As we prepare to open a new book study in the marvelous epistle of 1st Peter, Pastor Landis offers this brief introduction of the letter and gives explanation of a most unique view of a Christian as an “Earth Alien”. Hope you are curious! Listen and learn.
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 14:1 – 2 (NASB)
Deu 14:1 “You are the sons of the LORD your God; you shall not cut yourselves nor shave your forehead for the sake of the dead.
Deu 14:2 “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
New Testament Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:1 – 2 (NASB)
1 Pet 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen
1 Pet 1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure.
#1) In order to prevent man from total self-destruction by sin and judgment, God has in all ages, preserved a remnant of believers to sanctify a people for His own purposes & for their salvation.
#2) Since the elect of God are the only ones out of all mankind, who are receiving correct revelation, they are the only ones being shaped in the will and purposes of God and therefore are “strange, alien, different” from all others who are going their own way, without the benefit of the knowledge of what pleases God.
#3) Persecution is the natural back-lash executed by those who are lost against those who are saved and therefore persecution goes with the territory and should be expected and considered normal by the believer, who in many cases used to persecute the saved prior to being saved as well.
