Words Of Truth

First Peter 1:1
A Letter From The Apostle Peter To Scattered Strangers

I. Introduction:

A. In the physical absence of Jesus, the Apostles were sent to teach, convert, and teach those converted even more (Matthew 28:16-20).

1. The teaching of the Apostles was/is the standard (Matthew 10:40, Acts 2:42, and Jude 1:17).
2. Their words were not their own (John 14:22-26, I Corinthians 14:37, and I Thessalonians 4:1-2).

1. It is not that such was always effective (II Corinthians 10:10).
2. The fact is, teaching in person is much better (I Corinthians 11:34 and III John 1:13-14).
3. We see Paul sent evangelists at times when he could not go and teach himself in person (I Corinthians 4:17, I Timothy 1:3-7, and Titus 1:5).
4. With all of that in mind, we should consider the great task being taken to encourage scattered saints in the letter we are about to study through. We should be thankful that letters such as these were written because we benefit greatly from them (II Timothy 3:16-17).

1. Peter met Jesus before he decided to follow Him (John 1:35-42).
2. Peter went from being a fisherman to being a disciple of Christ (Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, and Luke 5:1-11).
3. Peter was from Bethsaida (John 1:44).
4. He was a married man (Matthew 8:14 and I Corinthians 9:5).
5. He was one of three that were sometimes included in certain things the other Apostles were not (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 14:32-42, and Luke 8:49-56).
6. Peter had some notable failures (Matthew 14:22-32, Mark 8:31-38, Mark 14:27-31; 14:66-72, Luke 24:1-12, John 13:6-9, John 18:1-11, and Galatians 2:11-14).
7. Peter was not always confident (Matthew 19:27-30).
8. Yet, Jesus looked to him to be a leader going forward (Luke 22:31-34 and John 21:15-19).

1. Jesus knew Peter (John 2:24-25).
2. Peter is evidence that men can fail badly and turn things around for good (Ezekiel 33:14-16 and II Corinthians 5:17).
3. Something else to think about… Proverbs 24:16

9. Peter was also known as:

1. Simon (Matthew 16:16-17 and Mark 3:16).
2. Cephas, as a pillar among the saints (Galatians 2:9).

1. Being a “stranger” is not a bad thing in this regard (Hebrews 11:8-13).
2. Their physical state of being strangers will also be used by Peter in teaching about their ideal spiritual state (I Peter 2:11-12).
3. Keep in mind that they were non-citizens where they were for there are lessons within lessons on such in this epistle. I.E. obeying laws even in lands you may not be a permanent resident (I Peter 2:13-17).

1. James also wrote to those scattered (James 1:1), but this is different.

1. James wrote to Jews who were scattered which we can tie back to contexts in the second letter to Theophilus (Acts 8:1-4; 11:19).
2. This letter was not written solely to Jewish Christians (I Peter 2:10; cf. Romans 9:24-26 [Hosea 2:23] and Ephesians 2:11-17).
3. Furthermore, during the time of the scattered Jews in Acts 8, the Apostles were in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1). As this letter is written it appears Peter is in Babylon (I Peter 5:13).
4. More concrete than the previous point, Peter is certainly not the Peter of error at the time this letter is written. He is later in life. He is an elder (I Peter 5:1-3). That means that he had matured and was stedfast in faithfulness (I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9).

2. As we go through this epistle, though it is not the same as the earlier saints being scattered, it is evident that they were saints suffering through persecution (I Peter 1:6, I Peter 4:12-13, and I Peter 4:19).
3. Imagine not being in the comfort of your home, being chased by persecutors. How much the more would you need encouragement and reminders of why you keep going forward (I Peter 5:8-10)?

1. Pontus & Cappadocia (Acts 2:5-9).
2. Galatia (I Corinthians 16:1-2, Galatians 1:2-9, and II Timothy 4:10).
3. Asia [said to be western shore; Strong’s # 773] (Acts 2:9, Acts 6:9, Acts 16:6, Acts 19:10, Acts 19:22, Acts 19:26-27, Acts 20:4, Acts 20:16-18, Acts 21:27, Acts 24:18, Acts 27:2, II Corinthians 1:8, II Timothy 1:15, and Revelation 1:4; 1:11).
4. Bithynia (Acts 16:7).