1 Peter 1:1 ¹Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect refugees scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia

Peter was the special name Jesus gave to his disciple Simon. Peter is a nickname meaning “rock” and describes how Simon became the foundation for the early church (Matthew 16:18). In what ways Peter was the foundation can be debated, but at least he got the church going with his Pentecost sermon in Acts 2. He is an interesting character in the Bible. As one of the first followers of Jesus, he showed initiative and simple faith. As an outspoken person, these characteristics became even more pronounced as he learned to follow Jesus. He comes across in the four Gospels as a person who talks before thinking, but deep within, he was a careful thinker. As a fisherman, he probably had many hours of solitude while working with the nets, rowing the boat, fixing the sails, or waiting for the fish. Solitary people are often deep thinkers. We see this type of thinking coming out in this letter.

Peter describes himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Other individuals are referred to as apostles in the New Testament. The word apostolos can broadly refer to someone sent out as an emissary or representative. Jesus chose twelve special disciples to be his leaders, specifically to carry out his mission of making disciples. After Judas’ betrayal and tragic death, Matthias was added to replace him, making an even twelve. Others (Paul, Barnabas, James, Silas, Andronicus, Junias, and Timothy) were also called or implied to be apostles. Peter fit both broad and narrow designations of an apostle. He was “sent” by Jesus to bear witness to the world about Jesus’ teachings, life, death, resurrection, and coming again. As an apostle, he also had unique authority recognized in the early church. He derived his identity from his association with Jesus and his faith in Him. He carried out the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8, going out into the world beginning in Caesarea and eventually arriving in Rome. Of course, he was human and had his weaknesses and a limited understanding (see Acts 10), but through grace, God led him to deeper insights and more obedient discipleship. His self-description here as an apostle likely has a narrow sense of authority. He was writing as one who could help direct the spiritual growth of those to whom he wrote.

In this letter, Peter wrote to the believers scattered in many places. He calls them chosen, sometimes translated as “elect” (eklektois). The one who did the choosing is not stated, but the assumption is that it was God. The term was used in reference to Israel in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, particularly in this verse, the term was expanded to include all Christians, both Jew and Gentile. Faith in Jesus creates a new Israel, a new people of God, inclusive of all who accept Jesus as Lord and Messiah. The election is for a specific purpose that echoes God’s purpose for Israel in Exodus 19:5-6: to be a kingdom of priests, bearing witness to the world of the good news of Jesus. Peter describes this purpose more in verse 2.

The recipients were scattered refugees or sojourners (parepidēmois) because their citizenship was in heaven, and their time on earth was temporary. Refugees have certain characteristics and challenges, including not fitting into the surrounding culture because of different worldviews and values. For the early Christians in Asia Minor, being a very small minority with a new belief could lead to persecution and suffering, which is a big theme in this letter. Peter calls the readers to live above culture because of the salvation Jesus brought them.

The listed locations span a vast area of Asia Minor, now encompassing modern Turkey. Pontus was on the South coast of the Black Sea. Galatia included the central part of Asia Minor. Cappadocia was the eastern inland of Asia Minor, south of Pontus. Asia was the western half, extending to the coast, and included the seven churches of Revelation. Bithynia was north along the Black Sea to the west of Pontus. The origin of Peter’s knowledge of these churches is unknown. At some point after his meeting with Cornelius in Acts 10 and the Jerusalem council of Acts 15, he went out into the Gentile world to preach the gospel. His leadership in the early church is evident in the Acts of the Apostles and various letters. He could have traveled to these areas or at least been aware of the church’s growth there. That Christianity had spread to those places by the time Peter wrote this letter is remarkable and a testimony of the faithful fortitude and obedience of the early church. The listed areas also imply that this letter was intended to be read widely. We can assume that it was meant to be copied and distributed as a circular letter. In many ways, this letter would bring unity to the scattered churches in those areas.