In the bible how many letters did peter write?

Answer 1

Epistles or letters as it is also called were written by Paul, there are a total of 14 letters , Letters to the Romans to Letters to the Hebrew,.

Those were wrote by Paul. There are two wrote by Peter: I and II Peter. Two are sometimes closely associated by Peter, likely by relationship. The Gospel of Mark has been called Peters gospel. He did not write it, but because of certain characteristics of it, are thought of as being influenced by accounts given by Peter, though the author and compiler of the parts that make up the gospel of Mark is John Mark.

The same John Mark that when the going got tough, John Mark went home! Later, he wanted another chance as a part of Paul and Barnabas' missionary team. Paul didn't want to give him another chance, Barnabas did; so severe was the disagreement that it led to the split of this team with Paul and Barnabas going their own ways, and John Mark teaming up with Barnabas. Apparently he "grew up" and later was reconciled with the Apostle Paul. Read the details of this in Acts 13:13, Acts 15:36-41, and 2 Timothy 4:10-11.

The book of Jude is also thought related to the book of II Peter because of similar content but is also not authored by Peter. Now, there is disagreement among some critics about I and II Peter being actually books "wrote" by Peter, because the language of the books appear too "top shelf" educated classical Greek to be that of a rude commercial fisherman, which Peter no doubt was.

This problem is easily cleared up by reading the simple English of the text. II Peter 5:12-14. "By Silvanus..",,,Peter as was the custom also for most of Paul's letters

(see Gal 5:11, in it Paul points out that he's making an exception to his custom of dictating verbally to a skilled scribe what he wants wrote)

dictated his words to a trained scribe, in this case Silvanus, wrote it down, and likely, in the case of I and II Peter, cleaned it up some for Peter!!! This same Silvanus is mentioned in Paul's I and II Thessalonians, both in verse one. He likely is also the scribe to which Paul dictated these and probably other Pauline letters, as he was selected by Paul to be on his missionary team following his and Barnabas' split over the John Mark issue. This is in Acts 15:37-41, there he's called Silas.

So, technically, though there were only two letters of Peter (I,II Peter), you might say they were not wrote or "penned" by Peter, but rather that Peter dictated them to a scribe, as this was also the custom of Paul for most of his letters. This shouldn't be a difficult point to understand, as it is still common practice today by many CEO's, managers etc.,,who dictate what they will say in a letter to a secretary, who actually writes down the words. I hope that helps.

Answer 2

Another answer from our community:

Whilst the second letter of Peter chapter 2 contains the same subject matter as much of Jude, the Greek is totally different, and of a different style, suggesting a different contemporary author, whether 'Jude' or not.

Moreover, there are other, non-canonical writings attributed to Peter (such as his 'gospel') and these were omitted from The Bible because the Church then could not be absolutely sure that they were written by Peter. This was not the case, however, with the letters. Therefore it might be wise to, at least partly, rely upon the wisdom of the early Church, many of whom could trace their lineage back to the first apostles, in attributing the canonical books to the correct authors.

Some people also argue that Peter could not have written any letters at all, because Peter most probably couldn't read and write. However, since most people couldn't then, there was a custom of using scribes (who set up booths or tables in the main thouroughfares). Anyone with something to write (or read) could visit a scribe. Other authorities point to Mark, and say that he attached himself to Peter, as his scribe and assistant, after Mark and Barnabas had finished their second missionary journey together.

The custom of using a scribe was very common in those times. Some people even say that Paul might have dictated several of his letters as well, as he grew older and his health and his eyesight continued to fail.

Answer 3

Biblical scholars say that Peter wrote no letters in the Bible. There are two epistles in the Bible, 1 Peterand 2 Peter, that were written in his name, but these are clearly second-century works that could not realistically be attributed to someone who lived in the early part of the first century. The second of these,2 Peter actually includes almost all the Epistle of Jude, itself a second-century book.

Jude matches other second-century Christian writings, but was written as if by Jude in the first century, yet stands with its readers and looks towards the past of the apostles. It says that they, his readers, "must remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ." He even goes on to say, "For they[the apostles] said to you, 'In the last time there will be scoffers'" (Jude l7‑18). There can be no doubt thatJude is a poorly produced pseudepigraphical work from the second century. While modifying its rough priggery, 2 Peter copies most Jude and is therefore later.

In addition to the above, the supposedly historical Peter reminds his readers that they should remember the words of the apostles: "This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour spoken through your apostles" (2 Peter 3:1-2). If any further evidence were needed, this shows that the author knew that he was not one of those apostles.