1 PETER—NOTE ON 1 Peter 1:2 Foreknowledge does not merely refer to God’s knowing ahead of time that his people would belong to him. It also means that he chose them (compare Romans 8:29). in the sanctification of the Spirit. Either conversion or gradual progress in the Christian life, or possibly both. The Spirit sets apart God’s people. Believers are now holy and righteous in their standing before God. They also live in ways that show they are increasingly dedicated to God. For obedience to Jesus Christ may refer to conversion, when Christians confessed Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9), or to God’s purpose for their lives, that they obey Christ. For sprinkling with his blood refers to Christ’s atoning work on the cross. There all the believers’ sins were washed away. Peter may be referring to believers’ entrance into a covenant with God (similar to Exodus 24:3), to their growth in holiness, or possibly to both (similar to Leviticus 14:6; compare Psalms 51:7; 1 John 1:7).

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