“Peter, an apostle of Christ Jesus,

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.

This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 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, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not confirm to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartiality, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,

“All people are like grass,

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;

the grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of the Lord ensures forever.”

“And this is the word that was preached to you.”

-1 Peter 1 : 1 - 25

God’s elect - refers to individuals chosen by God for salvation, service and a special relationship with him through Jesus Christ. This is based on God’s foreknowledge of who will freely choose to put their faith and love in Jesus Christ.

Pontus - a roman providence along the Black Sea coast in modern day northern Turkey. Nearly following the modern day providence of Trebizond. Signifies the early, rapid and widespread of Christianity outside of Judea. Notable home of formally Jewish believer (Aquilla) who was a key missionary partner of Paul. Visitors of Pontus were eye witnesses at outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Early Christian church flourished.

Galatia - a roman providence located in the central highlands of Asia Minor corresponding to modern day north central Turkey; including the modern day capital of Ankara. Primary area of evangelism for Paul, who visited there during his first, second and third pilgrimages. Paul established the early churches of Iconium, Lystra, Derbe during his missionary journeys. It serves as the backdrops for Paul’s defense of Salvation through Faith alone, rather than by Jewish Mosaic Law; which was central in defining Christian Freedom.

Cappadocia - a roman providence in central Anatolian region of modern day Turkey. Situated in a high plateau, this region is known for its unique volcanic rock landscapes, underground cities. A key center for early Christianity. Visitors from Cappadocia witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Asia - a roman providence in western costal region of Asia Minor, located in modern day Turkey. Paul focused his second and third missionary evangelism in the region. The location of the seven churches in Revelation were located in this providence (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Early center for the spread of Christianity to both Jews and Greeks.

Bithynia - a roman providence in northwest Asia Minor, in modern day Turkey. In Paul’s second missionary evangelism he attempted to preach in Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit prevented them and directed them to Macedonia instead. Despite Paul not entering; Christianity reached the region.

foreknowledge - God’s divine, proactive and intimate knowledge of future events, people and actions before they occur. Implying a deliberate, loving and sovereign choice by God instead of passive foresight. Closely linked to God’s eternal plan, his intimate and relational care for His believers.

sanctifying - to set someone or something apart for God’s special holy purpose, to make them holy. It involves consecration for God’s use, cleaning them from sin, the progressive lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus Christ in character.

Grace - doing good for someone when there is no reason to do so and every reason not to. The unmerited free gift of God’s love, favor and forgiveness bestowed on humanity, despite it being completely undeserved.

Peace - It is a divine gift from God, rooted in a right relationship with Him and described as a “peace that surpassed all understanding” regardless of circumstances. Jesus Christ is the “Prince of Peace” offering a spiritual, internal and relational tranquility that reconciles brokenness. It is not the absence of conflict, but a profound state of wholeness, safety and restoration known as shalom.

resurrection - the miraculous reversal of death, involving the reunification of a person’s soul with a transformed imperishable physical body. Centered on the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the “firstfruits” and guarantee of future life, signifies the ultimate defeat of death and promises eternal life for all believers.

inheritance - the allotted portion of land, blessings and spiritual legacy passed down through generations, fundamentally representing God’s secure gracious gift to his people. While the old testament focused on the Promised Land, the new testament defined it as the eternal, imperishable inheritance of salvation, heaven, and spiritual blessing received through faith in Jesus Christ.

genuineness - the quality of being authentic, sincere and unhypocritical in faith, love and actions, rooted in a pure heart before God.

perishes - signifies total destruction, ruin, or loss of life, rather than a mere physical death or ongoing torment. It denotes the spiritual consequence of sin — separation from God and loss of eternal life, contrasted with the salvation and eternal life offered through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone.

inexpressible - refers to divine experiences, gifts, or emotions so profound, holy, or overwhelming that they surpass the capacity of human language to describe accurately. It signifies that certain heavenly realities, such as deep joy, or divine mysteries, are beyond human comprehension and verbal expression.

prophets - a spokesperson for God, chosen to deliver divine messages, interpret God’s will and call people to repentance. They are characterized by being full of the Holy Spirit, often acting as intermediaries who challenge social injustice, warn of pending judgement and foretell future events.

Messiah - meaning anointed one refers to Jesus Christ as the prophesied Savior of the world.

Holy Spirit - God’s active, personal presence in the world. Described as the Comforter, Counselor, and Teacher. The Holy Spirit empowers believers, convicts them of sin and distributes to them spiritual gifts. Holy Spirit is the third person in the trinity, co equal with God the Father, and Jesus Christ the Son.

Angels - are created, immortal spiritual beings who serve as God’s messengers, agents and ministers to humanity. They are intelligent and powerful, often appearing in human form and are responsible for delivering messages, protecting the faithful and praising God.

demons - fallen angels who rebelled against God under satan becoming evil spiritual beings. They are described as ‘unclean’ and ‘evil spirits’. They are dedicated to serving the devil and opposing God’s purpose, deceiving people, causing suffering and in some cases possessing human bodies. Warriors for satan.

sober - a state of mental, emotional, and spiritual clarity, vigilance and self control. A sober person is alert to spiritual dangers, keeps their mind fixed on God and avoids being intoxicated in the worlds anxieties, passions or evil influences with the help of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

ignorance - the lack of knowledge, understanding, or awareness, specifically regarding God’s will, laws and spiritual truths. It represents a state of spiritual darkness or in some cases a willful rejection of God’s truth, which can lead to destruction and separation from God.

impartially - the divine attribute and command to treat all people equally, without favoritism, bias, or prejudice based on status, wealth, ethnicity, ect. It signifies God’s just nature (Deuteronomy 10:17) and requires believers to judge righteously, mirroring God’s character by valuing people based on truth rather than outward appearance.

reverent - a profound, humble, and awe-filled respect for God, combing love with a “holy fear” of His majesty and authority. It represents an internal attitude of obedience and honor that influences outward worship, conduct and a deep voluntary submission to God’s holiness, rather than a terrified dread

redeemed - means being brought back from slavery to sin and delivered from its consequences (death, guilt) through the costly sacrifice of Jesus Christy’s blood. It implies restoration, rescue and liberation where Jesus Christ acts as the redeemer to transfer believers from bondage to freedom and ownership in Christ Jesus.

without blemish - signifies perfection, soundness, lack of physical or moral defects. In the old testament it described animals that are flawless for sacrifice. In the new testament it symbolizes the sinless, perfect character of Jesus Christ and the purity required of the church waiting for him to return.

sincere love - agape love - is selfless, action orientated and genuine affection, free of hypocrisy, pretense of hidden agendas. This love mirrors Jesus Christ’s love, sacrifice, prioritizing the well being of others, practicing humility, holding onto truth even when it is difficult.

2-23-26

XII