Off the Shelf Sunday School--1 Peter
Warren Mueller
Christian Author & Lake Ecosystem Scientist. Manager Environmental Assessments at Ameren (Retired).
Introduction (1:1-2)
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
1. Peter begins with a formal introduction that establishes his credentials and authority by reminding the recipients that he is an apostle.
2. What are credentials for apostles? (Mk 3:14-15; Lk 24:46-49; Heb 3:1;1 Cor 15:3-7).
A. Apostles are appointed by God; they have seen the risen Christ; they are messengers of the gospel and they are pioneers in making converts and planting churches.
3. This letter is for the “elect” of God or born-again Christians. Peter lists the characteristics of Christians.
A. Strangers or aliens in the world. He uses the Greek word parepidemoi which means alien in both sense of nationality and temporary residence.
B. They are scattered among many nations and cultures. When this letter was written, there were Christian Churches in Italy, Greece, Palestine, Asia (modern Turkey) and possibly Parthia (where Bablyon is located).
C. Christians are chosen through foreknowledge of God. This means that God chose those to whom he gives the gift of faith in Jesus before they were born (Eph 1:4, 2:8-9; Rom 8:29-30). Likewise, God created some people who were not chosen for salvation (Rom 9:11-24).
D. Believers are sanctified or made holy by the power and work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells believers who are born-again transforming their minds in order to bring them into obedience and unity with the will of God. (1 Cor 6:19-20; Rom 12:2; Eph 4:11-13).
E. Peter may have had Old Testament sprinkling of blood in mind when he wrote this verse. Sprinkling with blood in OT Israel resulted in cleansing. This brought the person sprinkled under the terms and blessings of a covenant (Ex 24:3-8). Christians are made holy through the blood of Christ sacrificed to pay for sins. (Col 1:19-22)
4. Peter begins this letter by reminding Christians of their identity and of the blessings which are grounded in the grace of God that gives them peace with God. Why does he do this? To enable them to rejoice in times of suffering.
Sr. Pastor at Ingleside Church of the N. T.
3 年A few thoughts. 1. God's foreknowledge of one's salvation was that His salvation was to be through one man His son Jesus Christ. 2. His foreknowledge did not and does not interfere with any human beings free will. That is, He does not pre appoint some to be in hell and some to be in heaven. Each individuals eternal destination is based solely on their decision. And to not make a decision for Christ is a decision. 3. Jesus died for the sin of the whole world. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 4. Every human being will be without an excuse when they stand before God. They certainly will not be able to blame God for their loss. They cannot say "God, you made me this way and I had no choice"