cp. Ac 4:10-11 ). Objections to the letter’s authorship by Peter are inconclusive First Peter was probably written sometime and cannot be proven. The claim that between A.D. 62–64. While Paul was under someone wrote this letter using the house arrest from A.D. 60–62, he did not apostle’s name as a pseudonym cannot refer to Peter in Rome. Peter likewise did INTRO TO 1 PETER be sustained. A number of early church not mention Paul as being in Rome; only leaders— e.g., Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Silvanus and Mark were his companions Clement of Alexandria—accepted the letter ( 5:12-13 ). These facts suggest that Peter as authentic. Further, the early church wrote 1 Peter some time after A.D. 62 First Peter is considered one of the in a foreign land. Although they will suffer soundly rejected the practice of writing and before the writing of 2 Peter. The General Epistles. This epistle provided for Christ while in this non-Christian under an apostolic pseudonym as forgery. theme of suffering appears throughout 1 encouragement to suffering believers world, they should remember that heaven In light of the above, the epistle should Peter. The recipients of the letter are the living in northern Asia Minor who faced is their future homeland. be accepted as genuinely written by the sufferers in four of its five chapters. Given intense persecution. The letter encourages apostle Peter. Silvanus may have in some a composition date of about A.D. 62–64, 1 faithfulness while under oppression. Circumstances of Writing Author fashion helped Peter write the letter while Peter was written during the persecution Specifically, God’s holy people should lead The author of 1 Peter identified himself as serving as his secretary (Gk amanuensis), of Christians under Nero’s reign. The distinctive lifestyles as temporary residents “Peter, an apostle of Christ” ( 1:1 ). but more likely he was merely the letter persecution arose in Rome and was in a foreign land. Although they will suffer He viewed himself as a divinely ordained, carrier ( 5:12 ). spreading into Asia Minor. for Christ while in this non-Christian directly commissioned, authoritative world, they should remember that heaven representative of the Lord Jesus Himself. Background Message and Purpose is their future homeland. Several statements in the letter indicate The recipients of 1 Peter are identified in Peter wrote to encourage suffering that the Peter who plays a prominent role 1:1. Peter wrote to “the temporary residents believers in Asia Minor to stand firm for Nevsehir is the capital of the region of in the Gospels is the author. For example, dispersed in , Galatia, , Christ in the midst of persecution. He urged Cappadocia where some of the recipients he called himself an “elder and witness” Asia, and .” These were Roman them to do so by focusing on their spiritual of Peter’s first letter lived. From Acts 2:9 to Christ’s sufferings ( 5:1 ). Further, he provinces located in the northern part of privileges and, more specifically, the place we know that Jews from Cappadocia were described Christ’s crucifixion with an what is now modern Turkey, unless Galatia where their rights and privileges lay: the in Jerusalem when Peter preached at intimate knowledge that only a disciple includes the Galatia in the southern region next life. Believers in Jesus are “temporary Pentecost. Those converted to would have of that event ( 2:21-24 ). Several of Asia Minor. These people were likely residents” (Gk parepidēemoi; 1:1 ; 2:11 ) that day must have given a good witness expressions in 1 Peter reflect Peter’s persecuted Gentile Christians. They had and “strangers” (Gk paroikoi; 2:11 ) in this when they returned home. Cappadocians experiences with Jesus. For example, earlier been involved in idolatry ( 4:3 ), world, a land of sojourn where they have no lived in a harsh environment as is evident the exhortation for elders to “shepherd were ignorant ( 1:14 ) and “empty” ( 1:18 ) real rights or privileges. Inheritance rights, from this photo. Three prominent fourth- God’s flock” ( 5:2 ) evokes the charge that before they came to Christ, and formerly privileges, and justice for Christians really century theologians were Cappadocians. Jesus gave Peter in Jn 21:15-17 . Moreover, were “not a people” but now were “God’s belong to another realm to which God has Basil, his brother, Gregory of Nyssa, the command to “clothe yourselves with people” ( 2:9-10 ). The reference in 1 Peter delivered believers—heaven, their ultimate and their friend, Gregory of Nazianzus, humility” ( 5:5 ) may recall the episode in Jn 5:13—“The church in Babylon, also chosen, home. First Peter emphasizes that suffering made substantial contributions to the 13:2-17 where Jesus washed the sends you greetings”—suggests Rome as is normal for believers because they are development of the doctrine of the disciples’ feet. the place of the letter’s origin. “Babylon” temporary residents in this world. As such, Trinity. First Peter is considered one of was used cryptically to refer to a place of they lack rights and receive no justice in the General Epistles. This epistle provided Several themes in 1 Peter can also be found exile, but specifically for Rome. Other this foreign land. Though suffering occurs encouragement to suffering believers in Peter’s sermons in the book of Acts. possibilities for Babylon include the cities on earth for temporary residents, their living in northern Asia Minor who faced For example, God is “the One who judges of Babylon in Mesopotamia and Egypt, but inheritance and exaltation await them in intense persecution. The letter encourages impartially” ( 1:17 ; cp. Ac 10:34 ) and who these places are highly unlikely because we their eternal homeland. faithfulness while under oppression. raised Christ from the dead and gave Him have no record of Peter ever being in Specifically, God’s holy people should lead glory ( 1:21 ; cp. Ac 2:32-36 ). Christ is “the those places. -Holman Christian Study distinctive lifestyles as temporary residents stone that the builders rejected” ( 2:7-8 ;

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Observations Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: 1 To the temporary residents dispersed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you. 2 3 4 5 1 3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 5 You are being protected by Gods power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be Commands / what revealed in the last time. 6 You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials 7 so that the genuineness of your faith — more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Promises / why

Keyword

“Hope” / Greek: “elpis” Phonetic Pronunciation: el-pece’ Principles / examples Definition: From a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence :- faith, hope.

Questions to consider

1. What is the “new birth?” & What changes do the “new birth” bring about? 2. Christians have been set apart for what purpose? 3. What is the result of enduring through trials? Practical application

Additional passages

John 1:1-18, :2-4, Titus 3:4-7

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Sermon notes / journal 2 3 4 5 1

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