The Epistles of

Peter &

JudeLesson 1: Introduction to First Peter

The Writer, Recipients & Purpose of First Peter

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in

Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1)

The Writer: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ”

• Peter was called to be a disciple (Matthew 4:18)

• He was appointed as an apostle of Christ (Matthew 10:2)– He was entrusted with the keys of the

kingdom and with the authority to bind and loose (Matthew 16:19; 18:18)

– The authority and significance of the apostles in the church can scarcely be overstated (Ephesians 3:4-5; 2:20; 2 Peter 3:2; 1 Corinthians 12:28)

The Recipients: “Pilgrims of the Dispersion”

• The term dispersion was commonly used to describe Jews who had been dispersed from Palestine to other lands. (John 7:35; cf. James 1:1)– God had scattered the Jews because of their

disobedience (Deut. 28:64-66; Psalm 44:11)– Galatians 2:8 shows that Peter’s apostleship

was primarily to the Jews (although not exclusively so, cf. Acts 10 & 11)

– It is possible that not every recipient of this epistle had been a Jew (2:10; 4:3-4)

The Recipients: “Pilgrims of the Dispersion”

Locations Mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1

The Recipients: “Pilgrims of the Dispersion”

• The term pilgrims describes those who are foreigners or resident aliens.– Just as the dispersed Israelites had lived as

foreigners in the countries they inhabited, so Christians are to live in this world as spiritual foreigners (1 Peter 2:11-12)

• Peter is writing to God’s chosen people– To those he identifies as “elect” and

“Christians” (1 Peter 1:2; 4:16)

The Purpose: “Rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings”

• A central theme of 1 Peter is that it is a privilege and blessing to suffer for Christ. (1 Peter 1:11; 2:19-23; 3:14-20; 4:1,12-16, 19; 5:9-10)– Our pilgrimage is full of hardship, but it

will lead to stronger faith, holier lives, fuller submission and a greater longing for our heavenly home.