1 PETER PART ONE

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

The apostle Peter addressed this epistle to Christians residing in “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1:1). These were regions within the Roman Empire in the first century that today, are part of Turkey. The order in which they are named may reflect the route the carrier of the letter; Silvanus (5:12), took when he delivered it. It is not clear how the gospel exactly spread to these regions. Paul traveled and ministered in at least part of Galatia and Asia. It may be that Paul’s converts founded some of the churches in this area (Acts 19:10,26). It is feasible that some church fellowships in this region were founded by those who were converted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:9) and traveled to these regions. Peter also may have ministered in these areas himself, though there is no record of that in Acts. The congregations consisted primarily of Gentiles (1:14,18; 2:9-10; 4:3-4), but there is no doubt that these fellowships undoubtedly included some Jewish Christians as well.

 

There are three possible locations that have been suggested for the “Babylon” from which Peter wrote (5:13). Some say it is the ancient city of Babylon in Mesopotamia, but that region was sparsely populated in Peter’s day. It is highly unlikely that he, Mark, and Silvanus would all have been there at the same time. Others postulate that it was a Babylon on the Nile River in Egypt. But at this time in history it was little more than a Roman military outpost, and again it is highly improbable that Peter (along with Mark and Silvanus) would have taken up residence there. “Babylon” is most likely a cryptic name for Rome. Peter used this name “Babylon” very likely because of the Imperial capital’s debauchery and idolatry, which characterizes the Babylon of the end times (Revelation 17 and 18). Persecution from Rome was looming on the horizon so Peter took care not to endanger the Christians in Rome, who might have faced further difficulties if his letter had been discovered by the Roman authorities. Peter had a strong association with Rome in the early history of the church and this further supports the view that the apostle wrote 1 Peter from Rome.

 

The most probable date for 1 Peter to have been written is just before Nero’s persecution, which followed the great fire that ravaged Rome in the summer of A.D. 64. The absence of Peter mentioning any major persecution or any reference to martyrdom makes it less likely that the epistle was written after the persecution began. This is because if the persecution by Rome had commenced then numerous Christians would by then have been put to death and/or tortured. Peter makes no mention of this type of intense persecution.

 

Peter’s main purpose in writing this epistle was that his readers would stand firm in the grace of God (5:12) in the face of increasing persecution and suffering. Possibly God had impressed upon Peter that while the Christians faced difficulties currently, it was nothing compared to what was yet to come. God may have been using Peter in writing this epistle to build a foundation of faith so the Christians would be ready when the “hell-fire” of Roman persecution bore down upon followers of Christ in full force. For this reason Peter reminded Believers of their election by God and the sure hope of their heavenly inheritance. He further covers very well the privileges and blessings of knowing Christ. He also gives them instruction on how to conduct themselves in a hostile world, using the example of Christ’s suffering as a model to follow. Peter wanted his fellow Christians to live triumphantly in the midst of a hostile world without abandoning hope and becoming bitter. He did not want them to lose faith in Christ nor to forget His second coming. He knew that if they were obedient to God’s Word despite the world’s antagonism, their lives would testify to the truth of the gospel (2:12; 3:1, 13-17). This message is just as applicable for us today!

 

1 Peter 1:1-2

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 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: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.”

 

Peter opens his epistle by identifying himself as an apostle. While we might think this unnecessary, it does validate his authority to write the instructions and teachings that are contained in this letter. The 12 Disciples of Christ became the Apostles after Christ’s ascension into Heaven. An original apostle of Christ was one who was handpicked by Jesus, was taught by Him, witnessed His death and resurrection, performed miracles and spread the gospel in the first century. Many of them wrote the New Testament inspired by the Holy Spirit.

 

After Peter identifies himself he then identifies the recipients of his letter, “those who reside as aliens, scattered.” The Greek word for “scattered” is “diaspora” and originally was used to refer to Jews who lived outside of Palestine. Here Peter is using it to refer to followers of Christ, who are scattered all over Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The other point to remember here is that Christians are always scattered out among non-believers for a purpose, to witness of Christ and make disciples of them. We are not to develop “holy huddles” where we feed each other and fail to reach out to those who live in a dark world void of spiritual truth. Any group of believers that do not reach out to the unsaved will tend to become ingrown spiritually, distorted in knowledge and stunted in faith.

