Who Is This Rock?

Introduction to 1 Peter (ESV)

English Standard Version Introduction

The readers of the apostle Peter’s letter were confused and discouraged by the persecution they were encountering because of their faith. Peter exhorted them to stand strong, repeatedly reminding them of Christ’s example, the riches of their inheritance in him, and the hope of his returning again to take them to heaven. Peter explained how Christians should respond when they suffer because of their beliefs. Called the “apostle of hope,” Peter’s primary message is to trust the Lord, live obediently no matter what your circumstances, and keep your hope fixed on God’s ultimate promise of deliverance. Suffering is to be expected, but it is temporary and yields great blessings for those who remain steadfast. Peter probably wrote this letter in the mid-60s A.D.

By:Karen H. Jobes 1 Peter “Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament”

-Audience: 1st century Christians in Asia Minor

-The apostle Peter ends his letter with a statement of its significance, “This is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it ( TNIV). The Letter of Peter is written as “how the gospel of Jesus Christ is the foundational principle by which the Christian life is lived out within the larger unbelieving society.” (p1) Christ resurrection is the source of the beleiver’s new life (1:3). Christ’s willingness to suffer unjustly to fulfill God’s purpose as an exemplar to which Christians are called as they live out their lives in FAITH, following in His footsteps () (p1).

-The audience in which Peter wrote too were suffering because of their decision to follow Christ by being

Marginalized by society

alienated in their relationships,

threatened with— if not experiencing a loss of hone and socioeconomic standings (and possibly worse). p1

-Apostle Peter brings these words to the people, urging them to be encouraged in the Lord, provide consolation, and guidance. p1

-Today’s audience may not be drawn to the affliction as much as the intended Christians but we can correlate in the message of Peter as to be encouraged, receive consolation and guidance as for the purpose we are not as the world is and presume to be sharers of the gospel to sound the alarm of oppression, earthly living, and hope for the place Jesus went to prepare for us is soon to come and we must be diligent in our mission and post to live a Christian life and earnest heart of repentance.

-1 Peter speaks deeply about the christian life in a ever evolving societal cultural norms.

-Peter encourages a transformed understanding of Christian self-identity

How one is to live as Christians in a hostile environment as to which negates the basic principles of the gospel mentioned in

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. ESV

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; KJV