Topical Bible: First Epistle Of Peter

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Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction:
The First Epistle of Peter, often referred to simply as 1 Peter, is a book in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally attributed to the Apostle Peter, this epistle is addressed to the "elect exiles of the Dispersion" in various regions of Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:1). It is a pastoral letter that provides encouragement, instruction, and exhortation to believers facing trials and persecution.

Authorship and Date:
The authorship of 1 Peter is traditionally ascribed to the Apostle Peter, one of Jesus Christ's closest disciples. The opening verse identifies Peter as the author: "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:1). The epistle is believed to have been written in the early 60s AD, likely from Rome, which Peter refers to metaphorically as "Babylon" (1 Peter 5:13).

Audience:
The letter is addressed to Christians scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1). These regions are located in what is now modern-day Turkey. The recipients are described as "elect exiles," indicating their status as chosen by God yet living as foreigners in a world that is not their ultimate home.

Themes:
1. Suffering and Persecution: A central theme of 1 Peter is the reality of suffering for the sake of Christ. Peter encourages believers to endure trials with patience and faith, reminding them that suffering for righteousness is commendable before God (1 Peter 2:19-20). He emphasizes that Christ also suffered, leaving an example for believers to follow (1 Peter 2:21).

2. Hope and Salvation: Peter speaks of a "living hope" through the resurrection of Jesus Christ and an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading (1 Peter 1:3-4). This hope is a source of strength and encouragement for believers facing trials.

3. Holiness and Conduct: The epistle calls Christians to live holy lives, reflecting the holiness of God (1 Peter 1:15-16). Believers are urged to abstain from sinful desires and to conduct themselves honorably among non-believers (1 Peter 2:11-12).

4. Identity in Christ: Peter reminds the recipients of their identity as a "chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession" (1 Peter 2:9). This identity is foundational for understanding their role and mission in the world.

5. Submission and Authority: The letter addresses the importance of submission to authority, including governmental authorities, masters, and within the family structure (1 Peter 2:13-3:7). This submission is to be done for the Lord's sake and as a testimony to others.

Structure:
1 Peter is structured as a typical epistle, beginning with a greeting (1 Peter 1:1-2), followed by the main body of exhortations and teachings (1 Peter 1:3-5:11), and concluding with final greetings and a blessing (1 Peter 5:12-14).

Key Passages:
· Living Hope: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3).
· Example of Christ: "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps" (1 Peter 2:21).
· Royal Priesthood: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

Conclusion:
The First Epistle of Peter remains a profound source of encouragement and instruction for Christians, emphasizing the hope found in Christ, the call to holiness, and the strength to endure suffering for the sake of the Gospel.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

First Epistle Of Peter

The external evidence of authenticity of this epistle is of the strongest kind and the internal is equally strong. It was addressed to the churches of Asia Minor which had for the most part been founded by Paul and his companions, Supposing it to have been written at Babylon, (1 Peter 5:13) it ia a probable conjecture that Silvanus, By whom it was transmitted to those churches, had joined Peter after a tour of visitation, and that his account of the condition of the Christians in those districts determined the apostle to write the epistle. (On the question of this epistle having been written at Babylon commentators differ. "Some refer it to the famous Babylon in Asia, which after its destruction was still inhabited by a Jewish colony; others refer it to Babylon in Egypt, now called Old Cairo; still others understand it mystically of heathen Rome, in which sense Babylon? is certainly used in the Apocalypse of John." --Schaff.) The objects of the epistle were --

To comfort and strengthen the Christians in a season of severe trial.
To enforce the practical and spiritual duties involved in their calling
To warn them against special temptations attached to their position.
To remove all doubt as to the soundness and completeness of the religious system which they had already received. Such an attestation was especially needed by the Hebrew Christians, who were to appeal from Paul's authority to that of the elder apostles, and above all to that of Peter. The last, which is perhaps the very principal object, is kept in view throughout the epistle, and is distinctly stated (1 Peter 5:12) The harmony of such teaching with that of Paul is sufficiently obvious. Peter belongs to the school, or to speak more correctly, is the leader of the school, which at once vindicates the unity of the law and the gospel, and puts the superiority of the latter on its true basis-that of spiritual development. The date of this epistle is uncertain, but Alford believes it to have been written between A.D. 63 and 67.

Library

From the First Epistle of Peter.
... A Treatise on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of
Infants Chapter 41."From the First Epistle of Peter. See ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 41 from the first epistle.htm

The First General Epistle of Peter
... The First General Epistle of Peter. CONTENTS The contents of the Epistle
can be divided into four parts: I. Introduction, 1:1-12. ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the first general epistle of.htm

The First Epistle General of Peter
... CHAPTER XXI THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. [Sidenote: The Author.]
The author describes himself as "Peter, an apostle of Jesus ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xxi the first epistle.htm

The Second General Epistle of Peter
... from style is undoubtedly the most important one; but if we accept the theory that
Silvanus wrote the first Epistle under the direction of Peter, while the ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the second general epistle of.htm

The First Epistle of St. Peter
... THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PETER THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PETER. i. 1 PETER,
an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the exiles of the Dispersion ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the first epistle of st.htm

Introductory Note to the First Epistle of Clement to the ...
... place it towards the close of the first century or ... Peter, others placing Linus, and
others still Linus and ... of the Domitian period, so that the Epistle may be ...
/.../introductory note to the first.htm

The Four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, Thirteen Epistles of ...
... to make any mention of them in their writings;" and, secondly, by another passage
of the same work, wherein, speaking of the First Epistle of Peter, "This," he ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section viii the four gospels.htm

The Second Epistle General of Peter
... Peter has made use of St. Paul's work in his First Epistle, makes it quite possible
for us to think that he believed in the peculiar inspiration of his great ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xxii the second epistle.htm

The First Epistle.
... The First Epistle. ... and servants of God, and all Christians who sojourn in those parts,
fully discover by the love of Christ and Saint Peter the disposition of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/the first epistle 3.htm

The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained
... Title Page. PREFACE BY THE TRANSLATOR. THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF ST. PETER.
INTRODUCTION. THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF ST. PETER. CHAPTER IV? CHAPTER II. ...
/.../luther/the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/