Peter & Jude An Overview of the “Catholic” Epistles

1 Peter Author: Author: Identifies himself as Peter the Apostle (1:1) Identifies himself as Peter the Apostle (1:1) Eyewitness of Jesus’ life & ministry (2:23; 5:1) Eyewitness of Jesus’ life & ministry (2:23; 5:1) Seems to know Jesus’ teachings (2:12/Matthew 5:16; 2:21/Matthew 10:38; 3:14, 4:13-14/Matthew 5:10-12) Seems to know Jesus’ teachings (2:12/Matthew 5:16; 2:21/Matthew 10:38; 3:14, 4:13-14/Matthew 5:10-12) Problem: The Greek is too good for a Palestinian Jewish fisherman! Problem: The Greek is too good for a Palestinian Jewish fisherman! But “Silvanus” served as amanuensis (secretary) (5:12) But “Silvanus” served as amanuensis (secretary) (5:12)

Contents Great salvation brought recently by Jesus (1:3-12) Great salvation brought recently by Jesus (1:3-12) So live holy lives because you are God’s special people (1:13-2:10) So live holy lives because you are God’s special people (1:13-2:10) Follow the pattern of Jesus to live in humility and service (2:11-3:12) Follow the pattern of Jesus to live in humility and service (2:11-3:12) And follow Jesus through the suffering of discipleship, especially because the end is near (3:12-4:19) And follow Jesus through the suffering of discipleship, especially because the end is near (3:12-4:19) A word of encouragement to the elders (5:1-4) A word of encouragement to the elders (5:1-4) Final general encouragements and greetings (5:5-14) Final general encouragements and greetings (5:5-14)

Key Themes Suffering: Suffering: Jesus suffered Jesus suffered You will suffer if you are faithful You will suffer if you are faithful You must follow Jesus in and through suffering You must follow Jesus in and through suffering New trials and greater suffering are coming New trials and greater suffering are coming Earthly walk of Jesus Earthly walk of Jesus Unquestioning Sovereignty of God Unquestioning Sovereignty of God

Readers & Date Readers: lived in northern & eastern Asia Minor (1:1) Peter was in “Babylon” (5:13): Ancient Babylon? (a deserted wasteland) Roman military camp in Egypt? (hardly likely) Rome (Christians had begun to use this code name for Rome) Perceived looming persecution, probably that under Nero, so written in early 60’s

2 Peter Some controversy throughout church history as to its authenticity based upon language, style, late adoption by early church, elements of doctrine, some historical issues. Some controversy throughout church history as to its authenticity based upon language, style, late adoption by early church, elements of doctrine, some historical issues. Majority of church accepted it from the beginning. Majority of church accepted it from the beginning. Differences can be attributed to secretarial assistance in writing and particular false teaching 2 Peter needs to address. Differences can be attributed to secretarial assistance in writing and particular false teaching 2 Peter needs to address.

Author Identifies himself as Jesus’ disciple Simon Peter (1:1) Identifies himself as Jesus’ disciple Simon Peter (1:1) Seems to be an old man looking back (1:12-15) Seems to be an old man looking back (1:12-15) Speaks of being with Jesus during his earthly ministry (1:16-18) Speaks of being with Jesus during his earthly ministry (1:16-18) Uses this to authenticate his teachings and authority (1:19-21) Uses this to authenticate his teachings and authority (1:19-21)

Occasion Growing problem of false teachers who are compromising the message of Jesus for their own personal gain (money? prestige?) (chapter 2) Urgency of expectation that Jesus was about to return (chapter 3) Date? Peter was killed by Nero in around 64 A.D., so 63?

Relationship between 2 Peter & Jude Author of Jude? Author of Jude? Probably brother of Jerusalem James (Acts 15) Probably brother of Jerusalem James (Acts 15) Hence another (half)brother of Jesus Hence another (half)brother of Jesus 2 Peter 2-3 and Jude are very similar 2 Peter 2-3 and Jude are very similar Great problem with false teachers Great problem with false teachers Options: Options: Both rely on a common source Both rely on a common source 2 Peter borrows from Jude 2 Peter borrows from Jude Jude borrows from 2 Peter Jude borrows from 2 Peter This is most widely held, allowing Jude to be written anywhere from A.D. This is most widely held, allowing Jude to be written anywhere from A.D.

Who Were These False Teachers? Denied the lordship of Jesus by the way they lived (2 Peter 2:1; Jude 4). Defiled the love-feast (communion). Were immoral themselves and encouraged immorality in others. Minimized the place of law in the Christian life and emphasized freedom (2 Peter 2:10, 10ff, 18ff; Jude 4, 12). Were plausible and crafty, fond of rhetoric, out for gain, and pandered to those from whom they hoped to gain some advantage (2 Peter 2:3, 12, 14, 15, 18; Jude 16). Were arrogant and cynical of church leaders (2 Peter 2:1, 10, 11; Jude 8). Posed as visionaries or prophets (2 Peter 2:1; Jude 8). Were self-willed, divisive, and confident of their own superiority (2 Peter 2:2, 10, 18; Jude 19).

Other Similar False Teachings? Some aspects similar to things Paul writes to the Corinthian congregation (6:12-13, 18-20; 15) Some aspects similar to things Paul writes to the Corinthian congregation (6:12-13, 18-20; 15) So too with some allusions by Paul in Colossians 2 So too with some allusions by Paul in Colossians 2 And again a hint about the heresy of the “Nicolaitans” in Revelation 2-3 And again a hint about the heresy of the “Nicolaitans” in Revelation 2-3 What about the proto-Gnosticism of John? What about the proto-Gnosticism of John? In the end, we just don’t know In the end, we just don’t know

Who Does Jude Quote? Book of Enoch: Book of Enoch: Presumed visions of the Enoch of Genesis 5 Presumed visions of the Enoch of Genesis 5 Focus on angels, demons, & spiritual battles Focus on angels, demons, & spiritual battles Tells of spiritual conflicts that spill over into the history of Israel from the beginning of time through the inter-Testamental period Tells of spiritual conflicts that spill over into the history of Israel from the beginning of time through the inter-Testamental period Assumption of Moses: Assumption of Moses: Presumed Final Testimony of Moses as dictated to Joshua Presumed Final Testimony of Moses as dictated to Joshua Warns of coming days when people will be led astray by lying spirits & false teachers Warns of coming days when people will be led astray by lying spirits & false teachers

What Should We Make of These Books? 1 Peter: Powerful encouragement from a disciple of Jesus to live faithfully through suffering times Powerful encouragement from a disciple of Jesus to live faithfully through suffering times 2 Peter: 2 Peter: Warnings of an old apostle to watch out for false teachers and live in expectation of Jesus’ imminent return Warnings of an old apostle to watch out for false teachers and live in expectation of Jesus’ imminent return Jude: Jude: Eccentric warnings against false teachers steeped in apocalyptic and wisdom literature Eccentric warnings against false teachers steeped in apocalyptic and wisdom literature