A Study In 1 Peter: Breathless Intro

A Study in Peter: A Breathless Introduction

The first 9 verses of the book are only 3 sentences. Peter majestically voices a hymn of praise to his audience/congregation.

1Pe 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

1) Sojourner = resident alien;] Psa 39:12 "Listen, LORD, to my prayer! My eyes are flooded with tears, as I pray to you. I am merely a stranger visiting in your home as my ancestors did.

>> When we accept Christ, and become part of the Kingdom of Heaven, we come strangers to the systems of this world... our earthly citizenship is revoked! We have all the rights and responsibilities of the Kingdom of Heaven

>> As the Kingdom expands and exerts its influence, we are pushing out into the domains of this world... and they shall object. Let us look at one of Peter's early conflicts with the system of his day. Act 4:23 As soon as Peter and John had been set free, they went back and told the others everything that the chief priests and the leaders had said to them. 24 When the rest of the Lord's followers heard this, they prayed together and said: Master, you created heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.

Act 4:25 And by the Holy Spirit you spoke to our ancestor David. He was your servant, and you told him to say: "Why are all the Gentiles so furious? Why do people make foolish plans?

Act 4:26 The kings of earth prepare for war, and the rulers join together against the Lord and his Messiah." [from Ps 2:1,2 which was written when David took Jerusalem, as these apostles had taken Jerusalem]

Act 4:27 Here in Jerusalem, Herod and Pontius Pilate got together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel. Then they turned against your holy Servant Jesus, your chosen Messiah.

Act 4:28 They did what you in your power and wisdom had already decided would happen.

Act 4:29 Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message. 30 Show your mighty power, as we heal people and work miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant Jesus. >> thus conquer for the Kingdom.

Act 4:31 After they had prayed, the meeting place shook. They were all filled [totally consumed; overflowing] with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God's message.

>> this is how we 'strangers' must behave in this world. They are also referred to as “The sojourners of the Dispersion”. Is that how we feel sometimes.

>> This was Peter stepping into his role as the leader of the Church from Jerusalem.

>> By the time he wrote his letter, it was to the churches in an unreached region of NE Turkey

2. 1Pe 1:2 God the Father decided to choose you as his people, and his Spirit has made you holy. You have obeyed Jesus Christ and are sprinkled with his blood. I pray that God will be kind to you and will keep on giving you peace!
   >> The trinity is affirmed, the fullness of heaven is released on earth. This is why we are strangers! We have entered fully into the heavenly realm because of the activity of God in our lives.
   >> the Father CHOSE you>> the Spirit MADE us Holy>> Jesus' Blood CLEANSES. Note the order, we have taken no action. God has done it all in His three aspects Creator, Sanctifier, Redeemer. We can't earn out position, our only action is to allow our will to turn to God.

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1Pe 1:4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [Inheritance=brought by the a death, based on your identity as a son, revealed at the 'reading of the will]. The last Will & Testament,

1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: 8 whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.