Introduction Part 1 Series

Lesson I

Introduction to 2 Peter

I. Author of this letter is Simon Peter (2 Peter 1:1)

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

A. Peter Identified himself as a “...servant...of Jesus Christ,...”

1. “Servant” is from the Greek word “doulos “ which is a slave

a. literally. or figuratively,

b. involuntarily. or voluntarily;

c. It is used in a sense of subjection and refers to a bondservant.

2. Therefore, Peter is referring to himself as “one” who is “Subject” to Jesus as a

“slave” or “servant” would be subject to his master.

a. Jesus is his master

b. He is not exalting himself, but identifying himself as one with all those who follow

Christ.

c. We need to identify with Peter for

1. We are “Subject” to Christ,

2. We are the “Servant” of Christ.

3. We are the “doulos” of the Lord.

4. Voluntarily, we have subjected ourselves to be His bondservant so “it could be

done unto us according to the Word of the Lord.”

B. Peter Identified himself as an “...apostle of Jesus Christ,...”

1. He wants those who read this to understand that he has authority given to him as an

Apostle of Jesus Christ.

2. Therefore, they are to heed his words.

3. The word “Apostle” is from the Greek “apostolos” and it means

a. a delegate;

b. an ambassador of the Gospel;

c. officially one who is commissioned of Christ ["apostle"] with miraculous powers

d. messenger,

e. He that is sent.

4. As we look at this study, we need to consider that there are times that the messengers

of God act under an Apostolic anointing and ministry.

a. We are delegates, and so are you

b. We are ambassadors of the Gospel, and so are you.

c. We are officially commissioned of Christ with miraculous powers, and so are you.

d. We are messengers, and so are you.

e. We are sent, and so are you.

II. Peter identifies the Audience to whom this letter is addressed.

A. “...to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God

and our Savior Jesus Christ:” (KJV)

“...To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have

received a faith as precious as ours:” (NIV)

1. addressed to those have obtained “like” precious faith--Faith like Peter had.

a. Faith is from the Greek word “pistis.” It means:

1. persuasion or your belief in something.

2. moral conviction of religious truth, and as in our case a belief of the truthfulness

of God, and especially our reliance upon Christ for salvation.

b. Peter is writing to those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior.

2. This Faith is obtained “through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ”

a. This Precious faith, that Peter had, and that we have comes through equity

(fairness, impartiality, justice, fair play) of God.

b. This refers to God‘s character.

c. This refers to an act of God.

d. This also refers to the “justification” of God.

Note: God and His Son Jesus, did the work so we could have Salvation. This faith, this belief in

the truthfulness of God, and this reliance upon Christ for Salvation is “Precious,” and it

could not be enjoyed except for the “Love of God,” and the “justice of God.”

Furthermore, it is available for all who believe.

B. Therefore, since this letter is written to those who have “obtained like precious faith,” it

is written to us also.

III. Purpose of this letter

A. Compare 1 Peter with 2 Peter

1. In 1 Peter, the theme was “suffering,” and Peter encourages his audience to “suffer”

for Christ with an expectation of a reward, remembering that the reward is for those

who will endure the suffering.

a. 1 Peter 4:13

“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be

revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

b. 1 Peter 5:10

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye

have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

Note: 1 Peter was written to encouraged “suffering” Christians to “not give up,” but to remind

them that those who endured unto the end would be saved. (Matthew 24:13)

a. John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

b. Matthew 24:13

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Note: We have this consolation, and this peace, that through Jesus we are victorious, and that