"chosen": The Elements Of Election Series

1 Peter 1:1–2. 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 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. (ESV)

This week began a new chapter in American history. Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United states on Wednesday, under the highest security ever for an inauguration. The security was called for after the recent storming of the capital building by protestors. The Washington Post, and other news sources reported that over 70% of Republicans said they agreed with the former president’s contention that he received more votes than Joe Biden. All in all, this is one of the most disputed elections in American history.

Even though it is the starting point of redemptive history, it may seem startling to begin an epistle with reference to the doctrine of election, yet that is exactly what the apostle Peter does (cf. Eph. 1:1–5 and Titus 1:1–2, where Paul begins the same way). And he does so unhesitatingly, after the opening identifications, with the phrase who are elect/chosen (v. 1). He thus opens his letter by writing of one of the most controversial and hated doctrines and doing so with no self-consciousness, no apology, no effort to mitigate, and no explanation of or deferral to opposing arguments. He states this truth of sovereign election for what it is, a reality recognized and believed among the apostles and in the church. Peter’s salutation contains both a penetrating description of the audience and a theological explanation of how they became Christians (McKnight, S. (1996). 1 Peter (p. 43). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

Understanding how people become Christians is not only fundamental to the Gospel, but it is central for our identity and message. If we think that we can force someone to believe, make them change their actions or take control of every situation of our lives, then we set ourselves up for frustration and failure. If, however, we have confidence in God, His sovereignty, the power of His message and are faithful to His way of salvation, then we not only are directed to faithful action, but we can rest assured that doing things His way, will achieve His ends in His time, for His glory.

Peter unfolds the theological and practical implications of divine election under seven headings: The 1) Condition (1 Peter 1:1a), 2) Nature (1 Peter 1:1b), 3) Source (1 Peter 1:2a), 4) Sphere (1 Peter 1:2b), 5) Effect(1 Peter 1:2c), 6) Security (1 Peter 1:2d), and 7) The Advantages of Election (1 Peter 1:2e).

Believers can give praise to the sovereign God of the universe as seen from:

1) The Condition of Election (1 Peter 1:1a)

1 Peter 1:1a. 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect (exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia)

Peter, the author, who wrote the exact words as directed by the Holy Spirt, identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Other New Testament authors also identify Peter as an apostle and furthermore, by placing his name at the head of each list of Jesus’ apostles (Matt. 10:2; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13), emphasize that he was the leader of the Twelve. It is clear whom the title indicates, none other than Simon son of Jonah, from the village of Bethsaida in the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee (John 1:44), whom Jesus called early in his ministry to be one of his disciples (Mark 1:16–18) and later named an apostle (Mark 3:13–19). Jesus himself had given him the nickname Peter (Cephas in its Aramaic form) or rock, which soon became better known than his given name (John 1:42; Matt. 16:17–18). (Davids, P. H. (1990). The First Epistle of Peter (p. 45). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.) Most theologians agree that it was written near the end of Peter’s life. Probably he wrote from Rome, just before his martyrdom under Nero around A.D. 64. (Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher’s commentary (p. 1027). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

As spiritual aliens, the most important thing for Peter’s readers was not their relationship to earth but their relationship to heaven. Understanding that truth, Peter identifies his audience as those who are elect/ chosen (eklektos). Specifically, he wrote to believers living in what is now northern Turkey, some five hundred to eight hundred miles from the hometown of God’s people and God’s church. They could easily have felt isolated and insignificant. Peter says to these people, “Take courage. Wherever you live geographically, in Christ you are part of God’s elect. He chose you.” (Walls, D., & Anders, M. (1999). I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude (Vol. 11, p. 6). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)