Dear Elect Exiles

Dear Elect Exiles Peter’s Greeting to the Elect Exiles • Peter Identifies Himself: 1. He likely needed no introduction 2. Writing from Rome 3. At the beginning of worsening, state-sanctioned persecution • Elect Exiles 1. “Elect”: very first words after Peter’s introduction 2. “Exiles”: technical term for resident aliens 3. “Dispersion”: used in the Bible for scattered Jewish people. Peter’s Greeting to the Elect Exiles • Putting it Together: Elect Exiles of the Dispersion 1. Some readers were Jewish people, previously scattered and settled in the Roman empire; they became Christians when the gospel came to them (see 1:12). 2. Some readers were persecuted Christians driven from their homelands (see Acts 8); these believers found Christian communities in Asia Minor (where Paul was prevented from going, see Acts 16:6). 3. Some element where Peter applies the idea spiritually – his readers are God’s citizens (2:10) living in strange lands (see 4:1-5) where the concept applies universally. 4. Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bythinia jesuswalk.com/ 1peter/0_intro.htm Peter’s Themes to the Elect Exiles 1. Salvation: 1:3-12; 1:18-20; 2:21-25; past/present/future salvation leads to effectiveness now and blessing later 2. Revelation: 1:10-12; 2:1-2; multiple, long quotes; Peter not only encourages his readers to scour Scripture, but frequently appeals to it as the final authority 3. Personal Holiness: 1:13-16; 2:9-11; 3:1-7; 4:12; 5:9; always in connection to salvation, whether past or present 4. Gospel Proclamation: 2:9; 2:15; 4:5-6; often the culmination of themes woven together 5. Nexus Points: 1:13-25; 2:8-11; 3:13-18; 4:1-6 Peter’s Overall Message 1. Conduct has a Cause: whether looking back at God’s unmerited salvation or looking ahead to His glorious reward, Peter always roots our holiness in God’s saving work. 2. Christian Outlook: Peter’s Christianity demands intense, serious-minded dedication; there is nothing light, pop, curated, therapeutic, or nostalgic about Peter’s appeal. 3. Redeemed Urgency: Peter’s Christianity has no patience for the sin-coddling laziness of mind we too often pass off as non-legalistic Christianity. God has chosen you. Christ is coming with a great reward. The Devil is prowling. Souls need saving.