In times of trial and struggle, keeping our minds on the Big Picture serves as our hope and energizes us to endure, and even thrive, in the midst of difficult times. Of course we need to ask, what is the Big Picture? What is the purpose, what is the goal? That is what Peter is addressing in his first epistle. Understanding that our Eternal Inheritance, – the promises that were made to Abraham, delivered to ancient Israel and fulfilled in Christ – which is ours through the new birth, will serve to strengthen our faith, our resolve to obey and our love for each other.
So let’s take a high level look at Peter’s epistle. We will briefly comment on the Author, the Audience, the Historical Setting and the Thesis of this letter.
THE AUTHOR
One the very exciting plot lines of the Scripture is the transformation we see in Peter. From his calling in Mark 1.16-18 to the writing of the Epistles we see a dramatically different Peter. The stereotype of Peter is a young, impetuous, short tempered zealot . Let’s look at the Biblical record. What do we KNOW about Peter?
- Originally from Bethsaida (John 1.44), Peter was an entreprenuial business man that ran a successful (he had a large house shared with his brother and extended family – Mark 1.29-31) fishing practice (Mark 1.16) in Capernum (Mark 1.21,29) with his brother Andrew (Mark 1.16).
- Think of all the traits necessary to operate a successful fishing business: hard work, early riser, disciplined, manager of others, manager of assets such as boats and nets, salesmanship, aggressive.
- These same skills are often observed in Peter during his three years with Christ. He was almost always the first to speak up among the apostles. His name is always the first one listed when the Apostles are named. He was a recognized leader among the 12.
- Peter was gradually and significantly transformed from a proud, self made man into a humble. Gentle servant of others. God used such experiences as watching Christ crucified, Peter’s own denial, his racing to the empty tomb with John, and standing on the mountain watching Christ ascend to transform him into the Peter that we see leading the nescient church in the book of Acts.
- In Acts we see Peter humbly preaching, yet with power, conviction and knowledge. We see his response when jailed is very different than the Peter who cut off Malchus’ ear in Garden.
- We know that Peter began an itinerant ministry along with his wife after James rose to prominence in the Jerusalem church. (1 Cor 9.5).
By the time Peter writes his Epistles he is a season Christian minister with a humble understanding of the sovereign work of God is the circumstances of life. He rests in the certainty and confidence that God has instituted his New Covenant and secured out eternal inheritance in heaven. We see this certain hope all through both Epistles.
-
THE AUDIENCE
Peter is writing this letter to the elect scattered around mountainous regions of what is today northern Turkey. He writes with a specific audience and with a sense of intimate relationship. I think it is a safe assumption that his ministry travels along with his wife took him to this region. He probably started many of the churches there. Paul’s ministry trips were in the southern Turkey region and then he was directed by the Spirit to go to Macedonia. Paul never traveled to the Northern regions that Peter is addressing in his letter. There are probably many gentiles in the churches of that region, but the content of Peter’s letter indicate that there were a large population of Jews in the church as well.
THE HISTORICAL SETTING
It appears that Peter is writing this from Rome. (I won’t take this space to go into the usage of “Babylon” as a reference to Rome – but there is sufficient evidence. Though admittedly not certain) I draw this conclusion because tradition tell us that Peter and his wife are crucified upside down at the hands of Nero. That would put Peter in Rome in the mid 60s. He writes his letters before the persecution breaks out in full force, before Nero burns Rome. But he has the foresight to tell his readers not be surprised when the fiery trial comes upon them (4.12). Clearly the readers are experiencing some persecution and trials already, but the most intense is yet to come.
GENERAL THESIS
Peter wrote to these Christians, many of which we of Jewish background, but certainly not all were, to remind them that they, as New Covenant believers, were a Royal Priesthood, A Holy Nation, the fulfillment of the OT picture. This was their Hope in times of trial and persecution. Not a physical, political nation and certainly not in the Old Covenant. This was increasingly obvious. Their hope was in Christ, the New Covenant. The thesis of this letter is found in 5.10, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will himself, restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
THE OUTLINE
As we progress in our study I will fill in more detail of the outline of 1 Peter. As of this writing we are in 1 Peter 1.15. Here is the outline so far in the study.
1.1-2 Greetings
1.3-2.10 Hope is anchored in our Great Salvation (1.3, 18-19)
1.3-1.12 Knowing Our Inheritance
1.3-5 Inheritance Preserved
1.6-9 Inheritance Proven
1.10-12 Inheritance Prophesied
1.13-1.25 Knowing Our Mission
1.13 Be Hopeful
1.14-15 Be Holy
1.16-21 Be Honorable
1.22-25 Be Loving
2.1-2.10 Knowing Our Identity
2.11-4.6 Hope lives each day in Obedience (2.13-15)
4.7-5.11 Hope sees the victory coming (5.10-11)
5.12-14 Closing
Grace to you,
No comments:
Post a Comment