November 30 - Grow in the Lord - 2 Peter 3:14-18
Peter comes to the end of his second letter and wants to ensure that he has said everything he needs to say before he is finished. In 2 Peter 1:13-15, we see that he is more than likely very aware of that his time on earth is short.
He wraps up the previous passage by encouraging his readers to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Jesus since the Day of the Lord is near. He repeats his admonition that the Lord's patience means salvation. In other words, just because the Messiah hasn't returned yet, don't dismiss the hope that He is not coming soon. Be prepared, be holy.
There had been tension between Paul and Peter. In Galatians 2:11-21, Paul opposes him in Antioch, yet Peter ends the verse (2 Peter 3:15) by speaking the same words about Paul that Paul used to described himself in 1 Corinthians 3:10. During all of those years, and amidst the disagreements that these two men may have had regarding how to teach the world about Jesus Christ, they still cared for each other.
Peter goes on in 2 Peter 3:16 to affirm Paul's teachings, even those that might have been difficult for Peter to learn.
As we come to the final two verses of these letters from Peter we are encouraged to stay alert. I love the command in 2 Peter 3:18. "Grow." The word means to increase, to grow up, to become greater, to augment. We are not to stay stagnant or maintain the status quo. We are to always be learning and always find ways to grow in God's grace.
I certainly don't want to be the same immature girl that I was at the age of 13 and I certainly don't want to be the same Christian that I was at that age. I can only pray that over the years I have grown into the woman that God wants me to be, both in the world and in His Word.
To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
It's hard to believe that another month has come to a close. Today is the beginning of Advent, the beginning of the Christmas season. I will begin wandering through the Gospels tomorrow, reading the story of Christ's birth. We spend less than a month preparing for His birthday. Joseph, Mary, Zechariah, Elizabeth and their families had spent many months. Can you imagine the excitement that Mary must have felt as she spent 9 months preparing for His coming? Can you imagine the anticipation that all of Heaven had as they waited for this child's entrance?
If you would like to invite someone to be a part of this adventure, they can either log on to the blog at pouroutablessing.blogspot.com or they can email me to get daily notices of this by sending an email to nammynools (at) cox (dot) net.
Showing posts with label 2 Peter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2 Peter. Show all posts
November 29 - Day of the Lord
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Labels:
2 Peter
November 29 - Day of the Lord - 2 Peter 3:1-13
Jude 17-18 parallels 2 Peter 3:2-3.
Notice in 2 Peter 3:2 that Peter links the authority of the apostles to the historical authority of the prophets. He writes this way to assure continuity of the Gospel and authentication for Christian preaching. Tyndale's commentary states that 2 Peter 3:1-2 tells us to remember who brought the word of God and 2 Peter 3:3-7 reminds us of the power of the Word to create and destroy.
Peter emphasized the second coming of the Messiah in his first letter and follows up with further thoughts. As I read 2 Peter 3:3-7, I realized that I have heard people speak these same words. I remember having conversations with my father and other close Christian mentors about this. "If nothing has changed on this earth in the entire time that it has been in existence, why should we believe that it is going to change now?" My father finally told me that one way or other, we would be in heaven ... either through our own death or the return of the Messiah. And either way would be acceptable. He was right.
2 Peter 3:5 states that people who scoff at the return of the Messiah are deliberately forgetting their history. They are ignoring the truth of God's activity in the creation of this world and the destruction of the world in the time of Noah.
The present heaven and earth are reserved for fire (2 Peter 3:7). As you read the Revelation to John, you will find that fire is a primary destructive force unleashed upon the earth and the heavens. We are in no position to question God on His timing or His intervention into this world. We are to simply trust in the certainty of the things that He has done.
Peter discussion on God's timing is one of those passages that has allowed me to learn about trusting in God and what patience really means. God's idea of when things should happen tends to be completely different than what I think should happen. However, I am generally operating under the assumption that I have a limited amount of time left on this earth, so I have to ensure that things are done while I am here to see it happen.
God, on the other hand, is not bound by the constraints of time. He does not have a limited amount of time to deal with the issues on this earth. For heaven's sake, it took him thousands of years and many generations to get from Abraham, through the calling of a nation, through the rejection and acceptance and rejection and acceptance and rejection that the nation Israel dealt with in its relationship with him, and finally to the point of Jesus coming to earth to act as the greatest sacrifice. Any of us would have been finished with that garbage in a few weeks!
God's desire is not just to punish, but to bring everyone to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Peter is very clear, though. The Day of the Lord will come (2 Peter 3:10). The destruction will happen. Do not ignore this. Just as he taught about holiness in his first letter, he repeats himself and tells us that it is important to live holy and godly lives. He has promised that this day will come. We believe God's promises and just as we believe the promise of the destruction of the present heaven and earth, we believe the promise of a new heaven and earth which will be a home of righteousness.
