The Book of 1 Peter was written by the Apostle Peter during a time of increasing persecution for the church. For the first 34 years of the Church (AD 30-64), persecution came from the Jewish leadership throughout the Empire. It was the Apostle Paul who faced such persecution everywhere he traveled after first entering synagogues and then being thrown out by those who rejected his message that Christ was the long-expected Messiah, the One whom the nation had long-hoped for. It was apparent that the Jews were looking for a Messiah to overthrow the Romans, a great leader like Moses, but instead, what Paul preached was a “crucified Savior,” One who also rose from the dead.
At the beginning of the letter, Peter identified those to whom he was writing, namely, those Christians scattered throughout six specific provinces in Asia Minor, or modern day Turkey. And it appears that this letter was also addressed to both Jews and Gentiles, as the content of the letter unmistakably includes both. But the question is always raised about Peter’s location of writing this letter. We have a clue showing up at the end of his letter when he says, “She who is in Babylon… greets you” ( 1 Pet. 5:13). But where was this “Babylon?”
Some suggest that Peter wound up in ancient Babylon in the Tigris-Euphrates valley, and others who feel that Peter eventually made it to Rome suggest that “Babylon” is a “hidden” reference to Rome. However, many feel that the name “Babylon” was a “hidden” reference to the City of Jerusalem because of the evil that ancient Babylon represented. After all, it was the capitol city of the empire that destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC and took tens of thousands of captives into exile. Furthermore, Jerusalem had continually rejected the gospel and became the focal point of persecution for the church throughout the Roman Empire.
One more clue for the location of writing comes from the Book of Revelation where John includes an entire chapter about the fall of “Babylon the Great” (Rev. 18:2), the city in whom was found “…the blood of all the prophets and saints…” (Rev. 18:24). Peter and others likely stayed in Jerusalem throughout the growth of the early church even though many were scattered when persecution intensified as recorded in the Book of Acts. Personally, I lean toward Peter’s reference to “Babylon” as actually being “Jerusalem.”
This book is filled with wonderful, meaningful passages, for example,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance that is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:3-4).
It is being “born again” that results in having a “living hope” because of Christ’s resurrection. And then he goes on by encouraging these Christians to live holy lives in spite of persecution by saying,
“…like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior, because it is written, ‘You shall be holy for I am holy’” (1 Pet. 1:15-16).
And then, we come to one of my favorite verses in all of Scripture, where Peter writes about our redemption that was made possible by the shedding of the blood of a lamb. And then, he identifies the “real Lamb,” saying,
“…knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:18-19).
Along with the resurrection, the shedding of Jesus’ blood on the cross for our sins are the twin focal points of our faith. And we are not even done with the first chapter, as Peter continues with some practical exhortation,
“Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Pet. 1:22-23).
And then Peter takes a moment to address Gentile Christians, letting them know that as the Jews in the Old Covenant were a “chosen nation,” now in Christ, they had become part of something entirely new, saying,
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, for you were once not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Pet. 2:9-10).
And then Peter provides some encouragement as they endure persecution, by saying,
“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example to follow in His footsteps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth…and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you have been healed, for you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls” (1 Per. 2:21-25).
And he encourages these believers to be ready to give a good answer for the hope they have in Christ,
“…but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15).
As Peter moves toward the end of his letter, he provides this absolutely essential exhortation for the shepherds in today’s churches (sadly, some prefer to be called “leaders” rather than “shepherds”) saying,
“Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion; but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness, nor as lording it over those allotted to you charge, but proving to be examples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:2-3).
And finally, Peter encourages all followers of Christ to,
“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He might exalt you at the proper time, casting all of your cares upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:6-7).
Let’s never forget to live humbly, not allowing pride and self-seeking motives to influence our behavior. And let’s remember that when we undergo trials to cast all of our cares upon Him because he cares for us.
What an amazing letter this is. We have seen some critical theological truths about Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, along with practical exhortations to life godly lives. And for the shepherds in today’s churches, to live and act like shepherds, caring for their flocks as Christ cares for the “sheep of His pasture.” I encourage you to take some time and read the entire letter. It’s a real gem!
Blessings to all of you.
