Back to 1 Peter 1 Application Doctrines

I. The elder (overseer, pastor and teacher) shepherds his God-given flock, 1 Peter 5.1-4

1. 1 Peter 5.1 Principle: Peter, who personally knew Christ and now witnesses to him, has an urgent message for the elders (overseers, pastor and teachers).

2. 1 Peter 5.2 Principle: The elders (overseers, pastor and teachers) are to shepherd their own people and they are to do it willingly, with eagerness, and not for corrupt gain.

3. 1 Peter 5.3 Principle: The elders (overseers, pastor and teachers) are to shepherd the specific flocks that God has given to each of them, and do it as examples of Christ, the chief shepherd, not as heavy handed and proud dictators.

4. 1 Peter 5.4 Principle: Christ, the chief shepherd, will reward the diligent and faithful elders (overseers, pastor and teachers) by giving each of them an unfading crown of glory when he comes for his church.

II. Humility is God’s way for all of us, 1 Peter 5.5-7

1. 1 Peter 5.5 Principle: The younger men, those who serve under the pastor, are told to accept the authority and leadership of the pastor. In fact, humility is so important that all believers told to wrap themselves or clothes themselves with humility—in relation to God, to others, and to themselves. Humility is God’s grace way. Humility brings God’s favor upon us while pride brings God’s discipline.

2. 1 Peter 5.6 Principle: All believers are commanded to humble themselves under God’s authority—to accept his rightful authority and plan and place under his authority and in his plan. God will exalt humble believers at the right time.

3. 1 Peter 5.7 Principle: God our Father cares for us more than we care for ourselves. When we are convinced of that, we will throw our problems and cares upon him Casting our cares upon him demonstrates our subjection to him, our dependence upon him, and our faith in him—we have humbled ourselves before him.

III. The devil, Satan, wages war upon us, but God favors us and blesses us, 1 Peter 5.8-12

1. 1 Peter 5.8 Principle: The devil is trying to destroy the Christian life of each of us. He especially wants us to distrust God. So, besides humbling ourselves under God, we need to be sober or mentally balanced, controlled, and reasonable and we need to be alert or spiritually watchful so that on the one hand we are occupied with God, and on the other hand, so that the devil cannot control us.

2. 1 Peter 5.9 Principle: Besides humbling ourselves before God, living balanced and reasonable lives, and becoming spiritually alert, we must resist or set ourselves against the devil. We do so because this is right—it is God’s will—, because it is possible by God’s power, and because we know that we, and believers worldwide, are targets of the devil’s attack—we all stand together for God and against the devil’s attacks.

3. 1 Peter 5.10 Principle: We can take heart! Even though we are under sufferings and pressures of life, God is in control. He is using the trials for his purpose: he is completing us in the faith, confirming and strengthening us in the faith, making us strong in the faith with his power, and establishing us upon the faith’s spiritual foundation. We cannot lose.

4. 1 Peter 5.11 Principle: God can and will do all that he said he will do; the devil cannot stop him. God our father possesses ruling power, sovereignty, and dominion over all creation forever and forever. Put simply, he is the boss; there is no possible competition.

5. 1 Peter 5.12 Principle: Silvanus was Peter’s secretary. Through Silvanus he made sure that we know that these blessings he has just written about are part of God’s grace or favor upon us. Since they are God’s grace-favor upon us, he tells us to stand firm and resolute in this grace. Depend on God and his blessings. Use them regularly; do not ignore them.

IV. Support and encourage each other, 1 Peter 5.13-14

1. 1 Peter 5.13 Principle: The church in Babylon, along with Peter’s spiritual son, Mark, send their greetings. They, too, have been elected and secured for privilege and opportunity within God’s gracious plan. This mutual encouragement and support from one group of the body of Christ to another group strengthens both groups, even though they are separated by many miles. We ought to follow their example and encourage and support believers within our sphere of ministry.

2. 1 Peter 5.14 Principle; Peter tells them to “shake hands” with each other. This was a genuine show of support and care for each other, not a hypocritical glad-hand. And finally, Peter wants all to experience God’s peace. This peace of God is significant in view of the hostility showed to them by the world.