Holiness leads to heaven.
Jude 17-18 parallels 2 Peter 3:2-3.
Notice in 2 Peter 3:2 that Peter links the authority of the apostles to the historical authority of the prophets. He writes this way to assure continuity of the Gospel and authentication for Christian preaching. Tyndale's commentary states that 2 Peter 3:1-2 tells us to remember who brought the word of God and 2 Peter 3:3-7 reminds us of the power of the Word to create and destroy.
Peter emphasized the second coming of the Messiah in his first letter and follows up with further thoughts. As I read 2 Peter 3:3-7, I realized that I have heard people speak these same words. I remember having conversations with my father and other close Christian mentors about this. "If nothing has changed on this earth in the entire time that it has been in existence, why should we believe that it is going to change now?" My father finally told me that one way or other, we would be in heaven ... either through our own death or the return of the Messiah. And either way would be acceptable. He was right.
2 Peter 3:5 states that people who scoff at the return of the Messiah are deliberately forgetting their history. They are ignoring the truth of God's activity in the creation of this world and the destruction of the world in the time of Noah.
The present heaven and earth are reserved for fire (2 Peter 3:7). As you read the Revelation to John, you will find that fire is a primary destructive force unleashed upon the earth and the heavens. We are in no position to question God on His timing or His intervention into this world. We are to simply trust in the certainty of the things that He has done.
Peter discussion on God's timing is one of those passages that has allowed me to learn about trusting in God and what patience really means. God's idea of when things should happen tends to be completely different than what I think should happen. However, I am generally operating under the assumption that I have a limited amount of time left on this earth, so I have to ensure that things are done while I am here to see it happen.
God, on the other hand, is not bound by the constraints of time. He does not have a limited amount of time to deal with the issues on this earth. For heaven's sake, it took him thousands of years and many generations to get from Abraham, through the calling of a nation, through the rejection and acceptance and rejection and acceptance and rejection that the nation Israel dealt with in its relationship with him, and finally to the point of Jesus coming to earth to act as the greatest sacrifice. Any of us would have been finished with that garbage in a few weeks!
God's desire is not just to punish, but to bring everyone to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Peter is very clear, though. The Day of the Lord will come (2 Peter 3:10). The destruction will happen. Do not ignore this. Just as he taught about holiness in his first letter, he repeats himself and tells us that it is important to live holy and godly lives. He has promised that this day will come. We believe God's promises and just as we believe the promise of the destruction of the present heaven and earth, we believe the promise of a new heaven and earth which will be a home of righteousness.
Holiness leads to heaven.
November 28 - Punishment
Friday, November 28, 2008
Labels:
2 Peter
November 28 - Punishment - 2 Peter 2:10-22
Ahhh ... this is much better. For some of you, Black Friday is something to get excited about ... for me, it would be punishment. So, I find it easy to write about that subject today.
The subject matter is paralled in Jude 8-16 if you want to look for the similarities.
As I read this through, it occurred to me that Peter was absolutely furious with someone. This sounds like a retribution tirade if I've ever heard one! I've had these conversations with Max when I've been righteously angry at someone for corrupting others.
2 Peter 2:10-12 begins to describe who these people are. I hope that you can see this in someone other than yourself ... because if you see yourself in these words, you will have some 'splainin to do!
First they despise authority and follow corrupt desires. They are bold and arrogant and will even slander celestial beings. By the time you get to 2 Peter 2:12, Peter assures us that not only are they brute beasts, but they are ignorant. They don't even know what it is that they are talking about! Wycliffe says 'their self-assurance was matched by their ignorance.' Paul speaks of this type of people in Colossians 2:18.
2 Peter 2:13 speaks of people who attend Christian events and then carouse, living a life that is completely different than the one they live while chatting it up in church! Peter speaks of a feast, he is speaking of the family-type gatherings that Christians had regularly.
In 2 Peter 2:14-15, we find that there is more to come with regards to their bad behavior. They never stop sinning. Their eyes are adulterous, they seduce the unstable, they are experts in greed, they love the payment they get for wickedness. When Carol and I were running Insty-Prints, it was always a challenge to be above board and to be honest. We watched dishonesty happen all around us. The business world is not an easy place to be a Christian. Too many Christian business people find themselves easily swayed by the easy dollar. It's much too simple to take a shortcut and charge the higher price ... Peter is fully condemning those actions!
