1 Peter 1:1

INTRODUCTION SOME HAVE DOUBTED PETER'S AUTHORSHIP …because the Greek is too nice. But 1 Peter 5:12 12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), 1 Pe 5:12. …because Peter doesn't talk a lot about his time with Jesus. But MARK - "he refers to 1 Pet 2:20-25, which contains references to buffeting (see Mark 14:65), following Jesus (Mark 8:34), following his footsteps (Mark 10:32), and Jesus being the Shepherd (Mark 14:27) and bearing sins (see reference to redemption in 1 Pet 1:18; Mark 10:45). There are many such resemblances." *Peter is not writing to tell his readers about his time with Jesus. …because Peter sounds too much like Paul. PAUL - Peter does sound like Paul in some places. He was familiar with Paul's writings. 2 Peter 3:15-16 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), 2 Pe 3:15–16. Plus, Peter is writing from Rome, and "…Paul wrote a very significant letter to the Roman church. If Peter was linked with that church before his death, it would not be surprising if he had become acquainted with the teaching of Romans." Peter also sounds a lot like James too JAMES - "1 Pet 1:6-7 and James 1:2-3; 1 Pet 1:24 and James 1:10-11; 1 Pet 4:8 and James 5:20, 1 Pet 5:5-6 and James 4:6-7. We should not minimize the amount shared in the common Christian tradition." OCCASSION Written to Christians in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia from "Babylon" - a symbolic way of referring to Rome - in the 60s A. D. as Nero persecuted the church and not long before Peter himself was martyred. How should they live as persecuted followers of Jesus? Peter says to them… Even though you suffer various trials, you have a living hope in Jesus Christ, so live holy lives (1 Pet 1:3-2:3). Even though you may be suffering unjustly, you have Jesus as your Living Stone, so live holy lives (1 Pet 2:4-3:7). Even though you may be suffering for righteousness sake, that suffering is making you more like Jesus, so be holy in your suffering (1 Pet 3:8-4:19) 1 PETER 1:1a, "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ." -------------------------------------- PART #1: PETER PETER MEETS JESUS John 1:41-42 41 He *found first his own brother Simon and *said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jn 1:41–42. Mark 1:16 16 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mk 1:16-18. Matthew 4:18 18 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 4:18-20. CONVINCING PROOF #1: Luke 4:31-37 - Peter likely hears Jesus in the synagogue at Capernaum/ a demon-possessed man is set free CONVINCING PROOF #2: Luke 4:38-44 - Peter's mother-in-law is healed CONVINCING PROOF #3: Luke 5:1-11 1 Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; 2 and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. 3 And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. 4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; 7 so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9 For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” 11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Lk 5:1–11. ----------------- PETER'S HIGHLIGHTS Called as an Apostle; The Leader of the Apostles Matthew 10:2 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 10:2. Mark 3:16 16 And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mk 3:16. Luke 6:13-14 13 And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles: 14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew; New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Lk 6:13–14. Peter walks on the water with Jesus Matt 14:22-33; Mk 6:45-51; Jn 6:15-21 Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration Matt 17:1-8; Mk 9:2-8; Lk 9:28-36 Peter's marvelous confessions of Christ Matthew 16:16 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 16:16. John 6:68 68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 “We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jn 6:68-69. ----------- PETER'S LOWLIGHTS Get behind me, Satan Matt 16:21-23 21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 16:21–23. Peter tries to stop Jesus' arrest by taking heads(cf. Matt 26:51-54; Lk 22:49-51) Jn 18:10-11 10 Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jn 18:10–11. Peter denies Jesus three times John 18:25-27 25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, *said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed. New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jn 18:25–27. *Rembrandt's Denial of Peter ----------- PETER AND JESUS' RESURRECTION Peter saw the empty tomb John 20:6 6 And so Simon Peter also *came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he *saw the linen wrappings lying there, New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jn 20:6. Peter instructed by Jesus to meet Him in Galilee Mark 16:7 7 “But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’ ” New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mk 16:7. Peter sees Jesus while fishing on the Sea of Galilee John 21:7-8 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved *said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish. New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jn 21:7–8. --------- PETER'S REINSTATEMENT John 21:11 11 Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jn 21:11. John 21:15 15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you blove Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.” John 21:16 16 He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” John 21:17 17 He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep. New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jn 21:15–17. --------- PETER AND THE EARLY CHURCH *see timeline handout --------- PART #2: APOSTLE WHAT MAKES AN APOSTLE? Commissioned by Jesus Taught by Jesus Saw Jesus after His resurrection --------- PART #3: JESUS CHRIST WHO IS JESUS? Listen to Peter… Peter calls Him Christ (1 Pet 1:1), Lord (Lk 5:8), Son of the living God (Mt 16:16), the Holy One of God (Jn 6:68). Peter says that because His death atoned for our sin and His resurrection made us right with God, He is our Living Hope (1 Pet 1:3-12). 1 PETER 1:1b, "To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen…" RECEPIENTS OF FIRST PETER Christians who are described as… Aliens (NASB) Exiles (ESV, CSB) Pilgrims (NKJV) Strangers (KJV, NIV) Foreigners (NLT) Scattered (NASB, KJV, NIV) Dispersion (ESV, NKJV, LEB) Dispersed (CSB) Chosen (NASB, CSB, LEB) Elect (ESV, NIV)

Believers long for their true home in the new world that is coming and for their end-time inheritance, for they do not conform to the values and worldviews of this present evil age. Believers are not only exiles but God’s “elect exiles.” They are his chosen people, just as Israel is designated as God’s chosen people in the OT (Deut. 4:37; 7:6–8; Ps. 106:5; Isa. 43:20; 45:4). Since the recipients of his letter were primarily Gentiles, Peter explicitly teaches that the church of Jesus Christ is the new Israel—God’s new chosen people. “Dispersion” (Gk. diaspora) points to the same truth. It is typically used to describe the scattering of the Jews throughout the world (Deut. 28:25; 30:4; Neh. 1:9; Ps. 147:2; Isa. 49:6; Jer. 15:7; 41:17; cf. also John 7:35; James 1:1; note on Acts 2:9–11), but Peter sees a parallel in the church being dispersed throughout the world. — Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2405.

"…chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood…"