Salutation Series

Lesson IV

2 Peter

Chapter 1...v1

Introduction:

1. This book/letter was written because of the dangers that the church faced, which was a result

of false teaching, taught by individuals who professed to be leaders in the church.

a. The false teachings caused doubt, and

b. The false teachings caused error.

2. Peter wrote to remind the recipients of this letter that they had been taught the truth.

a. 2 Peter 1:12

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 1:13

Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

c. 2 Peter 1:16

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

d. 2 Peter 3:1

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

3. This truth centers around the theme “Knowledge.” and the church (we as the church) needs

a. A knowledge of Jesus:

1. Of who He is;

2. Of who we are;

3. Of who we are in Him

b. A knowledge of the results of forgetting who Jesus is, .

c. A knowledge of the soon return of our Lord and Savior Jesus.

I. Salutation or Greeting (2 Peter 1:1)

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

A. The writer identifies Himself in verse 1 as “Simon Peter”

1. He refers to himself as a servant

a. The Greek for Servant is “doulos”

1. The meaning is “a slave.”

2. It Also means “one who has subjected himself to another,” and thus Peter is

saying that he is “one” who is “Subject” to Jesus as a “slave” or “Servant”

would be subject to his master.

b. We should all be “servants,” “Slaves,” and “Bondmen” of Jesus. We should all

be subjected to Jesus.

2. Peter also describes himself as “an Apostle of Jesus Christ,” for he desires that the

readers of this letter understand that he has the authority to write it.

a. The Greek Word for Apostle is “apostolos” which means

1. A delegate

2. An ambassador of the Gospel

3. Officially a commissioner (representative) of Christ. He, Peter, was an “apostle”

with miraculous powers

4. Messenger

5. One that is sent

b. Peter is saying that He is a delegate of Christ; an ambassador of the Gospel of

Christ; a messenger of Jesus; He is one who has been sent with miraculous

powers.

1. “One who has been especially chosen or commissioned by the Lord.”

2. We usually use the word Apostle to refer to the original twelve with a

special Apostolic anointing upon Paul to go to the Gentiles.

Note: Let me say that we all are delegates, ambassadors, officially commissioned with

miraculous powers through the work of the Holy Spirit, and that we are messengers who

have been sent by God.

B. Peter next identifies those to whom he is writing.

1. To them that have obtained like precious faith with us

a. It is the same faith that the writer has

b. Obtained (lagchano) means received.

c. Like precious (isotimos) means of equal value or honor

d. Faith (pistis) means persuasion, conviction, salvation, and belief.

Note: Peter is writing to those who have received a faith of equal value or honor to what he has,

or in essence, he is writing to those who have believed in the same Jesus that Peter is

following.

C. He also identifies from where we get our faith.

1. Our “faith” or belief comes “through the righteousness of God and our Saviour

Jesus Christ:”

a. Righteousness (dikaiosune) means “Justification of God.”

Note: Peter is telling us that “the faith that they had, the faith that we have,” depends on God’s

righteousness and not on human (our) achievement. This scripture discredits the false

prophets.

b. Ephesians 2:8-10

KJV

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

“Not of works, lest any man should boast.” “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

NIV

8) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--9) not by works, so that no one can boast. 10) For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”