1 Peter – indycrowe

10 Things to Know about 1 Peter

Peter, the Apostle, wrote the book and refers to it in his second letter (2 Peter 3:1).
Peter likely penned the letter around AD 62-63 while in Rome (“Babylon” in 5:13).
At the time of Peter’s writing, the famous (or infamous) Emperor Nero ruled Rome. Within a couple of years, he would have Peter killed.
Although persecution at the time of writing was not yet widespread or officially sanctioned by the empire, it was taking place on a local level. Peter addresses these exiles experiencing opposition and suffering throughout his letter.
Peter wrote to believers scattered or dispersed throughout Asia Minor (1:1), now modern-day Turkey.
Most likely, the audience primarily consisted of Gentiles (see 1:14, 18; 2:10) who seemed to have been instructed in the Old Testament after their conversion. There is a lot of Old Testament theology and background Peter draws upon as he explains to them who they are, what Christ has done for them, and how they fit into God’s redemptive story.
The theme of “exile” is prominent throughout the book and gives us a lens to understand much of what Peter writes. Whether they were physical, cultural, or spiritual exiles (or all of the above), Peter wants to remind them to see themselves and their role through God’s purposes and plans rather than the world’s evaluation and treatment of them.
Another key theme is that while we don’t belong to this world we do belong to God, who has redeemed us to Himself (1:1-2, 18-19; 2:9-10, 25; 3:18). They are not just exiles, but they are “elect exiles,” known, loved, and treasured by God (1:1). Because they belong to Him, their lives display to the world what He’s like (2:12).
The purpose of the letter is to encourage believers to both endure suffering and pursue holiness in an evil and hostile culture. Peter will repeatedly bring them back to who their living Savior is and who they now are in Him as an appeal to then live out their new identity and calling in Christ. Because they have hope in a living Savior, they can endure earthly hardships.
At the end of the letter, we see that Peter was with John Mark. This is the same Mark who participated in ministry with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 12:25; 13:5, Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11), whose mother hosted a church (Acts 12:12), and who most likely wrote the Gospel of Mark through the direction and influence of Peter.

Christ’s Work for Us in 1 Peter

Peter’s letter is full of encouragements about what Christ has done for us and how His death, resurrection, ascension or reign, and return are the good news we live in today. We have hope in Him and we endure suffering through the grace and strength He supplies. We also hope and wait with the knowledge of all that awaits us when we meet Christ, either at His return or upon our death. Here are some of the effects, results, or implications of Christ’s death, resurrection, reign, and our reunion with Him.

Beholding the Beauty of Being Chosen by God

A couple years ago, my wife and I visited the Grand Canyon. It’s a sight to behold, whether at sunrise when the dawn slowly lights up the cold canyon, during the day as its scope can be appreciated, or at night when countless stars fill the sky.

We enjoy hiking, and even though it had recently snowed, we wanted to descend into the canyon. (It’s estimated that only five percent of the more than six million annual visitors go below the rim.) The path along the canyon’s rim is a peaceful place to enjoy the view, but you get to behold the sheer size and beauty of the canyon in a whole different way when you walk down into it. Your eyes are caught by the layers of rock, each offering its own shade and color. You feel your smallness and the canyon’s enormity beneath the rim’s surface. After a couple miles, especially when slowed by trekking through snow and ice, you look up thinking you’ll be further into the canyon only to realize it’s bigger and deeper than you imagined. But whether it’s looking down from above or scanning the canyon from inside, the more you see the layers within the canyon the more in awe you will be of the Grand Canyon as a whole (and its Maker).

Who I am In Christ…in 1 Peter

Part of the hope in 1 Peter is the good news that who we are (identity) is now centered upon our union with Christ. Peter refers to our identity as Christians repeatedly, both to encourage us in God’s work on our behalf and to exhort us to stand firm and endure. Here are some of the things we notice about who we are and what we have in Christ.

Fresh Air in the Atmosphere of Trinitarian Grace

“To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion…according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood.” (I Peter 1:2)

Throughout his first letter, Peter reminds his readers their suffering, rejection, and experience as exiles is normal. The kingdom of light is no more welcome to a kingdom of darkness than the bedroom light being flipped on while I’m sleeping is welcomed. And yet, as exiles they are God’s people, and are called to reflect Him. Though kicked to the curb by the world we are called into a new family and given a sense of belonging by our Triune God. Even as we struggle in a world that’s against us we are empowered by a God who is for us. Only this God-given grace, not the weight of duty or demands, can motivate maturity and obedience when we’re constantly swimming upstream.

Bible Reading Plan: September 2019

Bible reading plans help answer the question, “What should I read today?” Rather than randomly flipping open the Bible and reading whatever page you open, it’s helpful to read through a whole book of the Bible. Starting this Sunday, my church will read through 1 & 2 Peter and James during the 30 days of September. You can download the reading plan and suggested questions for study here.

Looking ahead to 1 Peter 1:1-2

This Sunday at College Park Church we’ll start a new sermon series on 1 Peter. During LIVE16 many of you studied the Sunday text in advance and shared how valuable that was for you. By thinking about the Scripture beforehand you were better prepared to hear, process, understand, and apply what was preached on Sunday. While our small groups are now being encouraged to use the 1 Peter Study Guide, which is designed for groups to discuss and apply the text after the sermon, I’d encourage you to continue reading, praying over, and meditating on the passage on your own or as a family beforehand. For that reason, I’ll attempt to provide each week a blog post that can act as a starter for getting into the text.

Continue reading Looking ahead to 1 Peter 1:1-2