First Epistle of Peter

From Textus Receptus

New Testament Gospel of Matthew - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Gospel of Mark - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Gospel of Luke - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 John - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Acts - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Romans - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 Corinthians - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 2 Corinthians - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Galatians - 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ephesians - 1 2 3 4 5 6 Philippians - 1 2 3 4 Colossians - 1 2 3 4 1 Thessalonians - 1 2 3 4 5 2 Thessalonians - 1 2 3 1 Timothy - 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 Timothy - 1 2 3 4 Titus - 1 2 3 Philemon - 1 Hebrews - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 James - 1 2 3 4 5 1 Peter - 1 2 3 4 5 2 Peter - 1 2 3 1 John - 1 2 3 4 5 2 John - 1 3 John - 1 Jude - 1 Revelation - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 See Also: Old Testament

The First Epistle of Peter, usually referred to simply as First Peter and often written 1 Peter, is a book of the New Testament. The author claims to be Saint Peter the apostle, and the epistle was traditionally held to have been written during his time as bishop of Rome or Bishop of Antioch, though neither title is used in the epistle. The letter is addressed to various churches in Asia Minor suffering religious persecution.

Contents 1 Composition 2 Audience 3 Outline 4 The "Harrowing of Hell" 5 See also 6 Notes 7 External links 8 See Also

Composition

See Also Authorship of the Petrine epistles The author identifies himself in the opening verse as "Peter, an apostle of Jesus".

Audience

This epistle is addressed “to the strangers dispersed through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, elect,” (five provinces of Asia Minor) though it otherwise appears to be addressed to Gentiles rather than to the Jews of the Diaspora.

The author counsels (1) to steadfastness and perseverance under persecution (1–2:10); (2) to the practical duties of a holy life (2:11–3:13); (3) he adduces the example of Christ and other motives to patience and holiness (3:14–4:19); and (4) concludes with counsels to pastors and people (chap. 5).

Outline

The principal divisions of the First Letter of Peter are the following:

• Address (1 Peter 1:1-2)
• The Gift and Call of God in Baptism (1 Peter 1:3-2:10)
• The Christian in a Hostile World (1 Peter 2:11-4:11)
• Advice to the Persecuted (1 Peter 4:12-5:11)
• Conclusion (1 Peter 5:12-14) 1 Peter 1:1-2

The "Harrowing of Hell"

See Also Harrowing of Hell

The author refers to Jesus, after his death, proclaiming to spirits in prison (3:18-20). This passage, and a few others (such as Matthew 27:52 and Luke 23:43), are the basis of the Christian belief in the descent of Christ into hell, or the harrowing of hell. Though interpretations vary, most theologians see this passage as referring to Jesus, after his death, going to a place (neither heaven nor hell in the ultimate sense) where the souls of pre-Christian people waited for the Gospel.

The first creeds to mention the harrowing of hell were Arian formularies of Sirmium (359), Nike (360), and Constantinople (360).

See also

• Textual variants in the First Epistle of Peter

Notes

External links

Online translations of the First Epistle of Peter:

• NET Bible 1 Peter Bible Text, Study notes, Greek, with audio link
• Early Christian writings: 1 Peter
• Online Bible at GospelHall.org

Related articles:

• The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: 1 Peter
• Easton's Bible Dictionary 1897: First Epistle of Peter
• Ernst R. Wendland, “Stand Fast in the True Grace of God! A Study of 1 Peter"
• 1 Peter The authenticity and authorship by Peter of the First Epistle of Peter defended

See Also

• Wikipedia Article on the First Epistle of Peter