Acknowledge a Secure Salvation - I Peter 1:1-12

The bible teaches its readers that in the OT days God spoke to his people in many ways, through clouds by day and fire by night, through angels, prophets, dreams, visions and one time at least, through a donkey. It is not uncommon or unusual for some of the big-time TV evangelist to tell us that God spoke to them—and they proceed to explain exactly what God said to them. However, the bible makes it very clear that God speaks to us through his word; that God uses his word to talk to his Children, his church, his bride, to Christians who are able to discern the meaning thereof, and to the unsaved for the purpose of conviction of sin. You must read your bible now or be sorry in the future.

After a few years of bible study, it has become clear that one does not have to talk about God bringing some kind of personalized message. A teacher of the bible just knows that it is best to read the bible first before trying to teach it…or even to understand it as a personal guide. If you will read The Holy Bible, God’s Word to man, with an open mind and a heart that is seeking for truth, God will speak to you on an individual basis. This will never fail…and it is made possible only because His Word answers every question, and gives the proper solution for every problem man can face. One thing for sure that the seeker of truth must remember is that one must read the bible looking for God’s direction—you do not read the bible to find the answer you personally want. The one thing that makes God’s word so enjoyable to read is that you will find that it often tells you what God says to you and you find that it is exactly what you needed to hear. 1 Peter is a wonderful example; it starts from the beginning with blessed assurance of our great inheritance.

This letter starts off with Peter identifying himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ and the author of the letter. I read the letter after preparing the introduction to Peter and I can tell you that the Peter that wrote this letter is not the same Peter that walked away from his fishing boat and nets and followed Christ. Go back and study the introduction. Peter was a sunburned, hard working man that was near to being crude at times; he questioned Christ, argued with him, drew his sword and severed the ear of the guard while in the garden with Christ present and finally denied knowing Jesus. The letter, 1 Peter, was written about thirty years after Christ ascended back to heaven and Peter had been serving Jesus diligently—long enough to mellow in his spirit, and become more experienced in his witness to others. He is the same Peter in flesh and blood—but a new man spiritually in heart and soul. Peter is my hero; learn to know him and you will like him too.

Peter is writing to God’s chosen people in about AD 62 to 65, and he is referring to Christians—both Jew and Gentile—that had chosen to follow Christ while he was on earth teaching and preaching, or shortly thereafter. The persecution of Christians had already started, and he is writing to the ones that had been driven from their homes. They had gone far North of the Jerusalem area into—Cappadocia, which is about 450 miles due north of Jerusalem; and into Galatia, Asia, Bithyna and Pontus—which is about 600 miles North West of Jerusalem. It should be noted that these countries are due east of the cities where Paul established churches, Smyrna and Ephesus and are really closer to these cities than they are to Jerusalem. Note: This is an indication that there may have been more gentiles in these churches than there were Jews.

Peter did not waste any time in shallow water—he said, “I am an apostle, and you are chosen.” It is clear that Peter is talking to gentiles here, because the Jews had always been considered the ‘chosen people of God.’ Not so with the Gentiles. Certain Jews in the past had stated that gentiles were to be the fuel for the fires of hell. Peter makes us feel at home in Christ right from the beginning of his letter. The title “Chosen People” had always belonged to Israel. However, the nation of Israel failed in the purpose that God had for them because they rejected His Son, Jesus Christ, and crucified him.

The parable of the Wicked Husband in [Matt. 21, Mark 12 and Luke 20: 16] is a picture that shows us that the inheritance of Israel was to be taken from them and given to others. This is the basis that Paul used in Galatians 6:16 when he tells us that the Christian Church is the ‘new Israel” and/or the ‘true Israel. This is so important! Peter, in those three words…”You are chosen” tells us that all the privileges—and responsibilities—that at one time belonged to Israel [His chosen people] now belongs to us…”We are his chosen people.”

Peter calls these people “The elect strangers…scattered,” which means they have recently arrived in these new countries. Now the interesting thing that you should not miss, is that the word “scattered” comes from the word “Diaspora” which means “dispersion” and this is the technical name that was used for Jews that had been scattered in exile into all the different countries that captured them out of the Palestinian world. I am trying to show you that there are deep and inclusive meanings in these first few words in this letter. As Christian people that followed Christ and his disciples were looked down on by Israel…so we who have maintained or faith and walk in Christ are now the Chosen People. We have things so easy…but our forefathers that Peter is talking to here were persecuted and even driven from their homes and scattered into these countries that he names here in the first verses.

Let me remind you again that this letter is being written only five or six years before the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70. Nero was in power and the persecution of Christians had intensified. Peter saw this coming and was warning his people. However, there were more problems than old Nero; many of the Jews did not accept Christians and would drive them from their homes. If they resisted, they were hunted down and destroyed. Remember that is what Saul [Paul] was doing the day he met God on the road to Damascus. I suppose Saul was probably the greatest enemy of new Christians in his day and he had the backing of the government; employed and paid by officials.

At this time in history, and under Roman law, the head of the household always had absolute authority over the women and children of the family. It was common for the wife and children to become Christians and the husband [head of the household] would remain pagan and become abusive—even send them away…and they had no place to go in those days…the Church was their only hope.

