“Introduction To First Peter”

Thursday, August 24, 2017

The Apostle Peter wrote this epistle to Christians who were “scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1:1). These were large Roman provinces that represent most of the modern day nation of Turkey. There had obviously been churches established in these regions and it is possible that Peter played a significant role in the formation of at least some of them. 

Peter wrote this letter to encourage Christians who were being ridiculed and persecuted because of their faith in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 1:6-9; 3:13-17; 4:12-19; 5:9-10). He reminded them that their trials should come as no surprise since Jesus himself suffered for righteousness’ sake and they were following in His footsteps. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (1 Peter 4:12-14)

Peter really hones in on the certainty of the Lord’s Second Coming and the eternal glorification of His faithful servants as the major motivation for them to remain faithful under intense persecution (1 Peter 1:5, 7, 13: 2:12; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 10). He wrote in chapter 4 verse 7 that “the end of all things is near.” The author was not predicting that Jesus would come back during the lifetime of the people he wrote to, but it was a genuine possibility that He could have. All Christians of all eras of time should be prepared for the coming of Christ as if it could occur at any moment. Since we know not the hour or the day which our Lord shall return, the best thing we can do is be ready (Matthew 25:13).

The apostle stresses the importance of Christians living lives of holiness and righteousness while waiting and preparing for the Lord to come and take them home. Peter warned his first century brethren and us to not return evil for evil when non-believers mistreat, even though it is a temptation to do so. “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12). We must strive to be holy as the Lord is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16) if we hope to attain the sanctification that produces salvation and influence others to do the same.

“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.” (1 Peter 2:21-23)

Please read 1 Peter 1:1-2 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

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