Pastor Jim’s Personal Notes

A Bible Study Ministry of Net153 and Pastor JIM

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I Peter Introduction

Roman ruled the world. Roman was a nation advanced in many aspects but spiritually pagan. Not much unlike much of the world today. Nero was the frustrated ruler of Roman. Caesars before him had left their mark, their legacy, by building or rebuilding new cities that would bare their name. Nero had no new city to build. His ego was great and his ambition even greater. He would rebuild the City of Rome.  To accomplish this task he to first had to destroy Rome before he rebuild it. According to most historians Rome burned by the hand of Nero himself. Such a dastardly act would not go unnoticed by the citizens of Rome and Nero found the need of a scapegoat, someone to blame. The Christians were a group that many seemed to enjoy persecuting and thus started one of most difficult times in history for Christian.  

Peter penned his letter either late 63 AD or early 64 AD just in time for the persecution that would face many believers. The excellent literary style found in both letters is believed to be because of Silas (Silvanus I Peter 5:12) acting as Peters scribe. The first Christian to receive this letter would be converted pagans scatter throughout Asia Minor. They would be encouraged to hang on to their faith and to live holy life despite the persecution.

The student of First Peter will gain encouragement for meeting the test of today and reminded of the importance of living a holy life.

Suggested Weekly Reading (Based on Five Days)

Monday –        1 Peter 1

Tuesday –       1 Peter 2

Wednesday –   1 Peter 3

Thursday –     1 Peter 4

Friday –          1 Peter 5

Key Verses 1:10-12 and 4:12-13

Key Chapter – Chapter 4

Questions

We strongly suggest that the student read the questions before reading the text. This will help the student to discover truths while reading and comprehend what she or he has read.

How does Peter describe himself?

How does Peter describe the people receiving this letter.

What is revealed about the Trinity of God?

What is the destiny of the Christian?

What does it mean to be “chosen”?

How did Old Testament predictions (v. 1:10-2) come to be written.

Why is Christ compared to a lamb?

How is a spiritual life obtained?

Chapter One

Outline

I.                   The Chosen Addresses the Chosen v 1 - 2

II.                The Christian and His Circumstances v 3 -12

III.             The Charge and Commands v 13 - 21

IV.              The Conclusion and Confidence v 22 - 25

V 1

Peter identifies himself and titles himself:

He uses the name given to him by the Lord – a rock (John 1:42 petros: a small rock. Jesus is the Rock). Perhaps Jesus granted this name to Simon knowing eventually he would stand firm in faith or perhaps because his character was that he was a little hardheaded.

The title Apostle identified him as one that had been with Jesus and observed the resurrected Christ (Acts 1:21-22). The title meant that Peter spoke divine revelation from God and that gave the letter the authority of coming from God himself.

Peter identifies the receivers:

Much could be said about the churches named in this text but two things standout.

1.      These are Christians made up mostly of converted pagans of the time and not Jews. The Christian standards for living was much greater for these people simply because their life before salvation did not even have the benefit of Jews law.

2.      At the beginning of Christianity, it was mostly Jewish non-believers persecuting believing Jews but from now on and for most of history the record will show Christians being persecuted by everyone.

Peter addressed the believers as aliens. Christianity has never “fit in” with the world. Once born again your citizenship is not of this world but of heaven (Hebrews 11:-8-10). No doubt the modern family of God would be much better of accepting that we are different and stop trying to be like the world and “fit it”.

There is a certain amount of assurance that is expressed in fact that believers are chosen. Peace can be found if we understand that we are chosen for the exact time, the exact place, the exact circumstance that we currently live in.

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