Lesson II
Introduction to 2 Peter
IV. I want to mention Five things that Peter deals with in this second letter.
A. The First thing is “The standard for Christian living is the witness of the Prophets
and Apostles.”
Note: The standard for Christian living is God’s standard, not the standard of the Apostles and
Prophets. They were only witnesses of what God said.
1. The message and witness of the Prophets and Apostles was not theirs, but God’s
through them.
a. 2 Peter 1:19-21
19) 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 in your hearts: 20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
1. “Take Heed”....to the prophecy of the (apostles)
2. Because they were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
b. 2 Peter 3:2
That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
“Be mindful of”..........words of Holy Prophets
words of the Apostles
“Take heed” and “Be mindful of”...Because...v21
‘the prophecy came...by the will...of God”
Holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Note: Therefore our standard of Christian living comes from the Scriptures. We can never
measure ourselves by the world and feel okay. We feel that we are doing better than they
are so we must be okay, but we must measure ourselves by God’s Word as the Spirit
applies it to our lives, and this will cause us to repent.
2. We need today to pay heed to the Apostles and the Prophets. We cannot add to nor
take away from Scriptures just to satisfy our own desires.
B. The second thing is “False teachers will arise even within the fellowship.”
2 Peter 2:1
1) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
1. This should not be taken casually.
2. This threatens to destroy the very foundation of Christianity because
a. They bring damnable heresies.
b. They deny the Lord.
c. They bring upon themselves swift destruction.
3. There were false teachers (prophets) in the Old Testament.
a. Name a few: Balaam; Ahab’s prophets; Prophets that opposed Jeremiah;
1. Balaam was brought in to curse Israel, and when he could not curse Israel, he
told the King of Moab how to get Israel to fall.
2. In 1 Kings chapter 22, Jehoshaphat and Ahab were going to war. There were
400 men who prophesized that they would have victory, but one man declared
that Ahab was die in battle.
3. The prophets opposed Jeremiah as he tried to prepare Judah for their fall.
b. Note the results of the false prophets upon Israel.
1. The result of Balaam’s doctrine was the death of 25000 Israelites in Numbers
25.
2. The result was a false hope in victory which led to the death of Ahab, and the
defeat of Israel.
3. The result was a false hope of victory, but Nebuchednezzar completely
destroyed Jerusalem.
4. There will be false teachers among you.
a. Note the results of the past, and rest assured that the same results will occur in the
present.
b. Note Revelations 2:4, 5, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23; 3:1, 2, 15, 16, 17;
1. The church at Ephesus
4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent....
2. The church at Pergamos
14) But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16) Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
3. The church at Thyatira
20) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23) And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
4. The church at Sardis
1) And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
5. The church at Laodicia
15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
c. False teachers & preachers seem to desire to compromise the message of God.
Note: Acts 20:28-31
28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31) Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
5. There are false teachers in this world today
a. They teach rebellion against authority
b. They water down the Word of God denying the virgin birth, the cross, the
resurrection, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Healing, etc
c. They seek after people to follow them.
Note: Any time there is confusion in the Body of Christ, look and determine what they are
seeking. If they desire for people to side with them, giving no regard to right or wrong,
then they are false teachers seeking a following. They feel they must be right at the cost of
the work of God.
C. The third thing is “what was involved in the Heresy.”
1. They denied Jesus
2. They denied Jesus’ return which was a denial of God’s promise to complete his
redemptive work that was begun in Jesus. 2 Peter 3:3-7
3) Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
D. The fourth thing is “False teaching and Doctrine results in false conduct and a loss
of ethics which results in a bold self-assertiveness.”
