The apostle Peter wrote this epistle around 60 A.D. as a way to console the Christians that were suffering persecution at the hands of nonbelievers. He encouraged them to continue living a life of sanctity and purity despite the troubles that they were going through.
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Recipients of the Letter
This first epistle of Peter is addressed to the several areas throughout Rome where Peter had previously preached during his journeys. The letter specifically mentioned the regions of Bithynia, Asia, Galatia, Pontus and Cappadocia. Peter said that the people in these areas were chosen by God to hear the Word and be saved.
Being Faithful through Suffering
In 1 Peter Chapter 1, Peter explained that it was written in the Scripture for them to suffer and even die for being a true believer. During this time, Christians should be the most faithful by calling on the Lord to see them through. Peter stated that being hurt, cast out, and persecuted should be expected because God said it would happen.
Tests of Faith
Peter also addresses the idea of having one’s faith tested in 1 Peter Chapter 1. Many people were going through tests of faith, but he told them to still rejoice and keep their trust in the power of the Lord. He explained that their belief in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior even though they had not laid eyes on Him was an act of faith. This faith, Peter said, would lead them to salvation and the Spirit of Christ would fill them with joy.
Being Born Again
Peter also mentioned the idea of being born again in 1 Peter Chapter 1. He said that giving one’s life to God and declaring Him your Savior would save one’s soul. This type of rebirth, according to Peter, meant receiving the holy word with an open mind and heart which would allow the power of the Lord to enter the body and fill it with the spirit.
1 Peter 1 (King James Version)
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 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.
3 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,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 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:
8 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:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 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.
12 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.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.