2 Peter 1:12-21 Guidance for a new generation

Introduction

Peter is the main character in this passage. He presents himself as an apostle and a prophet. Peter is establishing the background and context of the instruction he will give in the next chapter.

This is expository. Peter is reviewing his experiences with Jesus and establishing his credibility.

Even though Christians can be well trained, people are weak and frail, and can forget the Word.

This degrades our effectiveness as Christians.

We must be reminded of the Word - this is one of Peter's purpose.

Peter is very close to his death and this is Jesus's revelation to him.

Everyone needs reminders -

they had no written Scripture for the NT.

Peter is a walking Scripture, and wants to pass along his knowledge before he passes. He wants them to memorize what he teaches.

By testimony of God, and OT prophets, and his eyewitness testimony Peter's teaching is absolutely reliable.

God's word is the only reliable and trustworthy source of knowledge for life - Important since there is much false teaching in the world, it is a dark place - but Scripture, since it is inspired by God Himself, either directly or through His prophets gives us a trustworthy direction.

Peter knows these folks will not have a written word of God. He seeks to make them intimately familiar with the teachings.

These words are of life and death importance, and cannot be subordinated to worldly concerns. They will light our way in a dark world, until you come to the light of eternity.

Historical Context:

The ministry of Jesus.

Persecution of the Christians in the AD 60s - Nero

Death of Paul and James

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Question: How do we know that the Scriptures are of the word of God?

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Answer: The scriptures show themselves to be the word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bears witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man. The Holy Spirit alone in the heart is able to prove the Scriptures are very word of God.

The Westminster Larger Catechism: With Scripture Proofs. (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996).

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Review of the traits of Sanctification

2 Peter 1:5–7 (NASB95)

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

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2 Peter 1:12–15 (NASB95)

Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

Peter's purpose in writing - Preparing God's people for the future

Explanation:

Peter is reviewing the instruction provided to these Christians

Even though it may seem repetitive, it is of critical importance to their eternal well-being

James 1:21 “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.”

Tent as body - the nut is gone but the shell is still here.

Peter will live on when he leaves his tent.

2 Corinthians 5:1 “For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

Peter’s death is imminent:

John 21:18 ““Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.””

Peter wants them to remember and preserve the great teachings of the Christian faith:

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (2 Peter 1:12–15)

The great doctrines of the gospel, that Jesus is the Christ, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, that those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved, and all that believe in God must be careful to maintain good works—these are truths the apostles insisted on in their day; these are faithful sayings, and worthy of all acceptation in every age of the Christian church

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (2 Peter 1:12–15)

In the first century, repetition was important. “We need to be put in mind of what we already know to prevent our forgetting it, and to improve our knowledge, and reduce all to practice.”

Illustration:

A Living Hope: A Commentary on 1 and 2 Peter (The Inexpressible Joy of New Life (1:3–15))

For instance, many people understand that the death of Christ was a sacrifice for sin. Fewer grasp the fact that this death is also the believer’s death: that from this point forward he is freed from the dominion of sin and enabled to live unto righteousness. Fortunately, Peter can say that his Christian colleagues scattered aboard (1 Pet. 1:1) are securely established in such truth. Yet he reminds them of it. Why? Because there are some things you can’t know too well.

Application/Exhortation:

We will live on, after our bodies whither and die.

Our knowledge of the Gospel led us to Christ - we could’nt be saved without it. It is precious and we must remember it.

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2 Peter 1:16–21 (NASB95)

For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”— and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

The Importance and Proof of God's word

Explanation:

Contrast: not cleverly devised tales, but eyewitness accounts

Experience: we heard it on the holy mountain. Testified in three gospels.

Quotation: this is my beloved Son...v21: Prophecy comes not from men, but the HS

Eye witness and prophecy: New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (Introduction): Prophecy is the most common means God used to communicate with people throughout biblical history. The story of prophecy, from Genesis to Revelation, is the story of God speaking to people through human messengers, and thus it is the story of God’s varying relationships with his people and with others. Speaking through the prophets, God guided kings and people by telling them how to act in specific situations, warned people when they disobeyed him, predicted events that he would bring about, interpreted events when they came about, and demonstrated that he alone was both ruler of history and a God who relates personally to his people.

The basic biblical principles regarding prophets and prophecy are found in the Pentateuch, especially in connection with Moses, but a regular office of prophet, and bands of secondary prophets, are not fully established until the period covered by the later historical books and the prophetic writings. In the Gospels, Jesus is seen as a great prophet, but much more than a prophet. The book of Acts and the epistles describe a gift of prophecy given to Christians which has lesser authority but much wider distribution than canonical prophecy, and prophecy is seen as the most valuable of the Holy Spirit’s many gifts to the church (see Spiritual gifts). The Bible closes with a sobering yet magnificent picture of the future in the prophecy of Revelation.

Where/when did this take place:

Possibly Mt Tabor - Mt of Transfiguration. Peter James and John saw Jesus glorified and conversing with Elijah and Moses there.

They heard the voice of God, endorsing His Son.

A lamp shining in a dark place - Jesus is the light of the world - the world is a dark place due to the evil and sin of man.

The Mount of Transfiguration was where Jesus gave His apostles a glimpse into the eternal life to come. It came after He prophesied His coming death. The example of the lamp gives us a sense of the darkness of the world and our blindness. But Jesus opened our eyes and our senses to the physical world and the spiritual world.

Matthew 17:1–9 “Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has…”

Prophecy from God is trustworthy and reliable - certainly more so than the teachings of men.

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;”

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

Argumentation:

The enlightenment - human reason vs Revelation

Darwin and his successors

Disbelief in the spiritual

Application:

God’s word is always right. Wins out in competition with human reason

God sees/knows everything - people do not.

The majority is not always right - God’s word is.

We can trust the Bible

Conclusion

Helped assure me of the veracity of Scripture. Especially the direct testimony of God and the reliability of plenary inspiration - Peter’s testimony is persuasive

The attempts in the world to normalize sin and undermine the messages of Scripture. Satanic inspiration

Struggles with attempting to please and fit in the the world while seeking sanctification and holiness. Fight between flesh and spirit

We need a sensitivity to the deceptions of Satan and temptation and a renewed desire to understand and follow the teachings of Scripture.

Becoming a doer of the word. Reject sin and temptation. Help others to embrace the Gospel.

Gospel:

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NASB95

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Romans 10:9 NASB95

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;