"The Way to Be Happy in a World that is Wretched."
through
“A Living Hope and a Sure Salvation”

 

Believers are foreknown, prepared, born‑again people readied for action (lessons in perseverance)!

 

Chapter 1 starts off with the topic of: Suffering and the Security of the Believer produces Joy.

 

Throughout these studies we will be using my textual format I call “The Visualized Text.” This format emphasizes the grammatical structure of each paragraph, verse, sentence, and phrase. The purpose is to allow us to focus on the very things that Peter was focusing on. Too often we can read the Scriptures without slowing down and focusing upon the words and grammar. We’ll also be using the text from the New American Standard Bible (1999 version) as our basic text.

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CHAPTER 1 

1 Peter 1:1-2 - Our Great Salvation &

       The Salutation to The Chosen

 

The Visualized Text

1 Peter,

       an apostle

              of Jesus Christ,

 

              to those who reside as aliens,

                     scattered throughout

                            Pontus,

                            Galatia,

                            Cappadocia,

                            Asia, and

                            Bithynia,

 

                     who are chosen

                           2 according to the

                                  foreknowledge of God the Father,

                                  by the sanctifying work of the Spirit,

                                  to obey Jesus Christ and

                                  [to] be sprinkled with His blood

                                  (Lit. unto obedience and sprinkling):

 

       May grace and peace be yours

              in the fullest measure (Lit. be multiplied for you). 

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The first paragraph of Peter’s first book breaks down into 4 sections.

1.    Peter’s name and spiritual position.

2.    His readers.

3.    His readers: chosen, foreknown, sanctified, obedient, “sprinkled.”

4.    Peter’s opening blessing to his readers.

1:1a - “Peter, (Gk. Cephas)

       an apostle

              of Jesus Christ,”

 

His name was Simon (One who hears), but the Lord gave him a new name - Peter (Gk Cephas). Peter’s statement that Jesus is “the Rock of our salvation” makes it appropriate that he uses it now as his name as Jesus now calls him that. As to being an “apostle.” Peter was one of the first of the 12 disciples to use this description. In N.T. Greek apostle means “One who is sent out” with a purpose (a messenger or ambassador). Specifically, Peter and the other 11 were called of God to represent God’s work through Jesus, the Christ.[1]

 

Two descriptive names come to mind first, and they are very important to understand. First there is “The Begotten Son of God.” This indicates that the very Son of God was sent to the earth and virgin born as a baby human to experience the full human life. He would give up much of His God power to do this and become the perfect sinless sacrifice for the forgiveness of man’s sin. The second name, “The Born King,” indicates that His high office of “King of Kings” was, in fact, rightfully His upon His birth here amongst mankind – as a born man. His title of “King of Kings” has always been His to hold. He was very active throughout the Old Testament - often referred to as “God’s Holy Angel (messenger).”

 

What is an apostle?

Concerning Apostleship, in order to qualify for this position biblically each must:

(1) have been a witness of the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1),

(2) have been explicitly chosen by the Holy Spirit of God (Acts 9:15), and

(3) to have the ability to perform signs and wonders (Acts 2:43; 2 Corinthians 12:12).

 

Thus, those who claim apostleship in any post biblical age cannot proclaim their apostleship as authentic biblically. The name Peter, as spoken of in our book introduction, is “Cephas” (Aramaic, “a rock”) (Greek Peter) – He is a “rock” thus one who is hard to change. When he settles on a position – it is hard to change him. As he grows in Christ, he will eventually be one who cannot be changed in his ministry for Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah. Once settled, he will not be changed. – Thus, the books of first and second Peter.

 

Just a quick note about the languages used in the Bible. Almost all of the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew. Much, originally, known as Semitic Hebrew, which used only consonants. Later, their scholars added “vowel points,” small marks on the Hebrew consonant letter characters that indicated what vowels should be used in the reading of the text.

 

The New Testament is largely written in Koine Greek. Koine was a street form of the Greek language – common among the common people. In many cases the Apostles wrote in Aramaic. This was the language used for letters that were written to members of cultures where Hebrew or Greek were either not fully involved or where those cultures were deemed unwanted culturally or politically. Peter chooses to write neither in Hebrew, Roman, nor pure Greek. For Peter, Aramaic was appropriate for his audience’s culture.

