PETER
CHAPTER 4
Why gospel is preached unto the dead—Saints should speak as the oracles of God—The righteous will be tried and tested in all things.
1 FORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered
for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind:
[ How Do You “Arm Yourselves . . . with the Same
Mind”? “Gain the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16), thereby
thinking what he thought, saying what he said, and doing what he did—which
course of life will stand as a defense against the evils of the world.” (McConkie,
DNTC, 3:315.)] for he
that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
5 Who shall give account to him that
is ready to judge [Jesus
Christ is our judge] the quick [
the living ] and
the dead.
6 For for
this cause was the gospel preached also
to them that are dead,
[ Is Salvation for the Dead Intended for All Who
Did Not Accept the Gospel in Mortality? “Salvation for
the dead is limited expressly to those who do not have opportunity in this
life to accept the gospel but who would have taken the opportunity had it come
to them. “‘All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel,’ the Lord
said to the Prophet, ‘who would have received it if they had been permitted
to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall
die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all
their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom, for I, the Lord, will judge all
men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.’ (Teachings,
p. 107.)” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 686. Italics added.)] that they might
be judged according
to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall
cover the multitude of sins. [ The Prophet revised
this verse to read: “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves;
for charity preventeth a multitude of sins.” (Inspired Version.) It is clear
that only repentance truly covers or takes away sin because of Christ’s atoning
sacrifice. True power from God is safeguarded by one attribute alone and that is charity. This is one of the foremost attribues of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. So when we talk about charity hat God is saying is in order to wield my power I need to know that you have an eye single to the glory of God - the immortality and eternal life of man. ]
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let
him speak as the oracles of
God; [ What Is Meant by the Injunction
to “Speak as the Oracles of God”? The Inspired Version
renders this as “speak as an oracle of God.” Elder McConkie said: “‘Speak by
inspiration, not of yourself, but simply as a medium through whom the mind
and will of the Lord is revealed.’ This is an absolute requisite of a true
minister. They must preach by the power of the Spirit. . . . Unless they do
so they cannot minister life and salvation to the children of men. Hence the
divine counsel that the Lord’s servants are to treasure up in their minds continually
the words of life; to rely upon the Holy Spirit; and then, without taking thought
beforehand, to speak forth what the Lord wants them to say, at the very moment
of their preaching. (D. & C.
84:85.)” (McConkie, DNTC, 3:317.)] if any man minister, let him do
it as
of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the
fiery trial [
What Was the “Fiery Trial”? The
“fiery trial” probably refers to the Neronian persecutions against the
church. Every saint, however, faces his own “fiery trial” as a part of
his experience in the second estate. “. . . the greatest trials of life
are reserved for the saints. They are the ones whom the world hates (Matt.
10:22), and they must overcome the world, if they are to gain the Lord’s
approval. They face all that the world faces in the way of mortal difficulties—
sickness, disease, calamities, famine, pain, sorrow, death—and in addition
their faith in Christ and his work is tested to see if they will serve
the Lord at all hazards.” (McConkie, DNTC, 3:318.) ] which
is to try you, [ What
kind of trails is he primarly referring to here? see
v14; 16; The trails of persecution for being members of the church, saints.
to prove you, for you to buid your own strength and conviction] as
though some strange thing happened unto you: [ What
does this mean? That our trials should not be
looked at as why did this happen to me, but that they have a purpose]
13 But rejoice,
[be glad for your trials, be glad because you understand
there purpose] inasmuch as ye are partakers of
Christ’s sufferings;
[ the idea that Christ suffered for our sins, that we
could be free from them; So should it be too much to ask that we have
a few trials in our life, be persecuted as saints to prove worthy of
that suffering? Have you ever thought about your trials in that light?] that,
when his glory shall be revealed,
ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 For the time is come that judgment must
begin at the house of God: [Notice the close relationship
between Peter’s comment and a revelation given for Thomas B. Marsh, president
of the Quorum of the Twelve, in 1837. (See D&C 112:24–26.)] and if it first begin at
us, what shall the end be of them that obey not
the gospel of God?