The Diaspora 1 Peter 1:1

As Peter began his letter to the “strangers scattered” or Christians who were dispersed after being persecuted in Jerusalem, he introduced himself as “an apostle” or “sent out one” “of Jesus Christ”. In the second half of verse one and chapter one of his letter, Peter mentioned the names of five places where the “strangers” were dispersed. We read:

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers

scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

The verse begins, “...throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,” The first place Peter mentioned was “throughout Pontus” which means “the sea” and was “a region of eastern Asia Minor, bounded by the Euxine Sea, Armenia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Paphlagonia”. The second place was “Galatia” which means “land of Galli or Guals” and was “the Roman province of Galatia my be roughly described as the central region of the peninsula of Asia Minor, bounded on the north by Bithynia and Paphlagonia; on the east by Pontus; on the south by Cappadocia and Lycaonia; on the west by Phrygia”, and the third place was “Cappadocia” or “province of good horses” and was “a region in Asia Minor, bounded under the Roman empire on the north by Pontus, on the east by Armenia Minor, on the south by Cilicia and Commagene, on the west by Lycaonia and Galatia”.

The verse goes on to include, “...Asia, and Bithynia,” Peter went on to add, “Asia” which means “orient” and was “Asia proper or proconsular Asia embracing Mysia, Lydia, Phrygia, and Caria, corresponding closely to Turkey today” and the final city was “Bithynia” which means “a violent rushing” and was “a Roman province in Asia Minor, bounded by the Euxine Sea, the Propontis, Mysia, Phrygia, Galatia, Paphlagonia”.

When we think through Peter's words, we may think it strange that he mentioned all these cities of refuge to which the persecuted church fled, and yet, why wouldn't he mention them? These were notable places where the gospel of Jesus Christ was to spread through the witness of the church. Jesus declared in the book of Acts in chapter one and verse eight, “and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the world”, and this was the beginning of the fulfillment of Jesus' prophesy. For our study, let us imagine these “scattered strangers” receiving this letter from the specially chosen and sent out one, “Peter”, and as we read his words to them, let us imagine they are for us as well wherever we are located.

Next time Peter will share concerning “the elect according to the foreknowledge of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.