Dr. J. Vernon McGee writes the following paragraph in his commentary on 1Peter: “My friend, I must confess that I am not impressed by professors in theological seminaries, with little if any experience as pastors, who get up and spin off some little theory to prepare young men for the ministry. They don’t really know the problems of a pastorate because they haven’t had the experience. They don’t know what it is really to suffer for Christ. After hearing them, I feel like turning back to Peter’s first letter and reading it again, because I believe Peter—he knew what he was talking about. I’m sorry, but I don’t trust these young professors. I want to hear from the man who has gone through the experiences.”

The foregoing statement from the late Dr. J. Vernon McGee lays it right on the line as to why we can shout “HALLELUJAH FOR/TO JESUS” at the top of our voices; because when it comes to experience in SUFFERING for righteousness sake, Jesus is the one with the greatest level of experience...i.e. crucifixion on the cross. The Apostle Peter—who wrote the above text, was himself one of those who paid the ultimate price for his faith in Christ. Tradition says Peter was crucified upside-down. It was he, along with John—who after healing the man at the beautiful gate were arrested and jailed. Then they were threatened with more of the same if they continued to preach in the name of Jesus. Peter now admonishes his brethren who are scattered throughout some five different regions in the Roman Empire due to persecution. They were persecuted for being both Jewish and Christian. Peter encourages his brethren to follow the example of their Lord in situations and conditions such as the ones they are being forced to endure. Listen to Peter—a man who has gone through the experiences of suffering as he lays out the example of Christ in 1Peter 2:21-24, “21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” NOW... to all this saintly Apostle Peter has said in these four verses above, I suggest HALLELUJAH FOR JESUS goes right there!...