Discovering 1 Peter

Background Information

Peter wrote this letter from a place called Babylon.

We know that Peter wrote this letter because he identifies himself as the author (1 Pet 1:1). This is the same Peter whom Christ called to be one of his twelve disciples and inner circle, brother of Andrew, and the disciple whom Christ would call to initiate the start of the New Testament (NT) church.

He was chosen by Christ (Jn 1:42; Matt 16:18-19).

Peter is mentioned more times in the NT than anyone besides Jesus.

John 1:40-42 was his initial call which identified him with Jesus, but he continued fishing. He later received a second call, one that emphasized his call to service, to leave his occupation to follow Christ (Matt 4:18-22). This was the moment when Peter, Andrew, James and John left their fishing business and followed Christ full-time. Later into Christ’s public ministry, there was a climactic third moment in which Christ gave Peter a fuller confirmation and explanation of His call (Matt 16:13-19)

In this third call, Jesus used a nickname for Simon – Peter/Cephas – which means “a little stone.” Then he contrasts it with “[upon] this rock,” which is a different word that means “a big stone.” So, if Peter was a little stone, pebble, or building block, then what was the large, massive stone?

This large, massive stone was not Peter, as Catholic theologians claim. To claim this ignores correct Greek grammar and vocabulary. And this “big stone” is not necessarily Christ himself, either, though that is not a wrong conclusion, just not the point here.

He is saying that the profession of what Peter had just said – “that Jesus was God the Messiah” – that was the BIG rock that Christ would build His church upon. And when you look in Acts, you find that God used Peter to verify and guide the spread of the gospel to the Jews, the Samaritans and the Gentiles as this profession of faith spread to all nations. Through the preaching of Peter in Acts, many other people also professed that Jesus was God the Messiah. This confession by faith alone is the big stone that Jesus spoke of.

He failed repeatedly (Matt 16:21-23; Jn 13:6-10, 18:10-11; Matt 26:69-75).

Here are some highlights of Peter’s failures as a disciple. There were other minor failures as well, things he said and did which demonstrated his incompetence, self-will, and ignorance.
He Rebuked Christ (Matt 16:21-23). Christ told him about plans to go to the cross and die. Peter had grander plans for taking over the Roman Empire and gaining power in the world with Jesus. He told Jesus, “Don’t, do it!”

He Stopped Trusting Christ (Jn 13:6-10). He walked onto the water with his eyes on Jesus, then he stopped trusting in Jesus and sank.

He Said No to Christ (Jn 18:10-11). Peter was the only disciple recorded who said NO to Jesus. Notice how he said, “No, LORD.” How do you say NO to the LORD?

He Denied Christ (Matt 26:69-75). He insisted that he would never do this but underestimated his potential for failure.

He was restored by Christ (Jn 21:15-23).

Notice the tender, patient drawing back of Christ, using questions, not increasing the guilt, but speaking to the heart of the issue, reaffirming Christ’s intention to use Peter STILL.

He served Christ effectively.

Here is a summary of the ways that God worked through the life and ministry of Peter. God used him in so many more ways and instances, too.

How did Jesus use him?

• He led the twelve disciples. (Acts 1:15-16)
• He ministered in the Palestine area. (Acts 2:1-15)
• He preached Pentecost. (Acts 2:14)
• He healed a lame man. (Acts 3:6)
• He defied the Pharisees. (Acts 4:8)
• He ministered in Samaria. (Acts 8:14)
• He ministered to Cornelius. (Acts 10)
• He escaped from prison. (Acts 12:5-10)
• He ministered in Antioch with Paul (Gal 2:9-11)
• He labored itinerantly throughout Asia Minor (1 Pet 1:1)
• He labored at Corinth (1 Cor 1:12)
• He faced imprisonment in Rome, wrote two letters, and was executed by Nero (1 Pet 1:1-2; 5:12-13)

If you study the life of Peter in the gospels and the testimony of Peter in his two letters (1st and 2nd Peter), you will discover two entirely different individuals. And that’s what I want to point out.

Remember how focused on being in charge, taking over and being the world’s idea of a great leader Peter was? Then remember Jesus’ words to him in John 21? Contrast this with what he wrote in 1 Pet 5:1-7.

He had learned from his failures, humbled himself, relied upon the grace of God, and obeyed. He responded to His failures correctly. According to Eusebius, the ancient 3rd century church historian (as cited by John MacArthur):

"We know that Jesus told Peter he would die as a martyr (John 21:18-19). But Scripture doesn’t record his death. All the records and witnesses of early church history indicate that Peter was crucified. Eusebius cites the testimony of Clement, who says that before Peter was crucified he was forced to watch the crucifixion of his own wife. As he watched her being led to her death, Clement says, Peter called to her by name, saying, ‘Remember the Lord.’ When it was Peter’s turn to die, he pleaded to be crucified upside down because he wasn’t worthy to die as his Lord had died. And thus he was nailed to a cross head-downward."

Three options have been suggested for the place that Peter calls “Babylon.” First, a small town in Egypt was called by that name. Second, some suggest that this was a symbolic reference to the city of Rome. Third, others believe that this refers to the area surrounding the Euphrates River, equivalent to the location of the ancient Babylonian Empire.

He wrote to believers throughout Asia Minor.

This area seems to focus on the northern regions of Asia Minor, especially, and to believers and churches scattered throughout that area. In this letter, Peter doesn’t emphasize the distinction between Jews and Gentiles as an identity issue but instead address his audience, which likely included both people groups, as “aliens,” focusing on their shared “outsider” status in this unbelieving world.

The theme of this book is “Christian Suffering.”

He wrote to instruct believers to persevere in holy living as they faced persecution. Peter himself had taken awhile to understand the nature and purpose of suffering in the Christian life. For year, he had looked forward to gaining a prominent place in Christ’s kingdom, asserting himself and even attempting to persuade Christ – even prevent Christ in the garden by sword – from going to the cross. He was repulsed by the idea that Christ had to suffer and die, so much so that he denied Christ and abandoned him momentarily. But he was restored by Christ and finally learned to accept, embrace, and persevere through suffering as a necessary part of a Christian’s life and witness. So, he wrote this letter to pass all that learning along to the churches he served so that they, too, would persevere through their own suffering rather than back away from being a faithful witness for Christ.

Outline of the Book

1.         The glories of the Christian life (1:1-12)

2.         Exhortations to believers based on their position in Christ (1:13-2:10)

            A.        To holiness (1:13-21)
            B.        To love (1:22-25)
            C.        To Christian growth (2:1-10)

3.         Exhortations to believers as temporary citizens in this world (2:11-4:19)

A.        The importance of good works (2:11-12)
B.        The importance of good citizenship (2:13-17)
C.        The importance of household relationships (2:18-25)
D.        The importance of Christian unity (3:8-12)
E.        The importance of triumphant attitudes (3:12-4:19)

4.         Exhortations to believers as members in the church (5:1-11)

            A.        To the elders (5:1-4)
            B.        To the people (5:5-11)

5.         Conclusion (5:12-14)