Read 2 Peter 1:16-18. What other evidence does Peter say he has for his faith in Jesus? Besides the prophetic word, Peter was an eyewitness to many of the things that he preached about. Christianity, he said, is not founded on “cunningly devised fables” (2 Pet. 1:16, NKJV), but on real events that happened in … [Click to read more …]
All through his epistles, Peter writes with a sense of certainty. He knows what he is talking about because he knows whom he is talking about. And one reason is that he knows that Jesus was the One to whom the Old Testament prophets pointed. It was Peter’s trust in the Written Word that helped … [Click to read more …]
Read for This Week’s Study: Isa. 53:1-12; Dan. 7:13-14; 2 Pet. 1:16-20; Matt. 17:1-6; 2 Tim. 3:15-17. Memory Text: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise … [Click to read more …]
As we saw, Peter knew that he was soon to die. And he knew (and for a long time, too), how he was going to die. That’s because Jesus Himself had told him. “‘Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are … [Click to read more …]
Read 2 Peter 1:12-15. What does Peter mean when he suggests that he is soon to put off his tent/body? Second Peter 1:12-14 reveals the occasion of the letter. Peter thinks he is about to die, and the letter contains his last message or testament. That Peter expects to die soon is revealed by the … [Click to read more …]
“Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me” (2 Pet. 1:13-14, NKJV). In 1956, Oscar Cullmann wrote a short study called Immortality of the Soul … [Click to read more …]
After giving us the list of what we should diligently seek for as Christians, Peter then declares what the result will be. Read 2 Peter 1:8-11. What is the link between what has already been done for a Christian and how a Christian should be living? Peter urges his readers to live according to the … [Click to read more …]
Read 2 Peter 1:5-7; Romans 5:3-5; James 1:3-4; and Galatians 5:22-23. What similar theme appears in these texts? It was common among philosophers in the ancient world to list virtues. Such lists are often called a “catalogue of virtues,” and there are several examples in the New Testament (Rom. 5:3-5; James 1:3-4; Gal. 5:22-23). It … [Click to read more …]
Read 2 Peter 1:1-4. What does Peter say that we have been given in Jesus Christ? That is, how is the reality of grace seen here? Peter begins this letter by saying that it is addressed to those who “have obtained like precious faith with us” (2 Pet. 1:1, KJV); or “a faith of equal … [Click to read more …]
Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Pet. 1:1-15, Eph. 2:8, Rom. 5:3-5, Heb. 10:38, Rom. 6:11, 1 Cor. 15:12-57. Memory Text: “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; … [Click to read more …]
