Lesson 11

Second Peter

Warning against dangers facing the Church

 

The Trustworthiness of the Apostles Witness 1:16-18

1:16  Reason for Peter’s diligence and motivation

For we did not follow cleverly devised tales

 

 

- So he is here giving them and us reasons we should trust the Word of God.

 

- The NET  refers to them as cleverly concocted fables  mu/qoj  dative plural

 

- Get the flavor of this word mu/qoj:

- 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7

- 2 Tim. 4:4

- Titus 1:14

 

when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

- they made known or revealed the truths being referred to here through their teaching, instruction; know that the communicator cannot make it epignosis for you!

 

- power refers to the OmPo of God, specifically all that is involved in fulfilling the Plan of God related to history, things to come.

 

- coming  technical here for the rapture and the second advent which are 2 phases of the coming of the Lord, speaks of the arrival of a king.

 

but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

-  the contrast established here by the strong adversative alla “but” is that the testimony Peter and the apostles gave was based on historical fact not on myths or concocted fables .

 

- the word for majesty  megaleio,thj  speaks of a demonstration of greatness, power and majesty

 

1:16  For we did not follow after cleverly concocted myths when we made known to you (for your benefit)  the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of that one’s majesty.  (display of His deity at the transfiguration)

Observations:

1. Neither Peter or any other of the apostles fabricated anything that they communicated or wrote whether it was doctrine or prophecy.

 

2. There were many writings called pseudopigrapha that communicated many myths and fables which many followed at the time.  2 Pet 2:1; 3:3-4

 

3. The fact that he was an eyewitness to the glory of the resurrected Christ qualified him to make the strong statements he will about the text of Scripture.

 

4. They saw Him in the same glory that He has when He returns to establish His kingdom rule.

 

5. He was also a first hand hearer of Jesus Christ’s teaching which negates any charge that his evidence and conclusions are nothing but hearsay.

 

6. His Doctrinal grid, or frame of reference then is tied directly to Jesus Christ which also adds to his authority in speaking related to the origin of the text.

 

7. Speaking of His majesty refers directly to the demonstration of divine nature in the transfiguration.

 

1:17  the opening “for” tells us that he is going to give us further explanation of the “majesty” of vs:16

For when He received honor and glory from God the Father,

 

- “honor” timh,  here focuses on His exalted status as evidenced by the proclamation of the Father of His Son ship "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased "--

 

- “glory” brings into view the radiance or brilliance of His appearance as the transfigured Christ

 

- The account is given in Matt. 17:1-8;  Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36

 

Next we have the proclamation of the Father, this had to really startle Peter, James and John.

such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased "--

 

This same statement was made by the Father at the time of His baptism, which was unique in that His baptism identified Him with the plan of God for His earthly ministry;  Matt 3:17; Luke 3:22; Mark 1:11

 

 

1:17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father such a unique utterance as this was proclaimed to Him by the majestic glory (God/F) “This one keeps on being My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.”

 

1:18 Peter’s personal testimony of the fact that he was there!

and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

 

Transfiguration some aspects of, why is it important here?  Historical perspective.

1. Introduction

 

- key word -  metamorfo,w  basic  meaning is to change into another form therefore to transfigure.

- Is used in the account of the transfiguration 2x’s applied to Christ  Matt. 17:2;  Mark 9:2 

 

 

- must note also that this term metamorphoo is used of the believer twice,  Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 3:18

- In those two verses it speaks of the advancing believer being transfigured, an inner change of form that becomes manifest in the life.

 

- Note a problem in the English translation, often transfigure and transform are used as synonyms but they have totally different emphasis and therefore must be carefully differentiated.

 

2. The Importance of the Transfiguration

a.  It is covered at some length in the Gospels plus Peter’s account here.

Matt 16:27-17:13;  Mark 9:1-13;  Luke 9:27-36;  2 Pet 1:16-18

 

b.  Each account of the transfiguration follows a declaration by Christ to the disciples related to the 2nd advent.  Matt 16:28; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27

 

c.  This prophecy was fulfilled in their day in their own generation by the transfiguration, actually about a week later.

 

d.  We can conclude then that the transfiguration is a preview of the actual appearing of Christ at the 2nd advent.

 

e.  It was something to be observed and to which eyewitnesses could bear testimony to others just as Peter  does in our context.

 

f.  It is important since it presents empirical precedence for the 2nd advent of Christ in power and glory with the establishment of His kingdom, His earthly rule just as prophesied.

B.L. this event says to Peter, James, and John, Look if God has the power to bring back Moses and Elijah than surely He must also have the power for Christ to return as prophesied.