1. Chapter two deals with
a. immorality
b. ethics
c. describes those who are false teachers
E. The fifth thing is “Peter was attempting to stir up a fresh devotion to the faith”
according to 2 Peter 1:12 and 3:1, 2;
1. Scriptures
a. 2 Peter 1:12
12) Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though
ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
b. 2 Peter 3:1-2
1) This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2) That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
2. Peter was Reminding them that the Scriptures are not a product of human opinion,
but an authoritative revelation of the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21
“...but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
3. Let us look at A basis for determining if a “message” is of God which includes
“Prophetic utterances and tongues plus interpretations which equal prophecy” as
well as a teaching or doctrine
a. Deuteronomy 18:20-22;
20) But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 21) And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? 22) When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
b. Isaiah 8:19-20;
19) And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
20) To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
c. Revelations 22:18-29
18) For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
d. Galatians 1:6-12
6) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10) For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11) But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12) For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
4. Peter reminded them
a. Of Paul’s letter of wisdom to them. 2 Peter 3:15-18
b. That Jesus would come. 2 Peter 3:1-13
c. Of the true knowledge which must replace the false teaching.
2 Peter 1:2-3, 5-6, 8, 20; 2:20-21; 3:3, 17-18
V. The theme of 2 Peter is “knowledge.”
1. Chapter 1
a. Grace & truth comes through a “knowledge of God.” (v2)
b. God’s divine power has given all things that pertain unto life and godliness through
the knowledge of Jesus. (v3)
c. If we add to our faith the virtues in verses 5-7 then we will be fruitful in the
knowledge of Jesus (v8)
d. True knowledge makes us to know that Scripture is not by private interpretation, but
as the Spirit moved upon men of old they “spake and wrote.” (v21)
2. Chapter 2
a. We escape the pollution’s of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. (v20a)
b. When people are again “entangled and overcame,” it is because they lose their
knowledge of Jesus (v20b) and go back to the mire for Spiritual Blindness occurs
where there is no knowledge of Jesus. 2 Peter 1:9 and 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
3. Chapter 3
a. We know that in the last days men will mock the Christian Faith. (v1)
b. We know what is going to happen to the world and to the church (v17-18)
1. So let us be careful that we do not err
2. And instead of erring, let us grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
4. The “knowledge of Jesus” is mentioned five times. 1:2, 3, 8; 2:20; 3:18
Can you have a knowledge of Jesus without having a knowledge of God?
5. Define Knowledge
a. In 1:2, 3, 8; 2:20
1. The word for knowledge is the Greek word “epignosis”
a. To recognize and it implies to “become fully acquainted with
b. To acknowledge
b. In 1:5, 6; 3:8
1. The word for knowledge/know/knowing is the Greek word “gnosis”
a. This is from ‘ginosko” which is a verb.
b. Thus knowledge in these verses an “an act” or “knowing” or “to
Know”--understand or perceive
VI. Exhortation
A. 1 Chronicles 28:9 David tells Solomon to
1. Know God
2. Observe God
3. Acknowledge God
4. Be acquainted with God
5. Be aware of God
6. Comprehend God
7. Understand God
8. Discern God
9. Be a familiar friend with God
10. Have respect toward God
11. Have an understanding of God
B. The Word will
1. Give us this above “knowledge” of God
a. And this Knowledge of God will cause us to serve Him. Note the direction to the
king in Deuteronomy 17:14, 18, 19, 20
1. Learn to fear the Lord
2. Learn to keep the Words in the Law
3. That the king’s heart not be lifted up
4. That he not turn aside from the law (backslide)
5. That he may prolong his days
C. Through knowledge of Jesus
1. We have “grace and Peace” (1:2) through
a. Recognizing God
b. Becoming fully acquainted with Him
c. Acknowledging Jesus as “Lord”
2. We have “life and godliness” (1:3) through
a. Recognizing God
b. Becoming fully acquainted with Jesus
c. Acknowledging Jesus as “Lord.”
3. When the virtues in v5-7 are in us and abound in us, then we will be fruitful in the
knowledge of God. (1:8)
a. Fruitful in recognizing God
b. Fruitful in being fully acquainted with Jesus
c. Fruitful in Acknowledging Jesus as “Lord.”
4. We will escape the pollution’s of the world by (2:20)
a. Recognizing God
b. Becoming fully acquainted with Jesus
c. Acknowledging Jesus as “Lord.”
