I & II PETER and JUDE Introduction: Though they are not adjacent in our New Testaments, these three books are grouped for this study. There is good reason to study these three epistles together. All three letters share a common concern for Christians to stay faithful. In addition much of the material of 11 Peter and Jude share very obvious similarities. (cf... II Peter 2:1 -3.3 and Jude 4 - 19) Names - Each of the letters are named for their authors. Authors - Peter (I Peter 1:1; II Peter 1:1) and Jude (Jude) Purpose 1. I Peter was written to encourage believers in the midst of their suffering. 2. Knowing his death was near, Peter in his second epistle wanted to remind believers of certain doctrines and warn them about false teachers. 3. Jude was going to write a letter on the subject of salvation (v. 3), but upon hearing that some individuals were departing the faith, he wrote to counter apostasy. I. Background of the books. A. The apostle Peter, 1. Aside from Jesus himself. Peter is the best character in the New Testament. 2. Peter, Andrew (his brother), James and John ^ partners in a fishing business when Jesus called them to be "fishers of men." (Luke 5:9-11) 3. All four of these men were