To whom was Peter writing

To whom was Peter writing?

It has been strongly argued that Peter is writing primarily to Jewish Christians, rather than to mixed Jew & Gentile congregations. [See e.g. the "Israel Tour" article: http://www.geocities.com/israeltour/20000105RepTheo.html ]

The concern of the Israel Tour writer is what is called "Replacement Theology" which is defined thus:

"Replacement theology is the belief that the church has replaced Israel in God's plan of salvation. It's the belief that Israel is no longer God's chosen people, because the church now is. It's the belief that God is no longer with Israel, because they rejected Christ as their messiah."

While some Christians may hold that belief, the Scriptural understanding is that all God's covenant promises are for all believers in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile. (2 Cor. 1:20, Eph. 2:11ff) Believing Jews & Gentiles are now one people of God in Christ. The Gentile believers have become true children of Abraham, and together with Jewish believers are heirs of God, & joint heirs with Christ.

Letters like Peter's with its obvious Jewish terminology can be fully appropriated by Gentile believers as they are now truly reckoned as "Israel" and are one people of God with believing Israel.

First we will look at the terms used in Peter's greeting.

1 Peter 1
¹ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect- - [KJV]

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the choice sojourners of the dispersion of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, [Young's Literal Translation]

The key words used to "prove" that Peter was writing to the (believing) Jews of the dispersion are translated "strangers scattered" in the KJV.

In is to be noted that the KJV has moved "elect" to the next verse, away from "strangers".

Peter is therefore writing to "elect strangers dispersed" or "elect strangers of the dispersion." Are these terms reserved for Jewish Christians?

The word "diaspora" is used elsewhere of the Jewish dispersion in John 7:35 while James addresses his letter to "the twelve tribes in the dispersion" who are meeting in "your synagogue." [Young] James makes it very clear that he is writing to Christians:

James 2¹ My brethren, hold not, in respect of persons, the faith of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, ² for if there may come into your synagogue - -

The related word "diaspeiro" is used of the Christian Jews scattered after the stoning of Stephen in Acts 8:1, 2, 11:19.

The Greek word translated "strangers" in 1 Peter 1:1 is used of the Patriarchs in Hebrews 11:13, and again in 1 Peter 2:11 where it is translated "pilgrims."

The word translated "strangers" in 1 Peter 2:11 is used in Acts 7 of the children of Israel in Egypt & of Moses in Midian. Paul uses the same word to refer to the unbelieving gentiles in Ephesians 2.

"Elect" is used generally of believers by Jesus, Paul & John.

Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here [is] Christ; or, lo, [he is] there; believe [him] not: 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.

. . .

26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Mar 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Paul uses the related word "election" when discussing the problem of unbelieving Israel in Romans 11, and when he writes to the gentile Thessalonians:

1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

These words are now rightly understood as referring to Jewish & Gentile believers alike. Together believers comprise the people of God, the church, Abraham's seed, Israel. Israel is not rejected, but now comprises all the redeemed people of God according to his promise to Abraham. Unbelieving Jews are not true Jews. They need to repent & turn to God. (Acts 26:20)

Genesis 12:¹ Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
² And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
³ And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Galatians 3:²⁶ For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
²⁷ For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
²⁹ And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.