 

Peter also spoke of Christians as “aliens” or in the Greek “parepideemois,” which describes the Christians as people alien to this world because their true home is in heaven and their residence here on earth is only temporary. Often we as Believers become too attached to the world we live in and this affects not only our spiritual growth, but also how we live for Christ. This is why Peter’s letter is just as appropriate for us today as it was for those living in the first century. We need to remember our true home is in heaven, not here in this world. The more we remember this, the more we will live for Christ, keep in step with the Holy Spirit who lives within us and bring more disciples into the Kingdom of God.

 

Peter also identifies those he is speaking to with more descriptive words, “who are chosen 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:” This is a most amazing collection of words for several reasons. First, Peter is speaking of the cooperative effort of the Triune God in the salvation of men and women. The Father’s foreknowledge, the sanctifying work of the Spirit and the blood of Christ all work together to not only bring people to faith, but also sustain their faith and sanctify them. God foreknew who would come to faith and once they came to faith by the blood of Christ the Spirit works in their lives to sanctify them.

 

Secondly, we see in a very descriptive way that each person of the Trinity worked with the others to bring about the salvation of believers. This includes three main points.

 

Point One: God the Father after deliberate judgment picked and/or chose those whom He wished to bring into His Kingdom. This does not imply He simply knew who would accept Him, it means He chose those who would be saved and they in return chose to accept Christ as Savior. Paul also mentions this in Ephesians 1:4-6:

 

“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.”

 

Space does not permit me to cover the topic of predestination versus the free will of men and women as it relates to God’s foreknowledge. It is true that this is one of the great mysteries of scripture that both God’s foreknowledge and selection of His sons and daughters as well as their free will to choose, can coexist without conflicting with each other.

Point Two: Peter next shares a key concept, “by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ.” The Holy Spirit has a critical influence upon a person before and after they accept Christ as Savior. Before they make a commitment, He is constantly ministering to them to bring them to Christ. Afterwards He is in an intimate relationship with them to sanctify them. Sanctify here in the Greek is “hagiasmos” and means, “set apart.” The Holy Spirit is constantly setting apart the Christian from their unbelief and past life of sin. He is convicting us of sin and empowering us to follow after Christ by obeying His commandments.

 

John the Apostle speaks of this established doctrine that followers of Christ, obey Christ, in 1 John.

 

1 John 2:3

“By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.”

 

1 John 3:24

“The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him.”

 

1 John 5:3

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments”

 

Paul also speaks of the same concept and communicates that our life as Christians is made up of God’s work in us being accomplished by the Holy Spirit within us and us working with the Spirit by obeying Jesus’ commands.

 

Philippians 2:12-13

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

 

Point Three: We see reference to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross with the mention of being “sprinkled with His blood.” This has reference to the covenant relationship Christians have with God through Christ’s death and resurrection. This “sprinkling with His blood” is similar to the covenant that was made between Israel and God in Exodus 24:1-8 which involved sprinkling of sacrificial blood on the altar and on the people of God as well. Jesus’ shed blood paid the price for our salvation. That was the debt that Jesus paid to enable us to be forgiven our sins and receive eternal life.

 

1 Peter is a book of hope for those struggling with trials in a sinful world which is in rebellion to God. Peter began this book by sharing the great privileges followers of Christ have as children of God. He shares how God the Father, Son and Spirit are all involved in providing for these privileges of the Christian faith and they will sustain them eternally. Peter ends with two more reminders of the blessings Christians have. He states, “May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.” Grace is a most precious gift given to those who accept Christ as Lord and Savior and peace comes from responding to God’s grace. This grace and peace flows to and through all who respond to God’s calling to salvation and remain in God’s love.

 

Philippians 4:7

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”