Peter, Epistles of, are the 21st and 22nd books of the New Testament. They are letters from the apostle Peter. Most scholars doubt that Peter actually wrote the letters. They believe the letters were written in his name by someone else. The first Epistle was probably written between A.D. 81 and 96 or 98 and 117, during a persecution of the church by the Roman Empire. The letter’s main purpose is to encourage perseverance in Christian faith despite suffering. The second Epistle may have been written as late as A.D. 130 or 140. It is probably the last book of the New Testament to be composed. Its main purpose is to argue that Jesus Christ will some day return, despite doubts that had arisen concerning His Second Coming.
