The Elect

Easy to relate to Peter

Context

Peter

Stepped out of the boat… walked on water

Saw Jesus transfigured on the mountain in his glory

Asked Jesus to not wash his feet… then to wash his whole body

Cut off the right ear of Malchus

Denied knowing Jesus 3 times

Ran to the tomb with John

Met the risen Lord

A witness of the sufferings of Christ — 5:1

Letter

Likely written in the 60’s

Likely written from Rome — based on Mark’s presence there

Reasoning

Every chapter speaks of suffering and persecution

Historical evidence points to local persecution

Not Empire-wide at this time

Not from the Jewish community (as much)

But from local Gentile unbelievers

Christianity wasn’t illegal, but is was laughing stock of society

Through this letter Peter declares that theres a great reward for perserverance.

And that perserverance is demonstrated by living a Godly life, as good citizens, model slaves, gentle wives, understanding husbands

It’s living in this way that sets our hope above, not on things below.

And it’s THAT hope and THAT trust in God, that gives us the strength to endure anything in this life.

Verse 1

Opening greeting

More than a simple hello!

Theologically rich!

Imagine you walk in the door and I greet you like this!

An apostle of Jesus Christ

Authoritative messenger and interpreter of the gospel

Not advice… but doctrine to be bound under

To the “elect”

In the Greek, the word “chosen” modifies the word “aliens”

chosen aliens

elect exiles / strangers

The word elect means… to have been chosen by God!

If there was ever an elect people of God… it was Israel!

Deuteronomy 14:2 “2 “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

Yet Peter, starts his letter declaring that the church of Jesus Christ… IS the Israel of God, His chosen people

Prophesied by Isaiah… revealed in their time

1 Peter 2:9 “9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Election is not a limiting of God’s grace and mercy, it’s the means of how He SPREADS His grace and mercy!

Not to the neglect of others, but to be a blessing to others… as in God’s promise to Abraham in Gen 12.

“Strangers”

God’s people are pilgrims, sojourners, exiles on the earth

Exiles, not necessarily because they’ve moved from their homeland, but exiles because they suffer for their faith in this WORLD!

Us

Philippians 3:20 “20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”

Hebrews 11:13 “13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”

Hebrews 13:14 “14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.”

We are God’s chosen exiles! His elect!

As God chose Israel unto Himself, so He choses us unto Himself through His Son! Jesus or Lord

John 17:10 “10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine;”

If we are God’s chosen, how should we then live?

As our own? No!

But as unto a Godly life

Verse 2

“Fore-knowledge”

“Sanctifying work of the Spirit”

“To obey Jesus Christ”

Yes

But here in reference to conversion!

Romans 1:5 “5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake,”

Romans 15:18 “18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed,”

1 Peter 1:22 “22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls…”

Conversion involves obedience and submission to the gospel, not just mental ascent

“Be sprinkled with His blood”

Conclusion

Therefore

The Father foreknows

The Spirit sanctifies

The Son cleanses

NASB - “to those who reside as aliens”

ESV - “to those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion”

KJV - “to the strangers scattered throughout”