2 Peter

“Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Comment: Those in Christ are servants of equal standing not by what they have accomplished because of differing abilities but by Christ’s righteousness.

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (2 Peter 1:3-4) Comment: “Knowledge” of Him requires hearing and discussing the Gospel of Christ’s atoning sacrifice to cleanse sin.

Comment: The “calling” is an invitation to accept Christ and obey His words that lead to salvation.

To become partakers of Divine Nature Make every effort to supplement your

• faith with virtue,
• virtue with knowledge,
• knowledge with self-control,
• self-control with steadfastness,
• steadfastness with godliness,
• godliness with brotherly affection,
• brotherly affection with love.

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8)

“For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” (2 Peter 1:9-10) “If you practice these qualities, you will never fall.” (2 Peter 1:10-11)

“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.” (2 Peter 1:16-17)

“False teachers will come in among you, secretly bringing in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them.” (2 Peter 2:10-19)

• They are bold and arrogant men who are not afraid to slander celestial beings.
• They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.
• They have eyes full of adultery.
• They seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed
• They have left the straightway and wandered off to follow the wages of wickedness.

• They mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature.
• They entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.
• They promise them freedom.
• They are slaves of depravity.

“For if, after they have escaped the defilements (corruption) of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.” (2 Peter 2:20)

Comment: Once one has been put in the Body of Christ through trust and obedience, he can choose to return to former sinful life thereby being worse off as they have forsaken Christ.

Reminders “In the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.” (2 Peter 3:3)

“They deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.” (2 Peter 3:5- 7)

“Heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” (2 Peter 3:7)

“Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” (2 Peter 3:8)

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” (2 Peter 3:9)

“That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.” (2 Peter 3:12

“In keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13)

“Be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.” (2 Peter 3:17)

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)

Key Points from 2 Peter ➢ There is a stair-step pattern of Christian growth that strengthens one’s faith and helps one recognize false teachings. ➢ Teachers of false doctrine can be identified by comparing their teachings, attitudes and actions to Biblical teachings

➢ Christians can become again entangled in the corruption of the world such that their condition is worse than when they had their sins forgiven by putting on Christ following their death to sin, burial and resurrection followed by being added to Christ's Body, His church.

Question – What does Peter’s statement “If some have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first” mean and is it really true?