Thoughts on Today’s Text First Peter is

Thoughts on Today’s Text

First Peter is one of two epistles written by the disciple we know as “Simon Peter” (Mark 1:29; Luke 4:38; 5:3, 10). “Simon” is the name Jesus used for Peter when referencing his old life or the tendencies of the flesh to dominate him (John 1:42). After the resurrection, Jesus called Peter “Simon” for the last time (John 21:3, 15-17). Peter was a faithful apostle and powerful preacher (Acts 2:14-40; 3:12-26). He was instrumental in the growth and development of the early church (Acts 8-15). His last appearance in the biblical record occurs at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:7-12) until he wrote his epistles. Tradition records that Peter was martyred by being crucified upside down.

Peter’s first epistle, First Peter, is a wonderful letter of encouragement written to believers who were suffering persecution. These persecuted believers to whom Peter wrote had become the scapegoat of Emperor Nero for the burning of Rome. Little did Nero realize that his persecution of these believers resulted in the spread of the gospel to five regions of Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey (1 Peter 1:1). Even in the horrors of persecution these early believers demonstrated the reality of a living hope.