Who are these Elect ones that Peter is writing to? Who are we to be obedient to? How are we sanctified by the spirit? What is this message and who is it from?
The meaning of the word Elect as found in Strongs Concordance is selected or favorite. So, the apostle Peter is giving a message to the chosen ones who were known to God as the seed that are scattered abroad. What else can we extrapolate from Peters greeting?
1 Peter 1:1-2… Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the temporary residents (G1588) scattered about (G3927) in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, to the ones chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, with sanctification by the spirit, for the purpose of their being obedient and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ: May undeserved kindness and peace be increased to YOU.
When we read this passage of scripture and when we looked into Strongs Concordance we see it needs a little help. Now after the restructuring of the sentence it reads as follows:
1 Peter 1:1-2… Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the Elect who are exiles of the dispersion, the scattered seed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, those chosen sanctified, transformed by the spirit (those under the process of becoming holy transformed by the spirit), for the purpose of their being obedient to Jesus, those sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ: May undeserved kindness and peace be increased to you.
We are under obligation to be obedient to God, to our Lord Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, that is right the Helper. After all, we are baptized under the authority of all three.
Matthew 28:19… … Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit.
Please take note that he plainly said to be obedient to the spirit. I will advise you to go ahead and re-read 1 Peter 1:1-24 from a Greek Translation Bible. I will also point out that this letter is for the Elect, those chosen by God to become holy, set apart for the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who are being transformed into the likeness of our Lord Christ Jesus. Yes, for those who will lay hold on this hope that has been given to them.
The Message
The apostle Peter reminded them they were born again to the inheritance as the seed. He encourages them to endure the trials they are undergoing. That the time of their salvation was at hand, he also reminded them to be holy in their conduct. That their sanctification would come by means of the Holy Spirit as it teaches.
How does God teach us to become sanctified?
John 14:26-27…the helper, the holy spirit will teach you… I give you, my peace.
To you there is peace that is going to be increased for your belief and willingness to follow our Lord Jesus Christ by means of the holy spirit no matter where he goes.
Revelation 14:4… These are the ones that did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones that keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
Test out the token that was given to you and become obedient from your heart, and hear what the Spirit says:
2 Corinthians 1:20-22… For no matter how many the promises of God are, they have become Yes by means of him. Therefore, also through him is the “Amen” [said] to God for glory through us. But he who guarantees that YOU and we belong to Christ and he who has anointed us is God. He has also put his seal upon us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit, in our hearts.
Ephesians 1:13-14… But YOU also hoped in him after YOU heard the word of truth, the good news about YOUR salvation. By means of him also, after YOU believed, YOU were sealed with the promised holy spirit, which is a token in advance of our inheritance, for the purpose of releasing by a ransom [God’s] own possession, to his glorious praise.
What is this new birth? How are we born of Spirit? How are we safeguarded?
1 Peter 1:3-5… Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for according to his great mercy he gave us a new birth…
2 Corinthians 5:17… Consequently, if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away, look! new things have come into existence.
John 3:3-7…In answer Jesus said to him: “Most truly I say to you, unless anyone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him: “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter into the womb of his mother a second time and be born, can he?” Jesus answered: “Most truly I say to you, unless anyone is born from water and spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. What has been born from the flesh is flesh, and what has been born from the spirit is spirit. Do not marvel because I told you, YOU people must be born again.
The new birth or being born again has to do with receiving the Holy Spirit, as it is a living hope for us.
1 Peter 1:3-5… to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an incorruptible and undefiled and unfading inheritance. It is reserved in the heavens for YOU, 5 who are being safeguarded (G5432) by God’s power through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last period of time.
How are we being safeguarded? This word translated as safeguarded as found in Strong’s concordance #G5432 (phroureo). This word carries the meaning to be watched over by a military sentinel, a guard who will actively defend, or we can be guarded by an offensive action, but it is done by whatever means necessary to protect us. So, who would be guarding us?
Psalms 103:19-22… Bless Jehovah, O YOU angels of his, mighty in power, carrying out his word, by listening to the voice of his word. Bless Jehovah, all YOU armies of his, you ministers of his, doing his will.
What is this new birth that he is given us?
The New Birth is accomplished by the regenerating of our spirit with that of our Lord Jesus Christ. We start to become a new creation when we receive the spirit into our heart. We continue to transform with the process of refinement by fire. Yes, it is grievous because none of us really like to suffer but we must to be made perfect in the likeness of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:9, 12-19… However, YOU are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in YOU. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this one does not belong to him… So, then, brothers, we are under obligation, not to the flesh to live in accord with the flesh; 13 for if YOU live in accord with the flesh YOU are sure to die; but if YOU put the practices of the body to death by the spirit, YOU will live. 14 For all who are led by God’s spirit, these are God’s sons. 15 For YOU did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but YOU received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: “Abba, Father!” 16 The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 If then, we are children, we are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together that we may also be glorified together
2 Corinthians 5:5… Now he that produced us for this very thing is God, who gave us the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit.
