A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 6: The Ep i s t l es : The I nterpretat i on and App l i cat i on of Chr i s t 197

5. The Epistles of Peter: Christ our pattern for suffering

a. Written between A.D. 64-67 by the Apostle Peter, sent in the name of the apostle (1 Pet. 1.1; 5.1; 2 Pet. 1.1). Silvanus plays a role in the first letter (5.12), who is probably Silas of Acts.

b. Peter’s leadership in the apostolic community (Acts 1.15ff.) is demonstrated in his oversight in the apostolic choice of Matthais and his principle role to proclaim the truth of Jesus at Pentecost (Acts 2.12ff.).

c. His letters appear to be primarily to Jewish readers (notice his intro in the first epistle), but his message is for all believers. The persecution and trial they were undergoing was severe and intense, with the prospect of more aggressive suffering to come. d. An abundant use of the quotations of the OT (i.e., the Pentateuch, Psalms, Proverbs, and Prophets) shows him to be grounded in the Hebraic vision of Messiah and Jesus’ fulfillment of that role. e. Christ is presented to us as the Pattern of our Suffering, the One whose suffering was neither deserved nor just, yet who through God’s grace honored God and did not retaliate.

(1) Christ reveals to us that the endurance of trials can strengthen and purify our faith, 1 Pet. 1.6-7.

(2) Christ reveals to us that suffering is a central part of the Christian’s call in the world, 1 Pet. 2.18-25.

(3) Christ reveals to us that suffering can be an authentic means to give witness to the truth of our faith in Christ, 1 Pet. 3.8-18.