Hello Meek and seek. I had read through Lbooth1955's understanding of 2 Peter 1:20 and then your reply and wondered what you found in his reply that was inaccurate. What he shared was the correct application of biblical hermeneutics, which must be foundational in the reading of the Scriptures. If we get that wrong then everything we build upon it will be in error. And that probably accounts, in the greater part, for so many different interpretations and applications of the Scripture.
You quoted in part 1 Corinthians 2:4,5, "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." When Paul spoke and wrote to the Church there, the Holy Spirit enabled him to bring together all of the Scriptures that properly and correctly manifested Christ Jesus, showing that Jesus was truly God's Love declared by the giving of Himself for their sakes. The world thinks that is ridiculous ("the wisdom of men" & 1 Corinthians 1:18)), for man must pay for his own sins and hope for God's acceptance. But Paul stood against the wisdom of men (Gentiles) and those who sought signs (Jews), but proclaimed what all the Scriptures testified of Jesus.
Once as a high-ranking Jew, Paul believed he understood the Scriptures correctly and so taught others. But when he came to faith, he had to count all that understanding 'loss and dung' as the Spirit enabled him to understand the Word correctly. Did he then lose sight of the correct understanding of Israel's history, God's Plan for them and for the Church (of both Jew & Gentile), and of things future? Not at all. All that God had proclaimed concerning National Israel still holds true and will come to pass. Then Jesus came and brought believing Jew & Gentile into the one Body. Correct distinctions need to be maintained or else we can make the Bible mean anything we want to suit our theology. GBU.
2 Peter 1:20 says, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." Peter is reminding us that prophecy does not originate with man, nor is it fulfilled by man's opinions or imaginations. Prophecy came as God progressively revealed His plan for Israel's kingdom program, and it must be interpreted in light of God's purpose-not our private reasoning. Verse 21 confirms this: "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
The key here is recognizing that the Old Testament prophets never saw the Church, the Body of Christ. Paul plainly declares this "mystery" was "hid in God" until revealed to him ( Eph. 3:1-9; Col. 1:25-26). To read Paul's gospel of grace back into the prophets is to engage in the very private interpretation Peter warns against. The prophets spoke of Israel's restoration, Messiah's reign on earth, and judgment of the nations. These promises remain true and await literal fulfillment in the millennial kingdom.
This is why Paul exhorts us to "rightly divide the word of truth" ( 2 Tim. 2:15). God's Word must be interpreted according to its proper dispensation. Israel's prophetic hope concerns the earthly kingdom, while Paul's revelation concerns the heavenly calling of the Body of Christ. To blend them is to misapply prophecy and confuse God's distinct programs.
Thus, 2 Peter 1:20 warns us not to force our own meaning into prophecy. Instead, we let Scripture interpret Scripture, acknowledging God's progressive revelation. Prophecy is sure, it will come to pass exactly as written for Israel, and the mystery revealed to Paul remains our doctrine today. Anything else is private interpretation, and therefore error.
If your "battle" is with believing that Jesus is God, may I suggest the following scriptures for your consideration:
Genesis 1:1 along with John 1:1-3, Revelation 19:13, Colossians 1:15-17, Matthew 1:23, John 10:30, John 14:9, Mark 2:5-7, John 8:58, John 20:28, Isaiah 9:6, Philippians 2:5-7, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:8, John 5:18, 1 John 5:20, Luke 24:52, John 9:38, Acts 10:25-26, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 22:13, Micah 5:2, John 17:5, John 1:14. There are more, but these should suffice.
You mention that "Christians say that there is no separation between Christ and God," and that the bible shows otherwise. Jesus said I and my Father are one, and He also said that if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. This may not mean anything to you, but in the book of Hebrews, Jesus is described as the APOUGASMA (the out beam) of God's glory, God projecting Himself through the time/space factor in the person of Christ. Jesus Christ, being God, was never separated from the source. This is why Jesus can say if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.
The best example I can give would be taking a flashlight in a dark room and shining it on a wall. The flashlight is the source, and the light is projected on the wall from the source. There is no separation unless the flashlight is turned off. Now, imagine the flashlight being God, and the light shining on the wall is Jesus, again, no separation. Jesus is said to be the true light which came down from heaven, the APOUGASMA of God.
If you are sincerely struggling with the deity of Jesus Christ (Him being God), I hope these scriptures I've provided might help. Also, if you would like, I can share my personal understanding on Matthew 26:39 and Luke 22:42 and why Christ would ask this.
If I may ask, are you a Christian? If so, who do you say Jesus is?
Day 20 January 20,2025 Living in Freedom John 8:36 KJV West Angeles Church Los Angeles California Consecration Calendar
I Pray for deliverance from anything hinders walk with Christ.
John 8:36 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
" Jesus Christ is Father and the Son same language you can understand is God for us to be heirs to all the world. To believe you can do and follow Jesus and become what your expected to be the truth of God Romans 8:2 KJV, 1 Corinthians 7:22 KJV. This is the life to live also exhibited. It is used in
discipleship- to show the Holy bible is life
saints/ citizens- free from sin Galatians 5:1 KJV, liability, set free from thraldom, ransom Mark 10:45 KJV, evil ,captivity of Satan.
Freedom from the laws, rules, thraldom that are not of God moral and obedience to it. You are titled to freedom to the house of God and his supper. A example of analogy used family of God Himself.
Ways you can be free from sin are to listen to God's voice and word to obey and follow " do it" (speaking, actions, attention of communications)
Examples of people in the holy bible that made themselves free in God you can read and follow are Romans 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:1 .
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ"
Baptism connected to salvation
Not just symbolic - a required response of a good conscience
6. 2 Peter 1:5-10 - Add to your faith
"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue... knowledge... temperance... patience... godliness... brotherly kindness... charity
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall."
Not faith alone - one must add works
Doing these things = assurance of salvation
Summary
Peter preached:
Faith in Jesus as the risen Messiah ( Acts 2:36)
Repentance and water baptism for forgiveness ( Acts 2:38)
Obedience necessary to receive the Holy Ghost ( Acts 5:32)
Sanctification through obedience ( 1 Peter 1:2)
Salvation tied to baptism and holy living ( 1 Peter 3:21, 2 Peter 1:10)
This is in contrast with Paul's message of justification by grace through faith alone ( Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5), not by works.
Hello Ccshell8. Those are interesting questions, that most of us probably haven't given much thought to. Maybe, for the fact that not a lot of detail is given about these crowns seen the many NT passages, we can only guess whether these are physical crowns or something else. And yes, the "gift of Salvation" is certainly enough, for we have been redeemed by no greater payment for us, than the death & resurrection of our Savior.
So why the mention of crowns? When we look at the various verses that speak of this, in my understanding they are not necessarily physical crowns, even as the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:25, "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible". Here, Paul compares the physical crown given to the winning athlete & this crown is temporal & short-lived for praise (i.e. how many of us regularly remember & speak about past great athletes? We have other more important things to engage our minds). But the crowns that Paul, Peter, & James write about are not only incorruptible, but I feel more to do with the type of entrance we have into Heaven/Kingdom of God.
Maybe 2 Peter 1:10,11 helps us a little here: "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things (i.e. the things mentioned in verses 5-8), ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Here, Peter speaks about an 'abundant entrance in the everlasting kingdom'; not just an entrance (i.e. with Christ is our sure hope & salvation guaranteed by His death on the Cross), but an ABUNDANT entrance for those who have been faithful in personal life & service to our LORD God, continually waiting & looking for Jesus' Coming, and also to those who have been sorely tested, persecuted or martyred & WON. Could these be those crowns?
2 Peter 1:15 - Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
Moreover I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease, and that's the word Exodus in the Greek (EXODON). Interesting! Decease is not the word death. It's the word Exodus, as in the book of Exodus.
