“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
What does it mean to be sojourners in the world and to suffer for the sake of the gospel? How does our identity as “a royal priesthood, a holy nation” serve to ground us while we are in exile? Peter wrote his first epistle to believers in Asia Minor who were suffering persecution, both to encourage them and to exhort them to holy conduct.
Second Peter also provides instruction in holy living, but in the face of a different sort of trial – false teachers. Being careful not to be led astray by error, they are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, particularly in view of the coming “day of the Lord.”
Jude bears such significant similarities with 2 Peter that many think one author influenced the other. Jude warns against the presence and influence of ungodly leaders and teachers.
While these three letters are full of verses with which we are very familiar, there are some difficult and obscure passages that will prove challenging to our study. But the central themes of the letters will prove to be no less applicable and challenging to us in our day as they did for their original audience.
Join Pastor Tom and Matt B. each Sunday at 9:45 am as they lead us through 1 Peter, 2 Peter and Jude, starting January 8th, in the main sanctuary.