1st and 2nd Peter: Confirming the Faith

Confirming the faith Written by one of the most prominent disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, Peter’s two Epistles focus on the commitment and the faith of Christians as they continue to live and serve God regardless of conditions or circumstances. The theme of the first letter is Peter’s exhortation to believers to remain true to their Savior, despite their suffering at the hands of the Roman emperor. Christians were fleeing Rome and Peter wrote to Christians who were scattered throughout Asia Minor. In these hard times, underscored Peter, Christians should remain steadfast in the strength of the Holy Spirit. (1 Peter 5:9-11) The first letter provides much needed assurance to believers that, amid persecutions and suffering, there is hope. In the second letter Peter defined his relationship with Jesus Christ as both bondservant and apostle. As Christ’s bondservant, he declared his submission and obedience to the demands, direction, and guidance of his Lord. Wherever the Lord called him to go, whatever his Master asked him to do, Peter would obey. As Christ’s apostle, Peter identified his God-given commission to go into all the world and make disciples. He addressed this letter to those who, like him, had obtained the same gift of faith by the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This faith was given to the believers by the grace of God through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Two powerful and inspired letters sent by Peter the apostle of Jesus Christ to all believers to confirm their faith in Jesus Christ, to encourage them to grow in knowledge and understanding, and mature in the knowledge of the Truth so that they might be able to give defense for the lasting hope they have in Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary.