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    The hour had come for the Shepherd to be smitten and for the sheep to be scattered. Jesus chose to spend His final hours with His eleven, preparing them for the tribulation that would come. Yet, after Jesus' resurrection and ascension, the tribulation seemed to be relatively mild. The disgruntled Pharisees wanted to shut up the men who were turning Jerusalem upside down with their teaching and miracles, but nothing seemed life threatening.

    Then the firs stone was thrown, and Stephen, the first martyr, was brought to the ground. Saul watched him die. In hearty agreement with Stephen's death, Saul went to the high priest to gain permission to round up those who were spreading this gospel. However, Saul's purge was short-lived, for Jesus saved him on the road to Damascus and changed his name to Paul. Yet the persecution of Christians continued. Herod, the Jewish, become the adversary of believers. consequently, Jews who confessed Jesus as the Messiah were scattered abroad to other Roman provinces.

    However, it wasn't until the Roman emperor Nero that the persecution of Christians reached beyond the confines of Judah. Rumor had it that Nero had burned Rome so he could rebuild it as he wanted. Needing a scapegoat to divert attentions from himself, Nero blamed the fire on the Christians and began the systematic persecution of God's children.

    Jesus had prepared Peter for the world's tribulation; now Peter would prepare others. His first epistle was written on the eve of Nero's persecution, about A.D. 63 or 64. Nero died in A.D. 68, but not before Rome put Peter to death.

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Hot to Study 1 Peter (NASB)

1. Read through 1 Peter and to the following:

   1. In the initial verses of the book, Peter describes himself and states to whom he is writing. In the last verses of the book, he tells why he wrote this epistle. Mark every reference to the author in a distinctive color and every reference to the recipients in another color. Record your insights about the author and his purpose in writing on the Structure of 1 Peter.

   2. Pay close attention to the recipients of 1 Peter. What is their condition? What is going on in their midst? Record what you learn on the Observation chart.

2. Look for and mark in a distinctive way the key words (and their synonyms and pronouns): suffering (trials and all synonyms), grace, glory, salvation, any reference to Jesus' future revelation, love, Holy Spirit, called, chosen, holy, precious, perishable (imperishable). On a separate sheet of paper, list the truths you learn from every mention of the key words.

3. Peter gives the reader many commands and instructions. You notice these by the construction of the sentence. The verb usually comes first and the "you" is implied. An example is seen in 1:13: "Prepare your minds for action."

   1. In a distinctive way, mark Peter's instructions or commands. Then list these under "Genera Instructions" on the Observations chart.

   2. First Peter was written not only for the recipients but also for you. Think about how Peter's instructions and commands apply to your own life.

4. Peter also instructs specific groups of people such as servants, wives, husbands, etc. List his instructions to each group under the heading on the Observations Chart.

5. From what you have read, why are the believers to do these things? Or what future events is the motivation for living life in accordance with Peter's exhortations?

6. Finally, summarize the theme of each chapter and record it on Structure of 1 Peter.

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Application of 1 Peter

1. What have you learned about the way you are to live? How are you to respond to others, even when they are not living properly or treating you properly? What is Jesus' example in 1 Peter 2:21-25? Will you follow it?

2. As you think about what those believers were suffering, should you be surprised if you undergo the same? What will suffering accomplish in your life?

3. Even if you don't have a Nero in your life, is your adversary the devil still prowling about like a lion, seeking whom he may devour? What are you to do, according to 1 Peter?

4. When Jesus returns, will you be found standing firm in the true grace that has been provided you? What must you do or change in order to be prepared to see Him face-to-face? 

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Key Words in the NIV and KJV

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