This is a brief introduction to the New Testament books of first and second Peter as recorded in ‘The Bible Brief’ a summary of the 66 books and epistles that form the complete Christian Bible.
Summary of 1 Peter
A brief introduction and overview of the book of 1 Peter
The Bible Brief’s 1 Peter Summary:
When it was written: Around A.D. 64.
Who wrote it: The Apostle Peter. (Ch.1:1)
Notable People & Places: Christ; Peter; Silvanus; Mark
Galatia; Cappadocia; Asia
Sound-Bites:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (Ch.2:9)
And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. (Ch.2:24)
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (Ch.5:8)
The Messianic Link:
He is the Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4)
The Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)
1 Peter Summary:
In this letter Peter addresses the persecutions and the sufferings that the believers have been enduring for the gospels’ sake, as well as encouraging them to stay strong in the faith and to ‘be holy’ (Ch.1:15-16).
He emphasizes the fact that they are a ‘chosen race’ and a ‘royal priesthood’, and that their behaviour must be exemplary amongst the unbelievers in order to give a good witness for the Faith (Ch2:12), that people may see this and glorify God.
Chapter 4 exhorts them to discard their previous ‘lusts of men’ and instead to live instead for the will of God, for the end of this age is near. The trials that they are undergoing should be no surprise to them, because they are indeed sharing in the sufferings of Christ in this matter.
He finishes this book with the warning that they must beware of their adversary the devil, and to resist him by being strong in the faith.
Notes & Quotes:
Peter has much to say in this letter regarding various doctrines and Christian behaviour, especially with regard to being a credible witness for the gospel.
He was, however, mainly writing in order to encourage the early church during a period of intense persecution, and at a time when it was much easier to drift away and live a carnal, ungodly life.
Peter warns us to be on guard against the devil, who is the real adversary behind the scenes, whose tactics are pretty much the same as they always were. If he cannot discourage us with persecutions, then he can offer many other inducements in order to distract us from our ultimate goal of simply worshiping The Lord Jesus, and expectantly awaiting his return.
1 Peter In A Nutshell
Peter encourages the Christian believers to stay strong in the face of persecution. To emulate Christ in his suffering and to beware of their real adversery, the devil who “prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour”.
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Summary Of 2 Peter
When it was written: Written about A.D. 66.
Who wrote it: The Apostle Peter.
Notable eople & Places: Christ; Peter; Paul
Sound-Bites:
For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. (Ch.1:16)
Promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. (Ch.2:19)
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (Ch.3:9)
The Messianic Link:
He is the Beloved Son (Ch.1:17)
2 Peter Summary:
Peter begins his letter by reminding the believers of his earlier ministrations concerning Christian behaviour, and the person of Christ. False prophets and teachers were posing a problem at this time, so Peter warns them throughout the second chapter to be aware of such people; advising amongst other things that these people are ‘slaves of corruption’ (2:19) and to be avoided at all costs.
In the last chapter he counters the false teachers who say that the Lord is not coming back at all, and reminds them that God’s timing is not the same as ours, and indeed 1000 of our years is only a day to Him.
He ends the book by again exhorting them to be alert to false teachings, especially those who would attempt to distort the teachings of the Apostle Paul, whose writings are sometimes difficult to grasp (Ch.3:15-16).
Notes & Quotes:
False teachers and disinformation campaigns have always been one of the enemy’s biggest ploys, in his battle to undermine the work of Christ and discredit his people. Interestingly it is a ploy that has been used by various governments and peoples since time began, to confuse and defeat their enemies. Disinformation is a very powerful weapon in times of war, and helps keep the opposition ‘on the back foot’, so to speak.
As Paul tells us in the book of Ephesians (6:12), we are in a time of spiritual warfare so we should not be surprised that the devil uses disinformation and false teaching to try to undermine the true Faith, thereby weakening our resolve to be effective witnesses for The Lord.
