1 Peter 1:1-25

More Precious Than Gold

1 Peter

Helen Pocock

Introduction

The writer

Peter wrote this letter. He was one of the 12 *apostles. His name was Simon, but Jesus changed it to Peter (John 1:42). ‘Peter’ means ‘a rock’ or ‘a stone’. In *New Testament times many people could speak and read the *Greek language. Peter wrote this letter in the *Greek language. This meant that the good news about Jesus could spread easily.

A man called Silas (sometimes the Bible calls him Silvanus) helped Peter to write the letter (see 1 Peter 5:12). In those days, some men were expert writers. They helped people to write their letters in the proper way. Peter wrote this letter about 30 years after Jesus returned to heaven.

The people who received this letter

In the first verse, Peter lists 5 countries. Most of these are in the country that we now call Turkey. On the day of *Pentecost (Acts 2) people from three of these countries were visiting the city of Jerusalem. Some of these people may have become Christians there. Perhaps they went home and started new churches. Peter wrote to *Jews and Gentiles who became Christians. Gentiles are people who are not *Jews. They did not believe in the true God. Peter gave the letter to someone who travelled to the main churches in these areas. This person read the letter aloud to the Christians. Then people copied it and sent it to all the smaller churches near to them.

Why he wrote this letter

Peter wants to encourage Christians who are suffering for Christ. Although Christians might suffer in this life, they will not suffer for ever. This world is not their real home. Heaven is their real home. One day they will live with God in heaven and share God’s *glory.

Peter also wants his readers to understand the *grace of God. He wants every Christian to know what God has done for them. He wants them to learn more about God.

This letter is very practical. When a person becomes a Christian his life changes. (‘his’ here refers to both men and women, not just to men.) Peter tells his readers how to live a good Christian life. Peter was with Jesus for about three years. He saw all that Jesus did. He heard all that Jesus said. Peter is writing to encourage Christians to live like Jesus.

Chapter 1

Greetings

v1 I am Peter, an *apostle of Jesus Christ. I send this letter to you who are Christians in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. You are living in these places as foreigners. v2 It was God’s purpose to choose you to belong to him. The Holy Spirit has made you holy, because Jesus Christ has made you clean from *sin by his blood. May God give you more and more of his *grace and peace.