Some also maintain that the book reflects a situation that did not exist until after peter s death, suggesting that the persecution referred to in 4. Peter, one of jesus twelve disciples, wrote 1 peter encouraging believers who were, and are, experiencing persecution 1. The second epistle of peter is a brief letter of reminders for firstcentury christians. Blum affirms that 1 peter is reflected in the gospel of truth which seems to use the books regarded as authoritative in rome c. However, several references point to a gentile audience, such as the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors 1. Peter urges his readers to make every effort to grow in their faith, to remember that the promises of god spoken by the prophets and apostles are trustworthy, and to beware those who teach otherwise. According to elliott, the purpose of 1 peter more generally is precisely nonassimilation to grecoroman cultural values. In the last few verses of 1 peter chapter 5, peter prayed for the people and that god may establish, strengthen, and settle them with his grace. This summary of the book of 1 peter provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 peter.
Intro to 1 peter biblica the international bible society. Although 1 peter does bare the form of a letter, the tone is that of a homiletical, paraenetic sermon designed to provide direction for believers. In the book, peter challenges jesus followers to continue growing in their faith, love and service to god. However in all suffering and tribulation we can know that god is working in us.
It is thus clear that peters authorship of the book has early and strong support. This section includes james, t he petrine epistles, the johannine epistles, and jude some would classify hebrews here as. Some also maintain that the book reflects a situation that did not exist until after peters death, suggesting that the persecution referred to in 4. Most critical biblical scholars have concluded peter is not the author, considering the epistle pseudepigraphical. Also often advanced as a possible context for 1 peter is the trials and executions of christians in the roman province of bithynia pontus. These old testament themes are repeated throughout the book. Book of 1 peter bible survey who was peter in the bible. Internal evidence supports peter as the author, for it was written by one who was a witness of the sufferings of christ. Constables notes on 1 peter 2020 edition in contrast, there has been much controversy over the authorship of 2 peter. Peter s familiarity with the old testament and jesus is evident in this book as he relates several teachings toward how believers should respond to persecution based on the life that christ lived fulfilling the old testament. He was once a fisherman but now was a disciple, a witness of the sufferings of christ 5. The first epistle of peter, usually referred to simply as first peter and often written 1 peter, is a book of the new testament.
The author presents himself as peter the apostle, and, following catholic tradition, the epistle has been held to have been written during his time as bishop of rome or bishop of antioch, though neither title is used in the epistle. The letter is addressed to christians scattered in pontus, galatia, cappadocia, asia, and bithynia 1. This was not a region that either peter or paul ever evangelized, as far as we know. After you have suffered for a little while, the god of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in christ, will himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. These letters are so called because they are addressed to the universal church in general and not to a specific community such as, for example. We find no good reason to reject peters authorship of 2 peter. Peter praises god, who caused people to be born again into a new family with a living hope through jesus resurrection and the spirits power. This book was likely written in the early 60s, and the second book attributed to peter was probably written a few years later.
Revelation and inspiration of scripture outline of first peter. Intro to 2 peter biblica the international bible society. However, the early church fathers found no good reason to reject it. He was born in bethsaida and lived in capernaum where he followed the occupation of fishing. Edwards teaching through the book of 1 peter in 17 engaging and challenging lessons. The book of 1st peter is a general epistle apostolic letter.
In his kindness god called you to share in his eternal glory by means of christ jesus. In this great chapter, peter stressed the duties of the church as the new israel of god, who were bound by their privileges to exhibit lives worthy of their sacred calling 1 peter 2. The goal of 2 peter is to restore confidence and order to. Background study of 1 peter first peter belongs to that section of the new testament known as the general epistles or catholic epistles. In doing so, peter must also combat the false teachers who were apparently exerting pressure on the churches to depart from the true knowledge of christ see esp. Book of first peter overview insight for living ministries. First peter was most likely written just before or shortly after july, a.
Peter knew the connection between suffering, joy and glory. First peter is the second of the general epistles or catholic letters, the writings of apostles to the church at large. Study the bible online using commentary on 1 peter introduction and more. The author was the apostle peter, whose name before he became a disciple, was simon. Peter writes his brief, final reminder to the churches so that his readers will, by gods grace, live in a way that is pleasing to god. Most critical biblical scholars have concluded peter is not the author, considering the epistle. Peters familiarity with the old testament and jesus is evident in this book as he relates several teachings toward how believers should respond to persecution based on the life that christ lived fulfilling the old testament. Thus in 1 peter silass greek may be seen, while in 2 peter it may be peters rough greek that appears. The muratorian fragment omits both 1 and 2 peter but the text of the fragment is open to doubt in its corrupted state 4. Peters authorship of 2 peter has been challenged more than that of any other book in the new testament. What does it mean that jesus and believers are living stones in 1 peter. The author of the book we call 2 peter, on the other hand, has been questioned by some, almost exclusively because of the differences in the style of greek between 1 peter and 2 peter.
