1 Peter Bible Study

Faith Formation for Adults

 The overarching theme of the epistle is encouragement to Christians who are suffering or are about to suffer persecution, reminding them of the source of their identity as God’s people and their responsibilities to live out that identity in spite of their suffering. It may be that Peter wants to encourage the Christian churches that have been set up by Paul in the face of growing persecution in the reign of Nero, the same guy who blamed them for the fires in Rome and subjected them to horrendous barbarisms. Faithfulness in actions as well as unity among themselves are to be the mark of God’s people. Even though they may be alienated from earthly social structures, they have been reborn as children of God, and are therefore members of God's household. And though they may suffer for their faithfulness, they can await with confidence God’s judgment on unrighteousness.

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