Proclamations and Conversions Discussed Only in Epistles: Peter's Epistles
Peter wrote both of his epistles to Christians scattered in Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 3:1). It is not known exactly how he first developed a relationship with these widely-scattered people, but these letters are written to them from Rome towards the end of Peter's life (1 Peter 5:13, 2 Peter 1:14). His letters are generally a reminder of things already taught to and known by his hearers (ref. 2 Peter 1:12). He makes some passing references to conversion.
 
Text Observations
1PE 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, [5] who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Peter considers Christian conversion to be a result of God's great mercy and a new birth through the resurrection of Jesus. This seems to reference baptism as Paul uses similar language elsewhere.
1PE 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, [23] for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God. 
[24] For,
  "ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS,
  AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS.
  THE GRASS WITHERS,
  AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, [25] BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ABIDES FOREVER."

1PE 1:25 And this is the word which was preached to you.

 This phrase "obedience to the truth" is probably a reference to their positive response to the gospel. (ref. 4:17)

While the passage is urging the readers to love one another, his reasoning for this is that they have been born again (Greek perfect tense, denoting action that occurred in past but its effects continue to the present) through the eternal word of God that was preached to them. 
1PE 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; [10] for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. Their conversions are described as a calling of God out of darkness into light. 
1PE 3:1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, [2] as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.  This section doesn't address proclamation per se, but by contrast with normal conversion, unbelieving husbands may be won over "without a word" by witnessing righteous living. 

The implication is that conversion otherwise results from words, presumably  of teaching and persuasion. 
1PE 3:17  For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. [18] For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; [19] in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, [20] who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. [21] And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [22] who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. In discussing Christ and his sufferings, Peter discusses the unjust death of Jesus that brought people to God. 

As an aide, he discusses baptism and its foreshadowing by the flood in the time of Noah. Baptism saves through the resurrection of Christ, a connection seen elsewhere in the NT. Yet what makes baptism effective (saving) is not the mere act of washing but its participation with the appeal of a good conscience, reflecting a sincere faith and commitment.
 
1PE 4:15 By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; [16] but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God. [17] For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?   [18] AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? [19] Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. This section is urging Christians to live righteously, yet is draws a contrast between Christians and those who do not obey the gospel of God.
2PE 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; [3] seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. [4] For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. [5] Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; [6] and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; [7] and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. [8] For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. [10] Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; [11] for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. Peter sees that the blessings of Christians come as a result of the knowledge of God. This identifies a certain "informational" element to the teaching they received.

[The Christian calling is made certain by faithfulness and growth. In cases where such growth is absent, the problem is seen as  forgetting this past cleaning, not some flaw in the conversion process.  "Making certain" the calling does not seem to have anything to do with re-evaluating proper conversion elements (e.g. "did you really repent?") but rather moving forward in holiness. However, the context probably assumes proper conversion doctrine was taught in the first place.]
2PE 2:20 For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. [21] For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them.  Here Peter reiterates a common theme of his, that salvation comes through knowledge of Jesus. 

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Comments Copyright © 2002 John Engler. All rights reserved.