1 Peter 1:1-2 Lesson Notes

Lesson Notes: 1 Peter 1:1-2 (NIV based)

BACKGROUND: For those of you who have a study Bible, summarize what it says about the background for the writing of this Book of 1 Peter.

What is a good theme for the Book of 1 Peter?

- - Called to Endure Suffering (Believers are called by God to endure suffering like Christ did). (v.2:21)

READ: 1 Peter 1:1-2

v.1

What is an "apostle"?

- - "a delegate; an ambassador"; i.e. "a person authorized to act as representative for another". (Strong's #0652; AHD - 'delegate')

Who could be an official "apostle of Jesus Christ" - what were the requirements?

- - Read and evaluate Acts 1:21-22.

- - Notice in Acts 1:15-26 that a replacement for Judas was designated.

- - Read and evaluate 1 Corinthians 15:3-10a.

- - Notice that Paul was an exception to these requirements.

- - Notice there were only 13 men who were personally designated by Jesus in person verbally as His official apostles and having this unique calling, position, and authority (Matthew 10:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:5,8); but there were others (1 Corinthians 15:7) who functioned as apostles even though they did not possess that highest level of official designation directly from Jesus Himself like the 13 did. (Richards p.60)

v.1

What or who are "God's elect"? Develop the answer from verses 1-2.

- - The Greek word for "elect" means to "select", implying those persons selected by God to receive salvation and eternal life. (Strong's #1588)

v.2

- - The elect are those persons "who have been chosen" by God.

- - "Before the creation of the world" God chose persons using His "foreknowledge", absolute knowledge of the future. (Ephesians 1:4-6)

- - "Through the sanctifying work of the Spirit", God set apart His chosen ones for His sacred purposes.

- - God has purposed that His chosen ones would place their faith in and be "obedient to Jesus Christ", the "author and perfecter of the faith". (v.5; Hebrews 12:2; cf. 1 Peter 1:22a)

- - And God has purposed that His chosen ones would have all of their sins washed away or forgiven by the blood Jesus shed when He was sacrificed on the cross to pay the penalty for their sins. (cf. 1:18-19)

Why are God's elect referred to as being "strangers in the world"?

- - see Hebrews 11:13-16; cf. 1 Peter 2:11.

So then, whom is Peter writing to in the Book of 1 Peter?

- - Peter is writing to Hebrew Christians who were "scattered" or dispersed due to persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. (vv.1:1; 4:12-16)

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What happens for all of the people who have not been chosen by God to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation and eternal life?

- - God has ordained that because their sins are not washed away by the blood of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross, they must each pay the penalty for their own sins eternally, in the place of eternal punishment. (Hebrews 9:22)

What reaction do you have upon learning that God has determined that some people are destined to believe and be saved, and all of the other people are destined not to believe and thereby will never be saved - ever?

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MAIN POINT: What would you say is the main point in these verses?

IMPORTANT SUB-POINTS: What are some other important points God is making here in these verses?

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APPLICATIONS: What applications can you think of for how we should respond to the concepts in these verses?

PERSONALIZED APPLICATIONS: From these verses, what do you think God wants you to learn, or know, or remember, or put into effect in your life? How are you going to do that?

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Works Cited:

The American Heritage Dictionary (AHD). 3rd ed., ver. 3.6a (CD-ROM). Cambridge, MA: SoftKey International Inc., 1994.

Bible. “The Holy Bible: New International Version.” The Bible Library CD-ROM. Oklahoma City, OK: Ellis Enterprises, 1988.

Richards, Lawrence O. Zondervan Expository Dictionary of Bible Words. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1985.

“Strong's Greek Dictionary.” The Bible Library CD-ROM. Oklahoma City, OK: Ellis Enterprises, 1988.

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Copyrights:

Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®

Copyright © 2014 Mel W. Coddington, and permission is hereby granted that this document may be used, copied, and distributed non-commercially to non-profit organizations, individuals, churches, ministries, and schools worldwide, provided the copies are distributed at no charge and retain this sources documentation as supplied herein. This document is not for sale, resale, or for use as a gift or premium to be offered in connection with solicitations or contributions.

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Updated: December 15, 2016