Lesson 21
Written by: Peter, the apostle of Jesus. Although the authorship of 2 Peter has been debated for centuries.
Internal evidence for Peter s authorship: a) He signs his name. b) Testimony of the early church. c) Peter s speeches are similar to his in Acts. d) Claims to have seen Jesus transfiguration. e) Claims to be friends with Paul.
Date (if written by Peter): during the 60 s AD. Peter died sometime in 64-67 AD. Written from: 1 Peter: Babylon (5:13) = Rome. 2 Peter:???
Theme: Living as God s chosen people in the midst of suffering 1. God s people are holy. (1-2:10). By using the language of Exodus 19:5-6 and Hosea 1:9 & 2:23, Peter reassures the Gentile believers in 2:9-10 that they are the new-covenant continuation of the people of God. You who were once not a people are now a people belonging to God, a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.
Theme: Living as God s chosen people in the midst of suffering 2. God s people witness to the world. (2:4-3:12). Peter saw the church as: a) a living body serving God. (2:2-5). b) a structure founded on Christ. (2:5-8). c) a special chosen group who were to reflect the glories of God. (2:9-10).
Theme: Living as God s chosen people in the midst of suffering 3. God s people suffer. (3:13-5:14). a) Be prepared to suffer for righteous living. (3:13-17). b) Christ s resurrection triumphed over suffering. (v. 18). c) Be willing to follow the Lord even in suffering. (4:1-6). d) God s Spirit strengthens us as we face suffering. (4:14). e) Trust the faithfulness of God while under trials. (4:19).
Theme: Faith for Tough Times 1. The importance of Growing in Faith. (1:1-21). -It is necessary to grow spiritually in order to meet the challenge of false teachings. 2. The Danger of False Teachers. (2:1-22).
Theme: Faith for Tough Times 3. The Certainty of the Day of the Lord. (3:1-18). a) Christ will return again. (3:1-4). b) God is the one who controls history. (3:5-7). c) Christ s promises and God s faithfulness are trustworthy. (3:8-10).
Theme: Faith for Tough Times 3. The Certainty of the Day of the Lord. (3:1-18). d) The knowledge of Christ s return should produce: i) holy living. (3:11). ii) urgent witnessing. (3:12). iii) avoidance of things that will make us stumble. iv) consistent growth in Christ. (3:17-18).
Remember, our Lord s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. (2 Pet. 3:15-16, NLT)
Date written: Not sure. (Most guesses are early to mid 90 s AD). Author: The apostle John. (Although questions about for 2 and 3 John). Background: As John wrote his letters, a heresy called Gnosticism was developing within Christianity.
Christian Gnostics: Believed anything physical or material was evil. Therefore, Jesus was not a real human being. He only seemed to be human. A Christ-spirit came upon Jesus at his baptism, and left him before his crucifixion. Therefore, it didn t matter what we did with our body.
1 John was written to: 1) Promote fellowship & joy. (1:3-4). 2) Encourage obedience. (2:1). - The hope inspired by a knowledge of Christ s return produces holiness. (3:1-3).
2) Encourage obedience. (2:1). -A person who consistently fails to practice righteousness demonstrates that they do not belong to God. (i.e. are not really Christians - 3:6,10). -Our practice of love for one another demonstrates that God s love has reached its goal within us. (4:12).
3) Warn against false teaching. (2:26). -A true believer will hold to the correct view of Christ and his work. (2:22-23). *See opening words in 1 John 1:1-3 *See also 4:2 and 2 John 1:7.
4) Provide a basis for assurance of salvation. (5:13). - Those who are truly Christians will: a) Have the faith necessary to overcome the world. (5:4). b) Have eternal life. (5:11-12). c) Experience intimate privileges in prayer. (5:14-15). d) Experience victory over the practice of sin. (5:18). *Compare 1:20 & 5:18.
Written to warn against false teachers. -Those who deny Christ s incarnation lack true faith. (v. 7,9). - Do not give assistance to those whose doctrines are in error. (v. 10-11). *Discuss v. 10-11
Written to urge Christians in a congregation to deal wisely with a contentious and domineering church member. - He commends the faithfulness of Gaius and Demetrius. (v. 2-8 & 12). - He warns against the arrogant behaviour of Diotrephes. (v. 9-11).