110 lines
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110 lines
13 KiB
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<div class="head">Executable Outlines</div>
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<div class="subhead">The First Epistle of Peter</div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad30">
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<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;font-weight:bold;">Introduction</div>
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<p><b>AUTHOR</b></p>
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<p>The apostle <b>Peter</b>, as stated in the salutation (<a id="si-1Pe 1:1" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,1);">1Pe 1:1</a>). Internal evidence supports Peter as the author, for it was written by one who was "a witness of the sufferings of Christ" (<a id="si-1Pe 5:1" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,1);">1Pe 5:1</a>). Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to Peter include Irenaeus (185 A.D.), Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.), Tertullian (200 A.D.), and Eusebius (300 A.D.). Peter was assisted by <b>Silvanus</b>, also known as <b>Silas</b> (<a id="si-1Pe 5:12" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,12);">1Pe 5:12</a>), a well-known prophet and missionary in the early church (cf. <a id="si-Act 15:32-34, 40" onClick="return mV('Act',15,'32-34',40);">Act 15:32-34, 40</a>; <a id="si-Act 16:19-25" onClick="return mV('Act',16,'19-25');">Act 16:19-25</a>; <a id="si-Act 17:14" onClick="return mV('Act',17,14);">Act 17:14</a>) who also joined with Paul in writing some of his epistles (cf. <a id="si-1Th 1:1" onClick="return mV('1Th',1,1);">1Th 1:1</a>; <a id="si-2Th 1:1" onClick="return mV('2Th',1,1);">2Th 1:1</a>).</p>
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<p><b>RECIPIENTS</b></p>
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<p>Peter refers to the recipients of his letter as "pilgrims of the Dispersion" (<a id="si-1Pe 1:1" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,1);">1Pe 1:1</a>). The term "Dispersion" is found in <a id="si-Jhn 7:35" onClick="return mV('Jhn',7,35);">Jhn 7:35</a> and was used to describe Israelites who had been "scattered" following the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities (ca. 700-500 B.C.). This leads many to suppose that the epistle was written to Jewish Christians, as was the case of James' epistle (cf. <a id="si-Jam 1:1" onClick="return mV('Jam',1,1);">Jam 1:1</a>). However, there is indication some of his readers were Gentile converts who had come to believe in God through Jesus (cf. <a id="si-1Pe 1:21" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,21);">1Pe 1:21</a>), and that Peter applies the term "dispersion" to Christians in general, just as he applied other designations to the church that were formerly applied to the nation of Israel (cf. <a id="si-1Pe 2:9-10" onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,'9-10');">1Pe 2:9-10</a>).</p>
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<p>Peter's initial audience were <b>Christian "pilgrims"</b> (cf. <a id="si-1Pe 2:11" onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,11);">1Pe 2:11</a>) who were living in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, provinces in what is now Turkey. Paul had traveled extensively in some of these areas (Bithynia a notable exception, cf. <a id="si-Act 16:7" onClick="return mV('Act',16,7);">Act 16:7</a>), so the gospel had been given much opportunity to spread throughout the region.</p>
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<p><b>TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING</b></p>
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<p>It is generally accepted that Peter died during the reign of Nero. Since Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D., the epistle must be dated before then. A common view is the epistle was written on the eve of the Neronian persecution (perhaps alluded to in <a id="si-1Pe 4:12-19" onClick="return mV('1Pe',4,'12-19');">1Pe 4:12-19</a>), placing its composition around <b>63-64 A.D.</b></p>
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<p>Peter indicates he wrote from "Babylon" (<a id="si-1Pe 5:13" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,13);">1Pe 5:13</a>). It is questionable whether he refers to literal Babylon, or is using the name as a code word for Rome or perhaps even Jerusalem. Barnes, Lightfoot, and JFB (Jaimeson, Faussett, Brown) argue that literal Babylon is meant. Others (such as Kistemaker) point out that Mark (cf. <a id="si-1Pe 5:13" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,13);">1Pe 5:13</a>) had been in Rome with Paul during his first (<a id="si-Col 4:10" onClick="return mV('Col',4,10);">Col 4:10</a>) and second (<a id="si-2Ti 4:11" onClick="return mV('2Ti',4,11);">2Ti 4:11</a>) imprisonment, and that Peter is linked to Rome by such writers as Papias (125 A.D.) and Irenaeus (185 A.D.). While possibly Rome (or even Jerusalem), I am content to say the epistle was written from <b>Babylon</b> (letting others debate whether it was literal Babylon or not).</p>
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<p><b>PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE</b></p>
