Question 9
PETER’S ADVICE TO CHRISTIANS LIVING AMONG PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS FAITHS (1 PETER 2:1-25)
Observation
This question was less popular among the candidates. In the part A, most candidates answered this question from their own sociological perspective by preaching rather than answering the questions as outlined by Peter. The part B was better answered by the candidates in that they identified the expectation of how Christians living among people of different faiths are to relate. Candidates should have stated that;
- Peter admonishes Christians living among non-Christians to put away all forms of malice, guile, insincerity, envy and slander
- For spiritual building, they are to crave for the pure spiritual milk of new born babies.
- Because they have witnessed the kindness of God
- They are to live a holy life and their attitude should radiate the nature of the Lord
- For as the scripture says, those who believe in the Lord would not be shamed
- And those who disobey the word of God will stumble as predestined
- For Christ is the chief cornerstone which was earlier rejected
- Peter regarded Christians as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people
- And God has called them out of darkness into his light to testify to His deeds
- For they were once nobody and had no mercy but now they are God’s people with mercy
- Christians are to abstain from the passions of the flesh that lead to sin
- They are to maintain good conduct among unbelievers
- So that their good deeds will testify on their behalf if wrongly accused
- Christians are to be subject to every human institution/authority
- For rulers are representatives of God to punish wrong doers and praise the worthy
- By doing right, one puts to silence the foolishness of men
- Christians are to live as free men without using such freedom as pretext to do evil
- But rather, they should live as servants of God
- They are to honour all men and leaders, love the brotherhood and fear God
- Servants are to be submissive to their masters both to the meek and wicked ones
- For God is aware of their unjust punishment
- Just as Christ suffered unjustly for us, leading as example for us to follow
- Though Christ committed no sin, when condemned, he did not fight back
- But rather trusted God who is a fair Judge
- He gave us salvation by allowing himself to be crucified on the cross on our behalf
- To this end, through his agony and crucifixion, we are saved
- We once went astray like sheep but have now returned to the Lord