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1 Peter 1:1<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the pilgrims of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Truth to Learn<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins then this letter, written by the Apostle Peter, is for you.<\/p>\n Behind the Words<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The word translated \u201cpilgrims<\/span>\u201d is parepid\u0113mois<\/span><\/em>, which is a double compound word made up of para<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cbeside, near, or close to,\u201d epi<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cover, upon, or among,\u201d and d\u0113mos<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201ca people.\u201d This word literally refers to someone who has become integrated among a nation of people. Hence, its full meaning is a foreigner who has settled down, however briefly, next to or among the native people.<\/p>\n \u201cDispersion<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek word diasporas<\/span><\/em>, which literally refers to \u201cthe dispersion.\u201d This is the same term used by James in the opening of his letter. It is a specific reference to Jews as they were dispersed throughout the world since the Babylonian captivity.<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Peter opens this letter with a typical salutation indicating, first off, who the letter is from. <\/span>Historically, there never has been any doubt as to who this letter was from. <\/span>The unvarying testimony of history, and the uniform belief of the church, both ascribe this Epistle to Peter. <\/span>Indeed, there is likely no ancient writing whatever of which there is more certainty in regard to its authorship.<\/p>\n Having identified who the letter is from, Peter now identifies who the letter is to. Since the expression \u201cpilgrims of the dispersion<\/span>\u201d refers specifically to Jews, we have to ask ourselves, \u201cWas this letter written to Jews or to Christians?\u201d As you will discover from reading the book of Acts, most early converts to Christianity were Jews. Because of this, many people in the first century, especially Jews, considered Christianity simply a sect of Judaism. 1 Peter 1:3<\/span><\/strong> makes it clear, however, that he is writing to Jews of the dispersion who are also believers in the resurrection of Christ (who \u2026 has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead<\/span>).<\/p>\n The specific Christians Peter is writing to were those who lived in the areas of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. These were all provinces of Asia Minor which are in present day Turkey, the area of the world first evangelized by the Apostle Paul and his associates.<\/p>\n The Greek text actually contains an additional word before parepidemois<\/span><\/em>, which is the word eklektois<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cchosen ones\u201d or \u201cthe elect\u201d. <\/span>Hence, this passage should really read, \u201cto the chosen pilgrims of the dispersion \u2026\u201d <\/span>In order to make the next verse easier to understand, however, the translators moved the word \u201cchosen\u201d to the beginning of the next verse.<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Even though this letter was written nearly two thousand years ago to Jews who had become Christians living in Asia Minor, the truths that Peter teaches in this letter apply to all Christians throughout history, in all parts of the world. This letter is to you, my sister or brother in Christ!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –<\/p>\n <\/span>If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:![\"signature\"](\"..\/..\/signature.gif\")
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