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1 Peter Lectures by Dr Bruce Winter

bruce + redeemed

GBC, together with BGST, hosted Dr Bruce Winter for a series of classes on 1 and 2 Peter. "Brother Bruce", as he is preferred to be known, started off the class with a public lecture on 14 Apr, which was followed by classes during the week. There were many familiar faces from GBC, both for the public lecture and the week long class. It was also a great opportunity for GBC to practice hospitality and share our resources, as we hosted fellow brothers and sisters in Christ from other churches.

Brother Bruce reminded us all of Peter's exhortation to live with a double focus. All throughout the centuries, the saints have always believed that "this place is not my home, I'm only passing through". Indeed Christians believe that we have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (1 Pet 1:4), and the very best is yet to be (1 Pet 1 :8-9).

In light of the hope that is to come, however, this does not mean that life here is unproductive, where we merely wait idly for something better. Christians are called to live holy lives, because they belong to a holy God (1 Pet 1:13-2:10). Not only that, he points us to the numerous examples in Peter's letter where Christians were told to do good -- in the workplace, in society, in the family. Even suffering does not stop us from doing good (1 Pet 4:19).

Q&A

1 Peter is very much as relevant for the church today, as it was for the early church. It is indeed amazing that God has graciously revealed himself and left his Word for his people. 1 Pet 5 also reminds us of how God has graciously left shepherds for his people, even as we await the return of the Chief Shepherd. Indeed as we continue to hear the faithful preaching of God's Word, may these truths be planted deep in our hearts, stir our affections for Jesus and ultimately move our hands and feet.

 

Photo credits: BGST 
For more information about BGST (what it does, and the courses it offers), click here.