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<p>It is apparent from the epistle that Christians in Asia Minor had experienced persecution (<a id="si-1Pe 1:6" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,6);">1Pe 1:6</a>), and more suffering was on the way (<a id="si-1Pe 4:12-19" onClick="return mV('1Pe',4,'12-19');">1Pe 4:12-19</a>). Throughout the epistle Peter encourages them to remain steadfast (<a id="si-1Pe 1:13" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,13);">1Pe 1:13</a>; <a id="si-1Pe 4:16" onClick="return mV('1Pe',4,16);">1Pe 4:16</a>; <a id="si-1Pe 5:8-9" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,8,9);">1Pe 5:8-9</a>). He reminds them of their blessings and duties that are incumbent upon them as God's "elect" (<a id="si-1Pe 1:2" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,2);">1Pe 1:2</a>), "His own special people" (<a id="si-1Pe 2:9" onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,9);">1Pe 2:9</a>). Therefore, Peter writes:</p>
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<div class="levA"><b>* To encourage steadfastness in the face of persecution (<a id="si-1Pe 5:10" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,10);">1Pe 5:10</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>* To remind them of their special privilege as God's "holy nation" (<a id="si-1Pe 2:9" onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,9);">1Pe 2:9</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>* To instruct them as to their proper conduct (<a id="si-Pe 2:11-12" onClick="return mV('1Pe', 2,11,12);">1Pe 2:11-12</a>)</b></div>
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<p><b>THEME OF THE EPISTLE</b></p>
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<p>The epistle is filled with practical admonitions concerning their conduct, especially as sojourners in a hostile land. They are told how to behave in the midst of those who speak evil of them, who abuse them, who do not believe their message, simply because they are Christians. An appropriate them for this epistle might therefore be:</p>
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<p align="center"><b>"CONDUCT BECOMING THE PEOPLE OF GOD"</b></p>
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<p><b>KEY VERSES: <a id="si-1Pe 2:11-12" onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,11,12);">1Pe 2:11-12</a></p>
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<div class="block"><b>"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation."</b></div>
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<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;"><b>OUTLINE</b></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>INTRODUCTION (1Pe 1:1-2)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">1. From Peter, an apostle of Christ (<a id="1Pe 1:1a" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,1);">1Pe 1:1a</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA">2. To pilgrims of the Dispersion, God's elect (<a id="si-1Pe 1:1b-2" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,1,2);">1Pe 1:1b-2</a>)</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>I. <u>OUR SALVATION IN CHRIST</u> (1Pe 1:3-12)</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>A. BORN AGAIN TO A LIVING HOPE (<a id="si-1Pe 1:3-5" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,'3-5');">1Pe 1:3-5</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>B. PRODUCING JOY IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING (<a id="si-1Pe 1:6-9" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,'6-9');">1Pe 1:6-9</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>C. SERVED BY PROPHETS AND APOSTLES (<a id="si-1Pe 1:10-12" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,'10-12');">1Pe 1:10-12</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>II. <u>OUR DUTIES IN CHRIST</u> (1Pe 1:13-5:11)</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>A. IN VIEW OF OUR PRIVILEGES (1Pe 1:13-2:10)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. A call to holiness (<a id="si-1Pe 1:13-21" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,'13-21');">1Pe 1:13-21</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. A call to brotherly love (<a id="si-1Pe 1:22-25" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,'22-25');">1Pe 1:22-25</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">3. A call to spiritual growth (<a id="si-1Pe 2:1-10" onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,'1-10');">1Pe 2:1-10</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>B. IN VIEW OF OUR POSITION (1Pe 2:11-4:11)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. As sojourners (<a id="si-1Pe 2:11-12" onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,11,12);">1Pe 2:11-12</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. As citizens (<a id="si-1Pe 2:13-17" onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,'13-17');">1Pe 2:13-17</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">3. As servants (<a id="si-1Pe 2:18-25" onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,'18-25');">1Pe 2:18-25</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">4. As wives and husbands (<a id="si-1Pe 3:1-7" onClick="return mV('1Pe',3,'1-7');">1Pe 3:1-7</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">5. As brethren (<a id="si-1Pe 3:8-12" onClick="return mV('1Pe',3,'8-12');">1Pe 3:8-12</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">6. As sufferers for righteousness' sake (<a id="si-1Pe 3:13-22" onClick="return mV('1Pe',3,'13-22');">1Pe 3:13-22</a> - <a id="si-1Pe 4:1-6" onClick="return mV('1Pe',4,'1-6');">1Pe 4:1-6</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">7. As those awaiting the coming of Christ (<a id="si-1Pe 4:7-11" onClick="return mV('1Pe',4,'7-11');">1Pe 4:7-11</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>C. IN VIEW OF OUR PERSECUTION (1Pe 4:12-5:11)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. To rejoice and glorify God (<a id="si-1Pe 4:12-17" onClick="return mV('1Pe',4,'12-17');">1Pe 4:12-17</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. To trust in the will of God (<a id="si-1Pe 4:18" onClick="return mV('1Pe',4,1819);">1Pe 4:18-19</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">3. To fulfill our special roles (<a id="si-1Pe 5:1-5" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,'1-5');">1Pe 5:1-5</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1"> a. The elders' duties as shepherds</div>
