Greeting to the Elect

“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)

   Peter wrote this letter to the “elect exiles of the Dispersion” in Asia Minor. These believers had undergone persecution and hardship for claiming faith in their Messiah, Jesus Christ. As aggression against Christianity increased in Jerusalem, many believers were forced out of the city and even out of the country. However, Jews could be found all over the Roman Empire which meant persecution could be found all over the Roman Empire. Peter’s intention for this letter was to provide encouragement as believers faced the increasing tide of persecution. 

   This letter is increasingly relevant for believers today, particularly in America. As the Christian influence from the Reformation and the Puritans continues to fade, secular humanism has grown up in an age where the church is silent. The result of this humanism is an attack on the biblical understanding of God, human nature, sin, salvation, and especially ethics. For “Christians” who continue to remain silent, this attack is non-threatening. For Christians who remain loyal to God’s inerrant word, this attack becomes a war. Believers must stand firm on biblical truth, which means persecution will arise. They will hate us because they hate Jesus (John 15:18). 

Persecution is not the only characteristic that we share with the exiles of the Dispersion. Peter’s exhortations and encouragements can apply to us today because believers then and now are God’s elect. This is a term we see frequently in scripture, but many never give much thought to its meaning and application. While we may not be exiles living in Asia Minor, believers are in the same category of “elect”, which means that Peter’s Trinitarian description of their election applies to believers today as well.

   What does it mean to be elect? According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, the Greek word for “elect” means “chosen” or “picked out”. With this in mind, we can allow Peter to define what he means by using this word to describe believers. Verse 2 of chapter 1 has three aspects of this election which correspond to the workings of each person of the Trinity. We will look at each of these to understand what Peter wants his audience to believe about themselves and about their God so that they might endure the imminent persecution. 

   The first aspect of this election is that believers are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. Peter encourages these believers by reminding them that their election was prior to any event of history. God foreknew these individuals and chose them for redemption. Romans 8:29 ties these two ideas together as well: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son”. 

   These believers will be persecuted by Romans and Jews (God’s chosen people). In the midst of that persecution Christians could take comfort in their salvation which did not originate in themselves, but in the foreknowledge of God the Father. His plan of redemption cannot fail and no amount of persecution can frustrate His plans for His people. Election is a source of confidence for believers, a confidence not in themselves, but in the unfailing decree of our sovereign God. 

   The second aspect of this election is that believers are chosen in the sanctification of the Spirit. God does not elect individuals to salvation for them to become the “frozen chosen”. Election to justification necessarily involves election to sanctification as well. God disciplines His children (Heb. 12:7-8). Because believers are elected “in the sanctification of the Spirit”, we can look at trials and persecution as discipline from God. These first-century Christians would face intense persecution, but they could face those trials with boldness knowing that God was molding them with loving discipline. 

   This aspect also serves as a form of assurance for believers. 2 Peter 1:10 says this, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” In his second letter, Peter tells the believers that they can confirm their election by the fruit they bear (v.5-9). This is not works-salvation. This is observing the fruit of a tree to see if the root is alive. Paul says it this way in Philippians 2:12-13, 

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Believers can confirm their election by observing the work that God is doing in them. This is our sanctification. We are actively seeking to obey God with fear and trembling, while realizing that it is God the Spirit working in us for His good pleasure. These early Christians could find blessed assurance in their election because of God’s continuing work of sanctification in their lives. 

   The third aspect of this election is that believers are chosen for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with His blood. This obedience is connected to the last point about sanctification. God has chosen individuals so that they might be obedient to Him. Many times we forget this crucial point. We tend to believe that God merely wants to save us from hell. While God’s grace and mercy do manifest in His forgiveness, His forgiveness is given so that we might be freed from sin to be obedient to Him. 

   This idea completely destroys the idea that election leads to lawlessness. In the world of theology debates, many opponents of predestination/election claim that it leads to lawlessness. If believers are chosen before the foundation of the world for salvation then it doesn’t really matter how they live, right? This is far from the truth. The actions of individuals who believe this doctrine should not determine its validity. Scripture teaches that believers are chosen before the foundation of the world; however, they have been chosen for obedience to Jesus Christ. If we believe that God will accomplish all of His purposes, then we will believe that all who are elect will live a life marked by obedience to the LORD. This will not be perfect obedience; but it will be a life characterized by obedience. 

Finally, the latter half of the third aspect of this election is that believers are chosen for the sprinkling of Jesus’ blood. This imagery goes all the way back to Mt. Sinai. When God entered into a covenant with the people of Israel, they were sprinkled with the blood of the covenant by a hyssop branch. This sprinkling was a visible sign of their covenant with God and it pointed forward to the sprinkling referenced in our current verse. God has chosen individuals to be covered with the blood of Christ. This covering marks them as members of the New Covenant in which their sins are forgiven and Christ’s righteousness is given freely.

   Peter brings all of these aspects of election together in order to strengthen the believers of the first century. Persecution was coming and they needed a solid assurance to stand the test. The doctrine of God’s election served this purpose and it has the same fortifying effect today. Peter laid this foundation of election which is all of grace so that his hearers might have abundant peace. Grace and peace are far more than a greeting. They are pillars of the steadfast saint.