After I exit out of here that you may be able to have these things always in remembrance. So, remembrance is for people who already know. The purpose of remembrance is to stir people up, especially the truth and the knowledge that they already know, that's just lying there without life, but it brings it back to life.
2 Peter 1:16 - For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, and the word fables is the word MUTHOS, where we get our word myths from. When we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
It's interesting, and I find it kind of a parallel with a lot of things that happen in our day, but back in the early church days, people really wouldn't have anything to say from scripture or from their personal experience with Christ.
But some groups would start, and they would just give testimonies all night about a person's personal mystical experiences of how they experienced Jesus, much like people have today about Mary, how Mary appeared to them, or whatever. These are cunningly devised fables, myths, stories.
So, he says we're not like the story tellers. We're actually eyewitnesses. We were there!
2 Peter 1:11 - For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Verse 11 is Peter's summary statement in capsule form of the climax to this last phase or participation in the entrance to heaven. The word "so" is a very important word. It's an adverb that means in this way. For in this way, an entrance shall be supplied to you.
I mentioned in Verse 5 that the word add and the word ministered are the same word. It's the word supply. They are catch words. Your relationship with the Lord, make it priority in your life, and the Lord is going to supply to you something.
But he says for in this way, whichever way you are, if you are participating in the growth process, and you are abounding and increasing, you will enter into heaven with an abundance. Whereas if you lack these things, where the change and transformation of this growth process is not a priority to you, and you're saved, you'll enter into heaven, you'll have the same Spiritual body everybody else has, but there will be a difference.
Just a quick statement here before I move on because it's something that's not talked about today. I honestly believe that those in the positions of leadership and ministry are actually doing people harm by thinking that God is going to reward us for our growth horizontally.
The thought seems to be that the more people we bring in, the more buildings we build, the bigger our work is, and the more successful it is, we're going to get a reward in heaven, without realizing that we enter into heaven with the growth transformation that takes place in our life here on the earth.
This means there's going to be some believers who enter into heaven with the foundation, which is Jesus Christ, and a chimney. That's it! Because Paul's detail is that we as believers, we're going to pass through the fire, not the fire of hell, but God is going to test the development work of each person.
2 Peter 1:9 - But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off.
Literal translation: This person is blind, being myopic. He doesn't mean completely blind. He means near-sighted. And has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. In other words, he can only see himself now. The time that he was saved and forgiven for his sins was some time ago, and he's forgotten what God saved him from, and what God wants to save him to. He's forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
There are two different kinds of Christians. There's one that's involved in the growth process, and one who's not. And the only reason they are not because they have forgotten who they were. You can see that in a lot of people in their approach to being with the Lord after this life. "I my sinful self, I have been forgiven for my sins because of what Jesus did for me on the cross. And I'm going to heaven because I believe in Him." That's it! There's no awareness of a need for change.
2 Peter 1:10 - Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Peter says wherefore rather, brethren, a term of affection. He says give diligence, and here's the word diligence again, top priority. Make it a top priority to make your calling and election sure, literally established:
Your calling and election, if you have come to know and participate with the divine nature of God, solidify and establish your relationship with Him, grow strong in that relationship with Him. For if you do these things, and the word do is literally the word doing, practicing. For if you are continually doing these things, you shall never fall:
The reason why it says never is because there's a Double Negative there. If you are doing these things, you will never fall.
2 Peter 1:8 - For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He says for if these things exist in you, and are abounding. The word be, and the word abound are Participles. It shows continuous action. If these stages of growth are existing in you, and they are increasing, they make you that you shall be neither barren, that is, idle, nor unfruitful in the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You're going to know Him. But when it says you will not be idle, nor unfruitful, and I don't know if you've ever been in that time in your Christian Walk where you felt like nothing's happening, I'm not going anywhere, like you're just idle, standing around and it doesn't seem there's much fruit of God's Spirit.
Well, Peter says if you're going through these growth processes, and you're abounding in them, you won't be idle. You won't be unfruitful because that will be the fruit that God's producing, the changes and the growth.
Both in this list, and the one in 1 John Chapter 4, it tells us that love is the most spiritually mature stage and process a person can be in. AGAPE is not something a human being can produce. Galatians 5:22 tells us that AGAPE love is produced by the Holy Spirit. It's the same love that God loved us with.
In fact, 1 John Chapter 4 tells us that God is love. Love is His nature, His quality. And He is concerned about our spiritual welfare, so He sent His Son to die for us. When you reach AGAPE love as a mature point in your walk with the Lord, it means by now you've lost everything. Now it's whatever the Lord wants, and whatever I can do for my brothers and sisters in Christ. But what about what I want? Eventually I have to come to the point to where I have no agenda, I'm not going anywhere, I don't have to be anywhere, so that God's AGAPE love can influence my life!
Now in Verses 8 through 11, we have the participation in the entrance to heaven. There are some who might not know what the bible teaches about entrance into heaven for the believer. Both Peter and Paul taught this. Paul taught it more extensively as we'll see here in a moment. But there will be a difference in heaven among Christians. Spiritually, we will all have a spiritual body, and we will all be the same, but we will be different in development.
2 Peter 1:7 - And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
And in the stage of godliness, let it produce brotherly kindness to you;
That's the word PHILADELPHIA, brotherly love. It is interesting that the last two have to do with love. And they are the last two phases, or stages of spiritual growth. Everything else is a struggle. I've got to endure, I've got to make it, I've got to trust the Lord, and it's back and forth and all over the place. Oh yea, and I got to love my brothers too, like you can fit that in somewhere!
But this is the love for the family of the Lord. It's where you're at peace with God and you know Him. He's in control of your life, and you can just let go and trust Him, not because of a principle that you follow, but because you know Him. And you can be sensitive to the brothers and sisters in Christ. As a matter of fact, as you go through these stages of growth, you become more sacrificial, more giving up of yourself.
The first five have to do with giving up yourself to the Lord to go through all of these phases. Every one of these phases is just kind of telling you to let go. It's a struggle between you and the Lord, and how much you're going to trust Him, and how much you're going to give over to Him, and how much you're going to let go.
But the last two have to do with the sacrificial relationship with the body of Christ, the family of the Lord. Let your reverence, your attitude that you have now in respect to the Lord, let out of that grow a love for the family of God. And lastly: And in brotherly love, let it supply AGAPE. The word charity in the King James is the word AGAPE love.
And in patience, or endurance, let it produce godliness;
That's the word reverence towards God. And you might ask why in the world is that way up there? Well, if you notice in our daily lives, if we're under extremely difficult circumstances, and we are called upon by the Lord to endure, but we murmur and complain about it, we get mad at the Lord about it, and we say get me out of this because I don't want to do this.
If we say I don't want to have to trust you, or I can't trust you, then we begin to express our lack of reverence to God Himself. And it is interesting that once we reach the phase of being able to endure, because of the control God has over our life from within, because of our personal relationship with Him, it's interesting how our attitude towards the Lord changes!
The Lord is capable. He's sufficient. I'm not mad at Him anymore, so I can respect and reverence God, and I can tell people. I can make it through my situation because the Lord is sustaining me, and I know Him. And people can see Christ in your life, His influence, and His presence, and that you know Him.
2 Peter 1:6 - And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And in the stage of knowledge, let it supply temperance. The word temperance in the dictionary is defined as self-control. But I don't wish to use that term because it makes it sound like you need to get a grip on yourself or something. Literally, the Greek word means not self-control, but the control of self. It's made up of two words. Number one, in, and the word grip. It depicts and expresses the control of God's Spirit on a person's life. It is a Spiritual control of one's life.
And notice how it's building off of interaction and participation with the divine nature comes knowing Him, and when you come to know Him, it produces a control over yourself. That influence, that relationship, is a control over one's life.
