THE FIRST LETTER OF PETER - PART V

DEALING WITH PERSECUTION

I. The third major section gives instruction on the response to persecution. After an introduction, it describes the rightful attitude toward persecution, i.e., that it is a means of drawing closer to Christ, the rightful response of a calmness and righteous conduct, and the importance of unity with the priests.

II. The first five verses introduce the theme of receiving a blessing through suffering and the importance of defending the faith by words and actions.

C. The introduction then gives practical advice about defending the faith.

III. The letter then turns to an explanation of why we are blessed when we suffer, i.e., that we are following Christ, who gives us strength from suffering.

IV. The letter then calls for Christians to defend themselves against the vices of the world.