1 Peter 1:1,2

1 Peter 1:1 ‘Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen'

“Peter” -The Greek form of the Aramaic, “Cephas”. Most say that the name Peter means. stone, or. large, but detached fragment of rock. Thayer defines it as ‘a stone,. ledge, or cliff' (p. 507). The reader should note that there is. difference in the meanings between ‘rock' and ‘Peter' in Matthew 16:18. The word ‘rock' means. massive rock, the name ‘Peter' means. large, but detached stone. The ‘rock' which the Church was founded upon is the truth that Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus had given Simon the name Peter, probably indicating Peter's character, ‘hard, staunch, unyielding, rock-like' (Oberst p. 41)

“Apostle of Jesus Christ” -‘..simply “an” apostle, not the prince of the apostles, he claims no superiority over the rest.' [Note: Pulpit Commentary,. Peter, p. 1] An apostle among other apostles. ‘He is one of the twelve, not the one above the other eleven.' [Note: Truth Commentaries,. Peter, Clinton D. Hamilton, p. 3]

POINTS TO NOTE: 1. There is no support for the Roman Catholic concept that Peter was the head apostle or. universal head over the entire Church. In fact, in this very letter he describes himself as an elder, among fellow elders (1 Peter 5:1). Jesus had made it clear that all the apostles were equal (Matthew 23:8). 2. The word “apostle” means, ‘lit., one sent forth' (Vine p. 63). The apostles were ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) sent forth by Jesus Himself (John 13:20; Matthew 10:40; Luke 10:16). To reject an apostle was to reject Jesus. For the apostles spoke the words of Jesus (1 Corinthians 14:37). ‘The letter is to be seen, not as the pious opinions of. well-wishing friend, but as the authoritative word of one who speaks for the Lord.' [Note: The New International Commentary On The New Testament,. Peter, Peter H. Davids, p. 46] 3. We need to impress upon our religious neighbors, especially those involved in groups which claim to be lead by inspired men or modern day apostles. That such. claim isn't innocent. To claim to speak for God, when the opposite is truth is to be. false prophet, which draws from God severe condemnation (Galatians 1:6; 2 Peter 2:1 ff). And those who follow such people end up equally condemned. Your soul is at stake here. Who cares if. group offers you and your family all sorts of activities, who cares if they have lots to do for your teenagers, who cares if other friendly people have joined---if such. group is only following. false prophet to eternal woe. Stress to your friends that in joining such. group means that they are willing to stake their whole eternal destiny on the fact that. certain man or group of men are really speaking for God. Isn't. test in order? Shouldn't such men be required to prove their claims? (Revelation 2:2).. real apostle could work miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12).

“reside as aliens” -a sojourner, an exile. ‘Sojourning in. strange place, away from one's own people.' (Vine, ‘Pilgrim' p. 183) ‘stranger, exile, resident alien-of the Christians, who are not at home in this world.' (Arndt p. 625) (Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11)

“scattered” -DIASPORA-a word which means scattering or dispersion. It had been the word used to refer to the Jewish population scattered outside of Palestine among the Gentiles (John 7:35). In view of the statements in the letter which strongly suggest congregations largely composed of Christians from. Gentile background (1 Peter 2:10; 1 Peter 3:6 ‘become'), the expression refers to Christians scattered among unbelievers. In reference to this world, Christians are sojourners, for our citizenship is in heaven (1 Peter 3:20), and we often find ourselves ‘scattered' and surrounded by non-Christians (Acts 8:4). Macknight suggests that the words might mean, ‘that they lived at. distance from each other in the widely extended regions mentioned in the inscription; and that they were few in number, compared with the idolaters and unbelievers among whom they lived.' (p. 606)

POINT TO NOTE: The word ‘aliens/sojourners/pilgrim' suggests. great truth of which it is too easy to forget. The world, this society is not our home. Therefore, Christians don't have to feel that they are pressured to take advantage of every pleasure in this life, lest they miss out. We just want to get home! Heaven is what we don't want to miss out on (1 Peter 1:4; Romans 8:18). We always need to double check on. daily basis that our heart is tethered to heaven, and not to the things of this world (Matthew 6:19; Colossians 3:1). This also tells us that the Christian should never be ruled by the fads, views, language or fashions of this world. It is God who has truly liberated us from the ‘rat-race'.

“Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia' -See introductory material. Pontus included such cities as Nicomedia and Nicaea or Nice. The latter city was the site of the First Nicene Council of 325 A.D. In 111-112 A.D., the Roman Pliny the Younger became governor of Bithynia, and immediately complained of the Christians in his province-one of the earliest secular references to Christianity. Bithynia was also the traditional southern border between Europe and Asia. Asia would have included the cities Ephesus, Colossae, and Troas, and the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelation Chapter s 2-3.

“who are chosen” -‘lit., signifies picked out, chosen' (Vine p. 21). Please note that the verse asserts that Christians are ‘chosen or elect', but it doesn't tell us ‘how' or the means of this selection.

POINTS TO NOTE: 1. Augustine, Martin Luther and John Calvin all held. doctrine of unconditional election, in which the choice is sovereign and in no way dependent upon anything in man. That is, before the foundation of the world, God chose who would be saved and who would be lost. This choice had nothing to do with the choices that such individuals would make. In addition, this two groups are fixed in precise number. 2. But the above theory contradicts many biblical truths: A. The Scriptures teach that salvation is conditional (Matthew 7:21; Acts 17:30; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Romans 2:6). B. ‘All invitations, promises, warnings, threatenings and admonitions to faithfulness in the Word of God become meaningless and without significance.' [Note: Peter, John and Jude, Guy N. Woods, p. 22] D. It makes God. respector of persons (Acts 10:34). E. It makes God His own worst enemy, i.e. God wants all saved (2 Peter 3:9), yet He has already limited the precise number whom are saved and those who can't be saved. F. It makes many passages in this letter to follow completely meaningless, like 1 Peter 1:17 or 1 Peter 2:10. How could one predestined to salvation have never been one of God's people??

The truth is that God calls everyone through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14; Mark 16:15), this was God's eternal plan (1 Peter 1:2). Those who accept the call become one of the chosen (Matthew 22:14; 1 Peter 2:7), those who reject this offer exclude themselves from being the chosen people (Romans 11:5; Romans 11:20; Romans 11:23). In addition, one can cease to be one of the elect due to their own unfaithfulness. Therefore Peter exhorts us to make this calling and election “sure” (2 Peter 1:10).