Tacitus’ account of Nero blaming christians for the roman fire of 64 AD:
Brief Introduction
When you skim-read through Peter’s letter, there is one big theme that stands out: these people were suffering! Most people attribute this particular suffering to the backlash against Christians which happened after the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD. For some peculiar reason, the Christians got the blame for it, and a disorganised regime of Christian-hate spread through the empire. Whilst this particular persecution subsided, others followed it. And for the next 250 years, as the Christian Church established itself around the Mediterranean, it did so amidst a culture of persecution and suffering. So much so, that in 325 AD when every bishop from across the whole empire met together at the Nicene Council, it was said that they looked like a living ‘army of martyrs’ - they were so beaten and disfigured from a lifetime of torture for their faith.
And Peter writes here to encourage the churches in Asia Minor as they try to endure this persecution. What is incredibly amazing about the letter is that it is not just positive ‘chin-up’ talking! Which is what we would be tempted to do. No, Peter writes to instruct them on their theology of Church and of Christ. And then, from this strong theological position he is able to encourage them to endure.
You see, it is only when we know what God’s Church is; it’s distinctive nature and what it’s glorious future is, that we can ever have the courage and hope to endure. It is only when we know more of Christ, the Suffering Messiah, that we can ever see our own suffering in the right perspective, and have the courage and hope to endure. The first epistle of Peter stands as a wonderful example of how good theology shapes good practice.
“Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace... Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.” The Annals of Tacitus, Book XV (circa 109 AD)
Brief Introduction
When you skim-read through Peter’s letter, there is one big theme that stands out: these people were suffering! Most people attribute this particular suffering to the backlash against Christians which happened after the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD. For some peculiar reason, the Christians got the blame for it, and a disorganised regime of Christian-hate spread through the empire. Whilst this particular persecution subsided, others followed it. And for the next 250 years, as the Christian Church established itself around the Mediterranean, it did so amidst a culture of persecution and suffering. So much so, that in 325 AD when every bishop from across the whole empire met together at the Nicene Council, it was said that they looked like a living ‘army of martyrs’ - they were so beaten and disfigured from a lifetime of torture for their faith.
And Peter writes here to encourage the churches in Asia Minor as they try to endure this persecution. What is incredibly amazing about the letter is that it is not just positive ‘chin-up’ talking! Which is what we would be tempted to do. No, Peter writes to instruct them on their theology of Church and of Christ. And then, from this strong theological position he is able to encourage them to endure.
You see, it is only when we know what God’s Church is; it’s distinctive nature and what it’s glorious future is, that we can ever have the courage and hope to endure. It is only when we know more of Christ, the Suffering Messiah, that we can ever see our own suffering in the right perspective, and have the courage and hope to endure. The first epistle of Peter stands as a wonderful example of how good theology shapes good practice.
A rough outline
I have split the content of 1 Peter in half, in order to emphasise the fact that Peter lays down theology and then builds practice on top of it. So there will be two posts following on from this:
Part 2 - Overview of 1 Peter - Theology
Part 3 - Overview of 1 Peter - Practice
You will find that some passages are glossed over or skipped. I am trying to give a general overview to highlight the main points and structure of the letter. This outline was formed from study notes handed out to people preaching specific passages, to help them understand the main themes of the book. Hopefully it might help you too.
I have split the content of 1 Peter in half, in order to emphasise the fact that Peter lays down theology and then builds practice on top of it. So there will be two posts following on from this:
Part 2 - Overview of 1 Peter - Theology
Part 3 - Overview of 1 Peter - Practice
You will find that some passages are glossed over or skipped. I am trying to give a general overview to highlight the main points and structure of the letter. This outline was formed from study notes handed out to people preaching specific passages, to help them understand the main themes of the book. Hopefully it might help you too.
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