Walk in New Identity,
Shine the Light of Christ.
1 Peter 1:1-2:12
Emily Franklin
Bethany Deaf Assembly
February 8, 2026
1 Peter 1:1-2 (historical context/background)
Nero - Emperor
Peter - author
Audience - Christians facing persecution
Year - around 62-64 AD (Peter martyred around 65 AD)
1 Peter 1:3-9
Gold refinement process.
Pure gold is 24 K (99.99%) (24 parts of 24 parts)
Ex: 14K Gold is 14 parts gold, 10 parts other metal alloys
More pure is more desirable.
Faith must be refined through trials that make us rely only on Christ Jesus.
(James 1:2-5)
What is refinement?
Refinement: verb. a process to remove impurities or unwanted
elements from (a substance), typically as part of an industrial process.
1 Peter 1:10-12
Saved by Faith in Christ alone.
v9. The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.
Even prophets did not understand this mystery when they wrote of our
Messiah,
v12. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for
you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who
preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven. It is all so
wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.
Holy Spirit encourages us in our time now!
1 Peter 1:13-19
v 14-16. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your
old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.
But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is
holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
(Leviticus 20:7-8, Exodus from Egypt, New Identity.) Walk in your new
identity.
v 18-19. For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life
you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver,
which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless
Lamb of God.
Your adoption into His family was paid by Him, literally.
1 Peter 1:20
v 20. God chose Him as your ransom long before the
world began, but now in these last days He has been
revealed for your sake.
(Colossians 1:19-23)
1 Peter 1:21-25
Your faith and hope is substantiated by Christ’s resurrection from the dead.
v 23. You have been born again, not to a life that will quickly end. Your new
life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.
(Jesus Christ, John 1:1-5)
v 25b. And that word is the Good News that was preached to you!
What does it look like to be “raised to life in Christ”?
Repentance and transformation, new fruit will grow.
1 Peter 2:1-3
World’s way:
- deceit
- hypocrisy
- jealousy
- unkind speech
Be like NEWBORN BABIES:
- crave milk
- grow
- cry out to God
- experience His kindness
Hebrews 12:1-28
Holy Spirit’s conviction will lead us.
1 Peter 2:4-8 (Historical context: Cornerstone)
- Most important part of the building, holds the weight of the structure,
becomes the standard for level-ness lending to the integrity of the building’s
structure.
v 6b. “.. Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame (disgraced).”
Definition of “Standard”:
1. a conspicuous object (such as a banner) formerly carried at the top of a pole
and used to mark a rallying point especially in battle or to serve as an emblem
2. something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or
example; a level of quality, achievement, performance, etc., that is considered
acceptable or desirable
3. a rule or principle that is used as a basis for judgment
1 Peter 2:9-10
You are a chosen people! Royal priests! A holy nation! God’s
very own possession. You can show others the goodness of
God, for He called you out of darkness into His wonderful light!
Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s
people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received
God’s mercy!
(What does this mean? Historical Context: Mediator)
1 Peter 2:11-12
- Temporary Residents and Foreigners, eternal life in
Christ.
- Keep away from worldly desires, how?
- Being the light in the darkness.
-Repent and work out your growth in God’s grace!
Principles of Intercessory Prayer to grow into
deeper intimacy with Christ
1. Thank God
2. Invite Holy Spirit
3. Ask God to show your hidden
sin/unforgiveness and ask for forgiveness.
4. Lay down your rights, knowledge,
distractions, agenda, desires, acknowledge
He is Sovereign.
5. Rebuke the enemy who sows discord and
confusion, leave no open doors.
6. Wait in faith for Holy Spirit to speak/show
you.
7. Thank God for what He has shared with you
and walk in obedience to what He shows you.
Questions to Ask God:
- Where is God trying to strengthen
(refine) my faith?
- Where am I living in unholiness?
What “worldly behavior” God wants
me to stop?
- Who does God want me to share the
light of hope of God’s goodness with?
- Ask Holy Spirit to show Himself as
your teacher and lead you into
deeper experiences of His love!