Next, and to temperance, or the control of self, patience; That's the Greek word for endurance. Remember that longsuffering is the word for slow in human reaction towards people, but this one, HUPOMENO, means to remain under or endure circumstances.
So, I will not be able to endure my circumstances spiritually until my interaction with the divine nature produces the qualities of His nature. And coming to know Him personally and intimately, which produces the control of His Spirit over my life, and when His Spirit has a grip and control over my life, I can remain under. It's a stage of growth, being able to remain under and not have to go anywhere or do anything to escape any situation.
And that's the importance of our relationship with Christ. Please know that I'm not minimizing the importance of the bible. It's just that some people have a relationship with the bible and they don't have a relationship with Christ. By my participation with the divine nature, His very virtue is developed in my life, the qualities of God's nature, virtue!
Next, and in virtue, and remember that the word to means in. And in the virtue, let it supply knowledge. So, all of these prepositional phrases "in," come off of that. Supply in your faith virtue; in your virtue, let it supply knowledge. How does knowledge come out of virtue? As I just mentioned to you that Acts 4:13 said that the religious council took note that they were unlearned and ignorant men, but that they had been with Jesus.
The word knowledge is an intimate word, a word that expresses intimate relationship. At the end of Matthew Chapter 1, it says that Mary and Joseph, that they didn't know each other until after she gave birth to her firstborn son. So, it's an intimate term. It's even used for the physical relationship between husband and wife. It's coming to know Him, being influenced by His virtue, the qualities of His nature.
One of the things we learn in our human association, we are warned about being around people that can be bad influence. Paul says in 1 Corinthians Chapter 15 that bad company corrupts good morals. It's not the other way around. It won't be the believers influence over his drinking friends. It will be the drinking friends and their influence over him.
So, to put it into our terminology, whoever you "hang around," you're going to talk like him, you're going to act like him, and you're going to show the influences.
The bible tells us that the more time we spend with Him, and I'm not talking about in a book, even though the bible is part of it. I'm not talking about spending time in the bible and God's Spirit will influence you. I'm talking about Him! Because we cannot see Him nor hear Him, His design is to minister to us through the word, but it's to bring us to Himself.
When you are able to quote scripture, people can tell that you have spent many hours in the bible. But have you been with Christ for many hours? Some people can quote the book. And if you're into memorizing, that's great. Those are tools that God's Spirit uses.
But I'm reminded in Acts 4:13, when Peter and James and John the fishermen were there, and they were talking to the religious council about the fulfillment in the Messiah. It says the council took notice of them that they were unlearned and ignorant men. Well, that's not what the words mean. It actually means that they did not go through the Rabbinical Schools.
Then it says, but they did take knowledge of them, and were marveled at them, but they took note that they had been with Jesus. Ah! It didn't say the bible. It didn't say the Tanak. "You haven't been to the Rabbinical Schools, have you? But we can tell you've been with Jesus!"
Also, each one of these words, along with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity, each one has the Definite Article, which names the stage in which the growth is taking place.
And lastly, before I get into the list itself, this list is arranged with the word "in," and with the Definite Article for each one. And notice that the stages are repeated. Supply in your faith virtue; and in virtue knowledge; and in knowledge, and so on. Each stage of growth is produced out of the one that comes before it. Or, each stage of growth produces the next stage of growth.
I know this is a lot of detail, but we don't get that in our English text, no matter which English text we read, we don't get that lineup and that formula in the detail that Peter is making.
So, he says on the account of the fact that you are a partaker of the divine nature, after having given all priority to this growth process, supply in the faith. That would be the interaction with the Lord.
In the faith, supply virtue. That's why it's important. Back at the end of Verse 3, you'll remember he says the one who has called us of His own glory, and virtue. That's the same word, virtue. This is not my virtue. This is God's virtue, His qualities, the quality of His nature, and His morality. In other words, everything about who God is and His influences over my life, because in faith, I am participating with the divine nature, and as I participate with the divine nature, that produces the influence of who God is on my life. That's very important.
The way God created the world, the way He created you and me, the way He created the process, you're born as a baby, you grow up as an adult, and you go through all the different phases of growth. But every way in which God made creation and made us symbolizes and expresses spiritual truth, the spiritual truth of God and God's kingdom.
So, work out your own salvation. It is God who works. Be where He wants you to be, live the lifestyle He wants you to live, to be on a schedule. And we'll see that when we get into Chapter 3 which gives us the priorities of the believer's life. So, if we understand Paul in Philippians 2:12-13, Peter is saying the same thing, add to your faith.
Now here's the catch phrase:
The word add in Verse 5 EPICHOREGESATE, and in Verse 11 where it says ministered EPICHOREGETHESETAI, add and ministered are the same words, and it means to supply. In Verse 11 it says for so an entrance shall be supplied to you, whereas back in Verse 5 it says supply to your faith. These are catch phrases because Verse 11 is going to make reference back to Verse 5 about our entrance into heaven. That's very important!
So, in Verse 5, it says on account of this, that is, you have become partakers of the divine nature, having provided all priority, supply in, it's not "to" but in your faith. What is faith? You see, faith is a catch phrase back to Verse 1, the Christian faith. My participation with the divine nature, Peter calls a like precious faith. Faith is the word that describes the interaction between myself and the Lord. It's invisible, but He's active, He's persuading, and He's ministering.
So, he's saying by being a partaker of the divine nature, you are now of the faith. So now that you are interacting with the divine nature, I want you to supply something, that is, make sure that this interaction and participation supplies something.
Here are some details that you're going to need to know as we go through this:
Instead of the word "to," in Verses 5 through 7, in the Greek text it is the word "in." Why is that important? Because in the Greek text, it shows the location in which the growth process takes place. You're not adding to something. You're growing in a phase. There are seven stages.
2 Peter 1:5 - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And beside this, or literally, on account of this. On account of what? You became partakers of the divine nature. If you are a partaker of the divine nature, then there are changes taking place within you as you're influenced by the very nature and quality of God Himself.
So, the first phrase there is making reference back to Verse 4. And there's where you bring the first phase into the second. Next, which would be the third thing, it says giving all diligence. And this is a phrase that indicates for me my responsibility in this growth process. It's diligence, which means top priority. It is my decision making and my responsibility to make spiritual growth in Christ the top priority of my life.
Fourthly: And here's where we get into a crunch of words. Add to your faith. What in the world does that mean? First of all, here's an explanation of how Paul said it, because Peter is saying the same thing. In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul says wherefore my beloved as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
But you can't stop there. It says in Verse 13, for it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. There are people who stop at Verse 12 and say "See, that's what we're supposed to do in our efforts. We're supposed to work out our own salvation." No! Our responsibility is that our salvation should be being worked out in us in a growth process. That is my responsibility, but I don't do the work. That's why is says for it is God who works in you.
2 Peter 1:4 - Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these, and here's the line: you might become partakers of the divine nature. The first thing a believer is, and we call it saved, we call it received Christ, we call it born again, but a person who is saved is someone who has become a partaker of the divine nature of God Himself, His qualities, His virtue, and His glory.
Now I like the way Peter says it because our terms are kind of loose and religious. "Have you believed in the Lord? Have you received Him?" and whatever these phrases mean to people. But Peter gets right down to the nitty-gritty. Like Paul says, if you don't have the Spirit of Christ, you don't belong to Christ. That's the nitty-gritty. Are you participating and interacting with Him?
That's what it means to be a Christian. It doesn't mean to be part of a religious system called Christianity. It means to be partakers of the divine nature. And Peter is emphasizing the divine nature, His very qualities, His morality, His holiness, and His glory. I am interacting. I am participating with the divine nature of God. That's who a believer is according to the bible.
And then it says after having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. That's called an Aorist Participle. I have become a partaker of the divine nature, after I was saved from the corruption that's in the world that is produced in lust. God delivered me from that. God put His Spirit into my spirit. He has sealed me with His Spirit to belong to Him forever.
