James I). Author A). Brother of Christ (Mk. 6:3) B). Early church apostle (1 Cor. 15:7, Gal. 1:19) C). Brother of Jude II). Date A). 40’s or 50’s B). Nelson’s pg. 455

James III). Recipients A). James addresses the twelve tribes in the Diaspora B). Jewish Christians (lack of dialogue about Gentile vices) C). James addresses conditions and challenges facing Christians in a great variety of locations D). An established church (James 2:2; 3:1; 5:14)

James IV). Outline A). The test of faith (1:1-18) B). The Characteristics of Faith (1:19-5:6) C). The Triumph of Faith (5:7-20) V). Purpose A). True faith is lived (James 1:22-27; 2:12-13; 3:13)

James VI). Emphasis and Message A). Trials and temptations (1:2-4) 1). Equality in treatment (James 2:1-13) 2). Use of money (James 2:14-26, James 5:1-6) 3). Use of the tongue (James 3:1-12) 4). Speaking wrongfully of each other (James 4:11-12)

James 5). Selfish ambition (James 3:13-4:9) 6). How we use our time (James 4:13-17)

1 Peter I). Author A). Peter B). Wrote from Babylon (5:13) 1). Rome – center of idolatry II). Date A). A.D. 63 (before persecution under Nero)

1 Peter III). Recipients A). Diasporia (1:2) B). Spread of the gospel into these areas 1). Paul and his emissaries 2). Acts 16:7 3). Acts 2

1 Peter C). Cappadocia, northern Galatia and Bithynia, and Pontus were far less Hellenized and less urbanized provinces D). Gentile converts 1). 1:18, 1:14, 4:1-4

1 Peter IV). Outline A). Salvation of the believer (1:1-2:13) B). Submission of the believer (2:13-3:13) C). Suffering of the believer (3:13-5:14)

1 Peter V). Purpose A). Endure in hardship 1). Insults a plenty (2:12, 15; 3:16; 4:4, 14) B). A life of virtue (2:11-20; 3:1-16)

1 Peter VI). Emphasis and Message A). Honor and privilege 1). 1:1-2:10 - Develops the implications of election for the honor (new household) and destiny (heaven) of the believers

1 Peter B). For growth 1). God is near to hear and help (3:12; 5:7) 2). Sign or favor from God (2:19-20, 4:14) 3). Proving ground that will turn to glory and praise at Christ’s coming (1:6-7) 4). Christ’s example a). (1:11; 2:21-25; 3: 18- 4:2; 4:13

1 Peter C). The strength of family 1). 1:23-24, 1:22, 3:8, 4:8-11, 5:5-6 D). A code of conduct 1). Christian wives of believing partners (3: 1-6) 2). Slaves of un-believing masters (2:18-25) 3). Christians in general (2:12-17; 3:9-12, 16)

2 Peter I). Author A). Peter (1:1) B). Nearing death (1:14-15) II). Date A). A.D

2 Peter III). Outline A). Cultivation of Christian character (1:1-2:1) B). Condemnation of False teachers (2:1-3:1) C). Confidence in Christ’s return (3:1-3:18)

2 Peter IV). Purpose A).Combat false teaching 1). The assurance of Christ’s return (3:3-4) 2). The authority and reliability of the apostolic tradition and the Old Testament (1:17-21)

2 Peter V). Emphasis and Message A). Basis for such a hope 1). Transfiguration (see Mk 9:2-8) a). Ps. 8:5-6, Ps. 2 2). Past intervention (2:4-10; 3:5-7) B). Reason for delay 1). God’s timetable (3:8) 2). God’s mercy (3:9)