 

1:1b - The Readers – Exiles - Dispersion

 

              “to those who reside as aliens,

                     scattered throughout

                           Pontus,

                           Galatia,

                           Cappadocia,

                           Asia, and

                           Bithynia,”

 

Peter’s message is directed toward Jews and Gentiles who have fled Jerusalem and Palestine to avoid the hostile Roman occupational government and those of the local cultures who have received the Christ as their savior and churches had been established in these areas and had accumulated a large number of Gentile believers – some who had also been in this flight from the Romans. These are five areas in what we know as modern Turkey [Türkiye (Turk-I-A)] that have many churches established in them. The area was also visited by Paul during his 2nd missionary trip approximately 10 years earlier (49-52 A.D.).

 

What is an alien (not from outer space alien)

Legal/Immigration: A person residing in a country who is not a citizen of that nation (e.g., a foreign-born resident).

 

What does “The dispersion” refer too?

When the nation of Rome captured and destroyed Israel and Jerusalem, its citizens were removed from their various tribal locations and re-established across other nations under Roman control - thus ending the national owning of Israeli lands. Quite often the moving away from their homes was militarily forced.

 

What was special about where Peter sent his letters?

Peter sent his letters to established Christian churches in locations that were far from Rome and Israel itself (none or few Jews here originally). Individuals who were filled with true missionary spirit began these churches - and it was a difficult task. Thus, Peter’s letters inspire hope in trials of life and bitter disappointments.

 

1:1c - The Elect

 

“who are chosen

       2 according to the

              foreknowledge of God the Father,

              by the sanctifying work of the Spirit,

              to obey Jesus Christ and

              be sprinkled with His blood”

              (Lit. unto obedience and sprinkling):

 

“Who are chosen”

A definition is helpful here to understand the central theme: In the Bible, "chosen" refers to individuals, groups, or nations handpicked by God for a specific purpose or divine mission, rather than because of their own merit or strength. It signifies being set apart for honorable service, a relationship with God, and to advance His kingdom.

 

The message is directed to those whom God has chosen (you) to be believers and who have already received Christ as Lord and Savior. Peter is making it clear what the route of Salvation should be. God has a great and graceful gift to offer, and a great and graceful plan for you.

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Foreknowledge

 

1:2a - “According to the foreknowledge of God the Father,”

It is in His foreknowledge as God whom He will choose to become His own “adopted” children (you) from the framework of mankind.

 

What does the foreknowledge of God know?

The first word is “Elect – God’s Elect.” The word itself indicates an end result in the process of (and the second word) “choosing” or “chosen” (1 Corinthians 3:12; Titus 1:1; Ephesians 1:4; Isaiah 4:1). A related word, “Predestination,” would indicate that the choosing was to a known position or time. These ideas are often somewhat confusing and can cause many to question life’s freedom under an almighty God. Over the years I’ve come to my own conclusion, and it seems to be somewhat unique. But I do not hesitate to share it with you… as it may help you find some peace in its discussion, and you may have heard it from me before.

 

The absolute understanding of the person of God Almighty is far beyond any human ability. We are merely little creatures on a planet that seemingly is in the middle of nowhere in our own galaxy – that galaxy is made up of hundreds of millions of stars – all created and placed there by God – through His Son, pre-incarnate, a very long time ago. And then… We are in one galaxy of a universe that has more galaxies than we have stars in our own. All created and placed there by God. So, I ask the question, “Can you do that?” Do you know anyone, persons, corporations, countries, etc. that can do any of that? We’ve just gotten off to the moon for the second time in human history. All this to point out that our God is so much more than we are – and He desires us. He knows all things. In knowing all things, He is capable of predicting or knowing the future without making it come true. Thus, He is able to see the future – of each of us – without causing us to make it happen. He saw Jim Deering – before creation of our universe – saw that I would choose His Son as my Savior, wrote my name down in His Son’s Book, but did not cause me to believe. When I get to His Heaven, He will smile at me, knowing I was coming, calling my name from out of His book, and calling me His own – just because I chose His Son as the grounds of my salvation. Now I rest easy in His Calling, His Choosing, and His Predestination choices of words for His revelation in His Bible.

In this salutation of Peter, we find Gentile Christians – chosen, (Genesis 18:19 “The Lord said (concerning Abraham), I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord;” Isaiah 41:8 “The Lord said (concerning Jacob), “You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you….”). Believing Gentiles now belong to the family of Abraham as spiritual descendants and believing Jews as physical descendants. Now, by faith, all the nations of the earth will be blessed through Jesus, the Christ and His believers. All the results of the “Foreknowledge” of God Almighty. 