5. In 1:5, we are to add to virtue knowledge
a. or to add Understanding of God
b. or to add Perception of God
6. In 1:6, we are to add to knowledge temperance
a. or we are to add to an understanding of God temperance
b. or we are to add to a perception of God temperance
7. in 3:18, we are to “grow in knowledge”
a. We are to grow in our Understanding of God (Jesus)
b. We are to grow in our Perception of our Lord and Savior Jesus (God)
8. In 3:3, we are to Know (understand and perceive) what is going to happen in the last
days so we can avoid the error or sins in which others will fall. (3:17)
9. Finally, we are to not argue or discuss with false teachers
a. We are to give them the Word
b. We are to tell them the True Gospel
c. We are to let the Holy Spirit bring true knowledge (understanding and perception)
to their hearts.
1. True knowledge (understanding and perception) will cause them to
a. Recognize Him as Lord
b. Become acquainted with Him
c. To acknowledge him as Lord.
VII. The Outline of Peter is in three sections
A. First,
1. He discusses true knowledge bestowed as a gift of God
a. through His power (1:3)
b. and through His promises. (1:4)
c. The Result is
1. We as a believer are a partaker of His Divine Nature
2. That our growth that follows prepares us for the fuller experience of the
heavenly that is yet to come.
2. That the basis of this knowledge is found
a. In the personal testimony of those who know Jesus (1:14)
b. In the revelation of the Scriptures which come through the direct
impartation and control of the Holy Spirit (1:20)
B. Second is a Prophetic Denunciation of those who are in error
1. They error by
a. Denying the Lordship of Jesus
b. Denying the redemptive work of Jesus
c. Living in Moral Looseness
2. He gives a history lesson of God’s actions in the past against those who erred.
a. The angels that sinned (2:4)
b. The antediluvian world (2:5)
c. Sodom and Gomorrah (2:6)
3. He states that the ungodly will be reserved for judgment (2:9)
4. He describes those in error (2:10-19)
5. Note his statement in 2:21 and compare Jesus statement of Judas in Matt. 26;24
2 Peter 2:21 “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than,
after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”
Mat 26:24 “The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the
Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.”
C. The Third division points out the only hope for the future.
1. Peter references to death in Chapter 1:11, 13, 14, 15, 16 shows that he had an
eternal perspective.
2. In chapter 2, Peter talks about errors that will arise
3. Then in chapter 3, he points out that the only true hope
a. lies in the knowledge of God’s program
b. and it Lies in Patience while we wait for it to be carried out
c. Yes
1. Mockers will deny the truth of Jesus’ return
2. and as Judgment has occurred in the Past
3. Jesus
a. will come as a thief in the night (3:10)
b. and A new heaven and earth will be created (3:13)
VIII. One of the chief contributions of 2 Peter is a statement concerning Scriptures (1:20-21)
A. No prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation
1. Private (idius) which means “self”
2. Interpretation (epilusis) which means “explanation or illumination”
Note: Individuals may try to understand or interpret what the Scriptures are saying, but be
careful
1. To not pull a text out by itself and try to build a doctrine
2. To not take a text out of its Spiritual Content
c. To remember that the Holy Ghost is the author, and He is the one that is capable of
being the final interpreter of the Scriptures.
3. Moved (phero) means “borne along” or “carried” as a ship is carried on a tide
Note: The men of old were propelled along by the Holy Ghost, and it was not by their own
power.
Note: Some want to interpret Scripture by themselves, but it is by the Spirit of God. Some do
not want taught, but wants us to have teachers.
Note: We need a Knowledge
1. Of Jesus
a. To recognize Him as Savior
b. To rightly discern who he is
2. Of what will happen to those who lose this knowledge of Jesus
a. they will perish
3. Of the truthfulness of the Lord’s promises
a. So we can discern the time we are living in
b. So we can understand that God is patient
c. So we can understand that Jesus is coming
