Read: Ezekial 44:1-45:12; 1 Peter 1:1-12; Psalm 119:17-32; Proverbs 28:8-10
Today in the One Year Bible we begin the first of the two epistles which share more clearly than any part of the New Testament the heart and theology of the Apostle named Simon Peter.
There is no canonical gospel written by Peter and most of the non-canonical fragments bearing his name are incomplete. Nor can any of these apocryphal writings be relied upon to be authentic. What has been preserved in these fragments provides us with tiny glimpses into the prophetic vision and theology of Peter as recorded by others. Some modern theologians question the authenticity of Peter’s authorship of these two epistles as well. Their arguments are based on four criteria. First they argue the areas specifically mentioned in the address did not fall within the apostolic jurisdiction of Peter. Secondly the Greek exceeds the writing ability of a Galilean fisherman. Thirdly and closely related to the second argument is the supposed dependency on the Pauline Epistles which would date the two epistles to the second century. And the finally objection is the persecutions Peter writes about did not occur until after his crucifixion.
It is a fairly common phenomenon for scholars to argue over the origin of the books found in the two canonical testaments. Because there is no consensus on how these important documents were originally composed, later copied, and preserved by the church. Modern scholars argue endlessly about their external and internal evidence; their point and purpose; when they were written; who they were written to; and even who was the author. But it really comes down to this–the available evidence and the preserved manuscripts fail to satisfy modern historical methods of scholarship and leave open the possibility of these controversies. In the end we either argue endlessly or accept in faith the testimony of the Church fathers and the internal evidence (1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1) which clearly states the Apostle Simon Peter was the author of both First and Second Peter.
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus,
Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2who have been chosen
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work
of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
1 Peter 1:1-2
The introductory verses found in our reading
today address the epistle to the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. There is consensus
the audience is composed of diaspora Jewish Christians (scattered in Acts
8:1-4) and Gentile-Christians found in Northern Asia Minor. Pontus was a
province along the Black Sea. The New Testament indication is the area had a
large Jewish population, many who were in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:9).
Galatia was a province in North Central Asia Minor, parts of which were
evangelized in both Paul’s first (Acts 13-14) and second (Acts 16:6) missionary
journeys. Some scholars believe the reference in 1 Peter may be to areas as far
north as European Gaul from whom the Galatians descended. It was a king of Bithynia
who invited the Gaul’s into Asia originating the term “Galatians”. Bithynia was
an area Paul and his companions were prohibited from entering by the Holy
Spirit (Acts 16:6-10), however there were already Christians there in the first
century. Cappadocia was south of Pontus; Jews from there heard the first
Christian sermons and many had been converted on the day of Pentecost.
The detailed accounts of Paul’s journeys in the Book of Acts make it reasonable to believe the missionary did not travel to the Northern Provinces so oral tradition claims it was there Peter evangelized after Pentecost.[1] No biblical or written historical evidence supports this claim and modern critics use the lack of proof to discredit the idea Peter wrote this epistle. Others claim Peter was an ‘unlearned and ignorant’ man incapable of composing such an epistle using the Greek language. They cite evidence found in Acts 4:13 when the Sanhedrin hear the gospel from Peter and John and conclude … Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. Other scholars would counter the Sanhedrin are referring to the apostles status as men unschooled in rabbinical lore and probably are not referring to their level of literacy. Rather they marveled because Peter and John’s spiritual understanding was profound despite being untrained, but we understand they were filled with the Holy Spirit and as the Sanhedrin realized … they had been with Jesus.
We know Peter could read and write Greek and provincial Aramaic and John the son of Zebedee was a prolific writer–his works compose twenty percent of the New Testament. Neither was an unlearned or ignorant man. In today’s passage, Peter exhorts believers to fully experience the hope found in their calling and stay strong in the faith waiting for the inheritance Jesus has promised.
