Elect Exiles of the Dispersion
1 Peter 1:1-2
1Peter, an
apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles
of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2according
to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit,
for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and
peace be multiplied to you.
One of the truly interesting personalities we find in the
Scriptures is St. Peter. We know many things about his life, based on the Four
Gospels, and the Book of Acts, while at the same time knowing very little.
There reaches a point in his story where all information ceases. Books have
been written about him and his remarkable relationship with Jesus Christ; a relationship most of us envy. Whenever the Twelve Disciples are mentioned, the first
name to appear is “Peter”. And he is always first in the list of those closest to
Jesus, as in “Peter, James, and John”. Those three names roll off of the tongue
almost as one.
In the Gospels, we meet a man who is impetus, emotionally
led sometimes, and utterly faithful to His Savior, Jesus. Well, there would be
that infamous triad of denials during the trials of Jesus just before the
crucifixion, but we all know that ended with Peter’s heartfelt repentance and
ultimate restoration by Jesus after His resurrection. From the Book of Acts, we
learn of Peter’s leadership of the new Christian Church and even of his miracle
working abilities. Peter also underwent some theological transformation regarding
the place of the Gentiles in the center of God’s heart. Scripturally, Peter’s
story ends after his imprisonment and miraculous escape from prison in
Jerusalem. After that he leaves Jerusalem and we hear no more of his story in
the Bible. The rest of what we know of his story is based on tradition and not a
small amount of hearsay. It is generally assumed that he spent many years in
Rome, sharing the Gospel and leading the church there. (Thus his position as
the first “Pope”, impressed upon him by the Catholic Church.) His death has
been the topic of some dispute, although most agree he was martyred by
crucifixion in 64ad and buried in
Rome. Part of that legend also claims he requested to be crucified upside down
so as to not share the same death experience as Jesus, as he did not feel
worthy of that. Again, there is no proof of that, just tradition.
The only actual Biblical writing we have from Peter is found
in 1 and 2 Peter. There are historians who claim Peter was not all that well
educated, which might explain the brevity of his writing. Who knows? In these first two verses, we find an address to believers, especially believers who are
undergoing struggle. In these opening words, we find him using three unusual
terms for these believers. They are “the Elect,
Exiles, of the Dispersion [strangers].”
They are Christians not by chance but
because God loved them enough to seek them out and bring them to faith. They
are strangers in the world, literally
foreigners, people traveling away from their real home, sojourners, aliens.
Since they know they’re just passing through this life, they can put up with a
lot of abuse. They are scattered too.
That word had a special meaning for Jews. Although all Jews believed
passionately in Palestine as their homeland, over the centuries many more had
been driven away or deported than still lived there. Jewish communities were
scattered all over the Roman empire. Christians also felt scattered through the empire, often surrounded by people who
distrusted and feared them.
Jeske,
M. A. ©2002. James, Peter, John, Jude
(p. 68). Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Pub. House.
There is much to be gained from a study of 1 & 2 Peter,
and I hope you embrace the opportunity to go along with me over the next few weeks.
God’s Word always brings about transformation and we shall see what He will do!
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