1 Peter 1:1 (1984 NIV) Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Asia, and Bithynia.
The apostle Peter, inspired by God, wrote this letter to encourage Christians to live godly lives in an ungodly world. The Christians during Peter’s time were going through intense persecution and under the Roman Emperor Nero, the persecution was going to intensify. The early Christians could expect persecution from three main sources: the Romans, the Judeans (Israelites), and their own families. Socially they were ostracized, abused, insulted and ridiculed. Politically they had few if any civil rights. Peter realized that the situation was getting worse. So, before the time of the Roman Emperor Nero when the severe persecution broke out, Peter wrote this letter to encourage and prepare the Christians scattered in the Asia Minor area. As we know from history, later during the time of the infamous Nero (54-68 A.D.), it did become worse.
1 Peter has a lot to teach us about living godly lives in an ungodly world and that will be the focus of this week’s sermon. The audio will be available on our website by 11:00 AM Sunday morning. Praying everyone has a blessed week,
In Christ,
Gary T.