2 Peter 1:3 - According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Peter says according as His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. So, this little phrase or parenthesis, and he's going to get to the main point here in a moment, but God's divine power gives to us all things pertaining to life and Godliness. We have everything. We lack nothing. Godliness means reverence.
Secondly, this all comes to us through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue. Now the phrase "to glory and virtue," there are some Greek manuscript differences. And the manuscript that I am working out of (the Textus Receptus), it doesn't say to glory and virtue, it's basically of glory and virtue.
He's not calling us to it. In fact, the oldest manuscripts have the additional words "His own." He has called us of His own glory and virtue, it is not ours. Divine power, the virtue and glory that belongs to God, He has called us to that, and in it.
2 Peter 1:2 - Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
Grace, and literally since the word multiplied is what is called the Optative Mood (a wish), it should read may grace and peace be multiplied unto you through, or in the full knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, indicating one person.
But it is interesting that he was praying for grace and peace to be multiplied to them, but this grace and peace is multiplied in coming to know the full knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. And so, the more we learn, if we're learning properly from the scriptures, grace will increase, the peace of the Lord will increase, the more accurately we learn about Christ.
Please remember the term faith, a like precious faith. When we get into the second phase of the Christian life which is the growth process in Verse 5, he's going to make reference back to the phrase faith in Verse 1.
The first 11 verses of 2 Peter Chapter 1 is the most difficult Greek in the whole bible. There are catch phrases all through the first 11 verses. And if you are not able to read the Greek text, these first 11 verses will minister to you, but you'll miss the whole point of the purpose and the teaching of what he's trying to say.
As I go through this, I'm going to mention these catch phrases, and mention to you the manner in which these 11 verses are written so you can benefit from these 11 verses from now on whenever you read them. Verses 3 through 11 are the phases of the Christian faith. And there are three phases that a true genuine born-again believer participates in.
Peter emphasizes participation. A genuine believer, someone born of the Spirit of God, is participating with God in three areas. The first one is in Verses 3 and 4, the participation with the divine nature. That's a different phrase. It's speaking of the Spirit of Christ, but Peter uses different terminology.
Second Peter was written to warn the believers about the threat against the Church from inside the church, the false teachers, and the false teachings.
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:
He says Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He introduces himself as a DOULOS, a slave, and he also tells them that he's an apostle. That puts him in high ranking in the church. So, this comes from one of the original people who have been with the Lord.
To them that have obtained like precious faith with us. He's writing to believing Jews. But he's telling them, writing to you who have obtained like precious faith with us. The word precious in the Greek text (ISOTIMON) is the word valuable. Peter is saying that every believer, when they receive Christ, they receive the same valuable faith as Peter and the others.
It's not a lower faith. It's not a lower version of Christianity. It is a like precious faith. He's using the term faith to describe the Christian life. It's not just something that a Christian lives by. In fact, in the book of Acts, it was said that those who follow Jesus Christ were of the faith. They followed the persuasion of God's Spirit, which is what faith means. Believers follow the persuasion of God's Spirit, and they follow the Lord, but you can't see Him. So, they called the people "of the faith," or literally of the persuasion.
On this day in 2025 we look to the future and assess what has come to pass in recent years and decades. There have been multiple attempts at peace in the Middle East since the 1970's since the agreement with Mubarak in 1979; and the infamous "two state solution" which was initiated with the PLO in 1993 but had its roots from the late 1930's; apparently. We certainly see in recent years the "Abraham accords" as a likely predecessor of a final covenant with many ( Daniel 9:27). Overall we have to listen to the admonishment of Habukkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. This shows there is a delay before the initiation of end times events but that it will rapidly transpire once unleashed. This concept also could be observed with this verse in Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
This of course seems like a contradiction after 2000 years since Christ came and left this world for glory. It is like the adage of waiting for water to boil; or perhaps the one about a frog in slowly heated water. We need to be careful with such admonitions as this For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. ( Luke 21:35).
What are we to make of this? On one hand we realize that the "gates of hell" will not prevail against the church ( Matt. 16:18); but we also know that even the "elect would be deceived if that were possible" ( Matt. 24:24) in the coming time of false prophets; signs and wonders. Since the verse indicates that it isn't ultimately possible for total deception of the elect we have assurance IF we are indeed those He is talking about. The elect will hear His voice and not follow another ( John 10:26-29). We need to make our calling and election sure ( 2 Peter 1:10).
Matthew 13:36-43 This section shows a private explanation after the Disciples further inquiry into the wheat and the tares.
Verses 44-45 discuss the hidden treasure concept; of treasure in a field and a pearl of great price.
Verses 47-51 show the parable of the fisherman and the final judgment; and in verse 51 we see in this case the Disciples get the point.
Verse 52 reads:
52 He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old." This verse sort of gives a summary perhaps for wise sayings in general whether it benefits the narrator himself who is one of Christ's Disciples or those who hear these concepts. A rich life in God's sight involves investment in people and labor for the Kingdom of God which is worthless in the world's eyes but valuable in heavenly rewards and reaching out perhaps to the next generation.
Finally; verses 53-58 show the miserable attitude those in His hometown had toward Christ of unbelief.
Concluding thoughts on Matthew 13.
The 10000 dollar question here is how can we apply these passages in our day in a practical manner in our Christian walk? The fact is a lot of things Jesus did are unique to Him; we only see one instance as an example where Paul made a scathing remark in Acts 23:3 but even after the comment he retracts because this man was the High Priest. We don't see obvious hidden messages or parables in the rest of the New Testament by any of the Apostles or anyone in the churches.
Conceptually; I would interject the idea that the narrow road should be something we should consider if we are truly walking in light of 2 Corithians 13:5; 2 Peter 1:10-11. The seriousness of hellfire is something often avoided in sermons today; even where the Gospel is more or less preached faithfully. Discernment can help us avoid the Matthew 7:6 error of casting pearls before swine. Thoughts?
Apostle Paul is the Masterbuilder of the gospel of grace that was given to him by the ascended Jesus Christ our God and Saviour.
2 Peter 1:20
Knowing this first, thatnoprophecy of the scriptureisof anyprivateinterpretation.
2 Timothy 3:16
Allscriptureis given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Apostle Paul started his ministry in Acts chapter nine .
Acts 9:15
ButtheLord said unto him,Gothy way: for heis a chosen vessel unto me,tobear my name beforetheGentiles, and kings, andthechildren ofIsrael:
The Jews did not want to hear Apostle Paul's doctrine , so Apostle Paul and Barnabas went to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said,It was necessary thattheword ofGod should first have been spokentoyou: but seeing ye putit from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turntotheGentiles.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Apostle Paul's gospel of the grace of God
There are many verses in the Bible that show the human nature of Jesus. But also there are many verses that show the divine nature of Jesus. Some of them are many parts of John's gospel (especially the begining) such as John 1:30, John 2:19, John 3:13, John 8:58-59, John 10:30-33, John 14:9-10, John 14:23, John 20:28, Acts 20:28, Titus 2:13, 2 Peter 1:1, Hebrews 1:8, Matthew 1:22-23, 1 Cor 10:9, Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1, Zechariah 11:12-13, Romans 9:1-5, and many other that I can not recall now. Jesus also accepted people to kneel infront of Him, something that is only permitted for God. Also compare Psalms 102:25-27 where it talks about God to Hebrews 1:10 where it talks about Jesus. Also compare Joel 3:5 to Acts 9:13. Compare Jeremiah 17:9 to Rev 2:23, etc.
So we have two kinds of scripture. One says that Jesus is human, the other says that Jesus is God. So what do we make out of these two? The obvious, that Jesus is the God, one person of the Godhead, who became man.
Lets think it in another way. We know that God loved people so much so that He sacrificed His own son for us. Now lets use another example. Suppose I love my brother and want to help Him. and the only way to help him is to give my own life for him. How does it seem to you that I would sacrifice instead of my own life, my son's life for Him to help Him? Why my son? And not myself? The most sensible thing is that I would sacrifice my own life for him, not somebody's else. That would be very egoistic. Somebody else to suffer for my intention to help somebody that I love? I think you can understand what I trying to say. So what did God do? He sacrificed Himself for us, one person out of the Godhead took on Him our nature, became a man and gave His life for us. So it is God's love that attracts people to Him. It wouldn't be love if He sacrificed somebody else, an innocent person's life, for his intention to save us. I hope I haven't done it so complicated to understand. GBU
Hello Timmywynne. There are many Scriptures that point to the Triune Nature of God, and specifically, that Jesus Christ & the Holy Spirit are revealed to us from the very Being of God the Father. When we think of the Trinity, we know we won't find that word in the Bible, as it is purely a descriptive word of what the Bible declares to be the fullness of God's Being. So to the verses you seek, and you will need to read them fully in your Bible.
Of Jesus Christ: Isaiah 9:6,7 (an Old Testament Prophecy); Micah 5:2 & John 1:1-14 (from everlasting); Matthew 1:22,23; Mark 2:5-7; John 8:56-58; John 16: 27,28; John 17:4,5; John 20:27,28; Philippians 2:5-7; Colossians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Titus 3:13; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:8-10; 1 John 5:7; 1 John 5:20.
Of the Holy Spirit: Matthew 12:31; Luke 1:34,35; Luke 11:13; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7-11; Acts 5:3; Acts 8:29; Acts 13:4; Romans 8:14; Romans 8:26,27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 10:29; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 5:6.
The above are a few Scriptures that point to the deity of Jesus Christ & God's Spirit: all showing that they don't work independently from God, but have been sent out from God, from God's Being, to accomplish His Purposes in the world. And we know that Jesus, as the Word of God clothed with humanity, is the very expression of God to the world ( John 14:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 4:2). Hope these will help you in your study of this very important doctrine. Blessings.
Ronald Whittemore, I like what you wrote. All I can think of is one verse that Peter wrote.
2 Peter 1:20-21
20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of anyprivateinterpretation.
21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Now that we understand what Peter wrote . Apostle Paul wrote this verse to Timothy and I like it.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
You're right about different churches and different ways of believing, but the fundamental of Salvation should be clean cut, Jesus Christ died on the cross for all our sins and was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures . 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Me a member at West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral Los Angeles California
John 8:36 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
" Jesus Christ is Father and the Son same language you can understand is God for us to be heirs to all the world. To believe you can do and follow Jesus and become what your expected to be the truth of God Romans 8:2 KJV, 1 Corinthians 7:22 KJV. This is the life to live also exhibited. It is used in
discipleship- to show the Holy bible is life
saints/ citizens- free from sin Galatians 5:1 KJV, liability, set free from thraldom, ransom Mark 10:45 KJV, evil ,captivity of Satan.
Freedom from the laws, rules, thraldom that are not of God moral and obedience to it. You are titled to freedom to the house of God and his supper. A example of analogy used family of God Himself.
Ways you can be free from sin are to listen to God's voice and word to obey and follow " do it" (speaking, actions, attention of communications)
Examples of people in the holy bible that made themselves free in God you can read and follow are Romans 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:1 .
You quoted in part 1 Corinthians 2:4,5, "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." When Paul spoke and wrote to the Church there, the Holy Spirit enabled him to bring together all of the Scriptures that properly and correctly manifested Christ Jesus, showing that Jesus was truly God's Love declared by the giving of Himself for their sakes. The world thinks that is ridiculous ("the wisdom of men" & 1 Corinthians 1:18)), for man must pay for his own sins and hope for God's acceptance. But Paul stood against the wisdom of men (Gentiles) and those who sought signs (Jews), but proclaimed what all the Scriptures testified of Jesus.
Once as a high-ranking Jew, Paul believed he understood the Scriptures correctly and so taught others. But when he came to faith, he had to count all that understanding 'loss and dung' as the Spirit enabled him to understand the Word correctly. Did he then lose sight of the correct understanding of Israel's history, God's Plan for them and for the Church (of both Jew & Gentile), and of things future? Not at all. All that God had proclaimed concerning National Israel still holds true and will come to pass. Then Jesus came and brought believing Jew & Gentile into the one Body. Correct distinctions need to be maintained or else we can make the Bible mean anything we want to suit our theology. GBU.
The key here is recognizing that the Old Testament prophets never saw the Church, the Body of Christ. Paul plainly declares this "mystery" was "hid in God" until revealed to him ( Eph. 3:1-9; Col. 1:25-26). To read Paul's gospel of grace back into the prophets is to engage in the very private interpretation Peter warns against. The prophets spoke of Israel's restoration, Messiah's reign on earth, and judgment of the nations. These promises remain true and await literal fulfillment in the millennial kingdom.
This is why Paul exhorts us to "rightly divide the word of truth" ( 2 Tim. 2:15). God's Word must be interpreted according to its proper dispensation. Israel's prophetic hope concerns the earthly kingdom, while Paul's revelation concerns the heavenly calling of the Body of Christ. To blend them is to misapply prophecy and confuse God's distinct programs.
Thus, 2 Peter 1:20 warns us not to force our own meaning into prophecy. Instead, we let Scripture interpret Scripture, acknowledging God's progressive revelation. Prophecy is sure, it will come to pass exactly as written for Israel, and the mystery revealed to Paul remains our doctrine today. Anything else is private interpretation, and therefore error.
G&P
If your "battle" is with believing that Jesus is God, may I suggest the following scriptures for your consideration:
Genesis 1:1 along with John 1:1-3, Revelation 19:13, Colossians 1:15-17, Matthew 1:23, John 10:30, John 14:9, Mark 2:5-7, John 8:58, John 20:28, Isaiah 9:6, Philippians 2:5-7, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:8, John 5:18, 1 John 5:20, Luke 24:52, John 9:38, Acts 10:25-26, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 22:13, Micah 5:2, John 17:5, John 1:14. There are more, but these should suffice.
You mention that "Christians say that there is no separation between Christ and God," and that the bible shows otherwise. Jesus said I and my Father are one, and He also said that if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. This may not mean anything to you, but in the book of Hebrews, Jesus is described as the APOUGASMA (the out beam) of God's glory, God projecting Himself through the time/space factor in the person of Christ. Jesus Christ, being God, was never separated from the source. This is why Jesus can say if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.
The best example I can give would be taking a flashlight in a dark room and shining it on a wall. The flashlight is the source, and the light is projected on the wall from the source. There is no separation unless the flashlight is turned off. Now, imagine the flashlight being God, and the light shining on the wall is Jesus, again, no separation. Jesus is said to be the true light which came down from heaven, the APOUGASMA of God.
If you are sincerely struggling with the deity of Jesus Christ (Him being God), I hope these scriptures I've provided might help. Also, if you would like, I can share my personal understanding on Matthew 26:39 and Luke 22:42 and why Christ would ask this.
If I may ask, are you a Christian? If so, who do you say Jesus is?
I Pray for deliverance from anything hinders walk with Christ.
John 8:36 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
" Jesus Christ is Father and the Son same language you can understand is God for us to be heirs to all the world. To believe you can do and follow Jesus and become what your expected to be the truth of God Romans 8:2 KJV, 1 Corinthians 7:22 KJV. This is the life to live also exhibited. It is used in
discipleship- to show the Holy bible is life
saints/ citizens- free from sin Galatians 5:1 KJV, liability, set free from thraldom, ransom Mark 10:45 KJV, evil ,captivity of Satan.
Freedom from the laws, rules, thraldom that are not of God moral and obedience to it. You are titled to freedom to the house of God and his supper. A example of analogy used family of God Himself.
Ways you can be free from sin are to listen to God's voice and word to obey and follow " do it" (speaking, actions, attention of communications)
Examples of people in the holy bible that made themselves free in God you can read and follow are Romans 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:1 .
Word Spoken and Written by
REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
5. 1 Peter 3:21
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ"
Baptism connected to salvation
Not just symbolic - a required response of a good conscience
6. 2 Peter 1:5-10 - Add to your faith
"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue... knowledge... temperance... patience... godliness... brotherly kindness... charity
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall."
Not faith alone - one must add works
Doing these things = assurance of salvation
Summary
Peter preached:
Faith in Jesus as the risen Messiah ( Acts 2:36)
Repentance and water baptism for forgiveness ( Acts 2:38)
Obedience necessary to receive the Holy Ghost ( Acts 5:32)
Sanctification through obedience ( 1 Peter 1:2)
Salvation tied to baptism and holy living ( 1 Peter 3:21, 2 Peter 1:10)
This is in contrast with Paul's message of justification by grace through faith alone ( Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5), not by works.
So why the mention of crowns? When we look at the various verses that speak of this, in my understanding they are not necessarily physical crowns, even as the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:25, "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible". Here, Paul compares the physical crown given to the winning athlete & this crown is temporal & short-lived for praise (i.e. how many of us regularly remember & speak about past great athletes? We have other more important things to engage our minds). But the crowns that Paul, Peter, & James write about are not only incorruptible, but I feel more to do with the type of entrance we have into Heaven/Kingdom of God.
Maybe 2 Peter 1:10,11 helps us a little here: "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things (i.e. the things mentioned in verses 5-8), ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Here, Peter speaks about an 'abundant entrance in the everlasting kingdom'; not just an entrance (i.e. with Christ is our sure hope & salvation guaranteed by His death on the Cross), but an ABUNDANT entrance for those who have been faithful in personal life & service to our LORD God, continually waiting & looking for Jesus' Coming, and also to those who have been sorely tested, persecuted or martyred & WON. Could these be those crowns?
2 Peter 1:15 - Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
Moreover I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease, and that's the word Exodus in the Greek (EXODON). Interesting! Decease is not the word death. It's the word Exodus, as in the book of Exodus.
After I exit out of here that you may be able to have these things always in remembrance. So, remembrance is for people who already know. The purpose of remembrance is to stir people up, especially the truth and the knowledge that they already know, that's just lying there without life, but it brings it back to life.
2 Peter 1:16 - For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, and the word fables is the word MUTHOS, where we get our word myths from. When we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
It's interesting, and I find it kind of a parallel with a lot of things that happen in our day, but back in the early church days, people really wouldn't have anything to say from scripture or from their personal experience with Christ.
But some groups would start, and they would just give testimonies all night about a person's personal mystical experiences of how they experienced Jesus, much like people have today about Mary, how Mary appeared to them, or whatever. These are cunningly devised fables, myths, stories.
So, he says we're not like the story tellers. We're actually eyewitnesses. We were there!
2 Peter 1:11 - For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Verse 11 is Peter's summary statement in capsule form of the climax to this last phase or participation in the entrance to heaven. The word "so" is a very important word. It's an adverb that means in this way. For in this way, an entrance shall be supplied to you.
I mentioned in Verse 5 that the word add and the word ministered are the same word. It's the word supply. They are catch words. Your relationship with the Lord, make it priority in your life, and the Lord is going to supply to you something.
But he says for in this way, whichever way you are, if you are participating in the growth process, and you are abounding and increasing, you will enter into heaven with an abundance. Whereas if you lack these things, where the change and transformation of this growth process is not a priority to you, and you're saved, you'll enter into heaven, you'll have the same Spiritual body everybody else has, but there will be a difference.
Just a quick statement here before I move on because it's something that's not talked about today. I honestly believe that those in the positions of leadership and ministry are actually doing people harm by thinking that God is going to reward us for our growth horizontally.
The thought seems to be that the more people we bring in, the more buildings we build, the bigger our work is, and the more successful it is, we're going to get a reward in heaven, without realizing that we enter into heaven with the growth transformation that takes place in our life here on the earth.
This means there's going to be some believers who enter into heaven with the foundation, which is Jesus Christ, and a chimney. That's it! Because Paul's detail is that we as believers, we're going to pass through the fire, not the fire of hell, but God is going to test the development work of each person.
2 Peter 1:9 - But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off.
Literal translation: This person is blind, being myopic. He doesn't mean completely blind. He means near-sighted. And has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. In other words, he can only see himself now. The time that he was saved and forgiven for his sins was some time ago, and he's forgotten what God saved him from, and what God wants to save him to. He's forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
There are two different kinds of Christians. There's one that's involved in the growth process, and one who's not. And the only reason they are not because they have forgotten who they were. You can see that in a lot of people in their approach to being with the Lord after this life. "I my sinful self, I have been forgiven for my sins because of what Jesus did for me on the cross. And I'm going to heaven because I believe in Him." That's it! There's no awareness of a need for change.
2 Peter 1:10 - Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Peter says wherefore rather, brethren, a term of affection. He says give diligence, and here's the word diligence again, top priority. Make it a top priority to make your calling and election sure, literally established:
Your calling and election, if you have come to know and participate with the divine nature of God, solidify and establish your relationship with Him, grow strong in that relationship with Him. For if you do these things, and the word do is literally the word doing, practicing. For if you are continually doing these things, you shall never fall:
The reason why it says never is because there's a Double Negative there. If you are doing these things, you will never fall.
2 Peter 1:8 - For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He says for if these things exist in you, and are abounding. The word be, and the word abound are Participles. It shows continuous action. If these stages of growth are existing in you, and they are increasing, they make you that you shall be neither barren, that is, idle, nor unfruitful in the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You're going to know Him. But when it says you will not be idle, nor unfruitful, and I don't know if you've ever been in that time in your Christian Walk where you felt like nothing's happening, I'm not going anywhere, like you're just idle, standing around and it doesn't seem there's much fruit of God's Spirit.
Well, Peter says if you're going through these growth processes, and you're abounding in them, you won't be idle. You won't be unfruitful because that will be the fruit that God's producing, the changes and the growth.
2 Peter 1:7 Continued
Both in this list, and the one in 1 John Chapter 4, it tells us that love is the most spiritually mature stage and process a person can be in. AGAPE is not something a human being can produce. Galatians 5:22 tells us that AGAPE love is produced by the Holy Spirit. It's the same love that God loved us with.
In fact, 1 John Chapter 4 tells us that God is love. Love is His nature, His quality. And He is concerned about our spiritual welfare, so He sent His Son to die for us. When you reach AGAPE love as a mature point in your walk with the Lord, it means by now you've lost everything. Now it's whatever the Lord wants, and whatever I can do for my brothers and sisters in Christ. But what about what I want? Eventually I have to come to the point to where I have no agenda, I'm not going anywhere, I don't have to be anywhere, so that God's AGAPE love can influence my life!
Now in Verses 8 through 11, we have the participation in the entrance to heaven. There are some who might not know what the bible teaches about entrance into heaven for the believer. Both Peter and Paul taught this. Paul taught it more extensively as we'll see here in a moment. But there will be a difference in heaven among Christians. Spiritually, we will all have a spiritual body, and we will all be the same, but we will be different in development.
2 Peter 1:7 - And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
And in the stage of godliness, let it produce brotherly kindness to you;
That's the word PHILADELPHIA, brotherly love. It is interesting that the last two have to do with love. And they are the last two phases, or stages of spiritual growth. Everything else is a struggle. I've got to endure, I've got to make it, I've got to trust the Lord, and it's back and forth and all over the place. Oh yea, and I got to love my brothers too, like you can fit that in somewhere!
