Speak Up - Speak Out (1 Peter 2:9)

1 PETER 2:9

 "...we are a chosen people, ....that we should publish; proclaim; show forth; make known; tell; display; demonstrate the goodness; the power; the wondrous deeds of the One who called us..."

[This combination of numerous translations, is an attempt to convey the full impact and meaning of the scripture; because there is more being communicated then the KJV, or any one translation fully appreciates].

1 PETER 2:9 is fascinating, because it challenges us to practice praying for the sick; to believe and expect miracles; to change our limited focus, to the unlimited power and potential of God; to take Him out of the religious box of denomination, where reality is interpreted and scripture diminished, according to what "religion" is NOT experiencing, and what they CANNOT explain, with their natural reasoning.

MATTHEW 15:6

Jesus said, "So you have rendered useless the word of God for the sake of your tradition" (Lamsa)

"...you deprive the word of God of its force and authority and make it of no effect..." ( Wuest, Amplified)

WELL BEHAVED

If all we have, and all we are offering the world, is a group of people that are well behaved and have good moral character, then we have reduced the Gospel to a set of rules and regulations of religion, and missed the immense impact and unleashed potential of the incorruptible word of God.

MANIFESTATION of POWER

Deissmann actually states that (arete), in 1 Peter 2:9, should be translated "manifestation of power", since this was the common use of the term, and specific to the context of the OT passage of Isaiah 42:12-13, that Peter quotes from; and the NT context.

HISTORICAL USE

In historical use, the word (arete) was a technical term for the "manifestation of power" (Bible Studies, pp.95-97, Deissmann) or, a "manifestation of divine power or miracles", also, that which causes such things (i.e., the power of God) [A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, Walter Bauer, editor, p.106]

THE ANNOUNCEMENT

If the announcement of the good news is covered up, or hidden, it is covered up to those who are perishing. (2 Cor.4:3). The manifestation follows the proclamation. The ANNOUNCEMENT of the good news is the power of God to produce salvation (Rm.1:16).

DEMONSTRATION

Paul said his preaching/announcing/declaring, was with the demonstration of the power of the Spirit (1 Cor.2:4)

SIGNS FOLLOWING

The scripture says that if we announce the good news (Mk.16:15) signs will follow, and so they went and announced everywhere and the Lord worked with them, confirming the announcement/preaching/declaring, with signs following (Mk.16:20).

SALVATION in our MOUTH

We hold deliverance; salvation; healing, in our mouth. We have to speak up and speak out, and God, our Father will bear witness with "...attesting miracles of a startling, imposing, amazement making character, and with variegated miracles, and with distributions [of spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit ]..." (Heb.2:4. Wuest)

MANIFESTATION FOLLOWS DECLARATION

To see the evidence of the supernatural today, we have to speak. The manifestation follows the declaration. The manifestation of "...the word is near you, even in your mouth..." (Rm.10:8) for with the mouth we declare openly and speak out (Rm.10:10, Amplified) and that declaration produces salvation; deliverance; healing; wholeness; etc.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours