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The First Epistle of St. Peter

The First Epistle of St. Peter. The 1 st Epistle of St. Peter. Author: + The apostle Peter is the author: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ” ( 1 Peter 1:1) + He was one of the twelve disciples:

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The First Epistle of St. Peter

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  1. The First Epistle of St. Peter

  2. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter Author: + The apostle Peter is the author: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:1) + He was one of the twelve disciples: “He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter” (Luke 6:13-14) + St. Peter showed faith in the Lord Jesus’ words from the beginning and he humbly confessed that he was a sinner, not worthy to have the Lord in his boat, where he was a fisherman:

  3. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon: Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch. But Simon answered and said to Him: Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying: Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Luke 5:4-8) + The Lord Jesus then called him to rather catch men: “And Jesus said to Simon: Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men. So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him” (Luke 5:10-11)

  4. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter + He was one of the three prominent disciples to our Lord Jesus, together with St. James and St. John, who witnessed to raising the daughter of Jairus, our Lord’s transfiguration and whom our Lord took with Him to pray, while in the garden of Gethsemane: “He said to the ruler of the synagogue: Do not be afraid; only believe. And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James” (Mark 5:36-37) “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them” (Matthew 17:1-2) “Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to…

  5. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee” (Matthew 26:36-37) + He was the first among the disciples to confess that our Lord is the Christ, when the Lord had asked them who they say that He is: “He said to them: But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16) + The Lord then called Him ‘Peter’, meaning ‘Rock’, on whose faith, He would build His church and gave him the keys of the kingdom of Heaven: “Jesus answered and said to him: Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will…

  6. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:17-19) + He followed the Lord during His trials and sufferings, nevertheless he denied Him: “Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying: You also were with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied it before them all, saying: I do not know what you are saying” (Matthew 26:69-70) + St. Peter, rushed to the tomb, when they heard from Mary Magdalene that Lord had been taken out of it:

  7. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him. Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first… Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb” (John 20:2-4,6) + The Lord Jesus appeared to Him privately after His holy Resurrection: “That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5) + The Lord restored him again to shepherd His flock, when He appeared…

  8. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias: “Jesus said to Simon Peter: Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? He said to Him: Yes, Lord; You know that I love You. He said to him: Feed My lambs” (John 21:15) + He occupied a central place in the book of Acts; the first 12 chapters. + At the day of the Pentecost, St. Peter gave his famous sermon, where three thousand souls believed in the name of the Lord Jesus: “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41)

  9. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter + St. Paul mentioned that after three years of his conversion to Christianity, he went to Jerusalem to meet with St. Peter: “Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days” (Galatians 1:18) + St. Peter was considered the main apostle of the circumcised, while St. Paul was considered that of the uncircumcised: “But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter” (Galatians 2:7) + St. Paul considered him as one of the pillars of the church, together…

  10. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter with St. James the Less and St. John: “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised” (Galatians 2:9) + St. Peter saw a vision while praying, that called him to accept the Gentiles in the faith: “And a voice came to him: Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But Peter said: Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean. And a voice spoke to him again the second time: What God has cleansed you must not call common” (Acts 10:13-15)

  11. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter + King Herod seized St. Peter, with the intention to kill him. Therefore, the Church offered constant prayer to God for him then God sent him an angel to deliver him: “Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying: Arise quickly! And his chains fell off his hands” (Acts 12:7) + He served in the region of the Judea for many years, and then, due to persecution, he went and served in Asia Minor. + Afterwards, he went to Rome and preached there. The emperor Nero raised up persecution there against Christians. + According to tradition, St. Peter prepared to flee Rome to avoid…

  12. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter execution. He then saw our Lord Jesus carrying the cross and entering Rome. On asking Him of the reason, our Lord replied that He was going to be crucified again in his place. This caused Peter to return to Rome to accept martyrdom. Nero commanded him to be crucified, where St. Peter asked them to crucify him head downwards, feeling unworthy to die in the same manner as His master. + St. Peter was thus martyred in A.D. 68. + The epistle was written by the hand of Silvanus, also known as Silas, a well-known prophet and missionary in the early church: “By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand” (1 Peter 5:12)

  13. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter Recipients: + St. Peter addressed the epistle to the believing Jews of the ‘Dispersion’. This term refers to the Israelites who had been scattered following the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities (722 & 586 B.C. respectively). Also it refers to the Jewish Christians who moved out of Palestine to different parts of the Roman Empire, due to persecution. + His initial audience were Christian pilgrims in the region of Asia Minor, what is now Turkey, who where in distress and sufferings because of the persecution which fell on them from the Jews first then from the Romans as well: “To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1)