But this is the love for the family of the Lord. It's where you're at peace with God and you know Him. He's in control of your life, and you can just let go and trust Him, not because of a principle that you follow, but because you know Him. And you can be sensitive to the brothers and sisters in Christ. As a matter of fact, as you go through these stages of growth, you become more sacrificial, more giving up of yourself.
The first five have to do with giving up yourself to the Lord to go through all of these phases. Every one of these phases is just kind of telling you to let go. It's a struggle between you and the Lord, and how much you're going to trust Him, and how much you're going to give over to Him, and how much you're going to let go.
But the last two have to do with the sacrificial relationship with the body of Christ, the family of the Lord. Let your reverence, your attitude that you have now in respect to the Lord, let out of that grow a love for the family of God. And lastly: And in brotherly love, let it supply AGAPE. The word charity in the King James is the word AGAPE love.
2 Peter 1:6 Continued
And in patience, or endurance, let it produce godliness;
That's the word reverence towards God. And you might ask why in the world is that way up there? Well, if you notice in our daily lives, if we're under extremely difficult circumstances, and we are called upon by the Lord to endure, but we murmur and complain about it, we get mad at the Lord about it, and we say get me out of this because I don't want to do this.
If we say I don't want to have to trust you, or I can't trust you, then we begin to express our lack of reverence to God Himself. And it is interesting that once we reach the phase of being able to endure, because of the control God has over our life from within, because of our personal relationship with Him, it's interesting how our attitude towards the Lord changes!
The Lord is capable. He's sufficient. I'm not mad at Him anymore, so I can respect and reverence God, and I can tell people. I can make it through my situation because the Lord is sustaining me, and I know Him. And people can see Christ in your life, His influence, and His presence, and that you know Him.
2 Peter 1:6 - And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And in the stage of knowledge, let it supply temperance. The word temperance in the dictionary is defined as self-control. But I don't wish to use that term because it makes it sound like you need to get a grip on yourself or something. Literally, the Greek word means not self-control, but the control of self. It's made up of two words. Number one, in, and the word grip. It depicts and expresses the control of God's Spirit on a person's life. It is a Spiritual control of one's life.
And notice how it's building off of interaction and participation with the divine nature comes knowing Him, and when you come to know Him, it produces a control over yourself. That influence, that relationship, is a control over one's life.
Next, and to temperance, or the control of self, patience; That's the Greek word for endurance. Remember that longsuffering is the word for slow in human reaction towards people, but this one, HUPOMENO, means to remain under or endure circumstances.
So, I will not be able to endure my circumstances spiritually until my interaction with the divine nature produces the qualities of His nature. And coming to know Him personally and intimately, which produces the control of His Spirit over my life, and when His Spirit has a grip and control over my life, I can remain under. It's a stage of growth, being able to remain under and not have to go anywhere or do anything to escape any situation.
2 Peter 1:5 Continued
And that's the importance of our relationship with Christ. Please know that I'm not minimizing the importance of the bible. It's just that some people have a relationship with the bible and they don't have a relationship with Christ. By my participation with the divine nature, His very virtue is developed in my life, the qualities of God's nature, virtue!
Next, and in virtue, and remember that the word to means in. And in the virtue, let it supply knowledge. So, all of these prepositional phrases "in," come off of that. Supply in your faith virtue; in your virtue, let it supply knowledge. How does knowledge come out of virtue? As I just mentioned to you that Acts 4:13 said that the religious council took note that they were unlearned and ignorant men, but that they had been with Jesus.
The word knowledge is an intimate word, a word that expresses intimate relationship. At the end of Matthew Chapter 1, it says that Mary and Joseph, that they didn't know each other until after she gave birth to her firstborn son. So, it's an intimate term. It's even used for the physical relationship between husband and wife. It's coming to know Him, being influenced by His virtue, the qualities of His nature.
2 Peter 1:5 Continued
One of the things we learn in our human association, we are warned about being around people that can be bad influence. Paul says in 1 Corinthians Chapter 15 that bad company corrupts good morals. It's not the other way around. It won't be the believers influence over his drinking friends. It will be the drinking friends and their influence over him.
So, to put it into our terminology, whoever you "hang around," you're going to talk like him, you're going to act like him, and you're going to show the influences.
The bible tells us that the more time we spend with Him, and I'm not talking about in a book, even though the bible is part of it. I'm not talking about spending time in the bible and God's Spirit will influence you. I'm talking about Him! Because we cannot see Him nor hear Him, His design is to minister to us through the word, but it's to bring us to Himself.
When you are able to quote scripture, people can tell that you have spent many hours in the bible. But have you been with Christ for many hours? Some people can quote the book. And if you're into memorizing, that's great. Those are tools that God's Spirit uses.
But I'm reminded in Acts 4:13, when Peter and James and John the fishermen were there, and they were talking to the religious council about the fulfillment in the Messiah. It says the council took notice of them that they were unlearned and ignorant men. Well, that's not what the words mean. It actually means that they did not go through the Rabbinical Schools.
Then it says, but they did take knowledge of them, and were marveled at them, but they took note that they had been with Jesus. Ah! It didn't say the bible. It didn't say the Tanak. "You haven't been to the Rabbinical Schools, have you? But we can tell you've been with Jesus!"
2 Peter 1:5 Continued
Also, each one of these words, along with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity, each one has the Definite Article, which names the stage in which the growth is taking place.
And lastly, before I get into the list itself, this list is arranged with the word "in," and with the Definite Article for each one. And notice that the stages are repeated. Supply in your faith virtue; and in virtue knowledge; and in knowledge, and so on. Each stage of growth is produced out of the one that comes before it. Or, each stage of growth produces the next stage of growth.
I know this is a lot of detail, but we don't get that in our English text, no matter which English text we read, we don't get that lineup and that formula in the detail that Peter is making.
So, he says on the account of the fact that you are a partaker of the divine nature, after having given all priority to this growth process, supply in the faith. That would be the interaction with the Lord.
In the faith, supply virtue. That's why it's important. Back at the end of Verse 3, you'll remember he says the one who has called us of His own glory, and virtue. That's the same word, virtue. This is not my virtue. This is God's virtue, His qualities, the quality of His nature, and His morality. In other words, everything about who God is and His influences over my life, because in faith, I am participating with the divine nature, and as I participate with the divine nature, that produces the influence of who God is on my life. That's very important.
The way God created the world, the way He created you and me, the way He created the process, you're born as a baby, you grow up as an adult, and you go through all the different phases of growth. But every way in which God made creation and made us symbolizes and expresses spiritual truth, the spiritual truth of God and God's kingdom.
2 Peter 1:5 Continued
So, work out your own salvation. It is God who works. Be where He wants you to be, live the lifestyle He wants you to live, to be on a schedule. And we'll see that when we get into Chapter 3 which gives us the priorities of the believer's life. So, if we understand Paul in Philippians 2:12-13, Peter is saying the same thing, add to your faith.
Now here's the catch phrase:
The word add in Verse 5 EPICHOREGESATE, and in Verse 11 where it says ministered EPICHOREGETHESETAI, add and ministered are the same words, and it means to supply. In Verse 11 it says for so an entrance shall be supplied to you, whereas back in Verse 5 it says supply to your faith. These are catch phrases because Verse 11 is going to make reference back to Verse 5 about our entrance into heaven. That's very important!
So, in Verse 5, it says on account of this, that is, you have become partakers of the divine nature, having provided all priority, supply in, it's not "to" but in your faith. What is faith? You see, faith is a catch phrase back to Verse 1, the Christian faith. My participation with the divine nature, Peter calls a like precious faith. Faith is the word that describes the interaction between myself and the Lord. It's invisible, but He's active, He's persuading, and He's ministering.
So, he's saying by being a partaker of the divine nature, you are now of the faith. So now that you are interacting with the divine nature, I want you to supply something, that is, make sure that this interaction and participation supplies something.
