Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according 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.
(1 Peter 1:1-2 ESV)
In our modern day the art of letter writing has almost become extinct. The ease of communication and even travel has made what was once an necessary and important form of communication more of a luxury or a hobby. Letters were very important and much of the New Testament is made up of letters written to churches instructing them in the Christian Faith.
We learn that Peter is the Author of this letter and that it is written to Christians who were living in Asia Minor, modern day Turkey. This is not just a few empty sentences, but are packed in theological significance.
One key concept is the Trinity. The word Trinity does not appear in the Bible, but the concept of the Trinity is found in many places. Here we see the work of the Trinity in salvation. We see the foreknowledge of the Father. God in his grace has called a special people to be his people! The Westminster Catechism expresses this idea!
- 20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
A. God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a redeemer.
The Sanctification of the Spirit refers to the work of the Spirit in transforming us to be a new creation.
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:9-11 ESV)
It is by the Blood of Christ that we are saved!
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13 ESV)
It is the whole work of Trinity that brings salvation to Christians. It is by this work that we see Grace and Peace come to us!
Application - Understand that God has worked our salvation for us. The Father has chosen you, The Spirit is working in you, and Christ blood has covered your sin.
God Bless!
Pastor Kyle
