yearning for you and me, I wrote:

“Though Christ is complete in all things, I think there is a sense of emptiness in his heart to know and be known, just like we want to know and be known. Everyone is uniquely made and can never be truly replaced by another individual.

It is his passion for intimacy and connection with you and me, and the revealing of his person, that produces a vibrant, tangible and real testimony of the living Christ in one’s life.

Christ is seeking those who he can cultivate a deep and intimate union. It is a complex endeavor to bring an un-sanctified heart into oneness and sonship. It is with great risk and cost. Only Jesus Christ knows the path to our heavenly Father.”

Part 10 is another look, perspective, of the relationship between Jesus and Peter following Christ’s choosing of Peter, and I quote for my post:

“Then, as his master is about to depart, Peter is chosen by Christ for a deep work of the Spirit in Peter’s life (John 21:18, Part 5 in this series) – a path and route Peter would not naturally choose – an impossible task, only made possible by the grace of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13).

Following Christ’s ascension, he is free to do the deep work in the lives of those he chooses to take unto himself – to fulfill the mandate and commission of his Father, to make man into his likeness.

Peter is bound to Christ, connected to him, an intimacy, richness, and deepness Christ “pioneered” (Hebrews 12:2) – and fulfilled; the coming Messiah and the plan of salvation the ancients desired to peer into (1 Peter 1:10 – 12). This is what normal Christianity was intended to be from the beginning.”

In this post, I reveal a treasure I believe commentators and translators have missed. And that is, 1 Peter 1:2 is Peter’s own testimony of the sanctifying work of God in his spirit, soul, and body.

I go into much detail what I believe is Peter’s expression and testimony of God’s work in him, in his personal journey of sanctification, fulfilling what Paul admonishes in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 – to be found blameless, body, soul and spirit.

Peter sets his letters off on the right footing at the very beginning, by opening his first letter with his own testimony of sanctification – not claiming to be sin free, but testifying of the cleansing and sanctifying work of God in his whole man.

He lets it be known that what he is preaching and proclaiming to others he has partaken of in the depths of Jesus Christ. His testimony in 1 Peter 1:2 establishes his authority as a Sage, having experienced the revelation of Christ in his person.

One can only truly preach what they’ve received and experienced, one can only give out of what’s been poured into them, and one can only preach righteousness and demonstrate righteousness to the extent righteousness has been imparted unto them.

If you have not read Part 10, I encourage you to do so. I it’s a great post and a rich meal for anyone hungry for the things of God.

Part 11

Since this refresh is only one post away from Part 11, I encourage you to read that post.

Peter, in 1 Peter Chapter 3, connected his journey to the work of God in Christ and Noah, and so it is with us as well.

Though everyone’s journey is unique in its own special way, the bedrock of being made into the likeness of Jesus permeates every journey over generations, dispensations and millenniums.

The question for us is, “Will we allow the Lord Jesus to intervene and disrupt our lives to allow him access to the deep, hidden and secret things we work so hard to forget and ignore?”

Will we let Jesus cleanse us, body, soul, and spirit? Will we truly allow Christ to be Christ in our life in the deepest part and core of our being?

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I promise to get back into the meat of this series in my next post. I’ve got some excellent food to share with you.

Blessings, Drake