1 Peter Lecture

When was it written? - right before the Neronian Persecution
Written in - Rome (Babylon - euphemism for Rome)
Written to the exiles of the dispersion - Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia
Sylvanus - delivering Peter’s letter; a representative with Paul
Mark - 1 Peter 5:13; Relative of Barnabas and traveled with Peter for a time
Baptismal Sermon - general information about what it means to be a believer/follower of Jesus
Purpose - encourage believers during a time of trials to face them with integrity and strong Christian ethics

Authorship - The language and style of 1 Peter is eloquent and polished Greek (not common among fishermen)
Jesus descends into Hell? - 1 Peter 3:19; early tradition of Jesus preaching to the condemned during His three days of death

“fiery ordeal” - maybe because many of them were slaves
Exiles - ostracized for their faith
Practical Advice - 1 Peter 4:12 Jesus predicted suffering, 1 Peter 3:17 God allows suffering to take place because of the Devil and wicked world, suffering is good at growing qualities, THEN the good guys win and are blessed

Supersessionism - Christians have replaced the Jews as the New Israel
Role of Gentiles - part of the diaspora

The Problem
- Institutions - 1 Peter 2:13 always honor the emperor, but what if they are wicked and evil?
- Slaves - 1 Peter 2:18 always respect masters, even if they are abusive
- Wives - 1 Peter 3:1 submit to your husband so that he may be won over by your purity
- Weaker Sex - 1 Peter 3:7 calls women the weaker sex
Complementarianism - should be interpreted literally; a social order ordained by God
Egalitarianism - coming from a particular world view (Feudalistic world); descriptive not prescriptive