1 Pt. 1:2; John 16:8-11; Heb. 9:19-23; Intro. to I Peter (4)

We want to suggest one additional thought concerning elect according to the foreknowledge of God.  This thought comes from remembering the people to whom Peter addresses his letter: the pilgrims of the dispersion.  As we have noted these were Jewish believers in Christ.  They were what Paul called a remnant according to the election of grace (Rom. 11:5; note that Paul said those words in a similar context, speaking of Jewish believers).  With this background consider what Peter says in v2.

ü This idea that Christians of Jewish descent (national Israel) came to be the remnant according to grace is certainly a matter of God’s foreknowledge.  Perhaps we are to understand that what God knew was that His plan of salvation would involve a chosen Nation, the failure of that Nation to receive their Messiah, the Messiah suffering even the death of the cross, the era of the Church when the gospel would be preached in the nations, and the eventual salvation of the Nation when their Messiah would return in glory.  God knew this all the time.  But …

o   Israel did not understand it (Jn. 12:39-41).

o   The great thinkers of this world did not understand it (1 Cor. 2:8).

o   John the Baptist did not understand it (Lk. 7:18-23).

o   The angels in heaven did not understand it (1 Peter 1:12; Eph. 3:10).

o   The prophets did not understand it (1 Peter 1:10-11).

No one understood these things but God; this was the mystery of God, the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (Eph. 3:11).  The Apostles of Jesus did knew it (1 Peter 1:12; Eph. 3:1-3) and they declared it, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles (Nations).  

ü In v2 Peter indicates that this election was applied to the pilgrims in two means.

o   In sanctification of the Spirit.  The work of the Holy Spirit is essential for setting apart for God those He has chosen.  To the Jews this is a reference to the New Covenant that the Old Testament prophets promised (e.g. Jer. 31:31-34; Joel 3:28; Ezek. 39:29).  Note how the New Testament emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit in the entire process of coming to Christ (this applies to all who believe whether of Jewish background or from the Nations).

§  Ac. 1:8: the Holy Spirit empowers the witness.

§  Jn. 16:8-11: the Holy Spirit convicts the unbeliever.

§  Jn. 3:5-8: the Holy Spirit regenerates the believer.

§  1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 11:15-18: the Holy Spirit baptizes (immerses) the believer in the body of Christ.

o   For obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.  This tells us that God’s choice required the obedience of Christ and the sprinkling of His blood in the tabernacle of heaven.  Read Heb. 12:24 and 9:19-23 in this.  It is interesting that this is a picture that these people of Jewish origins could understand; it fits the context perfectly.

Note one more thing about what Peter has said in 1:2: he repeats it throughout the rest of 1 Peter1 (note the work of the Spirit in 1:10-12 and the work of Christ in 1:19-21).  Perhaps this helps us understand the references to election and foreknowledge in this particular passage.  But more important, it reminds us of what God has done, both before time and in time, that we might be justified in His sight!  This is and must be cause for great joy and praise for all who have trusted Christ.