1Peter. 2Peter - Two of these 'universal' letters are attributed to Peter. 1Peter introduces the name of the apostle in the opening verse - 1:1 - 1Peter has from the earliest times been accepted as written by the apostle though it may not have been first composed as a single letter. It is addressed to Christian Church, largely made up of converts from paganism and is in quite good Greek, perhaps, through the help of the disciple Silvanus mentioned in it as secretary . The letter reflects a time of trail through which the churches were passing and contains much practical teaching under the dominating theme of fortitude in persecution.

The purpose of the letter is to help its readers' faith in a time of trail. Some critics think this may refer to a persecution under Domitian or Trajan which would date the letter much later than Peter; but the allusions in the letter are not strong enough to make this conclusion inevitable since it seems that this 'time of trail' could refer rather to the personal malice and spiteful calumnies caused by the strictly moral life led by converts among those whose sins they no longer shared. Though a very practical letter, it is also a valuable summary of apostolic theology. The dominating theme is fortitude in trail, for which Christ himself is the model.

The Second Letter of Peter claims to have been written by the apostle himself. He is named in the opening address and the prediction of Peter's death is made by Jesus to the author himself who also claims to have witnessed the transfiguration, and who alludes to a former letter that is obviously meant to be 1Peter.

The purpose of the letter is twofold: to warn against false teachers, false prophets and to allay anxiety due to the delay of the Parousia. The letter has been accepted by the Church as canonical and Christians accept it as an authoritative document from the apostolic age. The doctrine it teaches supports this: note especially the vocation of all Christians to the 'share in the divine nature', the way scriptural inspiration is defined, the assurance that eventually the Parousia will come though no one can know when; the prediction of a new world free of all injustice after the old world has been destroyed by fire.

1PETER - (1) Address and greetings - Introduction. The salvation of Christians - The hope of the prophets - A call to sanctity and watchfulness - Love - Integrity - The new priesthood - The obligation of Christians: towards pagan - Towards civil authority - Towards masters - In marriage - Towards the brothers - In persecution - The resurrection and 'the descent into hell' - The revelation of Christ is close - Recapitulation - Instructions: to the elders - To the faithful - Last words. Greetings - Chapter 1 to 5 - In summary : Encouragement and comfort from Peter to suffering Christians.

2PETER - (1) Greetings - A call to Christian living and its reward - The apostolic witness - The value of prophecy - False teachers - The punishment to come - The Day of the Lord; the prophets and the apostles - Conclusion and doxology - Chapter 1 to 3 -

In summary : Peter's warning against false teachers and false prophets.

                                                              Page 44

Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -