Making One s Calling and Election Sure. Grow in Faith. Prophecy of Scripture. 2 Peter 1:1-21

Transcription

1 1 Making One s Calling and Election Sure Grow in Faith Prophecy of Scripture 2 Peter 1:1-21

2 2 Making One s Calling and Election Sure Grow in Faith Prophecy of Scripture Text: 2 Peter 1:1-21; 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: 2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6. And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7. And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

3 3 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. 13. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14. Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 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. 17. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Introduction: I. While the date of the writing of 2 Peter is not definitely known, John A.T. Robinson in Redating the New Testament assigned to it the date of A.D. 2 Peter was written after 1 Peter. II. The author of this epistle is Simon Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ. III. 2 Peter was evidently written in Rome.

4 4 IV. A keyword in this epistle is knowledge, precise, correct knowledge founded upon the inspired word of God. A. 2 Peter 1:2, 3, 5, 6, 8, Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. B. 2 Peter 2:20, 21, For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. C. 2 Peter 3:18, But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. V. Larry Poteat pointed out that 1 Peter was written to comfort sufferers. 2 Peter was written to encourage Christian soldiers in their battle with heresies, false doctrines. Commentary: 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:

5 5 I. This book was written by Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. A. Here the author identifies himself by the name his parents gave him (Simon) and by the name Jesus gave him (Peter). B. Apostle and servant of Jesus Christ, an official representative of Christ, the anointed, and his willing slave. 1. Romans 1:1, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2. Philippians 1:1, Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 3. Titus 1:1, Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 4. The Greek word in all these references is doulos, not drapoden which refers to people captured in war and sold as slaves. 5. It was by virtue of the new birth that Peter had become a slave of Jesus Christ. II. The epistle was written to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us, whether Jews or Gentiles, devout Christians. A. This precious faith is in the righteousness of God and the Savior Jesus Christ. 1. Romans 3:22, Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

6 6 2. Peter, even though an apostle, was still a sinner in need of salvation through faith in the righteousness of God and his Son Jesus Christ. 3. Hebrews 1:8, But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 2 Peter 1:2, Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, I. Peter then extended to his readers: A. Multiplied Grace and Peace 1. Of God 2. And Jesus our Lord. II. The heresy (Gnosticism) opposed so strongly by Peter was prevalent in apostolic times and continued to be a major threat to Christianity long thereafter. Making One s Calling and Election Sure 2 Peter 1:3, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: I. God s divine power granted unto disciples all things A. God s divine power included the gospel. Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. B. That pertain unto life and godliness

7 7 1. This is eternal life. 2. Godliness, God likeness. Acts 3:12, And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? C. through the knowledge (gnosis) of him 1. The Holy Spirit guided the apostles into the knowledge of all truth Timothy 3:17, That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 3. The word knowledge is used 13 times in 2 Peter. Knowledge is a keyword in this epistle, letter. D. that called us by his own glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:4, Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. I. God granted unto Christians A. his precious and exceeding great promises. II. Through these exceeding great and precious promises, A. we can all become partakers of the divine nature. B. partakers of the divine nature which is through Jesus Christ. C. having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.

8 8 2 Peter 1:5-7, And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. I. In order to become partakers of the divine nature we are to ardently, diligently, lavishly supply, add to our faith these seven characteristics: A. virtue, goodness, a high standard of moral excellence Peter 2:9, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 2. courage, a grace much needed in the hostile world Christians face. B. knowledge of God s truth. 1. a faithful spiritual discernment about right and wrong, a continuation of study. 2. This is not the heretical knowledge lauded by the Gnostics. C. self-control. 1. a firm grip on one s self. 2. Proverbs 16:32, He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. 3. We must never be out of control, as Larry Poteat aptly stated. D. patience, stay on task, don t be a quitter. 1. endurance, steadfast, continuance in faithful service.

9 9 2. In your patience you shall possess your souls. E. godliness, piety. 1. God likeness, reverence toward God. 2. Mark 12:28-30, And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 3. Modern thought places humanitarian services ahead of divine service, a reverse of Mark 12. F. brotherly kindness, (Philadelphia) G. love 1. 1 Peter 1:22, Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 2. 1 Peter 3:8, Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 3. How the world needs kindness! Consider the daily news! 1. Agape, a higher quality than Philadelphia, philo. Note: These virtues are to be added as we spiritually mature, but not necessarily in the order given.

10 10 II. These graces are inter-locked. One is added to another. III. Comparable Scriptures: A. Galatians 5:22, 23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. B. Proverbs 6:16-19, These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. 2 Peter 1:8, For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. I. Four qualities are to be avoided; viz., ineffectiveness, idleness, spiritual nearsightedness, forgetfulness. II. If these qualities listed in verses 5-7 are ours in abundance, A. we are thereby assured we will not be 1. idle 2. unfruitful B. in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. III. Possession of these qualities is at least in part to be achieved by human effort. A. How much of our destiny hinges on if?

11 11 B. If we do not add these virtues we will be idle and unfruitful in God s service. Note: Peter used the word knowledge five times in the first eight verses of this chapter. 2 Peter 1:9, But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. I. The person who does not possess these virtues is: A. blind spiritually, concentrating on minutia and failing to see the big picture. B. able to see only what is near (spiritual myopia, near sightedness). 1. Lot saw the well watered plain surrounding Sodom and did not see the destruction Sodom would bring Timothy 4:10, For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 3. The prodigal son did not see, realize what the far country would do to him. C. forgetful that he has been cleansed from his old sins, those sins forgiven in the process of becoming a Christian. 1. We must climb the ladder of virtue to get to heaven. 2. Forgiveness of old sins does not irrevocably guarantee a person heaven. 2 Peter 1:10, Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

12 12 I. Therefore we must give the utmost diligence to make our entrance into heaven (our calling and election) a sure thing. A. We are called by the gospel. B. We are elected to salvation when we obey the gospel. II. If we do these things, (diligently add the Christian virtues), we will never stumble, fall from grace, lose our souls, miss heaven. A. Our salvation hinges on that word if. B. If we do right we will be eternally blessed. C. If we do not do right, what then? D. Philippians 2:12, Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. III. If we do as Peter directs we will: A. Not stumble in life and diminish our Christian influence. B. Be abundantly saved, not get to heaven by the skin of our teeth. 2 Peter 1:11, For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I. If Christians do add these virtues we will be abundantly provided an entrance into heaven, the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A. Colossians 1:13, Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

13 13 B. 2 Peter 1:11 refers to heaven itself. II. To the extent Christians fail to add these virtues, the less likely we are to enter heaven. A. 1 Peter 4:18, And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? B. If we fail sufficiently to add these graces we simply won t enter heaven. Note: This verse concludes the first main section of 2 Peter chapter 1. Prophecy of Scripture 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. I. Peter said he would always be ready to remind other disciples of these things. A. Peter still continues to do that even now by his words contained in the New Testament. B. You and I must do likewise. II. However, all disciples know this already. A. We need to be reminded and encouraged to live in keeping with what we know. B. To that end Peter wrote this epistle, letter. III. Peter says that those to whom he is writing knew these things and were established in them.

14 14 A. They still needed to be reminded and encouraged in regard to their duty. B. Christians are to be a vibrant faith community filled with enthusiasm and devotion. C. To this end we are to edify one another. 2 Peter 1:13, 14, Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. I. Peter knew it was right, as long as he lived, to continue to put the disciples in memory of these principles. A. Tabernacle, tent, body. 2 Corinthians 5:1, 4, For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. B. Peter spoke of tabernacles on the Mount of Transfiguration. Matthew 17:4, Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. C. The soul is eternal. The body is temporary. II. Peter said he knew his death was fast approaching. A. As Peter approached death, he was single mindedly dedicated to encouraging all disciples to grow in the faith. B. Peter had been ordered by Jesus to Feed, tend my sheep. Peter was doing as Jesus had directed.

15 15 III. Jesus had told Peter the manner of his death. A. John 21:18, 19, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. B. Tradition holds that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome in the days of Nero in the late 60 s A.D. Note: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Peter 1:15, Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. I. Peter said he would do his best to ensure, by his present efforts, that those to whom he wrote would remember what he said after his death. A. He, being dead, yet speaks! B. What Peter taught so fervently was the full gospel of Christ. II. Peter was doing his best because he anticipated no successor! III. What are you doing that will outlive your life on earth? 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.

16 16 I. Peter firmly declared he and the other apostles had not followed cunningly devised fables. A. The Gnostic heresy was based on cleverly devised myth. B. Heathen religions were based on mysteries. II. Peter and the other epistles had made known that of which they were eyewitnesses; that is, the majesty, power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. A. Peter speaks here of the second coming of Christ. B. At the Mount of Transfiguration and in the Resurrection Peter had seen the majesty of Christ. 2 Peter 1:17, For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. I. Peter here speaks of the majesty of Christ as seen on the Mount of Transfiguration. A. The eyewitnesses on that occasion were Peter, James, and John. B. Matthew 17:1-8, And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched

17 17 them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. C. Jesus Christ was greater than Moses, law giver, and Elijah, prophet. His majesty was seen clearly and emphatically. 2 Peter 1:18, And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. I. Peter, James, and John heard God s voice on the Mount of Transfiguration attesting to the fact that Jesus was God s Son and that Jesus pleased God well! A. Transfiguration was an historical event. B. Peter said they were with him in the holy mount and heard and saw what was said and done. C. While we do not know with certainty which mountain was the site of the transfiguration, tradition favors Mt. Tabor (1,800 feet) or Mt. Herman (9,000 feet). 1. St. Cyril of Jerusalem identified Mt. Tabor as the transfiguration site in the fourth century. (Coffman, 2 Peter, p. 288) 2. However, Coffman points out that Mt. Tabor was not a high mountain and that it was occupied in the days of Christ, not a place to which Christ could take the apostles apart, off to themselves. 2 Peter 1:19, We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

18 18 I. The Transfiguration was fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy of the coming glory of Christ and a prophecy of his second coming. A. We Christians have a more sure word of prophecy in which we can put our full trust and confidence. B. The Old Testament testified to the truth of the New Testament. II. We had better take heed to this more sure word of prophecy. A. We had better take heed to this more sure word of prophecy. B. The new day dawns and the sun brightens the sky. C. The day-star, called also the Morning Star, by the people of the first century, was understood to refer to the planet Venus. Peter here applied the term to Christ himself. D. What does all this mean? We pay attention to the Old Testament as a light in a dark era which points to the coming Christ. When the light of Christ shines in our heart we have confirmation of the early prophecies, we have the word of prophecy made more sure, positive. Christ is the sure word of God! 2 Peter 1:20, Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. I. No prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation; that is, to be twisted to serve one s own purpose or to comply with a preconceived position. A. What the Scriptures say they say to one and all! What the Scriptures mean they universally mean! B. Further, as MacKnight said, No prophecy of scripture is of the prophet s own invention.

19 19 C. Barnes wrote, No prophecy was of their (the prophets ) own disclosure, the truths were not originated, invented by the prophets themselves, but were imparted by God to the prophets. D. 1 Peter 1:10-12, Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. II. The Bible repeatedly commands us to study and understand the Scriptures. A. We have individual, personal responsibilities in this regard. B. No church or board is to do our thinking for us! C. Scriptures: 1. Ephesians 3:4, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 2. 1 Thessalonians 5:27, I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren John 2:12, 13, I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

20 20 4. Luke 10:26, He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 2 Peter 1:21, For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. I. No prophecy ever originated with a man s deciding to invent a genuine prophecy, by the will of man. A. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man. NIV II. Men prophesied God s word as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. A. men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. NIV B. Matthew 10:20, For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. C. 2 Peter 3:15, 16, And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. D. The writings of Paul are here said by Peter to be Scripture. Conclusion: I. Christians are to continue to grow all our lives in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A. We encounter the devil everyday. He is relentless.

21 21 B. Ephesians 4:13, Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: C. Hebrews 5:12, 13, For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. D. 1 Peter 5:8, 9, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

22 22 Questions 2 Peter 1: The author of this epistle is, of Peter was likely written in evidently circa A.D. or after was written. 3. A keyword in this epistle is,,, founded upon the of Peter was written to while 2 Peter was written to in their with,. 5. How does Peter describe himself in verse one? 6. To whom was the book written?

23 23 7. and be unto you through the of, and of our. 8. According to what and through what had God called us to glory life, godliness and virtue? 9. How does the knowledge frequently found in this book relate to the Gnostic heresy that arose in the early church? 10. What was given and for what purpose by way of knowledge? 11. Is it really possible to escape the corruption that is in the world by lust? If so, how?

24 Give all diligence to add to your ; and to ; and to ; and to ; and to ; and to ; and to. 13. Can a person go to heaven without diligently developing the qualities listed in verses 5-7? Explain your answers. 14. Compare the context of 2 Peter 1:5-7 and Galatians 5:22, According to Proverbs 6:16-19, what does the Lord hate?

25 How successful are you in avoiding the things the Lord hates and growing in the fruit of the Spirit, Christian virtues? 17. What blessings are promised to those who have and abound in Christian virtues? 18. How much of our destiny hinges on if? 19. What is the spiritual condition of those who lack these virtues, fruits of the Spirit? 20. Brethren, give to make your and sure: for if you do these things, you will never :

26 By what is an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom facilitated? 22. Why is it necessary to remind people of things they already know? 23. What would happen to Peter soon after he wrote this epistle? 24. How did Peter die? Did he know how he would die? If so, who told him?

27 Was Peter concerned about what would happen after he died? Explain. 26. Are you concerned about what will happen after you die? In regard to what things or people? 27. What are cunningly devised fables? Did Peter preach any of these? Did the Gnostics preach fables? 28. How does the transfiguration of Christ relate to what Peter had been saying in verse 16?

28 How was the word of prophecy made more sure? What was the word of the prophecy? 30. No of is of ; that is, to be to s own purpose or to with a. What the say they say to and! What the mean they mean. 31. We are to and the. We have, to study, learn and live the Scriptures. 32. How did the prophecy of old time come? not come? Explain what this means. 33. are to continue to all our in the and of our and.

29 How can we achieve a life of grace and peace? 35. What kind of life do you want to achieve? How are you going to achieve it? Be specific.

30 30