1b I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. - 1 Peter 1:1b (NLT)
Those who receive this letter, from the original churches to the current reader, did not receive the letter by accident. This letter was purposefully sent for all that receive it. All who acknowledge Christ and have followed him through the ages do not belong to this earth. All of us who claim to be Christ followers belong in heaven. The author reminds us that we are merely “wanderers and vagabonds” on this earth.
The collection of cities that the author references here are in what we now know as the nation of Turkey. These cities were initially visited by Paul who brought the good news to the Gentiles who lived in these places. The author initially was upset at Paul for how he talked to the people here, by preaching salvation without a requirement for circumcision. Eventually, there was reconciliation between the author of this letter and Paul, and now the author is sending this encouragement to the same Gentiles that he originally was concerned about.
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