No doubt, Peter was writing to new Christians, maybe some that were planning to join a church group and be baptized. He is trying to encourage them as well as warn them of impending hardship. This is what makes the letter relevant to Christians throughout the world today. We are fortunate in America, but there are many new Christians that face hardships when they follow Christ. A speaker just recently told our church about the horrible experiences his family encountered when the KGB found that they had a bible hidden away where they studied in secret. So far—our government has not interfered—thanks be unto God…but none of us are exempt from trials and tribulations of growing old, being ill, being caught up in a tornado, or involved in an auto accident. Our trials just like persecution, causes us to need God’s grace and assurances. For us—as we face our problems…Peter’s message to us brings hope. Stop! Think for one moment. What would your life be without HOPE?

Sometimes it is difficult to explain how something…anything can be both harmful and beneficial. The persecution and dispersion of new Christians is a case in point. It seems harsh and unfair for some to be run out of town because they followed Christ. That is harmful, yes. But, it was also beneficial, because they scattered into communities all over the known world taking the gospel into new areas that otherwise would have never been reached. So, we see that persecution did not stop the spread of the gospel as the enemy thought it would—instead; it introduced the gospel into new empires that did not have the Word. Think about it. Our trials strengthen our faith—this is the good side.

Peter was an encouragement to his readers in his day, but even more important he gives us encouragement by reminding us that we are also His chosen people. And Peter emphatically says that no persecution or none of our trials can take away the salvation that Christ has given those that believe on him. Peter included the work of the God head in the second verse. Then he explains the work of the trinity—and how they work together to bring about our salvation. 1] The Father chose us before we chose him [Eph. 1: 4]. While we were still sinners—Christ died for us [Rom. 5:6-10]. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are sanctified or set apart to enjoy the benefits of our salvation [2 Thes. 2:13].

In verse three Peter refers to the new birth and he is talking about being the spiritual birth. Just as John told Nicodemus in [John 3] you must be born again. It is only through the mercy of our Lord and Savior that we are provided a plan of salvation. Peter makes it plain that we can not purchase this great salvation…Christ gave it to us, once and for all, and it came through his death, burial and resurrection. People, our hereafter depends upon Christ and him crucified…without Jesus and the cross there is no salvation—and without his resurrection we are doomed to an eternity of darkness.

Just to say that you believe in God is only one third of the necessity…you must believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Just to say that you believe in Jesus is not enough…you must believe that he was the Son of God, that he came to this earth and lived as a man, that he died a horrible death on the cross, was buried and that He arose from the tomb, and was seen by many witnesses, and then ascended back to the right hand of God where he is now our intercessor…he is our high priest, our judge and jury. Believe anything less and it is not enough.

In verses three to six Peter gives us our assurance and encouragement. Do you ever need encouragement? In these verses we find joy and hope in time of trouble and despair. He says that our confidence is based on what God the Father has done for us through his son, Christ Jesus. Look, he calls us into a living hope of eternal life. This is not a blind hope for something later—it is for the future—but it begins the moment we trust Christ as savior. Just think! No matter what your present condition is…no matter how bad you hurt…no matter how sad you feel…no matter what trial we face in this life—we know that it is not our final experience. As the old Stamps Baxter favorite explains it “No more sorrow and no more strife—I’ll have a new body. I’ll have a new life.”
Look at verse four and compare with Numbers 32: 19. The Israelites longed for their promised land of milk and honey in Canaan. Because of the continued sin in their lives they always remained one step away from their promised goal. Born again Christians can now look forward to our inheritance in that eternal city because the sin in our lives has been paid for…bought…redeemed by His blood. Who is going? This is the best part! You have this inheritance if you have trusted Christ as Savior.
Some of you may not have known that Peter is one of the strongest advocates of “the security of the believer.” True Christians do not have to be carried out their back door in search of security, praying for a hiding place among the rocks or in the caves of some mountain. No. Christians will be ushered out their front door into eternal glory, a house not made with hands. God will help us remain faithful through all our trials—no matter what tomorrow brings, no matter how difficult times may be. In verse five—Peter talks about the “last time” and he is referring to the judgment day of Christ which is described in Revelation 20: 11-15. We may face some hard time, bad health, and for sure death itself—but our souls cannot be harmed. We will receive our promised rewards!

In v. six—he tells us and them, that we should greatly rejoice in our unfailing promises—even though we have had some problems along the way. WHY DO CHRISTIANS SUFFER? It is so simple, read it in v. seven. “These [trials, illness, pain, disappointments, rejections, wayward children] have come so that your faith may be proved genuine, and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Your faith is worth more than Gold. So, what is faith? You have heard it said that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” Here in verse 8, is a simple explanation. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” How do we know? V. 9 says “for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.’

VS 10-12—God revealed to the OT prophets that he would send a messiah that would die for his people, so they knew enough to speak of the grace that was to come. They accepted and taught that salvation would then be by grace and not of the law. The prophets searched intently, and with great care, to find the time, place, and all circumstances surrounding the life, death and resurrection of Christ. Although the complete plan of salvation was still somewhat of a mystery to the OT prophets, they still suffered persecution, and some even died for God.

In contrast, some of the Jewish Christians who read Peter’s letter had seen Jesus for themselves and knew why he came, what he did, when he died and that he arose. Therefore these Jews based their assurance on Jesus and the cross. With their first hand knowledge of salvation by grace through faith…their faith could and should be even stronger than the OT prophets. Peter is urging them to keep the faith…to remain strong in times of suffering and even die for God as some of their ancestors had done…even though they [ancestors] did not understand God’s plan fully. Amen.