Changes

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.

After the opening address the contents are intended to both inspire and [[Admonition|admonish]] these "chosen sojourners" (1 Peter 1:1), who feel an alienation from their previous religious roots and the society around them even while seeking to live as God's people. Peter appeals to Christ's resurrection, and the confident expectation of future hope it provides (1 Peter 1:3-5), and to the experience of the new birth of [[baptism]] (1:3, 23-25; 3:21). The suffering and death of Christ can serve simultaneously as both source of [[salvation]] and example (1:19; 2:21-25). As a people who have received mercy and have a sacred duty to proclaim and live according to God's call (2:9-10), Christians are in Christ, and Peter repeatedly spells out for them what they are to be in him in all kinds of situations, in society (2:11-17), in work (even as slaves, 2:18-20), in the home (3:1-7), and in their general conduct (3:8-12; 4:1-11). But there remains the overall possibility of suffering as a Christian (3:13-17). In 1 Peter 4:12-19 he describes persecution as already occurring, so that some readers and [[Exegesis|exegetes]] have supposed that the letter was addressed both to places where such a "trial by fire" was already a reality and to places where such a trial might break out.

After the opening address the contents are intended to both inspire and [[Admonition|admonish]] these "chosen sojourners" (1 Peter 1:1), who feel an alienation from their previous [[religion|religious]] roots and the society around them even while seeking to live as God's people. Peter appeals to Christ's resurrection, and the confident expectation of future hope it provides (1 Peter 1:3-5), and to the experience of the new birth of [[baptism]] (1:3, 23-25; 3:21). The suffering and death of Christ can serve simultaneously as both source of [[salvation]] and example (1:19; 2:21-25). As a people who have received mercy and have a sacred duty to proclaim and live according to God's call (2:9-10), Christians are in Christ, and Peter repeatedly spells out for them what they are to be in him in all kinds of situations, in society (2:11-17), in work (even as slaves, 2:18-20), in the home (3:1-7), and in their general conduct (3:8-12; 4:1-11). But there remains the overall possibility of suffering as a Christian (3:13-17). In 1 Peter 4:12-19 he describes persecution as already occurring, so that some readers and [[Exegesis|exegetes]] have supposed that the letter was addressed both to places where such a "trial by fire" was already a reality and to places where such a trial might break out.

Peter's letter constantly mingles [[moral]] exhortation (Greek ''parakēsis'') with its catechetical summaries of mercies in Christ. Encouragement to maintain firm fidelity in spite of suffering is based on a clear grasp of the meaning of Christian existence. His emphasis on baptism and his clearly evident allusions to various features of the baptismal [[liturgy]] suggest that he has incorporated into his exposition numerous [[Homiletics|homiletic]], [[Creed|credal]], [[hymn]]ic, and [[sacrament]]al elements of the baptismal rite that at an early date had already become [[tradition]]al.

Peter's letter constantly mingles [[moral]] exhortation (Greek ''parakēsis'') with its catechetical summaries of mercies in Christ. Encouragement to maintain firm fidelity in spite of suffering is based on a clear grasp of the meaning of Christian existence. His emphasis on baptism and his clearly evident allusions to various features of the baptismal [[liturgy]] suggest that he has incorporated into his exposition numerous [[Homiletics|homiletic]], [[Creed|credal]], [[hymn]]ic, and [[sacrament]]al elements of the baptismal rite that at an early date had already become [[tradition]]al.