What Is The Purpose Of The Book Of 1st Peter? A Bible Study

Can we know the purpose of the Book of 1st Peter? How can this help us better understand the Word of God?

The Author

The Book of 1st Peter is named after the author who identifies himself in the very first line “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1st Pet 1:1) so there is no doubt who this book was written by and probably around AD 61-64 or so.

The Purpose

The Apostle Peter wrote this letter for the purpose of encouraging the Jewish Christians who had been dispersed throughout the region (1st Pet 1:1) and were experiencing severe persecution. He desired that they be encouraged and not lose hope because they have a risen Christ that will not fail to come back for them and reward them for what they’ve done in this life. Peter knew a lot about persecution, having been beaten, imprisoned, and his life threatened more than once for preaching the gospel but that was to be expected. Even though the enemy was behind the persecution, the believers could have the full assurance of Jesus’ return and vindicating all who have had to suffer for the sake of their testimony of Christ and in fact, they (and we) should consider it a privilege to suffer for Jesus’ sake.

The Focal Point

The 1st Book of Peter was a letter that was apparently widely circulated “in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1st Pet 1:1) so that the Christians who were dispersed could be encouraged due to their loss of jobs, home, and family, and wherever they were in the Roman Empire, God had not forsaken them. Peter wrote “do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1st Pet 4:12-14) “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (1st Pet 4:19).

The Chosen Ones

Peter writes in a fashion similar to Paul in Ephesians 1 by writing “you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1st Pet 2:9) meaning that we were not chosen by what we did in this life. It was all a matter of grace (Eph 2:8-9) so since Jesus “himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1st Pet 2:24) we should strive to “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (1st Pet 5:8-9).

Born Again by Blood

The Apostle Peter gives us a very plain explanation of what it means to be saved in 1st Peter 1:18-19 where he writes “that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” and “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart” (1st Pet 1:22) you have now “been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1st Pet 1:23). Peter lays out the gospel in plain language so that the believers can know how to share it in the hopes that they will “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1st Pet 3:15). Jesus, the apostles, or anyone in the New Testament church (Acts) ever tried to argue anyone into heaven. We are simply to share our faith but do it “with gentleness and respect.”

Conclusion

The Book of 1st Peter is an exceptional work that can help the “dispersed” Christian’s around the world. Many of the believers today, like they were in Peter’s day, are spread out all over the known world and being in such isolation, they needed Peter’s encouragement that suffering from persecution was normal and that they are blessed by God when you’re hated for Jesus’ sake so rejoice in that you’re partaking of the same suffering that Jesus endured (1st Pet 4:13-14). Don’t you want that? Today, read this if you are not already saved (Rom 10:9-13) or this if you reject it (Rev 21:8).

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.