Even Peter? - Study of The Epistles of Peter

Dear Saints,

Even Peter? Do you mean the Peter who often spoke before thinking; the Peter that said Jesus should not die on the cross?; the Peter who could not control his rage and cut off Marcus' ear with the sword? 

Are we talking about the same Peter who denied Jesus at the crucial time, the Peter who abandoned three years of Christ’s grooming as a fisher of men and went back fishing for ordinary fishes? The previously racist Peter who would not even eat with gentile Christians?

Now, let’s come down to our cancel culture of today. We live in a day where you are not allowed to make any mistakes, even in the church, or say things against popular opinion. You are written off, “canceled,” and declared worthless if you do.

Yes, we are studying the Epistle of First Peter. We need to know who wrote the letter and to whom? Yes, it is the same Peter described above. It is Simeon Peter whom Andrew, his brother, brought to meet Jesus for the first time. He is Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.

Friends, without going any further in the study, it says to me that there is great hope and a future for you and me. The power of the Holy Spirit and the Words of Jesus restored Peter to a relationship with the Father. Peter was transformed to accomplish God’s purposes and brought Him glory.

God can and will do the same for us when we, like Peter, surrender our will to the control of the Holy Spirit. Do not abandon your calling to Jesus regardless of how far you may have wandered off to “just catching ordinary fishes,”(the more convenient) instead of what God has for you. 

We can repent and our relationship restored with God. Our Father God is always there to welcome us back like the prodigal son (daughter).

Here is the introductory passage. Please read the entire chapter 1 Peter 1:

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ² elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

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

So who are these pilgrims scattered all over? First, who is a pilgrim? “One who journeys in foreign lands: wayfarer; one who travels to a shrine or holy place as a devotee.” Apostle Peter wrote to the early Christians from Jerusalem who were now “dispersed” to other regions because of persecution and imminent dangers.

Not exactly as a pilgrim but as a civil war refugee, I have experienced leaving your secure home and running for your life. When I was ten years old, we had to run as Biafrans (mostly Igbos) when the Nigerian government refused to grant us our separate nation and butchered/starved to death over two million of our people.

Are you a refuge or a pilgrim? Do you see yourself as a pilgrim? We must consider ourselves as pilgrims in this present world because this is not our home, and we are journeying in a foreign land. When you do not, you start feeling a sense of entitlement and ownership.

The word of God for you today is  “Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” Don’t miss God’s grace and peace today, even in the midst of what is unsettled in you and around you. Pray and ask for it even now. Amen.

Here are a couple of things to note and further investigate:

1. Peter was an “apostle” of Jesus Christ and not just an apostle. Many today call themselves apostles but not apostles of Jesus Christ. Who is an Apostle? It is "one sent on a mission" such as the  twelve apostles. In a sense, we all have been sent by God to salt this world with the love of God and the Gospel.
2. What does it mean to be “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”? This phrase is loaded. Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you” (John 15:16). Foreknowledge? God is all-knowing and knows everything from beginning to end. He knows you and me very well. Allow God to show you who you are.
3. What is “in sanctification of the Spirit”? Only the Spirit can sanctify you and set you and me apart for God’s glory. Is the Spirit of God living in you? Are you allowing Him to do His work in you?
4. What is “for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ”? Following Christ requires obedience and not just intellectual consent as we see today. Many believe in Jesus, but there is no fruit of obedience. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. We do not live in sin or practice sin as a lifestyle. Amen.

Even on this Pentecost Sunday, may we receive the Holy Spirit and be transformed into Christ-like people for the glory of God. May we be empowered like the early church to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel that brings salvation to all who repent and ask Jesus to be Lord and Savior. Amen.