What is the purpose of the trials that we go through? How valuable is our enduring faith? Besides our faith what else helps us to endure these things?
1 Peter 1:6-9… In this fact YOU are greatly rejoicing, though for a little while at present, if it must be, YOU have been grieved by various trials, 7 in order that the tested quality of YOUR faith, of much greater value than gold that perishes despite its being proved by fire, may be found a cause for praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though YOU never saw him, YOU love him. Though YOU are not looking upon him at present, yet YOU exercise faith in him and are greatly rejoicing with an unspeakable and glorified joy, 9 as YOU receive the end of YOUR faith, the salvation of YOUR souls.
Besides our faith what else help us endure? Is it not our love for Jesus Christ? Also, our love works along with a positive attitude. We too are hopeful because there is a purpose behind the suffering of a trial. We need to know there is a positive outcome to keep us enduring.
Where on the other hand pride will not allow us to suffer through a trial. A negative attitude works against an enduring attitude. It weakens our resolve and causes us to pull back or away from suffering the trial. The outcome then would be an incomplete transformation into the new creation.
We would not resemble the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ in any way, shape, or fashion. We then would be rejected and deemed unfit for the purpose of being with our Lord Christ Jesus.
So, my friends, let us press on to maturity in being made perfect, complete, and qualified so to endure our trials that we may be with Christ Jesus our Lord forever.
Philippians 3:8-15… Why, for that matter, I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. On account of him I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in union with him, having, not my own righteousness, which results from law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that issues from God on the basis of faith, 10 so as to know him and the power of his resurrection and a sharing in his sufferings, submitting myself to a death like his, 11 [to see] if I may by any means attain to the earlier resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already received it or am already made perfect, but I am pursuing to see if I may also lay hold on that for which I have also been laid hold on by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers, I do not yet consider myself as having laid hold on [it]; but there is one thing about it: Forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead, 14 I am pursuing down toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God by means of Christ Jesus. 15 Let us, then, as many of us as are mature, be of this mental attitude; and if YOU are mentally inclined otherwise in any respect, God will reveal the above [attitude] to YOU.
What is behind the meaning of the word Tested Quality? Strong’s Concordance #G1383 (dokimion) denotes that of a process of testing, to be found approved, discovered as genuine. This very thought is illustrated in the passage of Scripture found at:
Malachi 3:1-4…“Look! I am sending my messenger, and he must clear up a way before me. And suddenly there will come to His temple the [true] Lord, whom YOU people are seeking, and the messenger of the covenant in whom YOU are delighting. Look! He will certainly come,” Jehovah of armies has said. 2 “But who will be putting up with the day of his coming, and who will be the one standing when he appears? For he will be like the fire of a refiner and like the lye of laundrymen. 3 And he must sit as a refiner and cleanser of silver and must cleanse the sons of Levi; and he must clarify them like gold and like silver, and they will certainly become to Jehovah people presenting a gift offering in righteousness. 4 And the gift offering of Judah and of Jerusalem will actually be gratifying to Jehovah, as in the days of long ago and as in the years of antiquity.
Why did the prophets of old keep investigating “the timing of Christ and the glorious that would follow”? What is the sacred secret? Why would the Angels want to know about these things?
1 Peter 1:10-12… Concerning this very salvation a diligent inquiry and a careful search were made by the prophets who prophesied about the undeserved kindness meant for YOU. 11 They kept on investigating what particular season or what sort of [season] the spirit in them was indicating concerning Christ when it was bearing witness beforehand about the sufferings for Christ and about the glories to follow these. 12 It was revealed to them that, not to themselves, but to YOU, they were ministering the things that have now been announced to YOU through those who have declared the good news to YOU with holy spirit sent forth from heaven. Into these very things’ angels are desiring to peer.
1 Corinthians 4:1, 9-13… Let a man so appraise us as being subordinates of Christ and stewards of sacred secrets of God… For it seems to me that God has put us the apostles last on exhibition as men appointed to death, because we have become a theatrical spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools because of Christ, but YOU are discreet in Christ; we are weak, but YOU are strong; YOU are in good repute, but we are in dishonor. 11 Down to this very hour we continue to hunger and also to thirst and to be scantily clothed and to be knocked about and to be homeless 12 and to toil, working with our own hands. When being reviled, we bless; when being persecuted, we bear up; 13 when being defamed, we entreat; we have become as the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things, until now.
The apostle Paul identified himself as a steward the sacred secrets of God. So, what does that mean to you? Would knowledge of the sacred secret be something that you think the angels desire to know about? How is it that we are a theatrical spectacle? Luke 8:10
The apostle Paul identified a very interesting thought through this passage of Scripture found at 1 Corinthians 4:1, 9-13. It also becomes apparent that the Angels of heaven do not know fully about the sacred secrets of God that is now being revealed to his chosen (Elect) through the ecclesia. Where else in Scripture can we find this information about the sacred secret being revealed? Colossians 1:13-29
Now that you’ve read Colossians 1:13-29 let’s focus on these specific verses of Scripture 25-27. And I do encourage you to look at your Greek to English translation of the Bible to see for yourself what is truthfully going to be revealed as part of the sacred secret of God.
