First Peter - Lorin

What we have discovered about First Peter is that this letter was composed by Peter while in Rome during
the late 50s to middle 60s of the first century, some time prior to his martyrdom by Nero in the mid 60s.
He utilized the help of Silas as his writing secretary, and most likely called on the services of John Mark also
to assist in the process of composing the letter. This team of writers put together a beautiful expression of
encouragement to faithfulness that provides deep insight into the sustaining power of God’s grace.
The letter sought to encourage
a wide range of Christian groups
meeting in house churches in
towns and cities scattered through
the Roman provinces of Pontus,
Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and
Bithynia. Included in the readership
are folks in very rural settings and
also in highly urbanized settings.
They came out of a wide diversity
of ethnic backgrounds that included
Jews, Greeks, Romans, along with
localized ethnic heritages. There were very wealthy folks and also very poor folks, as well as a considerable
number of slaves in this mixture. They all had grown up in other religious traditions and were first generation
believers in this new religion called Christianity.
The churches seem to be stable and relatively free from the influence of heretical teaching at the time of
the writing of this letter. But comparison with First and Second Timothy sent to Ephesus in Asia, along with
Colossians and Philemon sent to Colossae during the same general time frame paints a different picture for
Ephesus and Colossae in Asia. Considerable problems with false teachers and the promotion of heresy existed
in these two locations. About a decade or so earlier the churches in the province of Galatia had struggled
greatly under the false teaching of the Judaizing influence. Either Peter opted to not address such problems
that may have lingered there, or by the writing of First Peter these problems had diminished to such a point that
he felt no need to address them. Or, he may have felt that these problems were more isolated and localized
to just a few of the provinces and that the writings of Paul had already adequately addressed them. Certainly
from Silas and also by this point from John Mark he had learned how Paul had sought to solve these issues
of false teachers.
The problems that he did address in the church largely focused on a common issue being experienced in
various ways by most all the congregations. That issue revolved around the negative image this new religious
movement experienced from non-Christians in the communities. This negative view of Christianity sometimes
erupted into persecution ranging from verbal abuse to some physical violence against those identified as
Christians. Peter doesn’t feel from his sources of information about their situation that many believers were
denying their faith in the face of such hostility. But he was aware that they were having to pay a real price for
their Christian commitment. Thus the letter is largely centered on helping these believers understand who
they actually are in the eyes of God, and what their commitment to Christ has gained for them spiritually both
in this life and for all eternity. Out of a strong spiritual self identity they can hopefully utilize to the fullest God’s
presence with them for coping with the opposition they are facing.
Thus one of the fundamental contributions that First Peter has made over the centuries is to provide a
source of inspiration and insight to Christians who are going through really hard times. Especially is this true
when they are suffering hostility to their Christian faith from people around them. Peter gives deep insight into
both how God looks at His people in Christ, and the extent of His commitment to help them cope with their
trials.
2. What did he say about God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit?
The portrait of God that Peter paints in his letter is diverse and rich. The initial strokes in this portrait
are painted at the beginning of the letter in the Adscriptio: chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified
by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood, κατὰ πρόγνωσιν θεοῦ πατρός, ἐν
ἁγιασμῷ πνεύματος, εἰς ὑπακοὴν καὶ ῥαντισμὸν αἵματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (1:2). The implicit trinitarian affirma-
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