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INTRODUCTION TO 1
PETER - 2 I. AUTHOR A. The Apostle Peter B. Critics of Peter’s Authorship II. RECIPIENTS A. To a degree, Peter identified those to
whom he was writing. They were those who were “chosen” meaning, at the least
that, they were believers. B. They were believers who resided in the
Roman Empire, specifically Pontus,
Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. The region is modern day Turkey. C. Since Paul was never able to take the
Gospel to most of these regions (Ac 16:7), the believers were most likely
converts from Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Ac 2:9) or even Paul’s
converts (Ac 19:10, 26). D. They were believers who were scatter
throughout this region. “Scattered throughout” is the Greek word diaspora and
means dispersed. However, this is not to be confused with the technical Diaspora,
which referred specifically to the Jewish dispersion by the Assyrian and
Babylonian captivities (Jn 7:35; Jam 1:1). The word diaspora in these
two references contains a definite article whereas Peter’s use does not.
Therefore, Peter’s recipients are believers in general, both Gentiles and
Jews (1Pe 1:18; 2:10, 25; 4:3-4). III. PLACE AND DATE OF WRITING A. In 1Pe 5:13, it states that “she who is in
Babylon” send their greetings. The “she” most likely represents the church.
“Babylon” very well could be a cryptic name for Rome. If so, Peter, who was
writing from Rome, did not want to endanger the believers there in light of
impending persecution from Nero. B. Since there is no mention of martyrdom in
his epistle, Peter’s epistle was most likely written shortly before the Great
Roman fire that destroyed Rome (A.D. 64). Christian persecution by Nero
followed the burning of Rome. IV. THEME AND PURPOSE A. Peter’s theme was expressed in several key
verses. In 1Pe 1:3, he wrote about being born again to a “living hope” which
describes the believer’s salvation. In 1Pe 5:12, he concluded that his
exhortation testified to the “grace of God.” These believers were exhorted to
“stand form in it.” B. They especially needed to stand firm in
their salvation, in light of persecution, in holiness before the world, in
all relationships, and in their Christian living. V. OUTLINE GOD’S GRACE FOR A LIVING HOPE I. SALUTATION 1:1-2 II. GOD’S GRACE
AND LIVING SALVATION (1:3-12) A. Power of
God (1:3–5) B. Persecution and Trials (1:6–9) C. Prophets of God (1:10–12) III. GOD’S GRACE
AND LIVING SAINTS (1:13-25) A. Impeccable Holiness
(1:13-16) B. Imperishable Redemption (1:17-23) C. Immortal Word (1:24-25) IV. GOD’S GRACE AND LIVING
STONES (2:1-10) A. The Milk of Scripture
(2:1-3) B. The Living Stones (2:4-5) C. The Corner Stone (2:6-10) V. GOD’S GRACE AND LIVING
SUBMISSION (2:11-3:12) A. Submission
to Authorities (2:11-17) B. Submission
to Masters (2:18-25) C. Submission
in the Home (3:1-7) D. Submission
in the Church (3:8-12) VI. GOD’S GRACE AND LIVING
SUFFERING (3:13-4:9) A. Principle
of Suffering (3:13-17) B. Paragon of Suffering (3:18-22) C. Purpose of Suffering (4:1-11) D. Propriety of Suffering
(4:12-19) VII. GOD’S GRACE AND LIVING
SERVANTS (5:1-10) A. Christian Leadership
(5:1-4) B. Christian Living (5:5-10) VIII. FINAL GREETINGS AND BENEDICTION
(5:11-14) PETER’S
SALUTATION (1Pe 1:1-2) 06-17-15 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. DESTINATION FROM AUTHOR
(1Pe 1:1) A. Salutation of Peter the
Apostle 1. Peter’s
salutation corresponds with other literature of the day, especially the
epistles of the New Testament (Ro 1:1; 1&2Co 1:1-2; 1&2Th 1:1 etc.). 2. Peter’s name was “Simon” which was the
name often used by Christ (Mt 4:18; Jn 21:15-17). It was Christ who gave him
the name “Peter” (petros - rock), which was the Greek translation of
the Aramaic “Cephas” (Jn 1:41-42). Peter was the name with which he used and
identified himself in this epistle. 3. Peter identified himself as an “apostle”
(apostolos - commissioned representative, messenger of God). The
apostles are a select few who have been chosen by Christ to be witnesses of
His resurrection (Ac 1:22; 10:41), to be leaders of the church (Ga 2:9; Ep
2:20), and to be the authoritative writers of Scripture (2Pe 1:20-21; 2Pe
3:15-16). B. Scattered Believers 1. The
believers to whom Peter writes are “aliens” (parepidēmos - sojourners
beside residence) because they reside outside of Jerusalem or their
original location. But spiritually all believers are strangers and aliens to
the world (Php 3:20; He 11:13; 2Pe 2:11). They may have been scattered by
early Christian persecution. 2. They were “scattered” (diaspora -
scattered and sown like seeds. Here without the article it is used in the
general sense) and temporary exiles in this world (from heaven), similar
to the event of the Jewish Diaspora. 3. Specifically, Peter was addressing the
churches in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, all provinces of
Asia Minor (modern Turkey). 4. Some of these regions may not have been
visited by an apostle. Believers may have been converted in these areas
through other believers who were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Ac
2:9) or some other contact with the gospel. 5. Pontus was mentioned as the home of
Aquila (Ac 18:2). Paul visited southern Galatia (Ac 14:1-13; 16:1-5; 18:23)
but not northern Galatia. Cappadocia was mentioned in Ac 2:9. Asia (western
Asia Minor) was the region of Paul’s third missionary journey (Ac 19:10).
Paul was forbidden to travel into Bithynia on his second missionary journey
(Ac 16:7). C. Selected Believers 1. Peter
depicts these believers as “chosen.” “Chosen” is the translation of the Greek
word eklektois (from eklegō), which refers to persons or things
that are selected. Peter’s use of the word refers to the basis of salvation
for those whom God selects to be His own (Ac 18:10). 2. Peter’s theology was formed from the
biblical concept of God choosing Israel as His people (Dt 7:6; 14:2; Ps
105:43; 135:4). 3. With this same unmistakable concept,
Peter uses the word for Christ (1Pe 2:4, 6 cf. 1Pe 1:20). With only one idea
in mind, Peter applies the word to New Testament believers (1Pe 2:9 cf. Ep
1:4). 4. As with the many references in the NT,
the concept includes no room for the idea that God chooses on the basis of
those who chose Him (Paul - Ro 8:33; Col 3:12; 2Ti 2:10; John - 2Jn 1:1, 13;
Re 17:14). Nor are there any Scriptures that allude to such a concept. 5. Man must place his faith in Christ in
order to be saved. But even that faith is supplied by the God who selects (Ep
2:4-5; 8-9). The God who selects is the God who saves as well as the God who
secures (Ro 8:29). These believers needed to know that even though they were
scattered, they have a secure residence in heaven. |
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Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516 |
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