Living Hope: A Mission 119 Guide to First Peter

First Peter is like a gift that once opened is far out of proportion to the size of its package. The epistle boldly declares that children of God have a living hope secured by a heavenly inheritance to be revealed when the Lord returns. Peter’s words are at the same time eschatologically focused and imminently practical as he presents what we may consider a plan of salvation for our soul-lives. In every sphere of life, we have an opportunity by our words and conduct to give testimony to God’s right to rule over the affairs of humanity, and at the same time, by our faith responses we may appropriate our portion of the inheritance we will share with Jesus Christ in the world to come. First Peter does no less than call all believers to a life of holiness as we serve as Jesus’ ambassadors on temporary resident status in this world, but with one foot in heaven’s door. All under the umbrella of a life so lived that it will translate into an inheritance in the world to come, Peter gives specific instructions on how to live in relation to human government, employers, husbands and wives, and our church leaders and church family in general. Peter presents a new paradigm for living so that even in suffering, we can rejoice. And in all things, Peter tells us, we stand in the grace of God.This volume of the Mission 119 series addresses the debated issues about the audience, authorship, and date of the book, then provides commentary emphasizing the intended message to the original audience, and application for the modern audience.