1 Peter 1:1-9

1 Peter was written about 65 A.D. During that time frame, the persecution of the early Christians was from Jews, not the Romans. The Romans just couldn't care less about new religions; they just wanted their taxes. About the time Peter writes this letter, Nero is in power and the Coliseum wasn't built yet. Nero burned Rome down and blamed the Christians. This period of time represents trials and tribulations that these people were going through at that time. Nero was very cruel. He had vast gardens in his palace and he'd put crosses in there and hang Christians on them to die and set fire to them to light his gardens. This is sick, twisted, and evil. That is the context in which Peter wrote his letters. Peter was traveling and came upon Jesus Christ and asked where He was going. Jesus said He's going to be sacrificed, basically. Peter went back to Rome, and they all it Babylon as code for Rome.

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, All these places listed are in modern day Turkey. These strangers are strangers to the world, i.e., Christians. We are not of this world.
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. This verse shows the trinity of Christ. God is the Father and knows everything beforehand. Then the Spirit is mentioned, the one who sets us aside and guides us. Then there's Jesus Christ, who shed His blood to save us. Peter tells us we've been given unmerited favor from God and we need to go forward...