1 Peter 1:1; Acts 2:5-13; Intro. to 1 Peter (2)

Several themes are prominent in Peter’s first letter: hope, submission and suffering will certainly be strong subjects.  But as noted, Peter states the theme: the true grace of God in which you stand (1 Pt. 5:12).  Through our trials the pressure can mount to turn away from Christ, to take all manner of short-cuts or diversions rather than staying the path and standing our ground.  Thus Peter will remind them …

·        They are strangers or pilgrims in this world.

·        Not to return to the old life.

·        To hope in Christ.

·        And thus to live strong, submissive lives.

Here is an outline that might be helpful as you (we hope) take some time to read through the entire letter (perhaps more than once). 

I.       The pilgrim's position (standing), 1:1-2:10.

   A. Teaching, 1:1-12 (God's elect have hope).

   B. Living, 1:13-2:3 (God's elect live in hope).

   C. Teaching, 2:4-10 (God's elect have purpose).

II.    The pilgrim's practice, 2:11-5:14.

   A. Teaching, 2:11-12 (live honorably in the world)

   B. Living, 2:13-5:14

      1. Testimony before government, 2:13-17.

      2. Testimony at work, 2:18-25.

      3. Testimony at home, 3:1-7.

      4. Testimony in society, 3:8-4:6.

      5. Testimony in the Church, 4:7-5:4.

      6. Testimony in general, 5:5-14.

Let us consider the people to whom Peter has written this letter.  According to 1 Pt. 1:1 they are pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.  They were Jews who lived outside of Israel.  In today’s reading from Acts you should have noticed that there were people from their part of the world in Jerusalem for Pentecost who heard Peter preach on that eventful day.  On that day they heard the Gospel, what men must do to come to God through Jesus; he called them to receive the grace of God.  Peter now is writing to encourage and exhort believers to stand and walk in that same grace of God.

It is interesting to look at the map.  Find Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia and Bithynia.  You will note these are the very areas where the Lord would not allow Paul to go (Acts 16:6-8).  But Peter had likely been there and had a ministry with and a love for the Jewish Christians in that area.

I have also put a list from 1 Peter of the different titles Peter used for believers.  I found it a joy for meditation.

Titles applied to believers by Peter: 1.  1:1: pilgrims. 2.  1:2: elect. 3.  1:14: obedient children. 4.  1:22: brethren. 5.  2:2: newborn babes. 6.  2:5: living stones. 7.  2:5: holy priesthood. 8.  2:9: chosen generation. 9.  2:9: royal priesthood. 10.         2:9: holy nation. 11.         2:9: His own special people. 12.         2:10: people of God. 13.         2:11: sojourners. 14.         2:16: bondservants of God. 15.         2:25: sheep. 16.         3:12: the righteous. 17.         3:13: followers of the good. 18.         4:10: good stewards. 19.         4:12: beloved. 20.         4:13: partakers of Christ's suffering. 21.         4:16: Christian. 22.         4:17: house of God. 23.         5:2: flock of God. 24.         5:9: brotherhood. 25.         5:14: all who are in Christ Jesus.