LESSON 11

THE STORY OF 1 & 2 PETER
 

Introduction:
  • 1 & 2 Peter are letters written in the normal Pauline Christian letter style, but obviously not by Paul.
  • The letters claim to be written by the Apostle Peter (1 Pet 1:1 & 2 Pet 1:1).
  • It is difficult to determine precisely when they were written, but since the claim to originate in Rome (Babylon 1 Pet 5:2 – Babylon was a euphemism for Rome, indicating the Christian dislike for Rome)
  • These epistles must have been written in the last years of Peter’s life, hence we believe that a date around AD 64 is most likely the date of writing of 1 Peter at least.  2 Peter must have been written shortly after this.
  • Together with Peter in Rome are Sylvanus, Peter’s scribe (also known in Paul's epistles as Silas) and Mark, Peter’s "son" who most believe to be John Mark. Church history records that it was John Mark, Peter’s disciple at this time, who wrote the Gospel of Mark, which church history referred to as Peter’s gospel recorded by Mark. The similarity between Peter’s sermon to Cornelius in Acts 10 and the chronology of Jesus' ministry in Mark are similar enough to support this theory.
     
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    1 Peter:
  • The recipients of Peter’s letter were mostly Gentiles scattered throughout the Gentile world (the Dispersion or Diaspora) of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
  • The letter has been called an epistle of grace and hope; Peter called it a brief message of exhortation (1 Pet 5:12).
  • The message is one of gentle admonition and encouragement (1 Pet 5:3, 4; 2:11)
  • The letter reflects a time of suffering and persecution.
  • The epistle covers three components or concerns that all relate to the problems Christians face under suffering, persecution and martyrdom:
  • 1:3-2:10 Christian hope is centered in the resurrection (mentioned here mainly because of the persecution and future martyrdom that Christians would have to face).
  • 2:11-4:11 The duties of Christians, especially in a hostile environment.
  • 4:12-5:14 Faithfulness during trials and suffering for Christ.
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    Major Points Stressed, and Major Texts:

  • 1:3-5 Christians have been born anew (again) into a living hope that is brought to realization through the resurrection of Jesus.
  • 1 :13-18 Christians are to be holy, just as God is holy!
    This means that they are to be totally different from the Gentile world from which they came! (The word "holy" means totally different, sanctified, set apart from the world, dedicated, and consecrated).
    This would be a most important point for Gentile converts to know, just as it is for us to know today!
  • 1:22-2:3 As newborn babes Christians are to grow and be fed by the living and abiding word of God.
  • 2:4-10 Christ is to be the cornerstone of Christian life (cornerstones in ancient buildings "plumbed" the building). Christians are to be living stones, a royal priesthood and a holy nation – that means Christians are to be lifegiving servants in the priestly service of God!
  • 3:13-4:11 Christians are to respect government, and lead lives of Christ-like example for their neighbors, especially husbands, wives, and children.
  • At 1 Pet 3:21 we encounter an important text on baptism where Peter observes that like the water of the flood through which Noah and his family were saved by the grace of God and their faith in him, Christians are likewise saved by baptism through faith in the grace of God and faith in his working (see Col 2:12, 13).
  • 4:12-11 Christians are encouraged to endure suffering for Christ’s sake (see also 3:13-22).
  • 5:1-3 Elders are not to be domineering but are to lead by example.
     
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    2 Peter:
  • 2 Pet 1:12 Informs us that this letter was a "reminder" to the lessons of 1 Peter.
  • Like 1 Peter this letter contains three major concerns or lessons:
  • 2 Pet 1:3-21 The Christians must pay attention to real true knowledge, not the false knowledge they encountered in their Gentile world.
  • 2 Pet 2-22 The Christians must beware of false teachers who teach new ideas about Jesus – true knowledge is found only on Jesus (see John 14:6).
  • 2 Pet 3:1-13 The letter includes true knowledge regarding the second coming of Jesus – he will usher in the end of the age and judge the world with final judgment.
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  • Important texts:
  • 2 Pet 1:1-4  God, by is divine power, has granted us all things for life and Godliness through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. We need no later revelations! God’s divine power has provided us with all we need to know in Jesus for eternal life! (See Jude 3 – the faith once and for all delivered to the saints, Heb 1:1-3 in these last days God has spoken to us through his Son, Jesus [there is to be no other later dispensation other than the one in which the writer of Hebrews lived]).
  • 2 Pet 2:1-22 False teachers will arise to draw Christians away form the simple knowledge of Jesus, even denying the all sufficiency of Jesus)
  • 2 Peter 3:9 God is not "slack" concerning his promise of final judgment, but is waiting patiently for many to repent, but he will in the end bring judgment through Jesus. (See 2 Pet 310, Acts 17:30, 31).
     
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    Summary of 1 and 2 Peter:
  • Both of these letters were written to Gentile Christians scattered throughout the Roman world.
  • Christians were beginning to experience suffering and persecution from their Gentile pagan neighbors, even eventually martyrdom, for their faith in Jesus.
  • Peter wrote to encourage them, reminding them of the real blessings they have in Jesus Christ (a new birth, resurrection, all things that pertain to life and godliness).
  • He encouraged them to remain faithful to what they know in and about Jesus Christ, and to be willing to suffer for this for Christ’s sake.
  • God will in the end judge the world in righteousness, and bring an end to this works and its suffering.
  • God is not forgetful or unconcerned but is waiting for some to repent and be saved.
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