A Pure Faith In The Midst Of A Perverse World (1)

The Faith That We Have Received By The Righteousness of God!

2 Peter 1:1-2 “Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;”

I. The AUTHOR Can Be IDENTIFIED!

2 Peter 1:1a Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ

The Author can be Identified in at least three ways:

By the NAMES he was GIVEN: Simon = Peter =

By the ROLE he was FULFILLING: A bond-servant =

By the TITLE he was CARRYING: Apostle =

II. The RECIPIENTS Can Be SPECIFIED!

2 Peter 1b . . . To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of God and Savior, Jesus Christ

The Apostle Peter is writing to those who have done at least four things:

Those who have RECEIVED

Those who have received A Faith

Those who have received a faith Of The Same Kind As Ours

Those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours By The Righteousness of God and Our Savior Jesus Christ

III. The DATE Can Be VERIFIED!

2 Peter 1:14 Knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me

We know that Peter wrote his first epistle (letter), during the reign and persecution of Nero, the emperor of Rome. We also know that Nero died in 68 A.D. therefore Peter wrote this second letter in 67 A.D. -68 A.D.

How did Peter KNOW that his physical death was imminent and when did Jesus make it clear to him?

John 21:18-19 ““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.” Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!””

IV. The PURPOSE Can Be SUMMARIZED!

2 Peter 1:13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of a reminder . . . 15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to recall these things to mind

In the first letter Peter emphasized the imminent return of Christ and he did this to exhort his audience to remain faithful during their immense persecution!

In the second letter Peter emphasized faithfulness to doctrinal purity until the Second Coming of Christ!

The second letter that Peter wrote can be summarized with these themes: Peter was attempting to . . .

Motivate Believers to Grow in Christian Maturity (1:5-11)

Explain to Believers how to have eternal assurance (1:10-11)

Persuade Believers of the Divine Inspiration of the Prophetic Word (1:19-21)

Reveal to Believers why Christ’s Return is being delayed (3:8-9)