The Bible Study Reading Plan预览

1 PETER

AUTHOR:

The author of 1 Peter is the man himself, the apostle Peter. Peter was the leader of the twelve disciples. Jesus changed his name from Simeon, which meant "Reed", to Peter, which meant "Rock". Jesus knew that he would be the foundation of the Church. With that said, Peter was the first pastor who founded the church after Jesus ascended to heaven. We know that Peter was Jesus' favorite disciple even though he denied Jesus three times.

DATE:

Peter wrote this first letter around AD 64 at the beginning of Nero's persecution of Christians.

Who was Nero and what was his deal?

Nero was the Roman Emperor that reigned from AD 54-68. he was an average emperor at the beginning of his reign, but then things took a turn for the worst around AD 64 during the "Great Fire of Rome". The Roman citizens blamed him for starting the first because they knew he had grand plans for the city. And in order to cover his tracks, he blamed the fire on the Christians. From then on, the persecution ramped up in disgusting ways as Nero did anything to gain popularity. He would torture Christians by crucifying them, using them as entertainment in fights against lions, and most horrifically, soaking them in oil and impaling them on a pole in his garden to be used as a source of light for his dinner parties.

Rome was anything but a pretty sight for Christians. Word was getting out among churches all over the Greco-Roman world so Peter wrote to them in preparation for what was to come. He knew that he would be crucified eventually so this was one of his last forms of contact with them.

AUDIENCE:

Peter wrote this letter to the Twelve Tribes of the Dispersion that were spread out all around Asia Minor. Remember, Paul was the missionary to the Gentiles, while Peter was the missionary to the Jews.

REASON:

Peter was writing in order to encourage the believers to remain holy in their suffering and to submit to authority in hopes of sharing love and peace.

THEME:
Suffer now and be taken care of later.

KEY VERSE:

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (5:10 ESV)

SPLIT:

Our Salvation (1:1-12), Called to Holiness (1:13-2:12), Submission (2:13-3:7), Our Suffering (3:8-4:11), The Urge for Change (4:12-5:14)

KEY WORDS:

Suffering, Glory, Hope, Salvation