Epistles of St Peter
Who is Saint Peter?
Brother of Andrew.
One of the 12 Apostles.
Was a disciple of John the Baptist.
Preached in Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome, and possibly Alexandria.
He was respected by the other disciples, but did not have authority over them.
He was martyred in Rome, crucified upside-down in the reign of Nero.
Who is Saint James?
Saint James, “brother of the Lord” (Son of Alphaeus, Son of Cleophas, the Lesser, the Righteous, the Just)
In the Gospels
One of the 12 Apostles of Christ
One of the 5 Brothers of Christ
In the Acts
He was chosen to be the Bishop of Jerusalem
He presided over the Apostolic Council in Jerusalem
He is martyred by the Jews in 62 A.D.
Who is Saint John?
John the Evangelist, (the Elder, the Beloved, the Theologian, Boanerges, the son of Zebedee, of Patmos)
Son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of James the Great, and maternal-cousin of Jesus.
One of the 12 Apostles.
Was a fisherman, mentioned alongside his brother and father in the story of the plentiful fish.
Was the youngest disciple and was very beloved by Christ.
Christ entrusted him with the virgin Mary.
He settled in Ephesus.
He wrote: The Gospel of John, I John, II John, III John, and Revelations
What is revelations?
Revelations (Apocalypse in Greek)
Only prophetic book of the New Testament
How many catholic epistles are there
7
Why was it written?
It was meant to encourage the believers to endure the pain while discovering the meaning of tribulations in the light of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Johannine epistles
All three were written in Ephesus between 85-90 A.D.
He first wrote the Epistles, then the Gospel (~90 A.D.), then Revelations during his imprisonment (~95 A.D.).
He was probably the last remaining Apostle at the time he began writing.
He focused in His writings on the divinity of Christ, Love, against false teachings, and on the Second Coming.
When and where and who wrote it?
Written by Saint John on Patmos, a small island off the coast of Asia Minor during his imprisonment there ~95 A.D.
Purpose of the 1st book of Peter.
Living in the world without being tainted by it.
Emulating Christ’s sacrificial lifestyle so it becomes our own.
Growing through our sufferings rather than being defeated by them.
Being faithful in our relationship with family, employers, and employees.
Grasping our true identity as God's people.
When was it written?
Written around 60-61 A.D.
Summary of the 3 epistles
I John: Written to dispel doubts and to bold assurance by presenting a clear picture of God as light, as love, and as life.
II John: Written to a woman and her family who were involved in the church that John was overseeing. He was warning her of false teachers who were becoming prevalent in some of the churches.
III John: Written to Gaius for his hospitality and to encourage him and his Christian life. Gaius was a prominent Christian in one of the church is known to Saint John.
The seven churches it was written to?
Ephesus
Smyrna
Pergamos
Thyatira
Sardis
Philadelphia
Laodicea
Summary of the 2nd Book of Peter.
Peter begins by thanking God for salvation.
He explained that trials will refine people's faith.
In response to such a great salvation, Peter commands them to live holy lives.
Peter explains how believers should live during difficult times and to be above reproach.
Peter then outlines the right attitude to have about persecution: be thankful for the privilege of suffering for Christ.
WHAT IS THE PROPER USE OF THE TONGUE?
Praising God.
Communicating with others.
Tasting food and drinks.
John III was written to?
This letter was addressed to Gaius, one of the leaders of the assembly. But John also discussed two other men in these verses, Diotrephes and Demetrius.
Summary of Revelations?
“In this book the Holy Spirit accompanies the human soul on the eternal road, revealing to its inner senses how to see, here, touch, and grow stronger until it reaches the eternal wedding.” ~Fr. Tadros Malaty
It begins by showing an "open door in heaven” to ascend to it through our Lord Jesus, the Lamb standing as if slain, ... and what do we see?
We see first "the state of the Seven Churches," that reveals the extent of the human weakness and how powerful the work of grace in the Church. Here our Lord Jesus comes to announce that He is the only cure to our weaknesses.
Then He carries the human soul up as if with a dove’s wings, towards eternity, on the road of the cross, the road of pain; to see the Lamb opening "the Seven Seals," proclaiming a state of permanent war between God who cares for His children and Satan who never ceases fighting against the children of God.
What was the memory verse David gave you to memorize?
“ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,”
I Peter 1:6-7
What was the memory verse you ignored ?
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.III John 1:11
Importance of Revelations?
Its prophesies about spiritual heavenly facts that cannot be expressed by human languages, therefore it came in numbers, symbols, colors and similes.
St. Jerome wrote to Fr. Paulinus, bishop of Nola, saying: “The secrets of the Book of Revelation are as numerous as its words, each word bears a secret. Still this is little compared to the high honor of this book, that in fact every praise is counted insignificant, because every word carries many meanings. In this book I praise what I understand and what I do not understand.”
Pope Dionysius of Alexandria says: “...having formed an idea of it as a composition exceeding my capacity of understanding, I regard it as containing a kind of hidden and wonderful intelligence on the several subjects which come under it. For though I cannot comprehend it, I still suspect that there is some deeper sense underlying the words. And I do not measure or judge its expressions by the standard of my own reason, but, making more allowance for faith, I have simply regarded them too lofty for my comprehension; and I do not forthwith reject what I do not been able to discern its important.”