1 Peter (Focus on the Bible)

1st Peter was written by the Apostle Peter to encourage believers for whom the storm clouds of persecution were gathering, just because they were Christians.

To encourage them he first reminds them that suffering is temporary, and that faithful living in times of suffering will produce eternal benefits. He develops this theme to show that such a lifestyle, lived out in difficult and dangerous circumstances, is an effective witness to unbelievers, and will result in church growth - the very opposite effect intended by those who persecuted them.

Derek Cleave trained at the London Bible College before entering the ministry in 1968 with the National Young Life Campaign. In 1971 he joined the Movement for World Evangelisation. In 1980 he cofounded Christian Ministries with Peter Anderson and John Blanchard, a work that has taken him not only throughout the UK and Europe, but also to India and the USA. He is Chaplain to Bristol City Football Club, broadcasts regularly with UCB, and has written several books. He is married to Margaret and they live in Bristol.