1 Peter

whats going on in 1 peter

Christians live in a hostile, pagan culture

audience of 1 peter

* “the exiles of the Dispersion”


* several provinces of Asia Minor—Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia

resident aliens (1 peter)

* people who moved to new communities but were not fully integrated.
* had more rights than slaves, but barely

Dispersion (1p)

Diaspora Jews outside Palestine

key theme of suffering

in their faith, there’s lots of persecution at this time

1 peter claims to be written by

simon peter, writing from Rome

Peter was named the first

elder of bishop of the roman church

why do some theologians question peter’s authorship

* he was an unschooled and likely illiterate Galilean fisherman
* advanced Greek document, would have had to interpret the Greek OT

purpose of 1 peter

encourage Christian communities in Asia to hold together and keep the faith in the face of growing suffering and persecution

(1p) not all suffering is good, only suffering for what is…

right

(1p) christians are the new…

israel

(1p) suffering…. christ and …. christ

for, with

(1p) the fiery ordeal will…

refine christians faith

the screwtape letters by CS Lewis

Borrowing from 1 Peter’s image of a Devil who thinks hard about devouring human souls, he portrays Satan and cohorts scheming to ruin us

in his steps by Charles M. Sheldon

(fictional) church members unite behind a pledge: Everything we do will be guided by one question: “What would Jesus do?”

1 Pet. 2:21

For this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps

1 Pet. 5:8

Your enemy the devil prowls about like a roaring lion looking \n for someone to devour