Colossians 1:25-27… I became a servant in accordance with the administration of God, which was given me to help you become complete with the word of God, 26 the sacred secret that was hidden from the past systems of things and from the family. But now it has been made manifest to his holy ones, 27 to whom God has been pleased to make known what are the glorious riches of this sacred secret among the nations. It is Christ in union with you, the hope of glory…
I made the adjustments to the above passage of Scripture based on this following research I did:
Strong’s Concordance #G1249 (diakonos) Servant. Strong’s Concordance #G3622 (oikonomia) Administration Strong’s Concordance #G4137 (pleroo) to make full, to complete. Strong’s Concordance #G3056 (logos) The Word of God. Strong’s Concordance #G1074 (genea) Race or Family
The apostle Paul became a servant with the administration of God to assist us in become complete with the word of God. He helped us become unified in the body of Christ and in the reasonings and teachings in accord with the Holy Spirit.
The sacred secret was even hidden from some of God’s own family, his spirits the angels. Is it any wonder that these angels desire to know about these things and to want to peer into them, to swoop down and to listen to what was going on with the Ecclesia of God?
This truth about the sacred secret of God is being revealed to those who are chosen and set apart made holy for the Lord Jesus Christ, to those who will hear but the spirit says.
Ephesians 3:7-12…I became a minister of this according to the free gift of the undeserved kindness of God that was given me according to the way his power operates. 8 To me, a man less than the least of all holy ones, this undeserved kindness was given, that I should declare to the nations the good news about the unfathomable riches of the Christ 9 and should make men see how the sacred secret is administered which has from the indefinite past been hidden in God, who created all things. 10 [This was] to the end that now to the governments and the authorities in the heavenly places there might be made known through the congregation the greatly diversified wisdom of God, 11 according to the eternal purpose that he formed in connection with the Christ, Jesus our Lord.
Who makes up this administration of God? Those who are dutifully charged to look after the congregations of God. They will either prove themselves faithful and discreet or evil and wicked.
If you are not following along and reading the cited Scriptures you’re missing out on the truth. Revelation 1:12-20, Matthew 24:43-51, 1 John 4:1-6
Our Lord Jesus Christ gave a verbal expression of both approval and correction to these 7 angels of the Ecclesia. If they are proving themselves faithful and discreet then our Lord Jesus will appoint them over all his belongings when he returns.
There is much more to teach about the sacred secret but at this time we need ask the question: Are you mentally ready to go to work for and with the administration of God?
How are we brought to the revelation of Jesus Christ?
1 Peter 1:13-16… Hence brace up YOUR minds for activity, keep YOUR senses completely; set YOUR hope upon the undeserved kindness that is to be brought to YOU at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, quit being fashioned according to the desires YOU formerly had in YOUR ignorance, 15 but, in accord with the Holy One who called YOU, do YOU also become holy yourselves in all [YOUR] conduct, 16 because it is written: “YOU must be holy, because I am holy.”
Strong’s Concordance #G602 (apokalupsis) holds a deeper meaning of the spiritual manifestation; and can even be rendered as Unveiling.
This reminds me of when the bridegroom pulls back the veil from over the bride’s face uncovering her eyes. So, do not become like the wife of Lot who look back at what was going to be left at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
We need to take seriously what the Holy Spirit tells us to do. We are no longer obligated to submit to any other authority than that of Christ Jesus. We are to be respectful and compliant to the best of our abilities, but we are obligated to follow our Lord Christ Jesus no matter where he go’s.
1 Peter 1:17-24… Furthermore, if YOU are calling upon the Father who judges impartially according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves with fear during the time of YOUR alien residence. 18 For YOU know that it was not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, that YOU were delivered from YOUR fruitless form of conduct received by tradition from YOUR forefathers. 19 But it was with precious blood, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, even Christ’s. 20 True, he was foreknown before the founding of the world, but he was made manifest at the end of the times for the sake of YOU 21 who through him are believers in God, the one who raised him up from the dead and gave him glory; so that YOUR faith and hope might be in God. 22 Now that YOU have purified YOUR souls by [YOUR] obedience to the truth with unhypocritical brotherly affection as the result, love one another intensely from the heart. 23 For YOU have been given a new birth, not by corruptible, but by incorruptible [reproductive] seed, through the word of [the] living and enduring God.
Review
What should have learned?
The chosen ones are called the Elect they are foreknown to God.
They are to be obedient to the holy spirit who teach us. John 14:26-27
They are the process of being sanctified transformed by the holy spirit.
We need to dig into God’s word to extrapolate the deeper meanings.
Whose authority are baptized under? Matthew 28:19
The token is something that is given to identify that we been sealed by God. 2 Corinthians 1:22
We need to be born again by Holy Spirit to enter into the kingdom of God.
We are safeguarded by God’s Angels. 1 Peter 1:5, Psalms 103:20
How does pride interfere with your suffering?
Writingwithlogos.com – Last Revised 7/29/23