2 Peter 1:16-22
How can we trust the Word of God?
Looking back – Verse 12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.
15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.
Looking forward – 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
Who is the “we”? – Apostles
What is it speaking of when it says: cunningly devised fables? – deceptive thing, intended to deceive, the ploy of false teachers? To gain money and power – deny the power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
we made known – Is this the imparting of new revelation, – the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ?
the power and coming – Second coming? 1st in humility. (1 Peter 1:7,13; 4:13; 5:4)
were eyewitnesses – So, they were there to see and hear?
of His majesty – What is it speaking of when it says His majesty? Life, miracles, work, word, resurrection.
17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
He received from God the Father – So, Jesus’ power, honor, and glory comes from God the Father? Trusting God’s Word
– power, honor, and glory; confirmation of His diety,
This is My beloved Son, – Baptism Matt 3:16-17, Passion week John 12:28,
Verse 18 –
18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
WE heard: FROM HEAVEN when WE WERE WITH HIM.
Confirmed: deity, Gave approve: what Jesus did and said,
Peter said we were there. Matt 17:1
19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
prophetic word confirmed Is this referring to the OT prophecies of Christ?
– Has Authority & Power – Promised in OT, Proven in Jesus.
OT contains the Gospel – Gospel is not new and we can trust the Word of God Completely.
heed as a light that shines in a dark place – How do we heed God’s Words? Pay Attention! To the light (God’s Word) that shines in a dark place (this world).
until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts – Is this referring to Christ’s return? – The Word is our Light, until we are with God and He is our Light. Until then, we are looking at the world in the light of the Word.
20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
Knowing – That’s an important word, don’t you think?
Does prophecy of Scripture refer to both OT & NT?
private interpretation – Does this mean origin?
21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke – So, Scripture is not human wisdom?
It is divinely inspired truth as the spirit of God moved men to write it.
holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. – We see the moving of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit moves in the life of every Christian.
When God revealed Scripture to the Apostles, was that any different than the way the Holy Spirit moves in our lives to shine the light of Gods Word upon our hearts?
We have to be receptive.
So, How can we trust the Word of God?
1. Eyewitnesses that wrote it and
2. The spirit of God who inspired it.
Application
As the Apostles were faithful to be receptive to and write the Scriptures,
Christians should be faithfully receptive to read and believe the Scriptures.
They received and wrote, we receive and believe.
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a very small commission for purchases made through these links.
You can help support this website by visiting and purchasing from our affiliate links.