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great
mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never
perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5who
through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation
that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In all this you
greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief
in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that the proven
genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even
though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ
is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even
though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an
inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the end
result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:3-9
In the above passage we
find some of the language critics contend is so dependent on Pauline
literature. For example the phrase God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 3) is a familiar syntax found five
times in the writings of the Apostle Paul (c.f. Romans 15:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3;
Ephesians 1:3; 1:17; and Colossians 1:3). Other language found in verses three
thru five also echoes Pauline themes of new birth, inheritance, divine
protection for the faithful, and the salvation that will mark the end times.
Yet the similarities are probably better explained as the prevailing body of
doctrine that was emerging through the collective teachings of all the
Apostles. Paul’s companion Barnabas’ wrote an epistle that is well written and
worth reading though it contains essentially the same material and similar
wording as found in the writings of Paul and Peter. The similarities are not coincidence
or plagiarism; they represent the emerging doctrine and principles that were
beginning to underwrite the Christian faith. Text from all three of their
epistles can be found in the later writings of the early church fathers such as
Clemens, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome.
The overwhelming theme of both Petrine Epistles is the message to the believer of “their precious standing” and this is highlighted in our passage today. He closes out our reading today by reminding the New Testament believers everything they witnessed, experienced, and understood was revealed only in pieces to the people of the Old Testament.
10Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was
to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11trying
to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them
was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories
that would follow. 12It was revealed to them that they were not
serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been
told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent
from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
1 Peter 1:10-12
Peter assures them of their salvation despite their trials (vv. 3-6); that will be proved by genuine faith (vv. 7-9); and was predicted by the prophets (vv. 10-12).
The doctrine of the prophets, and that of the apostles, exactly agree, as coming from the same Spirit of God. The gospel is the ministration of the Spirit; its success depends upon his operation and blessing.[2]
Peter was particularly equipped to share this
message with his audience as he experienced many trials and challenges in his
own walk with Jesus. He is without a doubt one of the most unique, important
and mysterious characters in the New Testament. Born in Bethsaida and named
Simon, he is by trade a Galilean fisherman called by Jesus to become a
disciple. He is often seen as the leading apostle especially in the aftermath
of the crucifixion of Christ. However in the Book of Acts and the New Testament
in general, Peter will all but disappear after the Jerusalem Council in chapter
15 (circa AD 50). Paul becomes the main character in the narrative of Acts from
this point forward and Peter is mentioned only twice more in the New Testament
outside of the two epistles bearing his name (John 21:18-19; Galatians 2:11-14);
though there is mention of a faction loyal to Cephas (Peter) in 1 Corinthians 1:12. The New Testament and
reliable historical evidence records very little about the life and ministry of
Peter from the council to his crucifixion around AD Sixty-Five–a period of
about twenty years.
We can learn from the gospels that Jesus gives Simon the son of John a new name (John 1:42) unique in the New Testament–Cephas or Peter in English–no other man shares this name throughout the entire Bible. In addition, on every list of the apostles’ names Peter’s is written first (Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16; Matthew 10:2-4; Acts 1:13-14). We know Peter along with John and Andrew was always included in the most significant moments of Jesus’ ministry (c.f. Matthew 17:3; Mark 9:4; Luke 9:30-31). And of course Peter is well known for his less glorious moments such as when he denies Jesus three times before the rooster crowed (Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; and John 18:15-27). Now years removed from those events Peter has matured into a wise and respected Apostle whom the Holy Spirit uses to deliver the very first Christian sermon at the birth to the Church (Acts 2:14-36). He continues to be the leader of the disciples until they are dispersed by the persecution of Saul and he eventually ends up in Rome where he is martyred under Nero.
Walk with the Lord …
Ephesians 1:17
(RLB231122)
© Copyright 2020: Randall L. Broad.
Disclaimer: This commentary is written by
Randall L. Broad. It is in no way affiliated with or represents any
denomination, university, church, or pastor. Any errors or omissions are purely
my responsibility.