  14. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter + However, there is indication some of his readers were Gentile converts, and that St. Peter applies the term ‘Dispersion’ to the Christians in general: “Who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:10) Date and Location of Writing: + St. Peter wrote his 1st epistle between (A.D. 63-67), during the Neronian persecution. + It was written from Babylon, which was mostly in Old Cairo in Egypt. However, some claim it to be literally Babylon of Assyria while others suggest that it might be just a code word for any city that was known to…

  15. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter be a center of wickedness and corruption: “She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son” (1 Peter 5:13) Characteristic Points about of the Epistle: 1. The epistle is considered as one of the most magnificent writings in the New Testament, in terms of the Greek language. The thought is advanced and is presented in smooth and eloquent sentences. 2. The epistle includes some important concepts of Christianity and dogma, highlighting on God’s grace and election and the gift of salvation. 3. It also stresses on the struggle required from God’s elects, where it is...

  16. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter filled with practical admonitions concerning the holy conduct befitting them. 4. It discusses the significance of trials, and the blessings that they bring to those who pass through them. 5. St. Peter elaborated on how our Lord Jesus Christ accepted the sufferings, as he was even an eyewitness of many of them: “I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed” (1 Peter 5:1) 6. The epistle matches with some of the highlights of St. Peter’s sermons, which are recorded in the book of Acts:

  17. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (1 Peter 1:17) “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35) 7. St. Peter quoted a lot from the Old Testament, being the apostle of the circumcision and having the Jewish Christians as his primary audience: “Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6)

  18. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
Whoever believes will not act hastily” (Isaiah 28:16) 8. There are similarities between this epistle of St. Peter and the epistles of St. Paul, due to their fellowship and friendship: “Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing” (1 Peter 3:9) “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all” (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

  19. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter 9. The epistle has some similarities with the epistle of St. James: “Resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9) “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7) The Purpose of Writing the Epistle: 1. To Encourage Steadfastness in the Face of Persecution: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13)

  20. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter 2. To Remind them of their Special Privilege as God’s Holy Nation: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” (1 Peter 2:9) 3. To Instruct them as to the Duties that are Incumbent on them as God’s Elect: “Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11)

  21. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter Contents: I. Introduction: (Ch. 1) “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied” (1 Peter 1:2) II. Our Salvation in Christ: (Ch. 1) 1. Born Again to a Living Hope: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance…

  22. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4) “Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5) 2. Producing Joy in the Midst of Suffering: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7)

  23. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9) 3. Served by Prophets and Apostles: “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow” (1 Peter 1:10-11) “Things which angels desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:12)

  24. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter III. Our Duties in Christ: (Chs. 1-3,5) A) In View of our Privileges: (Chs. 1-2) 1. A Call to Holiness: “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13) “As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written: Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16)

  25. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (1 Peter 1:17) “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19) “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:20-21)

  26. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “Love one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22) 2. A Call to Spiritual Growth: “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:23) “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:2-3) “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5)

  27. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “That you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9) B) In View of our Position: (Chs. 2-3,5) 1. As Sojourners: “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11) 2. As Citizens: “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake” (1 Peter 2:13)

  28. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:15) “As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God” (1 Peter 2:16) “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17) 3. As Servants: “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh” (1 Peter 2:18)

  29. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God” (1 Peter 2:19-20) “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21) “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21) “Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23)

  30. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24) “For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25) 4. As Wives and Husbands: “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear” (1 Peter 3:1-2)

  31. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (1 Peter 3:3-4) “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7) 5. As Brethren: “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8)

  32. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “For He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3:10-11) “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12) 6. As Elders (Priests): “The elders who are among you I exhort… Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:1-3)

  33. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:4) 7. As Youngers: “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders” (1 Peter 5:5) “Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5) IV. Enduring Sufferings and Trials: (Chs. 3-5) 1. Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake:

  34. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed” (1 Peter 3:13-14) “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15) “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:17) “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18)

  35. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18) “By whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.” (1 Peter 3:19-20) “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him” (1 Peter 3:21-22)

  36. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:1-2) “In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:4-5) “For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit” (1 Peter 4:6)

  37. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter 2. Awaiting the Coming of Christ our Lord: “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers” (1 Peter 4:7) “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8) “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10-11)

  38. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter 3. Suffering for God’s Glory: “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified” (1 Peter 4:14) “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters” (1 Peter 4:15) “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 4:16) “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit…

  39. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19) 4. Submitting to God: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6) “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) 5. Resisting the Devil: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8)

  40. The 1st Epistle of St. Peter V. Conclusion: (Ch. 5) 1. A Prayer for God’s Blessing: “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:10-11) 2. Final Greeting and Bestowal of Peace: “Greet one another with a kiss of love” (1 Peter 5:14) “Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen” (1 Peter 5:14)

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