Mission and Conversion in the First Epistle of Peter

Abstract

1 Peter clearly bears the marks of early Christian mission. The letter addresses needs that directly arose out of mission and conversion. It is addressed to recent converts from a Gentile background and helps them to understand their new identity, their mission and the particular circumstances which they now face.This paper examines in its first part the mission that led to the conversion of the readers. Clues from the letter and the recent reconstruction of this mission by Karen Jobes in her 2005 commentary on 1 Peter are presented and assessed. Focus is furthermore on the nature and consequences of this conversion. It gave the readers a new identity (they were adopted into the very people of God—the designations and honorific titles of Israel are applied to them) and carried several ethical implications. Both factors estranged them from some aspects of their former way of life and led to challenging encounters with their compatriots. While firmly rooting the readers in their culture, the letter offers guidance on how to address these challenges.Part two describes how conversion led to the readers' inclusion into the missional nature and task of the church. They were to share their faith in word and deed, even in difficult circumstances. At the same time, the letter is not silent about the consequences of conversion: Their conversion, changed lifestyle and mission were not well received by all but led to persecution and suffering in varying degree. The life and mission of these converts is compared to Jesus' own mission of suffering for the right cause (1 Peter 2.21–25). Can mission and conversion be seen from a New Testament perspective without the notion of suffering for those engaged in mission and for their converts? Finally some preliminary implications are drawn for the mission of the church today.