Peter first sent this letter to believers living in the northern regions of asia minor 1. Instead, jesus sufferings, inflicted on an innocent person, are said to have taken place for othersnot least for those to whom 1 peter is addressed. This is an area north of the taurus mountains in asia. Keep a notebook handy to jot down questions, ideas and applications. The epistle contains a number of other allusions to events in the life of christ that held special significance for peter e.
Elliott emphasizes the theme of the christian household oikoscf. The first epistle of peter, usually referred to simply as first peter and often written 1 peter, is a book of. The first letter of peter is the second of seven catholic or universal letters of the new testament of the bible, along with james, second peter, the first, second, and third letters of john, and jude. Its purpose was to encourage suffering christians and to call them to personal holiness. Andy is a professor of bible and theology at the college of biblical studies in houston. In making this case, 1 peter makes the most extensive use of isaiah 53 of any new testament book. Scholars agree on authorship as well as the early church leaders like polycarp, irenaeus, clement of alexandria, tertullian and origen who all quote from the book naming peter as the author. This section includes james, t he petrine epistles, the johannine epistles, and jude some would classify hebrews here as well. This epistle was written to give christians a fuller understanding of whats going on. This offers a very strong case for petrine authorship.
Thus in 1 peter silass greek may be seen, while in 2 peter it may be peter s rough greek that appears. He was brought to jesus by andrew, his brother, and became one of the leaders of the apostles, both before and after christs death. There are other articles that are available on this web site as background and additional reading for the bible study. Internal evidence supports peter as the author, for it was written by one who was a witness of the sufferings of christ 1pe 5. They are further described in terms reminiscent of the old testament. Peter, the fisherman from galilee is the author of the book of 1 peter. Since peter was martyred during the reign of nero, his death must have occurred prior to a. The book is largely undisputed in authorship or canonicity. All of it is summaryquotation from the sources listed at the bottom of the page. A middle course between the assimilation and nonassimilation. Mar 25, 2019 1 peter, a video study features scholar and pastor dennis r. The letter claims to be from peter, an apostle of jesus christ 1. I have posted all of my notes on the background and introductions to 1 peter. Peter calls for faithfulness and confronts corrupt teachers who distorted the message about jesus and lead others astray.
Complete our how to study a book of the bible lessons with 1 peter. Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to peter include irenaeus 185 a. The letter gives no hints of a secondcentury environment or of issues related to the monarchical bishop, developed gnosticism, or montanism 23. Many sources have been used in the preparation of these lessons from first peter. The gospel writers emphasize this fact by placing his name at the head of each list of. He used the name of the ancient mesopotamian city as a standin for rome, the modern city that, like babylon, gave itself over to idol worship and false gods. Introduction to 1 peter author the inspired author was peter the apostle 1. No other book of the bible focuses on suffering and glory as much as first peter. This is the most comprehensive contemporary commentary on 1 peter. The foundation on which new life is built 1 peter 2. And peter became a leader in the first christian church, in jerusalem.
When the city of rome burned, the romans believed that their emperor, nero, had set the city on fire, probably because of his incredible lust to build. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. The key personalities are the apostle peter, silas, and mark. The situation that occasioned 1 peter is suffering. In his closing remarks, he writes to them briefly, sending them greetings from babylon and tells them to greet one another with kisses of love. The writer refers to himself as peter in 1 peter 1. What does it mean that by his stripes we are healed. The second epistle of peter is a brief letter of reminders for first century christians. The letter is addressed to christians scattered in pontus. Hundreds of public buildings were burned to the ground, hundreds of acres were blackened in the city, and thousands of homes were. The author claims that paul is his beloved brother 3. What does it mean that jesus christ is the cornerstone. Book summary first peter tells us that the real grace of god involves suffering that the suffering perfects our faith, establishes us in the faith, weeds out the shad and works in us eternal qualities. Peter wrote his letter to christians who were suffering great troubles.
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