As we move on through these verses, Peter emphasizes that it isn't enough that these people are corrupt, but they have to drag others into their corruption. In fact, they even go after people who are weak (2 Peter 2:18). They promise freedom, yet drag people away from true freedom of knowing Christ (2 Peter 2:20). For them, he says it would be better if they have never known the hope of righteousness, because turning your back on it is the worst possible consequence (2 Peter 2:21).
Peter ends this passage with the words of Proverbs 26:11 and everything seems very dismal. He has delivered these words to people whose corruption knew no bounds. It seems appropriate in this day and age to be reminded of his tirade against the ways of wickedness. We are an accursed people without the saving grace of Jesus Christ. It is impossible to live this life on our own.
Where will you stand today? Have you left the straight way and wandered off (2 Peter 2:15)?
Ahhh ... this is much better. For some of you, Black Friday is something to get excited about ... for me, it would be punishment. So, I find it easy to write about that subject today.
The subject matter is paralled in Jude 8-16 if you want to look for the similarities.
As I read this through, it occurred to me that Peter was absolutely furious with someone. This sounds like a retribution tirade if I've ever heard one! I've had these conversations with Max when I've been righteously angry at someone for corrupting others.
2 Peter 2:10-12 begins to describe who these people are. I hope that you can see this in someone other than yourself ... because if you see yourself in these words, you will have some 'splainin to do!
First they despise authority and follow corrupt desires. They are bold and arrogant and will even slander celestial beings. By the time you get to 2 Peter 2:12, Peter assures us that not only are they brute beasts, but they are ignorant. They don't even know what it is that they are talking about! Wycliffe says 'their self-assurance was matched by their ignorance.' Paul speaks of this type of people in Colossians 2:18.
2 Peter 2:13 speaks of people who attend Christian events and then carouse, living a life that is completely different than the one they live while chatting it up in church! Peter speaks of a feast, he is speaking of the family-type gatherings that Christians had regularly.
In 2 Peter 2:14-15, we find that there is more to come with regards to their bad behavior. They never stop sinning. Their eyes are adulterous, they seduce the unstable, they are experts in greed, they love the payment they get for wickedness. When Carol and I were running Insty-Prints, it was always a challenge to be above board and to be honest. We watched dishonesty happen all around us. The business world is not an easy place to be a Christian. Too many Christian business people find themselves easily swayed by the easy dollar. It's much too simple to take a shortcut and charge the higher price ... Peter is fully condemning those actions!
As we move on through these verses, Peter emphasizes that it isn't enough that these people are corrupt, but they have to drag others into their corruption. In fact, they even go after people who are weak (2 Peter 2:18). They promise freedom, yet drag people away from true freedom of knowing Christ (2 Peter 2:20). For them, he says it would be better if they have never known the hope of righteousness, because turning your back on it is the worst possible consequence (2 Peter 2:21).
Peter ends this passage with the words of Proverbs 26:11 and everything seems very dismal. He has delivered these words to people whose corruption knew no bounds. It seems appropriate in this day and age to be reminded of his tirade against the ways of wickedness. We are an accursed people without the saving grace of Jesus Christ. It is impossible to live this life on our own.
Where will you stand today? Have you left the straight way and wandered off (2 Peter 2:15)?
November 26 - A History Lesson
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Labels:
2 Peter
November 26 - A History Lesson - 2 Peter 2:4-9
Peter is about to deliver a very clear picture of God's ability to judge between the righteous and the wicked. If you read Jude 3-8, you will find much of the same language. The if ... then statements are summed up in 2 Peter 2:9. The Lord knows how to rescue godly men and He knows to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.
The lesson in this passage seems fairly obvious and I don't know that I need to spend much more time with it than asking you to read through this carefully.
The angels that sinned. We read about fallen angels in Job 4:18, Matthew 25:41, Jude 6 and Revelation 12:9. Jude and Revelation both speak of the archangel Michael, who led the battle against the dragon (Satan) and his angels (Revelation 12:7-8).
He didn't spare the ancient world filled with ungodly people, but he did separate Noah and his family to protect them.
He condemned Sodom and Gomorrah, but rescued Lot, a righteous man. And don't you love 2 Peter 2:8? 'that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard.' Somedays, after watching the news, I feel like that. Not that I'm proclaiming myself particularly righteous. But, we live among such filth and we are expected to maintain a sense of godliness through it. God rewards that!
In 2 Peter 2:9, the word 'terein,' which is translated in the NIV as holding the unrighteous for the day of judgment, actually means that God is keeping them under guard.
False teachers and prophets, ungodly men and women, sinful angels and those who deliberately reject God's commands face an eternity of punishment. We can hope for something better and ignore the fact that it is coming, but Peter wants us to understand that God will punish the unjust and the ungodly. He will also rescue the righteous.
