1 Peter 1:1 says, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Peter identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. We need to remember that this was after Peter had denied Jesus and was restored to Him after His arrest, death burial and resurrection. We have likewise denied Jesus at one time, but the important fact is whether we then accept Him as our Savior and Lord. Peter addressed his letter to many different churches, whereas Paul addressed his to a particular church usually. Verse two adds, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Peter then listed the qualifications for being an apostle or a disciple of Christ. God knew before creation that a way of salvation would be needed, and He knew the only acceptable way would come through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and for each individual to accept His sacrifice by faith. Then, that person would be sanctified to God and have peace multiplied to him or her. Verse three continues, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Peter said that this was done for the glory of God, since it was by His abundant mercy and grace that salvation was and is made available. Verse four states, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Peter told them and tells us that the inheritance that we have through Jesus Christ is incorruptible, undefiled and will never fade away. This inheritance is not in this life but waits for using heaven. Verse five adds, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Peter also told followers of Christ in that day as well as those today that salvation is kept by the power of God. Nothing can ever take away our salvation. Verse six continues, Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: Peter also said that they were to greatly rejoice, even if they were in heaviness because of manifold temptations. Temptations are nothing new for Christians, but we can rejoice because through faith in Jesus Christ, we can overcome them all. Verse seven says, That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Peter also said that trials would come to our faith, which is worth so much more than silver and gold, even if that faith is tried but fire. Peter added that the reward for faithfulness would come at the return of Jesus Christ, and He most certainly will return. Verse eight adds, Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Though Peter had seen Jesus Christ in the flesh, those he was writing to had not, and yet they believed in Him. This is true for every believer in Jesus Christ today. Peter said they loved Jesus Christ with an unspeakable joy, and were full of His glory, and so should we also be today. Verse nine continues, Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. The end of faith in Jesus Christ then and now is the salvation of our soul. Verse ten states, Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Peter said this salvation was nothing new but had been inquired about and searched for diligently by the prophets and they had prophesied about salvation which would come through the grace of God. Salvation can never be earned, but always has been and always will be a free gift by the grace of God. Verse eleven adds, Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Peter said that the Spirit of Christ was in the prophets even before He came in human form to be sacrificed for the sins of all people for all time. Verse twelve continues, Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Peter said that this was not revealed to the prophets simply for their good, but for the good of those who came after them. This Peter said was reported by those who preached the gospel through the leadership of the Holy Ghost. We today have that same gospel to preach and the same Holy Spirit to enable us to do so.
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