1 Peter 1:1-5

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

A Description of the Believer’s Position in Christ

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BACKGROUND NOTES

DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

Believers are elect and sanctified and sprinkled. (1 Peter 1:2)

Believers are born again to a living hope. (1 Peter 1:3)

Believers have received an eternal inheritance. (1 Peter 1:4)

Believers are preserved by the power of God. (1 Peter 1:5)

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Let the doctrine of election make you more grateful.

QUESTIONS

Name the three parts of the salutation of Peter’s letter. See Peter 1:1-2.

Who were the recipients of this letter?

What is a positive result of the persecution and scattering of believers? (Then and today)

How did Peter greet his readers? How does this greeting apply to believers today?

Each of the four doctrinal points has to do with the believer’s spiritual position in Christ. Review the four doctrinal points.

ANSWERS

The author, the recipients and the greeting.

The recipients of this epistle were known as pilgrims or sojourners of the Dispersion. They were primarily Jewish Christians who were scattered throughout the provinces of the Roman Empire.

When believers are persecuted and scattered, they come in contact with many people. As the Lord strengthens them in times of persecution they preach the gospel and the Christian community grows in numbers.

“Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” (1 Peter 1:2) To have God’s grace and peace multiplied in the believer’s life is something that money cannot buy. It is the greatest blessing that you can receive. That’s what the apostle Peter wanted for his readers, and that’s what God wants for believers today.

Believers a. are elect and sanctified and sprinkled, b. are born again to a living hope, c. have received an eternal inheritance, and d. are preserved by the power of God.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

Refer to 1 Peter 1:2 and your doctrinal / teaching notes on the tape. Believers are elect and sanctified and sprinkled. Define and/or describe each of these doctrinal points. What is the believer’s responsibility in sanctification? By Whom are believers elect and sanctified and sprinkled?

Believers are born again to a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). Our salvation is not a reward for good works. We were spiritually dead, but through faith we have been born again (made alive, have new life, experience life in the family of God). This living hope rests on the solid foundation of the literal resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Because our Lord lives forever, we will live forever as well. Meditate on this great blessing. How do you express your gratitude for such a great blessing?

Contrast earthly and eternal inheritances.

Not only is our inheritance preserved in heaven for us, but we are also preserved for the inheritance. The security of our salvation is based on the power of God. What affect does this fact have upon you, both in your mental acceptance of it and your actions because of it?

CHALLENGE

As a believer, the doctrine of election should be comforting to you. You were chosen to be one of God’s children! Remember, it is only by the grace of God that you are saved. Praise Him for such love and grace!

KEY VERSES

“…elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter 1:2

“Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” 1 Peter 1:2

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5