Peter is about to deliver a very clear picture of God's ability to judge between the righteous and the wicked. If you read Jude 3-8, you will find much of the same language. The if ... then statements are summed up in 2 Peter 2:9. The Lord knows how to rescue godly men and He knows to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.
The lesson in this passage seems fairly obvious and I don't know that I need to spend much more time with it than asking you to read through this carefully.
The angels that sinned. We read about fallen angels in Job 4:18, Matthew 25:41, Jude 6 and Revelation 12:9. Jude and Revelation both speak of the archangel Michael, who led the battle against the dragon (Satan) and his angels (Revelation 12:7-8).
He didn't spare the ancient world filled with ungodly people, but he did separate Noah and his family to protect them.
He condemned Sodom and Gomorrah, but rescued Lot, a righteous man. And don't you love 2 Peter 2:8? 'that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard.' Somedays, after watching the news, I feel like that. Not that I'm proclaiming myself particularly righteous. But, we live among such filth and we are expected to maintain a sense of godliness through it. God rewards that!
In 2 Peter 2:9, the word 'terein,' which is translated in the NIV as holding the unrighteous for the day of judgment, actually means that God is keeping them under guard.
False teachers and prophets, ungodly men and women, sinful angels and those who deliberately reject God's commands face an eternity of punishment. We can hope for something better and ignore the fact that it is coming, but Peter wants us to understand that God will punish the unjust and the ungodly. He will also rescue the righteous.
November 25 - False Prophets
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Labels:
2 Peter
November 25 - False Prophets - 1 Peter 2:1-3
While reading these 3 verses, I became really disturbed. Not at the words, but at the realization of how easily we are taken in and how easy it is for us to be caught up in false teaching. In fact, sometimes it is nearly impossible to discern what is truth and what is false.
I get annoyed with the email stories that travel from person to person and generally head to truthorfiction.com or snopes.com to get the rebuttal and send it back to the person I received the original email from. But, we don't have something that black and white to stop most false teachers and prophets. Their teaching is wrapped up in the guise of truth and many times it is wrapped in a beautiful bow that entices us into desiring that their words be truth.
We've seen cults destroy themselves as their leaders tried to introduce teachings and then fall apart. In fact, we've seen many evangelical pastors lose sight of the goal and turn the importance of the story of Jesus into a personal greedy goal. Peter assures us that their destruction will be swift.
I don't know that Peter is speaking of Christians who get caught up in something and find themselves spinning out of control as we've seen many evangelical leaders do over the last few decades. This is a more insidious, deliberate attack on Christianity. But, the enemy will use any way possible to get people to follow the lie and the false teaching.
Look at 2 Peter 2:2. What is one of the outcomes of false teaching? The way of truth is brought into disrepute. Hypocrisy among Christians is one of the biggest reasons that non-Christians offer for not wanting to become a part of the church. Who can blame them? Christianity, the church, everything about this has been turned into a business and many times not a very 'Christian' one at that. So, when an honest person shows up, wanting to spread the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, he (or she) must wade through the built-up sludge of lies and destructive heresies.
This is not an easy time to be a Christian. We are not facing direct persecution on a daily basis, but we do face the effects of allowing false prophets and false teachers among us.
In 2 Peter 2:3, the NIV says that 'these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.' Other translations read 'feigned words.' The Greek word for this phrase is 'plastos.' Yup, we get our word 'plastic' from that. Words that can easily be twisted. They twist these words to fill their greed. Paul speaks of the same thing in 1 Thessalonians 2:5, "You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness," when assuring his readers that he was different from others. In the Old Testament, Micah called them out by saying, "Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, her priests instruct for a price, and her prophets divine for money." (Micah 3:11).
We don't have to pronounce judgment on these people, Peter says that 'their condemnations has long been hanging over them ...' (2 Peter 2:3b) But, we do have to be constantly on the alert.
While reading these 3 verses, I became really disturbed. Not at the words, but at the realization of how easily we are taken in and how easy it is for us to be caught up in false teaching. In fact, sometimes it is nearly impossible to discern what is truth and what is false.
I get annoyed with the email stories that travel from person to person and generally head to truthorfiction.com or snopes.com to get the rebuttal and send it back to the person I received the original email from. But, we don't have something that black and white to stop most false teachers and prophets. Their teaching is wrapped up in the guise of truth and many times it is wrapped in a beautiful bow that entices us into desiring that their words be truth.
We've seen cults destroy themselves as their leaders tried to introduce teachings and then fall apart. In fact, we've seen many evangelical pastors lose sight of the goal and turn the importance of the story of Jesus into a personal greedy goal. Peter assures us that their destruction will be swift.
