century The book of Acts furnishes much information on this subject Study also what Jesus said about this Study what the letters of Peter reveal about his character X OUTLINE PETER: God’s Chosen People Salutation and Benediction 1:1-2 THEIR SUFFERING AND SALVATION 1:3-12 THEIR PILGRIMAGE 1:13-25 THEIR UNIQUE POSITION 2:1-10 HOW THEY SHOULD LIVE 2:11—3:12 THEIR SUFFERING AND GLORY 3:13—5:11 Greetings and Benediction 5:12-14 XI SELECTED READING (Refer to the list at the end of Chapter 22.) Paul wrote thirteen epistles (fourteen, if he wrote Hebrews); Peter, two; John, ve books (gospel, three epistles, Revelation) See Chart 51, page 208, for the reigns of emperors, procurators, and high priests during those years The original group of twelve was reduced to eleven with the alienation and death of Judas (Acts 1:16-20), but it was restored to the number of twelve when Matthias was selected to replace Judas (Acts 1:23-26) Peters behavior on this occasion has been identi ed in various versions as “insincerity” (RSV), “deception” (Phillips), “playing false” (NEB), and “hypocrisy” (NASB and NIV) Of Peter’s relationship to the churches in these areas, Tenney writes, “While there is no statement on record that Peter founded or even visited these churches, there is nothing to preclude his doing so.” Merrill C Tenney, New Testament Survey, rev ed., p 345 For an interesting and practical discussion of varieties of temperament, see O Hallesby, Temperament and the Christian Faith The main argument for a literal interpretation is that the whole verse (5:13) is a simple, matter-of-fact salutation See G T Manley, ed., The New Bible Handbook, p 399 Merrill C Tenney, New Testament Survey, rev ed., p 348 10 To what extent the persecutions at Rome extended to other lands at this time is not exactly known, but “Roman provincial governors tended to re ect the Emperor’s will, and especially in any place where powerful elements were ill-disposed to Christianity there might well be a severe outbreak” (Alan M Stibbs, The First Epistle General of Peter, p 54) At least by the end of the century, in the time when John wrote Revelation, the churches of Asia Minor were undergoing severe persecution 11 I consulted seven authors to compare their outlines of Peter, and I found no two outlines alike, even concerning chapterverse dividing points Of the seven outlines, three centered on the subject of su ering, one on salvation, two on Christian living, and one on varieties of questions ... Christianity there might well be a severe outbreak” (Alan M Stibbs, The First Epistle General of Peter, p 54) At least by the end of the century, in the time when John wrote Revelation, the churches of. .. (NASB and NIV) Of Peter’s relationship to the churches in these areas, Tenney writes, “While there is no statement on record that Peter founded or even visited these churches, there is nothing... Merrill C Tenney, New Testament Survey, rev ed., p 345 For an interesting and practical discussion of varieties of temperament, see O Hallesby, Temperament and the Christian Faith The main argument