1:11 Peter 1:1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote to believers scattered as strangers throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.ApRGC 23.8–24.1+2 Those scattered ones are chosen by God the Father and set apart by the sanctifying work of the Spirit for obedience and cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ, with multiplied grace and peace.ApRGC 23.8–24.1+2 Written in the later years of his ministry, his words were to strengthen faith and courage amid trials and affliction and to renew believers to good works, instruction that applies in every age, especially when the end of all things is near.AA 517.1+1 Its greeting of grace and peace opens assurances of new birth to a living hope through Christ's resurrection, an incorruptible inheritance kept in heaven, and salvation guarded by God's power through faith until the last time.Ms 81, 1908, par. 1–3+2 These promises call believers to trust God's word and live by faith when tested, knowing the trial is more precious than perishable gold and will bring praise and honor at Christ's appearing, while by Christ's sacrifice every provision is made for life and godliness unto Christian perfection.Ms 25, 1907, par. 2–5+3

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote to the strangers, the believers, the Christians scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.ApRGC 23.8–24.1+4 The opening words identify both the writer and those five regions as the destination of the letter.Ms 81, 1908, par. 1–3+4

Those scattered strangers are described as chosen by God the Father and set apart by the sanctifying work of the Spirit for obedience and cleansing through the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, with grace and peace multiplied to them.ApRGC 23.8–24.1+2 This sheds light on Christ's relation to believers as their Redeemer.Ms 110, 1901, par. 1–3 Without this grace, human efforts to wrestle with God are worthless.Ms 110, 1901, par. 1–3

The letter was written in the later years of his ministry to strengthen the faith and courage of believers amid trials and affliction and to renew them to good works when temptations threatened their hold on God.AA 517.1+1 That instruction and those words of courage apply to believers in every age, especially to those living when the end of all things is near.RH Jul 25, 1912 It also gives instruction to believers scattered and afflicted by the course of those who ought to have helped them, including an unconsecrated shepherd of the flock who failed to minister to them and build them up in the most holy faith.Lt 32, 1894, par. 2–3 It shows that God has chosen a people out of the world to remain forever separate from the world, living in the world but not of the world and kept free from its contaminating influences.Lt 220, 1903, par. 28–30

This opening line begins Peter's first epistle and introduces the Spirit-inspired instruction of the first chapter, which is of great value and open to all.Ms 81, 1908, par. 1–3+2 That instruction is to be studied carefully and understood, heard and obeyed, presenting what believers may become.Ms 21, 1898, par. 19–20+3 Those who preach especially are thereby called to study the Bible faithfully, to depend on the living God rather than human agency for the keeping of their souls, to avoid self-importance, and to remain humble learners.Lt 230, 1907, par. 26 Following the Spirit of truth in willing obedience in this way brings spiritual strength.Lt 78, 1911, par. 10–12

The teaching so introduced includes the salvation foretold by the prophets, Christ's suffering and coming glory, hope in Christ's revelation, and holiness in conduct.Ms 21, 1898, par. 19–20 It is connected with the need for hearts and minds to be purified through obedience to the truth.Lt 408, 1907, par. 18 Its greeting of grace and peace leads into assurances of new birth to a living hope through Christ's resurrection, an incorruptible inheritance kept in heaven, and salvation guarded by God's power through faith until its revelation at the last time.Ms 25, 1907, par. 2–5 These are Spirit-inspired promises and instruction that provide a foundation for great expectations when acted upon, giving clear evidence that God desires to bless His people so they can trust His word without uncertainty.Ms 81, 1908, par. 1–3+1 They feed hungry souls with rich food from God's living Word and comfort and strengthen the feeble, afflicted, and aged by showing God's love bestowed in large measure upon His chosen ones.Ms 2, 1892, par. 23–27

These promises encourage believers to trust God's word and live by faith amid trials, whose testing is more precious than perishable gold and will bring praise, honor, and glory at Christ's appearing.Ms 25, 1907, par. 2–5 Jesus knows it all and is sufficient for the present hour of trial under every adverse circumstance.Lt 32, 1894, par. 2–3 The afflicted are therefore called to contemplate this instruction and pray, to refuse exasperation and control by the feelings of the natural heart, and to cherish no spirit of retaliation whatever course others pursue.Lt 32, 1894, par. 2–3 They are to rest thankful when innocent of accusation without becoming a sin-bearer for any soul, and to commit the case wholly to Jesus who died for them, whose pitying hand is stretched out to every suffering child.Lt 32, 1894, par. 2–3

The chapter points out the source of strength, meaning that by the sacrifice of Christ every provision has been made for believers to receive all things that pertain to life and godliness.14MR 351.3–4 It calls them to reach the highest standard of glory and virtue and the standard of Christian perfection by learning the meekness and lowliness of Christ, whose perfection of character makes human perfection possible.14MR 351.3–4 It shows the extensive privileges of coming into close relationship with Christ, in which the believer who has entirely surrendered to Christ and obeys His commands is loved by God as God loves His Son, is delivered out of the hand of enemies to serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness all the days of life, and by always looking to Jesus as the author and finisher of faith is delivered from the devices of evil men and evil angels and breaks the bonds of sin and Satan.14MR 85.2–3

It contains the very instruction and admonitions of the Lord needed at this time to be heeded.Ms 13, 1895, par. 10–11 It calls believing, commandment-keeping people to a special work as faithful laborers together with God in the salvation of sinners, showing that servants of Jesus Christ who know the truth and the power of God's grace have an extensive and important mission to fulfill and that every soul is held responsible for the proper exercise of entrusted talents.Ms 13, 1895, par. 10–11 The verse pointedly reproves those who do not with heart and soul and strength enter into the work God has appointed them to do, and warns against lifting the soul unto vanity.20MR 170.2–4+1 It means the relation between physicians and their brethren should be exactly what God designed it to be, with medical missionary work not made the body but bound up with the gospel ministry.Lt 220, 1903, par. 28–30 It instructs the manner of labor as medical workers molded after the similitude of Christ, standing on the platform of truth uninfluenced by false theories, laboring disinterestedly and unitedly with ministers and the church in soul-saving work, and not binding up with worldlings by inviting them into councils nor dishonoring truth by bringing worldly lawyers into connection with God's work.Lt 220, 1903, par. 28–30

It begins a promise of salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, which is now, the very last days and the very close of this earth's history.Ms 12, 1895, par. 1–3 Then the Son of man is soon to be revealed in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory to give the reward to the obedient, after the proclamation of the third angel, which is the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, followed by the angel from heaven whose glory lightens the earth.Ms 12, 1895, par. 1–3