This epistle is addressed by [[Saint Peter]] to Christian communities of dispersed believers (see Acts 11:19) located in five provinces of [[Anatolia|Asia Minor]], including areas evangelized by Paul (Acts 16:6-7; 18:23). He encourages Christians there to remain faithful to their standards of belief and conduct in spite of threats of persecution. Numerous statements in the letter suggest that the communities addressed were largely Gentile in membership (1 Peter 1:14, 18; 2:9-10; 4:3-4) even though abundant use is made of the Old Testament (1 Peter 1:24; 2:6-7, 9-10, 22; 3:10-12), which suggests also that they had become acquainted with the scriptures in their [[catechesis|catechetical instructions]] before becoming committed Christians. | This epistle is addressed by [[Saint Peter]] to Christian communities of dispersed believers (see Acts 11:19) located in five provinces of [[Anatolia|Asia Minor]], including areas evangelized by Paul (Acts 16:6-7; 18:23). He encourages Christians there to remain faithful to their standards of belief and conduct in spite of threats of persecution. Numerous statements in the letter suggest that the communities addressed were largely Gentile in membership (1 Peter 1:14, 18; 2:9-10; 4:3-4) even though abundant use is made of the Old Testament (1 Peter 1:24; 2:6-7, 9-10, 22; 3:10-12), which suggests also that they had become acquainted with the scriptures in their [[catechesis|catechetical instructions]] before becoming committed Christians. |