The Apostle Peter was the author of the Books
of I and II Peter. Peter was continuing to fulfill the
commandment of Christ to feed His sheep. The Book of I
Peter was written to the saints in Asia Minor, and if we
were to make an in-depth study we would see that I Peter
and Ephesians parallel in teaching and in wording. It is
as though the Spirit is telling us that Peter and Paul
agree on the spiritual truths.
The major theme of I Peter is grace, and the
word “grace” is used in every chapter. Peter is striving
to testify from experience of the all-sufficiency of
God’s grace. Peter’s instructions to the believers
describe the type lives that should be lived by them. A
believer should live in hope. A person who is born-again
has a living hope within him. The unsaved person is
without hope. Because Christ is a living Saviour, He is
our hope and our soon-coming King. This hope is not only
a living hope, but a lasting hope. Too many times the
devil is able to deceive a believer and dampen the fire
of hope within his spirit. We lose sight of the fact
that God’s promises are eternal. He will never leave us
nor forsake us, and when we are born-again, He seals us
unto that day of redemption when He shall come for His
own. Peter also tells us in chapter 1 that Christians
should live in holiness and harmony.
The key thought in chapter 2 is submission.
Throughout this chapter and chapter 3 Peter gives the
areas n which Christians should be in submission. One of
our earthly responsibilities is to be in submission to
the ordinances and laws of our land. The servant should
be in submission to his master; there should be
submission in the home; there should be submission under
suffering. Peter also tells us that our entire lives
should be in submission, or subjection, to Christ.
Chapters 4 and 5 deal with God’s grace in
suffering. Peter seems to be reemphasizing the fact that
there will be sufferings for the Christians, but God’s
grace is sufficient and adequate for them throughout any
situation, and Peter wants them to know for sure that
God will sustain them.