Standing Firm in Living Hope!
A new series taking us through to the summer.
In his letter Peter is writing from Rome (Babylon as he calls it following the tradition of attributing that name to any corrupt nation set against God). Most scholars set the time of writing in the early 60’s during the time of the persecution by Emperor Nero. Peter addresses his letter (1 v1) to Gods elect, exiles scattered all over what is now modern day Turkey. Peter writes to encourage the believers to remain faithful under persecution, reminding them that they walk in Jesus footsteps and that their inheritance is not one of earthly riches but rather a heavenly one that will be revealed when Christ returns. Peter exhorts those to whom he is writing to holiness and obedience even when suffering through persecution. Peter addresses 3 particular areas of difficulty in 2:11- 3:7, submission of all to the ruling authorities, submission of slaves to their masters and of wives to their husbands.
Peter concludes his letter urging Gods elect, his chosen people, to live Holy lives serving the gospel and one another. The warning at the end of chapter 4 and into 5 is as pertinent now as it was then. As they suffered for being Christian, we should expect no different. It is the way of the cross.
Join us as we reflect on Peter’s teaching and apply it in our own lives and our culture today.
