The Credentials Of The Apostle Peter (Part 2) Series

THE CREDENTIALS OF THE APOSTLE PETER

(Part 2 – His Message)

II Peter 1:16-21

Recently a former top U.S. diplomat who once served as U.S ambassador was arrested and charged with being a foreign agent of Cuba. For over 40 years, Victor Manuel Rocha allegedly spied on behalf of Cuba’s intelligence agency. It is reported by prosecutors that Rocha has referred to the U.S. as "the enemy" and supported Cuba's clandestine intelligence-gathering mission. It is astonishing to think that a man could spend decades acting as a clandestine agent seeking to harm the interests of the USA, all while being employed by the State Department.

While that sort of treason is more common than it should be, there is another offense that is far worse, and unfortunately it is far more common. I am referring to those who pretend to be ambassadors for Christ and reap many earthly benefits of their association with His name, yet they are actually acting as double agents. There is an innumerable multitude of false prophets who profess to be concerned with the advancement of the Kingdom of God, but they are really doing the work of their father, the Devil. In the closing verses of 2 Peter chapter 1 and throughout the entirety of 2 Peter chapter 2, the Apostle confronts the actions of false prophets in his day.

We are currently examining the credentials of the Apostle Peter. Last week we considered Peter’s ministry, in our time together we saw that it was an appointed ministry. He was appointed to be an Apostle by the Lord Jesus Himself. There were several purposes for the ministry that he had been entrusted to accomplish. Peter was appointed evangelize the lost and to encourage and edify the saints. We also considered the fact that Peter’s ministry was authentic and amazing.

- As we continue to look at Peter’s resume and consider his credentials as an Apostle, I would like to examine the message that he shared. - I invite you to look with me to v19-21 as we examine:

THE MESSAGE OF THE APOSTLE PETER

If there was ever a man who was qualified to share the good news of Jesus it was Simon Peter. He was one who had first-hand experience concerning the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus. The message that Peter shared stood in contrast to the false prophets that were infiltrating and harming the church when he wrote this letter. It is clear that Peter’s goal was not to promote himself.

It doesn’t take long to observe a ministry before you see where the real focus is. Some of the most famous “pastors” and most well-known ministries are built around the personality, charisma, and gifts of their leaders (figurehead would probably be a better term). Peter did not spend his days telling people about all of the things that he had accomplished. He did not travel the region peddling the Word of God for profit. He certainly had the credentials, and he had some amazing stories to tell, but it was his heart’s desire to tell people what Jesus had done in the past and what He could do for them in the present.

Peter was the only mortal man to have ever walked on water, yet he never mentioned it to anyone. But he did have an important message that he could not help but share. It was the most important message that they could ever hear, in fact it is the most important message that the world has ever heard. His message was the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Knowing that his life was nearing its end, Peter wanted lost men and women to know that Jesus was their only hope of salvation. Moreover, he wanted to remind the Saints of the many amazing benefits that they had received through Christ.

- Consider for a moment:

THE SOUNDNESS OF PETER’S MESSAGE

v19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed

Though Peter had experienced these amazing things and had seen things that others were not privy to, he says we have something more certain than any experience of man, namely the Word of God Here, Peter ranks scripture over experience. You do not see this trait in the false prophets that are so prevalent in our day. They use very little scripture (if any), and when they do quote the Word of God it is usually out of context. But Peter says the scriptures are more reliable than even the first-hand experiences of the Apostles themselves.

Be very cautious when you hear someone say, "I feel lead to say such and such", or "the Lord is telling me to do this or that". If what someone is saying cannot be backed up by scriptures then the Lord isn't telling them a thing. Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” In the context of that verse, Paul was telling Timothy about the false prophets in their day. In the previous verses he said that in the last days “evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived…”