The Book of Second Peter Introduction

Transcription

1 The Book of Second Peter Introduction Background: Second Peter was written by the apostle Peter according his opening greetings in Second Peter 1: 1. Most likely Peter was writing this letter from a Roman prison right before his death in A.D. 67. Tradition says Peter died in Nero s persecution of the Christian church. Peter was a martyred, according to reliable tradition, by being crucified upside down. In John 21: Jesus foretold of Peter s death. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish. 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, Follow Me. Second Peter was one of the most controversial books to be included in the canon. Its existence was confirmed early and some questioned its authenticity because its literary style differed from 1 Peter, as did the subject matter. Another factor on this controversy was its similarity to the Book of Jude. Nevertheless, by the fourth century A.D., church counsels had fully accepted it as an authentic letter by Peter. The differences in style are accounted for by the fact that Slivanus probably penned 1 Peter as the apostle s assistant (1Peter 5: 12). Second Peter has no such reference, implying that Peter wrote it himself or he used the service of another scribe. Even with the differences, no other biblical book is as similar to 1 Peter. Purpose: While 1 Peter was addressed to the Jewish Christians who were spread throughout Asia Minor, this second letter was written to Christians everywhere. In 1 Peter, his focus is on suffering and the hope of heaven. In his second letter, Peter addressed the apostasy and heresy that was growing in the church and that would be increasing in the future. The defense against this false teaching was for believers to be strongly rooted in the inspired Word of God. If our faith is real it will be evident in our godly behavior. Notice that Peter begins his letter with Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord and ends with but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Growth is an important part of being a Christian and it begins with faith and continues to grow as we pursue God s Word, prayer and fellowship with other believers.

2 Peter knew his time was short even as Paul understood his time was near according to 2 Timothy 4: 6 8. Peter was writing his last will and testament so his words were chosen carefully. Key Passages: 2 Peter 1: knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 2: 9 The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 2 Peter 3: 9 11 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?

3 Studies In The Book Of Second Peter Lesson 1 Please begin your study through the Book of Second Peter by reading the entire book this week. Look for verses that would help you understand why Peter wrote this letter, what his main message was and how does this letter apply to your life. Also read the Second Peter Introduction. Read 2 Peter 1: 1 11 Introduction: John Wesley was troubled and seeking peace for his soul. He was in London on May 24, At five o clock in the morning, he opened his Bible to 2 Peter 1:4, and read of God s surpassing promises that a person could partake of God s divine nature. It stirred his heart that God had indeed provided a way for someone to enjoy fellowship with Him. As Wesley prepared to depart for the day, he opened his Bible again and read, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. By evening Wesley had accepted Christ as his Savior. He would go on to found the Methodist movement and to be used mightily by God to bring revival to his land. The Blackaby Study Bible 1. Compare the opening verse of 1 Peter 1: 1 to the opening verse in 2 Peter 1: 1. What words did Peter add to his greeting and what do these words tell us about Peter s character? According to 2 Peter 1: 1 who was Peter writing to and how was your precious faith obtained?

4 2. What did Peter want multiplied in your life according to 2 Peter 1: 2? According to Proverbs 1: 7 and Proverbs 2: 1 6 how can I obtain knowledge? 3. What does His divine power give to you and where does it come from according to 2 Peter 1: 3? According to 2 Peter 1: 4 God has given to you exceeding great and precious promises. What are some of the promises God has given to you as a man of God? What am I a partaker of and what have I escaped from?

5 4. According to 2 Peter 1: 5 7 what seven attributes am I to add to my faith? 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) What is the meaning the word virtue? Using the seven attributes of faith as building blocks. If you were to build a seven-story structure what would be your foundation and what would be your top story? 5. According to 2 Peter 1: 8 10 how will these building blocks help you in your walk with the Lord? What entrance will be supplied to you according to 2 Peter 1: 11?

6 Studies In The Book Of Second Peter Lesson 2 Read 2 Peter 1: Introduction: It is interesting that the word apocalypse, which we translate revelation, literally means, an unveiling. It isn t a covering or a hiding. It s an unveiling. God seeks to reveal the truth. It isn t hidden in a secret message or in codes you have to figure out to find out what God meant. I can assure you that God meant what he said, and He said what He meant, and He said it plainly so that all of us can understand it! There is no secret or private interpretation. Pastor Chuck Smith 1. According to 2 Peter 1: what was Peter s intention before he died and even after his death? How do you think Peter s denial of the Lord in Matthew 26:30 35, had an effect upon Peter s second letter? 2. What do we learn from Jesus personal conversation with Peter in John 21: 15 19?

