Bible Study Questions - 1 Peter 1:1-3

[Hidden In Him]

According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, chosen amidst the sanctification of the Spirit and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, unto obedience: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

1. Does "Chosen amidst the sanctification of the Spirit" refer to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, yes or no?

2. Does this lead to being sprinkled in the blood of Christ, or is it concurrent with it?

3. How do grace and peace become multiplied unto us, and what exactly does that refer to?

4. Does his phrase "chosen unto obedience, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" refer to being chosen for eternal salvation (whereas others are not), or does it refer to being chosen to walk in obedience as a result of having the gospel preached to them and receiving the outpouring to do so? In other words, is their freewill still involved in the decision or not?

 

[Hidden In Him]

1. Does "Chosen amidst the sanctification of the Spirit" refer to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, yes or no?

Yes, it does. The apostles were not simply going wherever they felt like. They were specifically going where they were directed by the Holy Spirit, whether through visions, dreams or direct utterance (Acts 10:1-20, Acts 16:7-10), and when they got there, the Spirit would be poured out upon those who heard the message.

So the answer is yes. They were chosen to receive the sanctification of the Holy Spirit by the Lord Himself.

 

[Hidden In Him]

2. Does this lead to being sprinkled in the blood of Christ, or is it concurrent with it?

Concurrent. Speaking again of Cornelius and his household:

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter responded, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days. (Acts 10 NASB)

One cannot receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit without being sprinkled in the blood to cover his sins, so the phrases are meant to be taken together. "to those who have been chosen amidst the sanctification of the Spirit and (amidst) the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, unto obedience. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you."

 

[Hidden In Him]

3. How do grace and peace become multiplied unto us

By walking in ever greater obedience and ever more continual prayer and fasting, asking for greater gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31, 14:1). They are a form of the grace of God being made manifest to us.

what exactly does it refer to?

The gifts, greater wisdom and revelation, and also greater anointings which enable us to manifest the fruit of the Spirit to ever greater degrees. All of the above are given by His grace, but they must be sought out and asked for through prayer.

 

[Hidden In Him]

4. Does his phrase "chosen unto obedience, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" refer to being chosen for eternal salvation (whereas others are not), or does it refer to being chosen to walk in obedience as a result of having the gospel preached to them and receiving the outpouring to do so? In other words, is their freewill still involved in the decision or not?

This is a translation issue, but rendered properly, the text states that they are chosen unto obedience, not salvation. The proof that they were chosen unto obedience was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The meaning is that those whom He loved and favored - such as Cornelius, whom God remembered because of his alms and generosity to the poor, as were the Thessalonians - were specifically chosen to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit so they could walk in even greater obedience to Him, and please Him that much more through their actions. It is a type of spiritual empowerment given to those whose hearts He takes pleasure in, and in part a fulfillment of the saying, "To him who has, more will be given."