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II PETER I. BACKGROUND
1. Author
- Peter, the apostle: 1:1 2. Date
- A.D. 67 or later; somewhat later than the first letter Peter wrote. This is
generally considered because of his reference to his death: 1:14 3. Setting
- Peter here is asserting the truth of God's word against the false teachers
who are trying to destroy the faith of the saints. It is unsure whether this letter is to the
same group of Christians who received the first letter by Peter. II. PURPOSE OF
THE BOOK
1. Key
verses: 3:17-18 (1:2-4, 19-21) 2. Purpose: Grow in the grace and knowledge of
the Lord Jesus, instead of falling to the errors of the false teachers. 3. Outline
of the book: 1) Knowledge of God: 1:3-21 a. Become partakers of the divine nature:
1:3-11 b. Apostles were eyewitnesses: 1:12-18 c. The word made more sure: 1:19-21 2) False teachers: 2:1-22 a. Before there were false prophet; now there
are false teachers: :1-3 b. God's wrath on the ancient world and grace
for the godly: :4-10 c. Marks of the false teacher: 2:10-22 3) The Coming of the Lord: 3:1-18 a. Scoffers and mockers: 3:1-4 b. The flood is a great warning: 3:5-9 c. The end of the earth: 3:10-13 d. Therefore, live holy lives: 3:14-18 III. APPLICATIONS - LESSONS
1.
II Peter applies to all Christians in the world today: 1) Beware
of idolatry and false teachers - they only lead to destruction as in the old
days: 2:1-22 2) Hold fast to the word of God in the Bible: 1:19-21 3) Follow the Lord Jesus Christ because He is our only Saviour: 1:10-11 4) Examine the teachings, fruit, and lives of every teacher to see
whether they are true or false. 2. Spiritual
Growth 1) The Ingredients of Spiritual Growth: 1:3-21 a. These qualities: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance godliness,
brotherly kindness, love b. They will cause you to be effective and
productive. c. They will help you to remember your past
cleansing from sin. d. They will give you the position in the
kingdom where you will never fall. e. Remember that our faith is based on sure
evidence given to us by the Holy Spirit of God. 2) Enemies of Spiritual Growth:
2:1-22 a. Any teacher who tries to lead us away from
the Lord Jesus. b. Remember God's judgment on the wicked of the
past. c. How to recognize a false teacher? His nature revealed. d. Remember - you can be lost again! 3) Motivation for Spiritual Growth:
3:1-18 a. God will always keep all of His promises! b. Remember the days of Noah - the same word
today. c. God wants all men to come to repentance. d. This present earth will melt away and a new
dwelling place for God's people will
be given. e. It will come like a thief in the night. f. Therefore, continue in your holy lives and
grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 3. Is
there unconditional security for every Christian? 1) Peter says we must do these things in order to make our calling
and election sure, and because of that we will never fall: 1:10-11 2) Peter continually reminds them because they do not have the
possibility of being deceived and falling:
1:12-21 3) Peter says that we can go into a worse condition after having
known Jesus if we fall away from Him:
2:20-22 II PETER
QUESTIONS
1. How has God's divine power given us all we
need? 2. List the eight (8) virtues (1:5-7) and
briefly describe them: 1) Faith
- 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 3. Who were eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ
mentioned in 1 Peter 1:16? 4. Name some revealing marks of a false
teacher: (see 1 Peter 2) 5. What is the future for this present
world? (give chapter and verse) 6. What is the future for Christians? (give chapter and verse) 7. God does not want anyone to
___________________, but he wants ____________________ men to come to
repentance. 8. How should we be living when Jesus returns? 9. "But grow in the _________________ and _______________ of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." |