1 Peter - Introduction

Introduction

Author

THE AUTHOR CLAIMS TO BE “PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ” (1:1). He maintains he is an “elder and witness” to Christ’s sufferings (5:1). Moreover, his exhortation to “shepherd God’s flock” (5:2) is reminiscent of the charge Jesus gave to Peter in John 21:15-17. Several themes in 1 Peter appear in Peter’s sermons in Acts, such as the God “who judges impartially” (1:17; cf. Acts 10:34); the idea that God “raised [Jesus] from the dead and gave him glory” (1:21; cf. Acts 2:32-36); and truth about “the stone that the builders rejected” being the cornerstone (2:7-8; cf. Acts 4:10-11).

Some critical scholars have disputed this claim of authorship, arguing that someone else wrote the letter in Peter’s name. But their theories are inconclusive and cannot be proven. Several early church leaders—Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Clement of Alexandria—accepted 1 Peter as authentic. Furthermore, there are examples of the early church rejecting the practice of writing under an apostolic pseudonym as forgery. They likely would have dismissed the letter if they had believed it to be falsely attributed to Peter. In light of this, the book should be accepted as the apostle Peter’s work.

Historical Background

Peter writes to Christians in various regions of Asia Minor, the area we know today as Turkey. The recipients of the letter were primarily Jewish believers (but included some Gentile believers) since Peter refers to them as sojourners of the dispersion (“dispersed abroad,” 1:1). The Greek word diaspora, which is behind that phrase, referred to Jews who were separated from their homeland. Though they had earlier been involved in idolatry (4:3) and were ignorant (1:14) and empty (1:18) before coming to Christ, they had since been accepted as “God’s people” (2:9-10). They were experiencing some form of persecution for their faith (1:6; 2:19; 3:16; 4:12-19).

The cryptic statement in 5:13 suggests that Peter probably wrote the letter from Rome. “Babylon” was used cryptically for the capital of the Roman Empire. Peter doesn’t mention Paul’s presence at the end of the letter, and Paul doesn’t mention Peter’s presence in the letters he wrote while under house arrest in Rome (AD 60–62). Therefore, Peter likely wrote 1 Peter in Rome after Paul was released and before 2 Peter was written—between AD 62–64.

Message and Purpose

Peter loved to lead, but he had to go through a lot of brokenness to learn how. He thus wrote this book to churches to encourage them to persevere in spite of their own suffering, trials, and persecution. Peter wanted believers to know that new birth in Christ gives hope that will aid perseverance in spite of what we go through. Peter blends doctrin-al truth about our salvation with practical truth about how it is to be lived out in our various life situations—including in the relationship between husbands and wives.

Peter knew about suffering because he had experienced it as a disciple of Christ. But he also learned how to endure it with joy and victory rather than with sadness and defeat. This is a lesson we need today as our own culture grows increasingly hostile against the Christian faith. If we are going to be real kingdom citizens, our salvation has to become a visible reality that affects all we do. Peter tells us we need a Christianity that can be seen, even in a world that opposes and rejects us.

VIDEO INTRO

Outline

1. Greeting (1:1-2)
2. Praise for Salvation (1:3-12)
3. A Call to Holy Living and Spiritual Growth (1:13–2:3)
4. A New Identity (2:4-10)
5. Good Works for God’s Glory (2:11-17)
6. Godly Submission and Suffering (2:18-25)
7. Biblical Alignment in Marriage and in the Church (3:1-12)
8. Following Christ While Suffering (3:13–4:19)
9. Final Exhortations and Conclusion (5:1-14)