Suffering Believers

1 Peter reminds suffering readers that they are God's chosen people, who like Abraham, are exiled. These Old Testament themes are repeated throughout the book.

Poetic Song of Praise

Peter praises God, who caused people to be born again into a new family with a living hope through Jesus' resurrection and the Spirit's power.

A New Family Identity

Old Testament images of Israel are applied to New Testament Gentile Christians, which places their suffering within a brand-new story of redemption and hope.

Suffering As a Witness

Persecution brings clarity to the believer's mission, which is to imitate Jesus and bear witness to God's mercy and upside-down kingdom in the world.

Suffering and Hope

Believers can be grateful they are persecuted for Jesus' sake. They hope that He will one day return and have the ultimate victory over evil.

The FIRST BOOK
 

OF PETER

Peter offers hope to persecuted Christians and guides them

with practical instruction on living life consistent with following Jesus.

OT/NT: New Testament

SECTION: General Letters

TRADITIONAL AUTHOR: Peter

KEY PEOPLE: John Mark, Peter, Silas.

SUMMARY: Canonically, the First Book of Peter is the sixtieth book of the Holy Bible (1), the second of seven General Letters (2) and the twenty-first book of the New Testament (3). Its purpose was to encourage (4) suffering Christians and to call them to personal holiness (5); Peter’s central focus is persecution (6) (a).

1 Peter gives persecuted Christians a powerful reminder that they have hope (7) in the midst of their suffering. From the time of Abraham, God's people were a misunderstood minority and should expect to face hostility because they live under King Jesus' (8) rule.

However, they are chosen by God, and their persecution is actually a gift because it offers them a chance to show others the surprising generosity and love (9) of Jesus, which is fueled by hope in His return and victory over evil. Peter is hopeful that their imitation of Jesus and demonstration of His upside-down kingdom, which includes baptism and service, will give power to their words as they bear witness to God's mercy and show people the beautiful truth about Jesus (b).

COMING UP: Next up is the Second Book of Peter (10). Click HERE to explore!

FOOTNOTES:

  (1) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-good-news

  (2) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/general-letters

  (3) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/new-testament

  (4) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/encouragement

  (5) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/holiness

  (6) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/trials-tribulations

  (7) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/advent-hope

  (8) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-christ

  (9) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/advent-love

(10) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/2-peter

 PAGE SOURCES:

  (a) http://biblehub.com/summary/1_peter/1.htm

  (b) https://thebibleproject.com/explore/1-peter/