I don't know that Peter is speaking of Christians who get caught up in something and find themselves spinning out of control as we've seen many evangelical leaders do over the last few decades. This is a more insidious, deliberate attack on Christianity. But, the enemy will use any way possible to get people to follow the lie and the false teaching.
Look at 2 Peter 2:2. What is one of the outcomes of false teaching? The way of truth is brought into disrepute. Hypocrisy among Christians is one of the biggest reasons that non-Christians offer for not wanting to become a part of the church. Who can blame them? Christianity, the church, everything about this has been turned into a business and many times not a very 'Christian' one at that. So, when an honest person shows up, wanting to spread the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, he (or she) must wade through the built-up sludge of lies and destructive heresies.
This is not an easy time to be a Christian. We are not facing direct persecution on a daily basis, but we do face the effects of allowing false prophets and false teachers among us.
In 2 Peter 2:3, the NIV says that 'these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.' Other translations read 'feigned words.' The Greek word for this phrase is 'plastos.' Yup, we get our word 'plastic' from that. Words that can easily be twisted. They twist these words to fill their greed. Paul speaks of the same thing in 1 Thessalonians 2:5, "You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness," when assuring his readers that he was different from others. In the Old Testament, Micah called them out by saying, "Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, her priests instruct for a price, and her prophets divine for money." (Micah 3:11).
We don't have to pronounce judgment on these people, Peter says that 'their condemnations has long been hanging over them ...' (2 Peter 2:3b) But, we do have to be constantly on the alert.
November 24 - Prophets
Monday, November 24, 2008
Labels:
2 Peter
November 24 - Prophets - 2 Peter 1:19-21
At the end of the passage that we read yesterday, Peter spoke of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus ensured that Peter, James and John saw the glory of the living Presence of God. In Chapter 2, Peter begins teaching about false teacher, but before he gets there, he wants us to know that he is preaching truth. Those cleverly invented stories of 2 Peter 1:16 were not used to tell us about the power and coming of Jesus, but Peter was a witness and the prophets told of those things.
Pay attention to prophecy, he says. It is a light shining in a dark place. Psalm 119:105 say that God's Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. He goes on to tell us that we are to hold to the Word 'until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.' (2 Peter 1:19b)
Numbers 24:17 says "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel."
And we see in Revelation 22:16 that Jesus is the bright morning star.
After the dawn of the morning star - scripture will no longer be needed. Understand this - it's beautiful! Scripture shines as a light until the coming of the dawn. That's what Peter is telling us. Jesus is the Word made flesh. Jesus is the morning star. We will no longer need scripture with the dawn of the morning star. We will have entered the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:23 says "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light ... and the Lamb is its lamp."
Remember what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10? Oh, this just excites my heart. "But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears."
2 Peter 1:20-21 gives us more information about these prophecies. Firstly, the prophet did not make them up on his own and secondly, they came from God through the Holy Spirit.
The prophecies that are a light shining in a dark place are God's Words to us ... love letters, if you will. A promise that Jesus will return. A light to encourage our hope in the darkness.
At the end of the passage that we read yesterday, Peter spoke of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus ensured that Peter, James and John saw the glory of the living Presence of God. In Chapter 2, Peter begins teaching about false teacher, but before he gets there, he wants us to know that he is preaching truth. Those cleverly invented stories of 2 Peter 1:16 were not used to tell us about the power and coming of Jesus, but Peter was a witness and the prophets told of those things.
Pay attention to prophecy, he says. It is a light shining in a dark place. Psalm 119:105 say that God's Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. He goes on to tell us that we are to hold to the Word 'until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.' (2 Peter 1:19b)
Numbers 24:17 says "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel."
And we see in Revelation 22:16 that Jesus is the bright morning star.
After the dawn of the morning star - scripture will no longer be needed. Understand this - it's beautiful! Scripture shines as a light until the coming of the dawn. That's what Peter is telling us. Jesus is the Word made flesh. Jesus is the morning star. We will no longer need scripture with the dawn of the morning star. We will have entered the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:23 says "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light ... and the Lamb is its lamp."
Remember what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10? Oh, this just excites my heart. "But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears."
2 Peter 1:20-21 gives us more information about these prophecies. Firstly, the prophet did not make them up on his own and secondly, they came from God through the Holy Spirit.
The prophecies that are a light shining in a dark place are God's Words to us ... love letters, if you will. A promise that Jesus will return. A light to encourage our hope in the darkness.
