It has been interesting to see how often Peter refers to God's Word in his letters. I find it fascinating because he was an eyewitness! But he still elevates prophecy and Holy Spirit inspired writing as more authoritative.
As you read our next section, take note of how Peter uses his eyewitness account, especially the transfiguration of Christ, as confirmation of the prophetic word and then, in the companion piece after, how he confirms Paul's writings also as Scripture!
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. [17] For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” [18] we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. [19] And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, [20] knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. [21] For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (ESV)
2 Peter 3:15–16
[15] And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, [16] as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (ESV)
This post is not going to be very long.... but it carries a theme even from our last post.
GOD"S WORD.... it HAS to become a prevalent part of our lives!
Peter saw the light and majesty on the mountain of transfiguration along with the spoken word of God. But he counts that spectacular light no more important than the light of the Word of God.
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
That last line is PURE POETRY!
If I may, I an going to share my transfiguration experience - where my eyes we opened and I saw Jesus in a new light. But also how GOD'S WORD became the lamp to my feet and the light unto my path.
The following is the testimony of my conversion to Christ:
Spring of 1980
My realization about eternity abruptly came back up in the summer before my junior year.
An acquaintance of mine was tragically killed while robbing a convenience store. He was with a group who was doing it just for the thrill. I was heartbroken and our school was in despair!
An acquaintance of mine was tragically killed while robbing a convenience store. He was with a group who was doing it just for the thrill. I was heartbroken and our school was in despair!
I remember receiving this news from my mom as I was coming home from Sunday School. I don’t know why I went to church that day and remember nothing from the visit.
All of the students were grief stricken and I was confronted once again with the idea of death.
We had a student gathering at a home and I was very impressed by the message. It was my first experience with Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. A minister, Tom Caradine, gave a clear gospel presentation along with Biblical answers for grief and loss. I was stirred immensely.
After the meeting, a college student who had been an athletic role model for me, Benny Parks, found me and shared a gospel tract with me.
There were some Bible verses that really struck hard in that little yellow book:
and especially:
Romans 6:21 and 6:23
[21] But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)
The tract had a drawing of two lives (see below) and I knew that my life was not being directed by Christ.
The above image was me… and I wasn’t happy with my life at all!
The next drawing was NOT me... at all!
This is what I desired… and it led me to a desire to get it right with God!
I went home that night and re-read the tract and knew it was time to make a choice.
I got on my knees and prayed that God would forgive me and take me back. At the time, I thought I was re-dedicating my life to Christ. I now know from thinking through Scripture that this was my actual conversion.
I got on my knees and prayed that God would forgive me and take me back. At the time, I thought I was re-dedicating my life to Christ. I now know from thinking through Scripture that this was my actual conversion.
Right after that prayer, I got up and went to sleep..no smoke or fireworks. But when I woke up the next morning..I remembered and I knew something was different.
Some immediate changes took place. I told my mom and a few friends that I had re-dedicated my life with Christ. This was a big step for me. I also began to read the Bible with great interest. I read the whole New Testament in about 2 days and the words seemed to burn in my soul. I have not had that sensation since, but it was a really cool moment.
And here I stand today- 40 years later- sometimes faithful, sometimes faithless
God's Holy Word..... I would not be a Christian without it,
I only continue in faith because of it.
When I started 2nd Peter, I had to stop and do some more research, reading, and praying.
The next few posts are not going to be easy: false teachers, the dark world, dark news, and coming judgement....
Every answer to every topic is found in a deep and abiding grip on the Word of God
The key to false teachers? Knowing the truth of God's Word
Navigating a dark and cruel world? The Bible is your compass and comfort
The coming judgement?
[13] For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
[14] How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [15] And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” [17] So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (ESV)
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