Catholic Dictionary
Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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PETER, EPISTLES OF
Two letters of St. Peter the Apostle, both addressed to converts from paganism in Asia Minor. Both were sent from Rome. the second intimates his approaching death; the first contains strong admonitions to lead a Christian life, outlining the duties of citizens to civil authority, servants to their masters, wives to their husbands, mutual charity, patience, and humility. The Petrine authorship of both letters has been challenged. But in the first letter the author claims to be "Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:1), and the author of the second letter claims to be Peter who witnessed the Transfiguration of the Lord (II Peter 1:1, 1:16-18), who also wrote another letter (I Peter, II Peter 3:1), and refers to "our brother Paul, who is so dear to us" (II Peter 3:15).