November 23 - We Knew Jesus
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Labels:
2 Peter
November 23 - We Knew Jesus - 2 Peter 1:12-18
In John 21:18-19, Jesus tells Peter that he will die a martyr's death. We find Peter acknowledging that this is going to happen soon in these verses (2 Peter 1:12-15). He wants to make sure that things are put into place so that his readers are able to remember the truths that he has spent the better part of his life teaching. Some scholars believe that 2 Peter 1:15 indicates that he spent time recounting his memories to Mark so that the Gospel would be written.
False prophets and teachers used myths and stories to emphasize their teaching. Peter clearly states in 2 Peter 1:16 that the stories he relates are true because he was an eyewitness. Paul used the same terminology in dealing with false prophets in 1 Tim. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:4 and Tit. 1:14.
One of Peter's favorite memories had to have been the Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-13). Jesus ensured that Peter, James and John were allowed to witness the glory of heaven so that they could relate the story to others on earth ... as witnesses and participants.
Non-Biblical sources are used to make suppositions regarding Peter's life in Rome and his death. However, these sources are generally accepted as historical and are not part of the apocrypha. Josephus (AD 37 - AD 100) wrote two major works which describe Judaism and early Christianity, St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Clement of Rome, St. Ireneaus of Lyons all spoke of Peter - that he and Paul were the founders of the church in Rome. Josephus wrote of how Roman soldiers entertained themselves by crucifying men in varying positions, which affirms the possibility of Peter's crucifixion being upside down.
Tradition holds that Peter fled from Rome to avoid execution, but in a vision/conversation with Jesus, was told that he (Jesus) was going to Rome to be crucified again, so Peter turned around and went back to Rome to meet his death.
He would have been murdered by Nero between 64 and 68 AD. On October 13, 64 AD, Nero celebrated the 10th Anniversary of his ascendancy to the throne. This holiday was generally celebrated with much bloodshed and came three months after the fire which Nero blamed on the Christians, hoping to eliminate many of them in the aftermath. This would have been a probable time for Nero to execute one of the major leaders of the Christian faith.
All of the stories, all of the traditions are interesting information, but what we actually know of Peter is that he as a man who knew Jesus intimately and his purpose in life was fulfilled as he taught people how to come to know his own Savior personally.
In John 21:18-19, Jesus tells Peter that he will die a martyr's death. We find Peter acknowledging that this is going to happen soon in these verses (2 Peter 1:12-15). He wants to make sure that things are put into place so that his readers are able to remember the truths that he has spent the better part of his life teaching. Some scholars believe that 2 Peter 1:15 indicates that he spent time recounting his memories to Mark so that the Gospel would be written.
False prophets and teachers used myths and stories to emphasize their teaching. Peter clearly states in 2 Peter 1:16 that the stories he relates are true because he was an eyewitness. Paul used the same terminology in dealing with false prophets in 1 Tim. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:4 and Tit. 1:14.
One of Peter's favorite memories had to have been the Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-13). Jesus ensured that Peter, James and John were allowed to witness the glory of heaven so that they could relate the story to others on earth ... as witnesses and participants.
Non-Biblical sources are used to make suppositions regarding Peter's life in Rome and his death. However, these sources are generally accepted as historical and are not part of the apocrypha. Josephus (AD 37 - AD 100) wrote two major works which describe Judaism and early Christianity, St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Clement of Rome, St. Ireneaus of Lyons all spoke of Peter - that he and Paul were the founders of the church in Rome. Josephus wrote of how Roman soldiers entertained themselves by crucifying men in varying positions, which affirms the possibility of Peter's crucifixion being upside down.
Tradition holds that Peter fled from Rome to avoid execution, but in a vision/conversation with Jesus, was told that he (Jesus) was going to Rome to be crucified again, so Peter turned around and went back to Rome to meet his death.
He would have been murdered by Nero between 64 and 68 AD. On October 13, 64 AD, Nero celebrated the 10th Anniversary of his ascendancy to the throne. This holiday was generally celebrated with much bloodshed and came three months after the fire which Nero blamed on the Christians, hoping to eliminate many of them in the aftermath. This would have been a probable time for Nero to execute one of the major leaders of the Christian faith.
All of the stories, all of the traditions are interesting information, but what we actually know of Peter is that he as a man who knew Jesus intimately and his purpose in life was fulfilled as he taught people how to come to know his own Savior personally.
November 22 - You are Called
Saturday, November 22, 2008
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2 Peter
November 22 - You are Called - 2 Peter 1:3-11
Sometimes I have a very bad habit of skimming over scripture and missing important thoughts because I do that. This is one of those passages.
Before we get going too deeply, read 2 Peter 1:10. I want you to have that verse in your head. "Be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure."
