WHO? 1.1 The author claims to be a disciple of Jesus and 5.1 a witness of Christ's life. Clear parallels with speeches in the Acts of the Apostles. So it is obvious that the author of this letter is indeed the Apostle Peter. WHEN? Encouragement for those being persecuted. Persecution by the Romans 62 A.D.- James beheaded 64 A.D. - Nero commenced a strong wave of persecutions So since the message of obeying the Emperor is strong (2.13,14) it would seem that a date of 63 A.D. is most apparent and applicable. WHERE? In 5.13 it states that Babylon is the place of origin.Since there was never any Apostolic connections there by the Euphrates, it is perhaps more likely that it is the code-name for Rome, in the same way that it is so used in Rev.17 and 18.

1 PETER TO WHOM? 1.1. The Christians around Asia Minor (Turkey) being persecuted for their faith WHY? Letter sent to encourage, strengthen and build up those Christians who were receiving the fiery trial of persecutions from the state. It has also been suggested that it is a baptismal sermon adapted to a letter, with the baptism to occur at 1.21 with a general address to the congregation from WHAT? Introduction 1.1,2 Nature of salvation Experience of salvation Obligations of salvation Ethics of salvation Confidence of salvation Behaviour of suffering Christians Conclusion

2 PETER We have seen that Peter's first letter to comfort encourage and to strengthen believers under attack from outside Peter's second letter was written to warn against attacks from forces from within-that is false teachings. OUTLINE? Ch1 = True Knowledge Ch 2 = False Teaching Ch 3 = Definite Promise 1.2 = Multiplication. "Grace and Peace be multiplied to you..." 1.5 = Addition "..add to your faith..." 1.9 = Subtraction "..old sins taken away.." 7 precious things mentioned by Peter in his letters:- 1 Ptr. 1.7 Trial 1.19 Blood 2.4 Cornerstone 2.7 Christ 3.4 Spirit 2 Ptr. 1.1 Faith 1.4 Promises

1 John portrays Jesus as the Life of the Christian 2 John portrays Jesus as the Truth for the Christian 3 John portrays Jesus as the Way for the Christian 1 JOHN WHO? The likeness to the fourth gospel is obvious. WHAT? Ch.1-3= Living as Christians Ch.4 and 5 = Believing as Christians. or Ch. 1,2 = Light Ch.3,4 = Love Ch.5= Life There are three groups of sevens in this letter:- 7 Fruits of being Born Again 2.29, 3.9, 4.7, 5.1, 5.1, 5.4, Reason for its writing 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.12, 2.21, 2.26, However they main group seems to be the 7 Tests of walking in the Christian way, each commencing with the words "if we say that..." or "..he that says..."Those truly in Christ will:- 1.6 walk in light 1.8 walk in confession 2.4 walk in obedience 2.6 walk in Christlikeness 2.9 walk in brotherly love 2.15 walk in separation 2.22 walk in righteous living

One of the false ideas that John was addressing was DOCETISM -a wrong view of Jesus:- John opens immediately with we have seen and handled the word of God- IT WAS REAL IN JESUS CHRIST! Coupled with this Docetism was GNOSTICISM which It is in this short letter that the word "know" appears over 40 times! "He only seemed to be real He was not really human he only seemed it. The Christ-spirit entered Him at his baptism and left him just before the crucifixion “There is a secret knowledge only available to a few. Also matter is inherently evil!”

2 JOHN “A woman and her children.”= a Church "Truth" is mentioned 5 times and "Love" 4 times. 3 JOHN These 13 verses deal with a church fall-out! 3 characters in the tale:- Gaius a Faithful Host v1-8, Diotrephes v9,10 a Proud Enemy Demetrius v11,12 a Good Worker

WHO? One of the brothers of Jesus (Mt.13.55),called Thaddaeus in Mk.3 and therefore the brother of the letter writing leader of the church in Jerusalem (Jms 1.1;Acts 15.1) WHEN? Since it is thought that Peter and Paul were killed for their faith in Nero’s persecution of A.D.64 in Rome and v.18 seems to refer to this fact, a probable date for this letter is A.D.67 WHAT? “Contend for the faith.” Similar in style and content to 2Peter

TWO CLASSES OF BELIEVERS 1.The False Ones:v4 Ungodly =worldly v4 denying =sceptical v4licentious =carnal v8 despise authority = lawless v16 moaners = critical v16 flatterers = proud v19 not Spirit-filled = sensual By name they were "Anti-nomians” who said "We're free from the law we will do as we like!" By nature they appear in the church at any age in any town or city!

2.The True Ones:-These were encouraged to v17 Realise v20 Build v21 Look v22 Contend v23 Keep pure They were reminded that it is His Work His Power and His Purity v24 His Praise and His Permanence v25.

1 Peter “ Be Hopeful & Faithful” 2 Peter “ Be Growing & Fruitful” 1 John “Be Loving” 2 John “Be Truthful” 3 John “Be Discerning” Jude “Be Contending”