Strangers in the World

1 Peter 1:1–12 NKJV

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

Peter Is writing to diaspora these are Jews who are now converted believers who are no longer in the land of palatine. Due to persecution they settled throughout the Roman Empire to Asia Minor. The area we know as Turkey. so Peter is writing to strangers Aliens,

Peter the Rock man! Peter had been persecuted in prisoned He knew what it was to suffer for Christ at this point.

vs 2 Peter plunges us to deep doctrinal waters. the foreknowledge of God the Father

sanitifcation of the Spirit

the sprinkling of the blood of Christ.

the Bible is full of the doctrine of the Trinity.

if Jesus would’ve mentioned Himself very explicitly that He is God we wouldn’t know about this glorious doctrine of the Trinity

the Father foreknew them therefore he elected them.

the Holy Spirit sancifies us

and Jesus Obedience and sprinkling of blood establishes the new covenant.

vs 2

GROUP DISCUSSION. Tell of a time when you felt out of place—like a stranger who did not belong.

PERSONAL REFLECTION. If you knew you were about to enter a difficult set of circumstances that would test your faith, how would you prepare yourself?

1. Imagine you are one of the early Christians receiving Peter’s letter. After studying this opening section, what would motivate you to keep reading?

2. Study Peter’s description of the people who were about to receive his letter (vv. 1–2). How does his description of them help explain why they were “strangers in the world”?

3. How does the introduction to Peter’s letter help you appreciate the three persons of God?

4. Peter says that God has given his people “new birth.” What does he say grows out of that new birth (vv. 3–5)?

5. Peter says in verse 6, “Now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” If you were to hear that kind of message, what information in this paragraph might help you through the suffering (vv. 3–9)?

6. How does the future as Peter describes it here offer you hope in your own setting?

7. What did Peter believe to be true of genuine faith (vv. 7–9)?

8. Peter complimented his readers because they believed in Jesus and loved him—even though they had not seen him (v. 8). What questions do you think people today have to cope with because they have not personally seen Jesus?

9. When have you seen Jesus (through a person or event) in a way that increased your faith?

10. By what different routes did news of salvation come to the readers of Peter’s letter (vv. 10–12)?

11. In what ways are Christians special—even when compared to Old Testament prophets and angels?

12. Peter refers to new birth, or salvation, throughout this passage as a central difference between Christians and the world. What tensions have you experienced because of this difference?

13. How does God’s gift of salvation help you cope with these tensions?