THE EPISTLES OF PETER 2
THE EPISTLES OF PETER 2
(CP 1Pe 5:1-14). V1-3 here, in this the last chapter of Peter's first Epistle, clearly refutes the claim by many in the contemporary Church that Jesus gave Peter authority over His other disciples and that he was the rock upon which the New Testament Church is built. Peter introduces himself to the Elders of the Churches he is addressing here simply as an Elder also of the Church, on the same level as them (CP 1Pe 5:1-3 with Eph 2:19-22). See also author's comments on 1Pe 5:1-3 and Eph 2:20 (A) and (B), and all related cross-reference Scriptures and studies referred to therein, in his book A Question and answer Study of the New Testament Church. See also author's studies Jesus not Peter the Rock upon which the Church is Built and all cross-reference Scriptures and studies referred to therein, in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2), and The New Testament Church - Its Essential Nature and Composition and all related cross-reference Scriptures and studies referred to therein, in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 3).
Peter next admonishes young men in the Church to respect and honour older men. But older men in return must respect and honour the younger men too, Christians must all be submitted to each other (CP 1Pe 5:5-6 with Pr 3:34). See also author's comments on 1Pe 5:5-6 in his book A Question and answer Study of the New Testament. See also author's study How Christians are to Love One Another in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith. Finally in 1Pe, Peter warns Christians undergoing trials of their faith not to succumb to the Devil in their trials (CP 1Pe 5:8-11 with 1Pe 1:6-9; 2:20-23; 1Pe 3:14-17). See also author's comments on 1Pe 5:8-11 in his book A Question and answer Study of the New Testament. This completes the study of Peter's First Epistle. Let us now see what we can learn from his Second Epistle.
(CP 2Pe 1:1-21). Exceeding great and precious promises referred to here are the salvation promises of eternal life Christians know is theirs in Christ. When they are born again Christians undergo a moral transformation of their nature - from one that emulated the corruption of the world to one that reflects the character of God (CP 2Pe 1:1-4 with 1Cor 6:19-20; Php 4:21-32; Col 3:1-11). See also author's comments on 2Pe 1:1-4 and 1Cor 6:19-20, and all related cross-reference Scriptures and studies referred to therein, in his book A Question and answer Study of the New Testament, and his study Regeneration and Sanctification Defined in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2). Peter teaches next, in 2Pe 1:5-11 that Christians cannot take their faith or their salvation for granted; that they are to grow in grace (CP 2Pe 1:5-11 with 2:20-22; 3:17-18; He 6:1-6; 10:19-27). See also author's comments on 2Pe 1:10, 2:20-22, 3:13-18 and He 6:4-6, and all related cross-reference Scriptures and studies referred to therein, in his book A Question and answer Study of the New Testament. Next, in 2Pe 1:12-21, Peter stresses the need for Christians to be thoroughly grounded in the truth. He teaches that the testimony of Scripture is surer confirmation of God's truth than even his own eyewitness account of Christ's transfiguration (CP V12-21 with Psa 119:9, 101-105, 130). See also author's comments on 2Pe 1:16 and 1:20-21 in his book A Question and answer Study of the New Testament, and all related cross-reference Scriptures and studies referred to therein.
(CP 2Pe 2:1-22). This whole chapter emphasises the danger to unwary Christians of false prophets and teachers rising up in the professing Church. Many are already operating in the contemporary Church, including Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Christadelphians, Christian Scientists, The Worldwide Church of God, etc, etc. The list goes on. Some lesser known have come and gone but their false teachings linger on. Some are more subtle than others, so are not immediately recognisable; others less subtle are easily detected. The onus is on Christians though to thoroughly test all teachings in the light of Scripture. If it does not line up with Scripture it must be rejected out of hand completely, regardless of who teaches it (CP 2Pe 2:1-11 with 1:16-19; 1Th 5:21 and 1Jn 4:1). See also author's comments on 2Pe 2:4-6, 2:5, 2:6-9, 2:10 and 2:20-22, 1:16-19, 1Th 5:21, 1Jn 4:1 and 2Jn 10-11 and all related cross-reference Scriptures and studies referred to therein, in his book A Question and answer Study of the New Testament. See also author's study The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture, and all related cross-reference Scriptures and studies referred to therein, in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 3). Now to the third, and final chapter of 2Pe.
(CP 2Pe 3:1-18). The emphasis here is on how Christians live in the hope of Christ's Second Coming. In V1-10 Peter teaches that sometime thereafter the Heavens and the earth will be destroyed by fire, they will dissolve and then be renewed. There can be no set time frame though when this will happen. If God appears to be slack in this regard it is because of our time perspective, not His. He is eternal and not dependent on time like humans. V9 teaches that God is patient. He purposely extends the time of Grace so that sinners can repent and be saved. (CP V1-10 with Psa 90:1-4). See also author's comments on 2Pe 3:1-7, 3:8-9 with 3:10, and all related cross-reference Scriptures and studies referred to therein, in his book A Question and answer Study of the New Testament. Next, in 1Pe 3:11-18, Peter admonishes Christians to zealously remain morally pure and at peace with God while waiting for God's promise of new Heavens and a new earth (CP V11-18 with He 1:10-12; 12:25-29; Rev 20:11; 21:1). See also author's comments on 2Pe 3:12, 3:13-18, He 12:26-29, Rev 20:11 and 21:1, and all related cross-reference Scriptures and studies referred to therein, in his book A Question and answer Study of the New Testament.
Peter the Apostle, who was also called Simon Peter, wrote these two Epistles (CP 1Pe 1:1; 2Pe 1:1). Peter was also called Cephas, meaning a stone, by Jesus (CP Jn 1:40-42). Together with John and his brother James, Peter enjoyed a close relationship with Jesus. They were eyewitnesses to His glory on the Mount of Transfiguration (CP Mt 17:1-9; 2Pe 1:16-19). They accompanied Jesus when He raised up Jairus' daughter from the dead (CP Mk 5:22-24, 35-43), and they were present with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed (CP Mt 26:36-50). Peter was the first of the Apostles to acknowledge Jesus' Deity (CP Mt 16:13-20), but he is not the rock upon which Jesus is building His church, as so many in the professing church claim (see author's study Jesus not Peter the Rock upon which the Church is Built in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2).
These Studies by Bro Val Boyle may be downloaded and freely distributed but not sold for profit.