1 Peter Chapter 1 Pt. 1 Wonderful Truths To Encourage Our Hearts.

We are entering Thanksgiving week and yesterday I posted where you can find the indexes to all the archives since this blog began, in 2019. 

I highlighted where you can find Thanksgiving posts, hoping that the lessons will be a blessing in our homes, for this day that is set aside to praise and thank God, for who He is and all that He does for us.

I also encourage you to leave comments about what you have learned, and how God is working in your life, through these Bible studies. All praise and glory and honor be to God.

I want to study through the letters of First and Second Peter. This apostle has much to say to us and we will find this study to be a rich blessing.

Peter was blessed with insight about the deity of Christ. 

Mat 16:13-19  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14)  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15)  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16)  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17)  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18)  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19)  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 

We studied the character of Peter in the past, and learned that he was impulsive, often ready to act or speak. 

However, many times, Peter acted or spoke before his brain was engaged.

In this instance, Jesus asked the general question "Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am?" After they answered, Jesus then asked His disciples "But whom say ye that I am?"

Peter then declared that Jesus was "The Christ, the Son of the living God!" Thus, this disciple said that which was accurate and profoundly true about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peter did not come up with this knowledge on his own. Jesus said His Father revealed this truth to Peter.

Jesus then declared that Peter would be instrumentally used of God in building His church. 

Peter was corrected by the Father for speaking impulsively.

Matthew 17:1-6  And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2)  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3)  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4)  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5)  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6)  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 

Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John. This means His glory was revealed before these three men. 

Peter, James and John were often together and were key leaders used by God when the New Testament church was birthed in the book of Acts. 

Jesus' transfiguration was meant to instill confidence and courage in each of these men, preparing them for their apostolic ministry. 

After seeing Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus, Peter impulsively suggested they build a tabernacle for each of them. The tabernacle is where God met with Israel in the Old Testament.

Peter's suggestion placed Jesus on the same level as the men, Moses and Elijah. Thus, his impulsive speech overshadowed his earlier declaration when he said Jesus was the Son of God. 

Jesus addressed Peter's denials of Him. 

John 21:15-17  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16)  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17)  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 

We probably all know that Peter denied that he knew Jesus three times. After His resurrection, Jesus addressed this by asking Peter if he truly loved Him. three times. 

Peter was grieved but his sin had to be addressed. Jesus' specific instruction to Peter was to "Feed my sheep." 

This brings us to the epistles of First and Second Peter. The apostle was filled with the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, and he was used greatly of the Lord, to advance His kingdom. 

Peter did indeed feed Christ's sheep, as these two letters demonstrate.

Peter's gracious greeting to all the churches.

1 Peter 1:1-2  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2)  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 

Peter declared who he was. He was an apostle, one of the twelve men sent out by Jesus Christ, to proclaim the gospel to all nations (See Matthew 28:18-20). 

Peter's audience is to the "strangers" scattered throughout the Roman provinces. 

We need to ask the question "Who are the strangers Peter is writing to?"

We need to look back in the book of Acts, to understand why "strangers" were scattered throughout the Roman provinces. 

Saul viciously persecuted the church of Jesus Christ. 

Acts 8:1-4  And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2)  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3)  As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4)  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. 

The intense persecution of Christ's church by Saul was used by God to further advance His kingdom. 

Stephen was martyred and Saul gave his consent to stoning this faithful witness for Christ. 

Saul broke into suspected Christian homes and put many believers in Christ, into prison. Therefore, Jewish families began to flee Jerusalem. 

Yet, God's mighty hand is evident. Notice that everywhere the fleeing disciples traveled, they preached the Word. 

James 1:1  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

The word "strangers" refers to Jews who had to flee Jerusalem, because of persecution instigated by Saul of Tarsus. 

James also wrote to the twelve tribes of Israel, who had been driven out of the holy city. 

This reminds us that the time may come when we will be hunted down for our faith in Jesus Christ. 

The word "strangers" also refers to Jews who had settled long ago, in far away places. 

For example, some Jews still lived in Babylon, and traced their history back to the 70 years of captivity in that city, of the inhabitants of Judah. 

On the day of Pentecost, Jews came to Jerusalem from 18 different parts of the Roman empire. They came to observe the special Sabbath that was kept, 50 days after Passover was observed (See Acts 2:5-11).

Thus, one group of strangers were Jews driven out of Jerusalem by Saul's persecution. Another group were those who had made permanent residence in other Roman provinces. 

However, there is a third group that is included by the word "strangers", and that would be Gentiles who lived within the jurisdiction of Rome. 

Strangers includes all who live by faith in Christ Jesus. 