 

1:2b - “by the sanctifying work of the Spirit,”

He offers them (you), through belief, the presence of His Holy Spirit who will bring both the understanding of God’s gift and the power to live according to God’s will – allowing for their (your) immature, yet maturing, human will.

 

What is the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit?

Hopefully along the way, each believer begins to understand that the Almighty God of the universe chooses to reside (live) in you in order to enable within you the options of wonderful and great maturity over your lifetime. Remembering that the more you submit to His will, the faster you mature in Him. His Spirit also enables a closeness of fellowship with the full Trinity. What an enabling power and what an unbelievable honor. The gifts that He presents to us… should remake our lives into true “Children of God.” But… it also requires us to be “Obedient” to Jesus’s requirements for growth-In-Him.

 

Consider Jesus, born as a human being, indwelt by God. The Gift, gracefully given for belief in God’s Son is for each individual to be “Born again” and be indwelt by God. Jesus is God and human flesh - we are human flesh indwelt by God. Foreknown and destined to be Children of God as family members.

1:2c - “to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood” (Lit. unto obedience and sprinkling)

Consider that “by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, [you are] to  obey Jesus Christ…” Certainly, if you read the Gospels, you will find may instances of how Jesus Christ wants you to act as a believer empowered by the Holy Spirit of God. The next verses in 1^st Peter will list many ways in which obedience is required of believers. Peter is writing to churches’ congregations and encouraging them to act in ways that the holiness of God is practiced through the believer’s individual life and the church’s corporate life.

 

Consider the human obedience issues.

Early on in my bible college experience my professors encouraged us to focus upon continuing to be faithful in our thoughts and actions. As human beings we will often tend to fall back on those things that our fallen human nature tempts us with. As believers, indwelt with God’s Holy Spirit, we are to look to Him for our hope and performance. The believer’s life can be like a small child’s life learning to walk. Short steps, fall down, get up, walk more short steps, fall down, etc. Over time, like the small child we are to grow, fall down less often, grow, fall down less often, etc., etc. We are to remember His Grace, and our Hope - and continue to mature all of our lives.

 

Consider “and be sprinkled with His blood.”

His power also enables this chosen one (you) to be obedient to Jesus Christ in the application of the power of His Blood that was shed at the Cross that resulted in His resurrection and justification for those (you) who have received His gift and thus sprinkled in His Blood. That is a reference to the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle of God. There upon the Ark of the Covenant the blood was sprinkled from the animal’s sacrifice upon the Seat of Mercy which was the lid of the Ark between two angels. That cover, solid gold, the Seat of Mercy, protected all who believe (you) from the penalty of that which was contained in the Ark of the Covenant. The Law, the commandments given to Moses. It was there that God sat [on the Mercy Seat] when He dwelt among men. It was there that God the Son sat [on the Mercy Seat as the “Angel of God”] as when in the Old Testament He dwelt among men. Much of the Old Testament suggests that it was the pre-incarnate Son of God who sat there. Christ the containment of the Law, Christ the Provider of Life from the Dead, Christ the provider of Daily Sustenance, Christ the Propitiator and the Propitiation of God. It was Christ who sat there representing you sitting there having the blood of the Lamb(s) sprinkled upon Him.

 

Peter will continue on in this obedience theme in the verses ahead.

 

The Result:

1:2d - Peter’s prayer

       May grace and peace be yours

       in the fullest measure

       (Lit. be multiplied for you).

This is Peter who has known doubt, rejection, disappointment, and who lied about knowing Jesus. This is Peter, the one whom Jesus called, “The Rock.” And this is Peter who said to Jesus, "You are the Christ," and Jesus responded, upon that statement with “I will build my church.” This is Peter who prays for grace and peace in the fullest measure for all believers, including you – for Grace means Security – In the Fullest Measure – Yours in abundance!

 

The books of Moses give us a large clue to the mind of God and the workings of all life on this planet. He uses a specific word and pins it to mankind and his works, and that word is all about what God’s people should be faithful in doing His work. The word is “Multiply!” Our works, our labors, our planting of His Word, and especially our harvest of those He has placed around us. Verse 2, tells us that the end result of our labors, if done properly – as our heavenly Father directs, will result in a harvest of grace and peace and “may it be multiplied” to, and for, you.