7 3. According to 2 Peter 1: Peter knew his time was drawing near to go home to be with the Lord. If you knew that your time was short how would you spend your final days here on earth? 4. According to 2 Peter 1: what was Peter s testimony as to the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ? Read the account of the transfiguration in Luke 9: What was Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah about and what was Peter s reaction to all he was witnessing? What do you think your reaction would be if Jesus, Moses and Elijah suddenly appeared in front of you? 5. What is even more sure than an eyewitness testimony according to 2 Peter 1: 19 21?

8 Where did the prophetic word of prophecy come from according to 2 Peter 1: 21? In 2 Timothy 3: what does the apostle Paul say about the Word of God and it s purpose? How has the Word of God changed your life?

9 Studies In The Book Of Second Peter Lesson 3 Read 2 Peter 2: 1 22 Introduction: Jesus had told the disciples that false teachers would come (Matthew 24: 11, Mark 13: 22 23). Peter had heard these words, and at this time he was see3ing them come true. Just as false prophets had contradicted the true prophets in the Old Testament times, telling people only what they wanted to hear, so false teachers were twisting Christ teachings and the words of his apostles. These teachers were belittling the significance of Jesus life, death, and resurrection. Some claimed that Jesus couldn t be God; others claimed that he couldn t of been a real man. These teachers allowed and even encouraged all kinds of immorality, especially sexual sins. We must be careful to avoid false teachers today. Any books, cd series, or TV message must be evaluated in the light of God s Word. Beware of special meanings or interpretations that belittle Christ or His work. Life Application Study Bible 1. According to 2 Peter 2: 1 3 who will be among us? (Compare with First Timothy 4:1) What will the false teachers bring in among God s people? According to 2 Peter 2: 1 what will be the outcome of these false teachings?

10 How will these false teachers deceive so many people according to 2 Peter 2: 3? How can we be better prepared to face false teachings? 2. What examples does Peter give of the destruction of these false teachers in 2 Peter 2: 4 10? What does the Lord know how to do according to 2 Peter 2: 9? (Compare with First Corinthians 10:13) How does this apply in my daily living? Can you think of an example where God delivered you? 3. In 2 Peter 2: what are some of the words Peter uses to describe false teachers?

11 According to 2 Peter 2: 14 who do these false teachers especially go after? What does it mean to follow the way of Balaam? (See Numbers 22:5 35) Who was really listening to the Lord? Balaam or his donkey? How will false teachers deceive you according to 2 Peter 2: 18 19? 4. How would you interpret 2 Peter 2: 20-22? (Compare with Matthew 12: 43 45, Luke 12: 41 48, Hebrews 6: 4 8,)

12 Studies In The Book Of Second Peter Lesson 4 Read 2 Peter 3: 1 18 Introduction: The next major event from a biblical standpoint will be the Lord s coming for His church. This is often called the Rapture. He will catch believers up to be with Him in heaven for a period of seven years. During these seven years, He will deal with the nation of Israel. This is the beginning of what the Scriptures call the Day of the Lord, when the Lord will once again take control and rule the earth. Pastor Chuck Smith 1. In 2 Peter 3: 1 2 Peter wanted to stir up and remind those he was writing to. What two things are we to be mindful of? Who will be coming in the last days, what will they be saying according 2 Peter 3: 3 4? What does Proverbs 9:7, 13:1, 14:6 and 24:9 say about Scoffers? A good definition is found in 2 Peter 2: When you read 2 Peter 3:4 7 what were these scoffers saying about God s promise and what did mankind forget?

13 Read Genesis 6:1 7 and Romans 1: What would be the result of living a life without the Creator? Do you believe the Lord could return anytime? Have you ever said, Where is the promise of His coming? 3. According to 2 Peter 3: 8 9 what one thing did Peter not want us to forget? How is the Lord longsuffering? How has He been longsuffering toward you? What is the heart of the Lord according to the last part of 2 Peter 3: 9? 4. How will the day of the Lord come? And what will happen at the close of the day of the Lord?

14 What manner of person ought you to be while waiting for the Lord s return? 5. According to God s promises what are we looking for? Refer to verse 13 According to 2 Peter 3: 14 what are we to be? 6. What will un-taught and unstable people do according to 2 Peter 3: 16? According to 2 Peter 3: what warning does Peter give us and what does he encourage us to do?