Hebrews 11:13-16  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14)  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15)  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16)  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 

The word translated "strangers" is only used 3 times in the Bible. It metaphorically refers to heaven as the Christian's native country or homeland, and that we live this life on earth as a temporary resident.  

Thus, the believer in Christ lives as a stranger in this earth. We are making a pilgrimage toward heaven, day by day as we walk with the Lord. 

Our journey through this life will be over when Jesus comes for His church at the rapture, or when He calls us home to heaven, via death. 

As strangers and pilgrims on earth, we are to tell others where we are headed (Heaven) and how they may also go there with us, by sharing the gospel of Christ.

We are strangers traveling through this life toward a better country, a better city and a better life prepared for us by God (See also John 14:1-6). 

Thus, Peter is writing to Jews who had been scattered abroad, Jews who simply live in other provinces and to Gentile Christians. His words make it clear that he includes Gentile Christians in the scope of his writing (See 1 Peter 2:10; 4:3).

The scope of truth communicated by Peter to us. 

1 Peter 1:1-2  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2)  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Peter begins this letter by reminding all Christians, that God is vast and infinite. God alone, knows the beginning of history from Creation, until the final judgment is completed.

God knows every single person throughout all of human history. who will hear the gospel and turn to Christ in repentant faith. 

Thus, God can call us His elect, who are chosen by Him for salvation. 

This does not mean that God elects some sinners to salvation and some to eternal condemnation. 

If God elected some to salvation and some to damnation, He would be no different than the Roman or Greek gods.

Election simply means that the Omniscient God of eternity, knowing the beginning and the end of all things, made our choice to obey the call of the gospel, sure and secure. 

He looked through all history, saw the day when I called upon the Lord to save me, and His foreknowledge made my choice secure. 

Remember, God is not willing that any man, woman or child should perish and go to hell. His will is that all men might be saved (See 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4).

There is no foreknowledge, any more than after-knowledge, with God. All things are known to Him as present, from eternity to eternity. 

Election, in the Biblical sense, is God’s doing that which our merit or power has no part in.  

The true predestination of God is, he that believeth shall be saved from the guilt and power of sin (See John 3:15-18).

He that endures to the end shall be saved eternally (See Matthew 10:22).

John 1:12-13  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13)  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

They who receive the precious gift of faith, thereby become the sons (or daughters) of God. 

Children of God are to live as a stranger in this world, not putting down deep roots here, but looking always to heaven, for our hope and security.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18)  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Children of God are called to live a separated life for the glory of God. We are not to live like the world lives. 

In fact, John tells us that if we love the world then the love of the Father is not in us.  

Christians are called to live a distinctively God oriented life, and to be light and salt as Jesus commanded. 

Romans 8:14-17  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15)  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16)  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17)  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 

Being sons, they shall receive the Spirit of holiness, to walk as Christ also walked. 

Thus, Peter's opening words capture the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost that Paul spoke about. 

Peter had the words of Jesus to Nicodemus in his thoughts: "Ye must be born again."

Peter had his mind full of the glorious salvation provision of God through faith in Christ: "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." 

A new life in Christ because of His atoning work. 

1 Peter 1:2  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 

Atonement is a theological word that includes two other theological terms. 

"Expiation" is a word that means taking something away, or removing something from us. Biblically, it means taking away the guilt and penalty of our sins. 

It refers to the work of Jesus Christ on the cross to save us. He is the "Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world" (See John 1:29). Jesus died for us because the wages of sin is death. 

"Propitiation" is a word that means to be reconciled and restored, because the Father is satisfied with the sacrifice of His Son on the cross.  

Propitiation means that God is now "for us" rather than against us (See Romans 8:31-32). He sees the blood of His Son, and that Jesus suffered in our place, and He is pleased. 

Atonement means that a sacrifice is required and innocent blood must be shed, in order to take our sins away. Jesus did this on the cross.

Atonement means the Father is satisfied with all that Jesus did as our substitute on the cross. 

Thus, Jesus rose from the grave and ascended to His Father, and He ever lives to intercede and save us to the uttermost. 

You see these theological truths woven into Peter's message to us. 

"Grace unto you." Grace is God giving us something we do not deserve and that we cannot earn: eternal life through repentant faith in Christ. 

Why is the Father extending grace to us? Because He is satisfied with the sacrifice of His Son. 

Why is the father merciful to us? He withholds His wrath that we rightly deserve for our sins, because Jesus' expiatory sacrifice took our sins away. 

Thus, the Father is propitiated and now offers grace and mercy and peace to all who hear the gospel of Christ, and believe.

Wonderful words of truth from God through the apostle Peter.

Let us allow these truths to sink into our hearts. Let us determine to live our lives for the glory of God. Let us rejoice in the great salvation we have received.

Bob