1 Peter 1:1-2 – Christians, God’s chosen people

Peter was one of the 12 apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. According to Matthew 4:18, he together with his brother Andrew, were the earliest of the apostles whom Jesus called while walking by the Sea of Galilee. Both of them responded to the call and left their fishing nets immediately to follow the Lord. We were first introduced to him as Simon but the Lord Jesus then changed his name to Peter, meaning “a stone” or “a rock.” This was probably given in anticipation of what he would become - a solid anchor of the Church. And from a tentative disciple who denied Jesus three times at the Lord’s trial, he became a key figure in the expansion of the Kingdom of God after the Lord’s death, resurrection and ascension. He spent the last decade of his life in Rome, and finally died there.

In the whole of the New Testament, there is only one Peter mentioned and he is none other than the apostle Peter. It is hard to refute that he was the one who wrote two letters to the churches that were circulated to believers, who were scattered throughout the Roman province of Asia Minor or today’s Western Turkey. In reading the letters he had written, we know that the Christians he wrote to were experiencing fiery trial. In this first letter to Christians undergoing severe trials, he sought to encourage them to persevere in the Lord.    

In 1 Peter 1:1, we learn that his letters were sent to believers living in the northern regions of Asia Minor. He specifically called them “… aliens scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia”. Apparently, Peter did not have a particular destination in mind, that’s why he named so many different groups in his opening address. As Peter was an Apostle to the Jews, we would assume that the letters were written to Jews. However, the way he addressed his readers implied that they were Gentiles, rather than Jews. The use of the words “aliens” in 1 Peter 1:1; “ignorance” in verse 14; and the phrase “futile way of life” in verse 18, suggest that he was addressing Gentiles. Furthermore, in 1 Peter 2:9-10, he said that they were “formerly not a people but now the people of God” also suggest that they were Gentiles. For Jews would only see themselves as the people of God.

Peter began his first letter by calling himself an apostle of Jesus Christ. His intention in the opening salutation was to prepare the readers for what he was about to tell them – trials and suffering. He knew that what he was going to talk about would be a very difficult subject, so he began by reminding them of their status in Christ and where their ultimate destination would be. He used the word “aliens” to refer to his readers. This term was deliberate. He wanted to distinguish them from citizens of this world. Aliens are people from another land who temporarily reside with people whom they do not belong to. The natives of the land would also often hold aliens in contempt. In describing them as aliens, Peter wanted them to see their real identity in Christ and to see that earth was just their temporary residence. Should they suffer hardship from those whom they did not belong to, they should know that it was to be expected.

He also referred to his readers as “the chosen”. This was to help them cope with the trials and hard times. He wanted them to know that God engineered that they should be part of God’s eternal will and purpose. In talking about the “foreknowledge of God, the Father”, Peter was saying that according to God’s sovereign will, whatever He knew beforehand wouldha   happen, and would take place. Hence, they were part of God’s sovereign plan. Here, Peter revealed that it was the Holy Spirit Who had separated the chosen ones and set them aside for the special calling. God’s plan was for believers to obey Jesus Christ and experience the forgiveness through the cleansing of His Blood. Notice that in verse 2, Peter made reference to all the three Persons of the Trinity. The apostle then rounded up verse 2 with a prayer wish: for God’s grace or divine favor, and peace to be poured upon His people in the fullest measure. Why? In view of the fiery trials, God’s grace and peace in the fullest measure would be greatly welcomed. 

Like Peter’s readers, we are also called and chosen to be God’s own unique people. In these days of increasing troubles we are also expected to stand out and be identified as God’s set apart people, called to live in obedience to Christ our Lord and Master.