Bible Text: 1 Peter 1:1,2 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: 1 Peter, Chosen By God

1.  “…this epistle [with its practical instructions] makes [it] a unique source of encouragement for all believers who live in conflict with their culture.”  “Those who read 1 Peter are encouraged to lift their eyes from present problems and trials and behold the vistas provided by an eternal perspective.” (Roger Raymer)

2.  “The apostle Peter wrote this letter to encourage believers who would likely face trials and persecution under Emperor Nero.  Rome prosecuted Christians because they refused to worship the emperor as a god.  They refused to worship at pagan temples and support their enterprises.  Christians didn’t support the Roman ideals of self, power, and conquest.  They exposed and rejected the immoral practices of the pagan culture.” (NLT One-Year Study Bible)

3.  The writer of this letter is the Apostle Peter.  He identifies himself in verse one (using the Greek “petros” instead of the Aramaic “cephas”; claims to have been an eyewitness to Christ’s earthly ministry (as Peter was); commanded Elders to shepherd God’s flock (5:2), a command found only in John 21:16, where Jesus commanded Peter to shepherd or “take care of His sheep.”  In addition to this evidence is the correspondence between the teaching in the Book of 1 Peter and Peter’s teaching in the Book of Acts.

4.  1 Peter was written in 63-64 A.D., probably from Rome (Babylon was used in 5:13 to hide their location-a common practice in that day).  Early writers say that Peter was martyred in Rome in 67 A.D. Tradition says he was crucified upside-down at his request (since he felt he was not worthy to be crucified in the same manner as his savior).