Now, let's start at the beginning of the passage (2 Peter 1:3). We have everything we need given to us and then the next bit barely makes sense, unless you spend some time with it. 'through our knowledge of him' (NIV) is probably more easily translated to 'through our acknowledgement of him.' So, as we acknowledge or know Jesus, we have everything we need for life and godliness given to us by His divine power.
The last part of this sentence speaks of our calling. We don't learn about or gain knowledge or come to acknowledge Jesus on our own, but because Jesus called us. He took the initiative in this relationship. And it is by his glory and goodness - that is - it is based on His own honor and excellence, that we are called. Peter makes it very clear that this has nothing to do with an action or activity on our own part.
In 2 Peter 1:4 we find Peter talking about jesus' very great and precious promises. What are these promises? Well, the word used here for 'promise' is only used in this letter in the New Testament. The other place that it is found is in 2 Peter 3:13. The use of this word opens and closes this letter and the rarity of usage of this word emphasizes its importance. The Greek word used here focuses on the content of the promise more than on the promise itself. While Peter doesn't offer us the exact content at this point, we will discover more about this in the second usage of the term.
What it does do is point us to the benefits of the calling: participation in the divine nature, which in essence means that we are more like God than like humanity - which reminds us of Peter's declaration that we are aliens and strangers in this world; and escape from the corruption in the world which is an ongoing process as we walk in this world.
2 Peter 1:5-7 begins a list of virtures that we are to build upon as we grow in knowledge of Jesus Christ. There are 3 other lists of virtues in the New Testament. We know of the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23, but we can also find lists in Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:3-4. Some of these cross lists, but some are individual to the writer.
What we can't miss here is the way that this list is put together. In essence, we must spend some faith to gain goodness; we must spend goodness to gain knowledge; we must spend knowledge to gain self-control; we must spend self-control to gain perseverance; we must spend perseverance to gain godliness; we must spend godliness to gain brotherly kindness; and we must spend brotherly kindness to gain love. There is expense and effort involved in growing virtuously. It isn't something that God just lays on us. So, by growing in virtue, our lives in Christ will be fruitful.
God has called and chosen us. He alone can do this, but for those who think that you can simply live without any type of growth in the virtues of the Christian life, Peter wants us to know that we have a responsibility.
Living a virtuous life will stop us from falling (stumbling) into sin.
You are called and chosen. You have a responsibility, but it will take some work - it won't be easy. The reward? Eternal life in Christ's kingdom.
Sometimes I have a very bad habit of skimming over scripture and missing important thoughts because I do that. This is one of those passages.
Before we get going too deeply, read 2 Peter 1:10. I want you to have that verse in your head. "Be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure."
Now, let's start at the beginning of the passage (2 Peter 1:3). We have everything we need given to us and then the next bit barely makes sense, unless you spend some time with it. 'through our knowledge of him' (NIV) is probably more easily translated to 'through our acknowledgement of him.' So, as we acknowledge or know Jesus, we have everything we need for life and godliness given to us by His divine power.
The last part of this sentence speaks of our calling. We don't learn about or gain knowledge or come to acknowledge Jesus on our own, but because Jesus called us. He took the initiative in this relationship. And it is by his glory and goodness - that is - it is based on His own honor and excellence, that we are called. Peter makes it very clear that this has nothing to do with an action or activity on our own part.
In 2 Peter 1:4 we find Peter talking about jesus' very great and precious promises. What are these promises? Well, the word used here for 'promise' is only used in this letter in the New Testament. The other place that it is found is in 2 Peter 3:13. The use of this word opens and closes this letter and the rarity of usage of this word emphasizes its importance. The Greek word used here focuses on the content of the promise more than on the promise itself. While Peter doesn't offer us the exact content at this point, we will discover more about this in the second usage of the term.
What it does do is point us to the benefits of the calling: participation in the divine nature, which in essence means that we are more like God than like humanity - which reminds us of Peter's declaration that we are aliens and strangers in this world; and escape from the corruption in the world which is an ongoing process as we walk in this world.
2 Peter 1:5-7 begins a list of virtures that we are to build upon as we grow in knowledge of Jesus Christ. There are 3 other lists of virtues in the New Testament. We know of the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23, but we can also find lists in Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:3-4. Some of these cross lists, but some are individual to the writer.
What we can't miss here is the way that this list is put together. In essence, we must spend some faith to gain goodness; we must spend goodness to gain knowledge; we must spend knowledge to gain self-control; we must spend self-control to gain perseverance; we must spend perseverance to gain godliness; we must spend godliness to gain brotherly kindness; and we must spend brotherly kindness to gain love. There is expense and effort involved in growing virtuously. It isn't something that God just lays on us. So, by growing in virtue, our lives in Christ will be fruitful.