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<div class="lev1"> b. The youngers' duties as the flock</div>
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<div class="lev1">4. To humble ourselves before God (<a id="si-1Pe 5:6-7" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,6,7);">1Pe 5:6-7</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">5. To resist the devil (<a id="si-1Pe 5:8-9" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,8,9);">1Pe 5:8-9</a>)</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>CONCLUSION (1Pe 5:10-14)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">1. A prayer for God's blessing (<a id="si-1Pe 5:10-11" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,10,11);">1Pe 5:10-11</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA">2. Final greetings and bestowal of peace (<a id="si-1Pe 5:12-14" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,'12-14');">1Pe 5:12-14</a>)</div>
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<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;"><b>REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION</b></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>1) To whom was this first epistle of Peter written? (<a id="si-1Pe 1:1" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,1);">1Pe 1:1</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- To pilgrims of the Dispersion</div>
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<div class="levA">- Living in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>2) What internal evidence suggests these "pilgrims" may have included Gentile Christians? (<a id="si-1Pe 1:21" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,21);">1Pe 1:21</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- They had come to believe in God through Jesus</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>3) What country today makes up the region where these Christians lived?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Turkey</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>4) Who assisted Peter in this epistle? What other name is this person called? (<a id="si-1Pe 5:12" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,12);">1Pe 5:12</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Silvanus; Silas</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>5) When was this epistle possibly written?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- 63-64 A.D.</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>6) Where was Peter when he wrote this epistle? (<a id="si-1Pe 5:13" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,13);">1Pe 5:13</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Babylon</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>7) What other places might this city symbolize?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Rome, or possibly Jerusalem</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>8) What threefold purpose did Peter have in writing this epistle?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- To encourage steadfastness in the face of persecution (<a id="si-1Pe 5:10" onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,10);">1Pe 5:10</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA">- To remind them of their special privilege as God's "holy nation" (<a id="si-1Pe 2:9" onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,9);">1Pe 2:9</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA">- To instruct them as to their proper conduct (<a id="si-1Pe 2:11-12" onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,11,12);">1Pe 2:11-12</a>)</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>9) What is suggested as the theme of this epistle?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Conduct becoming the people of God</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>10) What is suggested as the key verses in this epistle?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- <a id="si-1Pe 2:11-12" onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,11,12);">1Pe 2:11-12</a></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>11) According to the outline offered above, what are two main divisions of this epistle?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Our salvation in Christ</div>
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<div class="levA">- Our duties in Christ</div>
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<p align="center" style="font-size:85%;margin-top:25px;">Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2003</p>
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</div></div>
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<div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a><br>
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<a href="./study/eo/index.html">Return to Executable Outlines</a></div>
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<div class="cite2">
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<p class="bibliobox"><strong>Bibliographic Information:</strong><br>Author: Copeland, Mark A.<br>Title: "The First Epistle of Peter"<br>Work: <em>Executable Outlines</em><br>Date Added: 28 Aug 2003<br>Source: Executable Outlines</p>
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