 Previous Chapter |
 Return to Outline |
 Ask Questions |
 Next Chapter |
Knowing that the Christians throughout Asia Minor under Roman rule would be facing more persecution than ever before, Peter wrote this letter to give them a divine perspective on their trials so they would be able to endure without wavering in the faith. He reminds them that suffering is a privilege for the Christian, like sharing in the sufferings of Christ. He also reminds them that, like Job, hardships are not always caused by their own wrongdoing, but rather a test of their testimony.
Shortly after this letter was wrote there was terrible persecution, under Nero, where he burned Christians in his garden at night for light and entertainment. Paul had been to Rome ahead of Peter and when Peter arrived, Paul left Rome and perhaps went to Spain, leaving Peter to minister to the believers there. Silas and Mark is mentioned as being with Peter. Nero burned Rome in July of AD 64, the persecution began in October. Peter knew that the persecution would not stop in Rome, that it would eventually spread over the entire Roman Empire, so he wrote to the churches to warn them of the severity of the pending persecution.
This letter and Paul's letter to the Ephesians have more than 100 parallels of teaching, showing the continuity of the Spirit in inspiring these two writers. The theme of this letter is "Grace". Grace sufficient for those who would be called upon to suffer for the cause of Christ.
Peter foresees two reasons why these Christians were going to have to have "abundant Grace". One was to withstand persecution and the other was to withstand false teaching. To stand up against these two tools of Satan was going to require abundant Grace from God.
Previous Chapter |
Return to Outline |
Ask Questions |
Next Chapter |