The Summary of the Book of 1 Peter
The book of 1 Peter is a General Epistle (Apostolic Letter). It was written to all believers in general.
The author is Peter who wrote it about 60 A.D. The key personalities are the Apostle Peter, Silas, and Mark. Its purpose was to encourage suffering Christians and to call them to personal holiness; Peter’s central focus is persecution.
Chapters 1-2 – Peter addresses the issue that believers are to live a life of personal holiness as God’s people, even during times of suffering and persecution.
He teaches that all Christians are to expect suffering; it is normal and Scriptural for Christians to suffer persecution and even imprisonment and death.
Peter explains that our salvation in Christ is secure and that He took our sin on the cross and, “
“…by who’s stripes ye were healed” (2:24).
Chapters 3-5 – Peter explains that in living holy lives the believer is to,
“…sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (3:15).
A part of living a holy life is obeying the commands of Christ and Peter claimed that we are obligated to preach the “Hope that is in you”.
He expounds that believers should not be surprised when persecution comes upon them,
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour” (5:8).
In addition, if the believer does suffer persecution, they are to glorify God and entrust their souls to Him.