God has called and chosen us. He alone can do this, but for those who think that you can simply live without any type of growth in the virtues of the Christian life, Peter wants us to know that we have a responsibility.
Living a virtuous life will stop us from falling (stumbling) into sin.
You are called and chosen. You have a responsibility, but it will take some work - it won't be easy. The reward? Eternal life in Christ's kingdom.
November 21 - Greetings - 2 Peter
Friday, November 21, 2008
Labels:
2 Peter
November 21 - Greetings - 2 Peter 1:1-2
There are many differences between these two letters which have caused scholars over the ages to ask difficult questions as to authorship. But, I tend to figure that God put this canon of Scripture together and I'm going to accept things as they are. Because, at the same time, there is plenty of scholarship which believes that the two letters, though quite different in form and in many other aspects, are written by the same man.
Peter took Matthew 23:11 quite seriously since he was obviously the leader of Jesus' followers after the Resurrection. As we read the early chapters of Acts, we see that Peter steps forward in the head position of the group of followers that seems to be growing exponentially. So, in 2 Peter 1:1, he not only identifies himself as an apostle, but as a servant of Christ. The lesson was learned.
The use of the word 'servant' here is rather awesome. The term describes a person who is totally owned by and devoted to Jesus Christ. His status is not his own but is derived from his master. (Peter H. Davids Commentary) Peter's authority is not his own, it comes because he belongs to Jesus Christ.
If you compare this to 1 Peter, you will find several 'letter' components missing. There are no personal greetings and no thanksgiving (which occurs in 1 Peter 1:3) and there is no blessing of the recipients. This letter is much more a sermon or a speech which is transmitted as a letter.
However, 2 Peter and the letter from Jude contain portions that are nearly identical. I will make every attempt to point out to you the parallel passages between the two letters as we work through this. Today, as you read 2 Peter 1:1-2, read Jude 1-2 as well. The opening portions are very similar.
Then, read Jude 3 and notice that he speaks of the faith of the saints, while Peter writes of the precious faith that we have. This faith is granted through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Notice here that this is one person. Peter does not distinguish here between two separate persons. In many translations it comes forth as 'God our Savior Jesus Christ.' Profound theology.
In 2 Peter 1:2, we find one of the main themes of this letter. Knowledge. Peter insists that this is very important. This is the knowledge that we gain upon conversion to Christianity. It isn't just an intellectual knowledge or simply knowing someone upon meeting them, but knowledge that results in a difference in our living.
While 1 Peter focused on holiness, we will find that we have a lot to learn about living a life in the fullness of glory. This second letter has plenty to say to us about knowing God and understanding the things of faith.
There are many differences between these two letters which have caused scholars over the ages to ask difficult questions as to authorship. But, I tend to figure that God put this canon of Scripture together and I'm going to accept things as they are. Because, at the same time, there is plenty of scholarship which believes that the two letters, though quite different in form and in many other aspects, are written by the same man.
Peter took Matthew 23:11 quite seriously since he was obviously the leader of Jesus' followers after the Resurrection. As we read the early chapters of Acts, we see that Peter steps forward in the head position of the group of followers that seems to be growing exponentially. So, in 2 Peter 1:1, he not only identifies himself as an apostle, but as a servant of Christ. The lesson was learned.
The use of the word 'servant' here is rather awesome. The term describes a person who is totally owned by and devoted to Jesus Christ. His status is not his own but is derived from his master. (Peter H. Davids Commentary) Peter's authority is not his own, it comes because he belongs to Jesus Christ.
If you compare this to 1 Peter, you will find several 'letter' components missing. There are no personal greetings and no thanksgiving (which occurs in 1 Peter 1:3) and there is no blessing of the recipients. This letter is much more a sermon or a speech which is transmitted as a letter.
However, 2 Peter and the letter from Jude contain portions that are nearly identical. I will make every attempt to point out to you the parallel passages between the two letters as we work through this. Today, as you read 2 Peter 1:1-2, read Jude 1-2 as well. The opening portions are very similar.
Then, read Jude 3 and notice that he speaks of the faith of the saints, while Peter writes of the precious faith that we have. This faith is granted through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Notice here that this is one person. Peter does not distinguish here between two separate persons. In many translations it comes forth as 'God our Savior Jesus Christ.' Profound theology.
In 2 Peter 1:2, we find one of the main themes of this letter. Knowledge. Peter insists that this is very important. This is the knowledge that we gain upon conversion to Christianity. It isn't just an intellectual knowledge or simply knowing someone upon meeting them, but knowledge that results in a difference in our living.
While 1 Peter focused on holiness, we will find that we have a lot to learn about living a life in the fullness of glory. This second letter has plenty to say to us about knowing God and understanding the things of faith.
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