52 Weeks in the Word - Week 51

 Welcome to Week 51.  Merry Christmas to each of you.  We are almost finished with our reading for the year.  I also know this is a busy time of year.  I am so excited that we have almost completed this reading together as a group.  Through the year, we have had some very thought provoking and meaningful discussions.  I am very thankful for each of you!

This Week's reading: Hebrews 7 - 1 John 5.

I will provide a small amount of background information for these books below:

James

James wrote this book around A. D. 50.  James, the half-brother of Jesus, was the leader of the church in Jerusalem in the middle of the 1st century; however, he was a later convert it seems.  In the beginning, you might consider him a typical sibling, skeptical to believe his brother, Jesus, was the Son of God.  It seems this belief shifted when James met with Jesus after His resurrection.  By 44 AD, he was considered the leader of the church in Jerusalem.  His faith had made a radical change.  Historical documentation shares that James was martyred for preaching Jesus was the Messiah during Passover in AD 62.  

The book of James is a practical guide on Christian Living.  Opening with an encouragement for believers, the book also discusses faith and works, trials, wisdom, controlling the tongue, partiality, and wealth.

1 Peter

Before we dive into the first of Peter's writings, let's learn a little about the writer.  Peter, his original name was the common Jewish name, Simon, grew up in the town of Bethsaida on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  He first heard of Jesus from his brother, Andrew.  Peter was there for many of the key moments in Jesus' ministry, and it was Jesus who gave him the name, Peter, meaning "rock."  Peter was enthusiastic, and at times, impulsive.  He also made mistakes and had his share of failures.  He was human.  I find Peter relatable.  Remember, he denied Jesus three times, but later in Galatians Paul describes him as a "pillar" in the church.  In the early 60's AD, Peter made his way to Rome, which is where he wrote his two letters that are found in the New Testament.

The following is from Drive Thru History's Bible Backroads course:

"First Peter (“1 Peter”) was a letter from Peter to the Christians who had been dispersed throughout the world and were under intense persecution. If anyone understood persecution, it was Peter. He was beaten, punished, and jailed for preaching the Gospel. He knew what it took to endure without bitterness and without losing hope. Peter’s direct knowledge of the living hope found in Jesus was his ultimate message.

First Peter is a handbook of sorts for being a Christian ambassador in a hostile world. Knowing that persecution against believers would continue, Peter delivered godly guidelines to bring honor to Jesus Christ, the one they represented. As they followed these guidelines and faced more persecution head-on, the hope was that the overwhelming grace of Jesus would become evident to all. Peter also encouraged believers to see past their present troubles and look forward to their eternal inheritance waiting in heaven. 

This period of history was filled with severe attacks against Christians, yet Peter always found time to rejoice. He even said to count it a privilege to suffer for the sake of Jesus, since Jesus suffered for them. In the end, Peter confirms that Satan is the ultimate enemy of every Christian, but he assures believers that their ultimate hope is in the future return of Christ."

2 Peter

Also from Bible Backroads course:

"Second Peter (“2 Peter”) addresses the rise of false teachers and emphasizes the importance of biblical knowledge and ethical behavior in the Christian life. As inspiration, Peter reminds believers of the certainty of the Lord's return."

1 John

In Acts we learn the Apostle John was a leader in the early Christian church. "After the executions of Peter and Paul in Rome during the mid-60’s AD, John took on a greater leadership role as pastor of the church in Ephesus. After the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Jewish temple in 70 AD, John remained a leading voice of church leadership in the region." 

First John is more than just a letter written around 90 A.D.; it is an invitation.  He is inviting the reader to experience a deeper relationship with God.  

  Have a blessed 4th week of Advent in the Word!