In his introduction, Peter identifies himself and his audience. These two verses contain several words that are often misunderstood by Christendom, and as a result, are often sources of polarization and separation. My prayer is that we embrace our similarities, not our differences (we need to understand the need for unity, read John 17:8-26).
1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
Peter says he is an apostle. Many know the term but do not know what the term means, so what is an apostle? The Greek word basically means a person who is to be a delegate,[1] a messenger that is sent with orders, such as a soldier sent to the frontline of a battle with orders from a commanding officer or a king. As a Christian, we understand the term to be someone who was sent directly by Jesus, who in turn goes to another who then goes to another, well you get the picture. We call that an apostolic movement or approach to getting a message out. In our case it’s the message of salvation, the gospel.
The epistle is addressed to those who are ‘elect’. The word simply means to be chosen or selected.[2] Election and predestination are some of the more divisive subjects in Christianity today. We need to understand that whether you believe: 1) God selected you and everyone else in Christianity; 2) that God, who by knowing all from the beginning of time saw who would choose Jesus; or 3) any doctrine in between, the Word of God refers to His people as ‘chosen’ or ‘elect’.
Peter further clarifies and calls his audience ‘exiles’, essentially believers who are living in a foreign land. Due to the growing intolerance of Christianity in Rome, believers were forced to leave Roman occupied land at some point prior to the expulsion of the Jews. But as pointed out earlier, many of the believing Jews left Israel and were literally dispersed around the world. Peter writes to the exiles of this Jewish Dispersion (Greek ‘diaspora’, a scattering of people, see also James 1:1), now relocated in the Roman provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (found today mostly contained in the country of Turkey).
1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Continuing to identify his audience, Peter now makes it clear that he is talking to Christians, not unbelievers. First thing to note in verse two is the presence of the Trinity. Peter refers to the foreknowledge (Greek word ‘prognosis’) of God the Father. God knew from before time began about all things including the fall of man, our need for a Savior, who would be saved, etc. In (or by) the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, whose work will continue to completion (read Philippians 1:6).
Sanctification is another word often misunderstood. The easiest way to define this word is to say it describes a process. A process that is essentially shaping us to become more like Jesus. This process includes God making several ‘adjustments’ and ‘changes’ in our lives including our ever-changing set of priorities. I believe it may be impossible to create a comprehensive or complete list of the all the components in this process. A partial list would include: repentance, regeneration, forgiveness, adoption, consecration, separation (being holy), guidance, protection, discernment, justification, etc.
Sanctification leads to obedience to Jesus Christ. Peter identifies that a true follower is in always in submission to Jesus. If we choose not to submit, the apostle John tells us that we only deceive ourselves (read 1 John 1:8-10). We also need to understand that it is not easy. Paul describes this dilemma in Romans 7:13-25, where he concludes that we can’t do it on our own, “Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24b-25a). Jesus reminds all believers that all authority has been given to Him, and as a result, He now commands us to go and teach those that are baptized to observe all that He taught (read Matthew 28:18-20).
Peter then adds one more identifying characteristic of a believer, namely the blood of Jesus. The sprinkling with His blood refers to the atonement, the ‘covering’ of our sins (see Exodus 24:3-8). Our salvation is made available to us through the blood of Jesus (read 1 John 2:1-6).
The New Living Translation offers this interpretation of the first half of verse two: “God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.”[3] This verse is a wonderful summary of the Godhead and our relationship to Him.
How should we Christians respond to God choosing us? Paul summarizes this for us in his letter to the church at Colossae: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:12-17)
Peter concludes verse two with a greeting similar to one of Paul’s. Grace should always precede peace since we simply cannot obtain peace without God’s grace! We will be looking closely at the subject of mercy and grace in the next verse. Peter adds, “be multiplied to you,” to his greeting asking God to increase our grace and peace to the fullest.
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[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers. Strong’s Greek No. 652