Knowing that his time was short (2nd Peter 1 : 13 – 15) and these churches faced immediate danger (2nd Peter 2 : 1 – 3), Peter called upon the readers to refresh their memories (2nd Peter 1 : 13) and stimulate their thinking (2nd Peter 3 : 1 – 2) so that they would remember his teaching (2nd Peter 1 : 15). He challenged the believers to become more mature in their faith by adding to it specific Christians virtues, thereby becoming effective and productive in their knowledge of Jesus Christ (2nd Peter 1 : 5 – 9).
The Old and New Testament writers were set forth as their authority for their faith (2nd Peter 1 : 12 – 21, 3 : 2, 15 – 16). Peter desired they become strong in their faith to withstand the false teachers that had crept in and adversely affected the churches. In his denunciation of them, he described their conduct, their condemnation, and their characteristics (2nd Peter chapter 2), and also that they ridiculed the Lord’s Second Coming (2nd Peter 3 : 3 – 7). For the Christians, Peter taught that the Second Coming is the incentive for holy living (2nd Peter 3 : 14). After a final warning, Peter again encouraged them to grow in the grace and knowledge of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He concluded with a word of praise to his Lord and Savior (2nd Peter 3 : 18).
In his denunciation of false prophets, Peter repeats a prevalent Old Testament theme that must have been very familiar to his readers. Many of the early Christians were converted Jews who had been well taught in the law and the prophets. When Peter referred to the “word of the prophets” of the Old Testament in 2nd Peter 1 : 19 – 21, he at one time denounced false prophets and affirmed that true prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit who spoke through them (2nd Samuel 23 : 2). Jeremiah was equally forceful in his criticism of false prophets, asking, “How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds?” (Jeremiah 23 : 26). Clearly, the same deluded false teachers who plagued God’s people in both the Old and New Testaments are still with us, making Peter’s second epistle as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago.
Summary of the Book of 2nd Peter from GotQuestions.org — is a popular Christian website and "parachurch" ministry that provides answers to a vast array of questions about the Bible, theology, and spiritual life.
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