Here are some details that you're going to need to know as we go through this:
Instead of the word "to," in Verses 5 through 7, in the Greek text it is the word "in." Why is that important? Because in the Greek text, it shows the location in which the growth process takes place. You're not adding to something. You're growing in a phase. There are seven stages.
2 Peter 1:5 - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And beside this, or literally, on account of this. On account of what? You became partakers of the divine nature. If you are a partaker of the divine nature, then there are changes taking place within you as you're influenced by the very nature and quality of God Himself.
So, the first phrase there is making reference back to Verse 4. And there's where you bring the first phase into the second. Next, which would be the third thing, it says giving all diligence. And this is a phrase that indicates for me my responsibility in this growth process. It's diligence, which means top priority. It is my decision making and my responsibility to make spiritual growth in Christ the top priority of my life.
Fourthly: And here's where we get into a crunch of words. Add to your faith. What in the world does that mean? First of all, here's an explanation of how Paul said it, because Peter is saying the same thing. In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul says wherefore my beloved as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
But you can't stop there. It says in Verse 13, for it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. There are people who stop at Verse 12 and say "See, that's what we're supposed to do in our efforts. We're supposed to work out our own salvation." No! Our responsibility is that our salvation should be being worked out in us in a growth process. That is my responsibility, but I don't do the work. That's why is says for it is God who works in you.
2 Peter 1:4 - Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these, and here's the line: you might become partakers of the divine nature. The first thing a believer is, and we call it saved, we call it received Christ, we call it born again, but a person who is saved is someone who has become a partaker of the divine nature of God Himself, His qualities, His virtue, and His glory.
Now I like the way Peter says it because our terms are kind of loose and religious. "Have you believed in the Lord? Have you received Him?" and whatever these phrases mean to people. But Peter gets right down to the nitty-gritty. Like Paul says, if you don't have the Spirit of Christ, you don't belong to Christ. That's the nitty-gritty. Are you participating and interacting with Him?
That's what it means to be a Christian. It doesn't mean to be part of a religious system called Christianity. It means to be partakers of the divine nature. And Peter is emphasizing the divine nature, His very qualities, His morality, His holiness, and His glory. I am interacting. I am participating with the divine nature of God. That's who a believer is according to the bible.
And then it says after having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. That's called an Aorist Participle. I have become a partaker of the divine nature, after I was saved from the corruption that's in the world that is produced in lust. God delivered me from that. God put His Spirit into my spirit. He has sealed me with His Spirit to belong to Him forever.
2 Peter 1:3 - According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Peter says according as His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. So, this little phrase or parenthesis, and he's going to get to the main point here in a moment, but God's divine power gives to us all things pertaining to life and Godliness. We have everything. We lack nothing. Godliness means reverence.
Secondly, this all comes to us through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue. Now the phrase "to glory and virtue," there are some Greek manuscript differences. And the manuscript that I am working out of (the Textus Receptus), it doesn't say to glory and virtue, it's basically of glory and virtue.
He's not calling us to it. In fact, the oldest manuscripts have the additional words "His own." He has called us of His own glory and virtue, it is not ours. Divine power, the virtue and glory that belongs to God, He has called us to that, and in it.
2 Peter 1:2 - Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
Grace, and literally since the word multiplied is what is called the Optative Mood (a wish), it should read may grace and peace be multiplied unto you through, or in the full knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, indicating one person.
But it is interesting that he was praying for grace and peace to be multiplied to them, but this grace and peace is multiplied in coming to know the full knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. And so, the more we learn, if we're learning properly from the scriptures, grace will increase, the peace of the Lord will increase, the more accurately we learn about Christ.
Please remember the term faith, a like precious faith. When we get into the second phase of the Christian life which is the growth process in Verse 5, he's going to make reference back to the phrase faith in Verse 1.
The first 11 verses of 2 Peter Chapter 1 is the most difficult Greek in the whole bible. There are catch phrases all through the first 11 verses. And if you are not able to read the Greek text, these first 11 verses will minister to you, but you'll miss the whole point of the purpose and the teaching of what he's trying to say.
As I go through this, I'm going to mention these catch phrases, and mention to you the manner in which these 11 verses are written so you can benefit from these 11 verses from now on whenever you read them. Verses 3 through 11 are the phases of the Christian faith. And there are three phases that a true genuine born-again believer participates in.
Peter emphasizes participation. A genuine believer, someone born of the Spirit of God, is participating with God in three areas. The first one is in Verses 3 and 4, the participation with the divine nature. That's a different phrase. It's speaking of the Spirit of Christ, but Peter uses different terminology.
(2 Peter Part 1):
Second Peter was written to warn the believers about the threat against the Church from inside the church, the false teachers, and the false teachings.
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:
He says Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He introduces himself as a DOULOS, a slave, and he also tells them that he's an apostle. That puts him in high ranking in the church. So, this comes from one of the original people who have been with the Lord.
To them that have obtained like precious faith with us. He's writing to believing Jews. But he's telling them, writing to you who have obtained like precious faith with us. The word precious in the Greek text (ISOTIMON) is the word valuable. Peter is saying that every believer, when they receive Christ, they receive the same valuable faith as Peter and the others.
It's not a lower faith. It's not a lower version of Christianity. It is a like precious faith. He's using the term faith to describe the Christian life. It's not just something that a Christian lives by. In fact, in the book of Acts, it was said that those who follow Jesus Christ were of the faith. They followed the persuasion of God's Spirit, which is what faith means. Believers follow the persuasion of God's Spirit, and they follow the Lord, but you can't see Him. So, they called the people "of the faith," or literally of the persuasion.
On this day in 2025 we look to the future and assess what has come to pass in recent years and decades. There have been multiple attempts at peace in the Middle East since the 1970's since the agreement with Mubarak in 1979; and the infamous "two state solution" which was initiated with the PLO in 1993 but had its roots from the late 1930's; apparently. We certainly see in recent years the "Abraham accords" as a likely predecessor of a final covenant with many ( Daniel 9:27). Overall we have to listen to the admonishment of Habukkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. This shows there is a delay before the initiation of end times events but that it will rapidly transpire once unleashed. This concept also could be observed with this verse in Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
This of course seems like a contradiction after 2000 years since Christ came and left this world for glory. It is like the adage of waiting for water to boil; or perhaps the one about a frog in slowly heated water. We need to be careful with such admonitions as this For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. ( Luke 21:35).
What are we to make of this? On one hand we realize that the "gates of hell" will not prevail against the church ( Matt. 16:18); but we also know that even the "elect would be deceived if that were possible" ( Matt. 24:24) in the coming time of false prophets; signs and wonders. Since the verse indicates that it isn't ultimately possible for total deception of the elect we have assurance IF we are indeed those He is talking about. The elect will hear His voice and not follow another ( John 10:26-29). We need to make our calling and election sure ( 2 Peter 1:10).
Verses 44-45 discuss the hidden treasure concept; of treasure in a field and a pearl of great price.
Verses 47-51 show the parable of the fisherman and the final judgment; and in verse 51 we see in this case the Disciples get the point.
Verse 52 reads:
52 He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old." This verse sort of gives a summary perhaps for wise sayings in general whether it benefits the narrator himself who is one of Christ's Disciples or those who hear these concepts. A rich life in God's sight involves investment in people and labor for the Kingdom of God which is worthless in the world's eyes but valuable in heavenly rewards and reaching out perhaps to the next generation.
Finally; verses 53-58 show the miserable attitude those in His hometown had toward Christ of unbelief.
Concluding thoughts on Matthew 13.
The 10000 dollar question here is how can we apply these passages in our day in a practical manner in our Christian walk? The fact is a lot of things Jesus did are unique to Him; we only see one instance as an example where Paul made a scathing remark in Acts 23:3 but even after the comment he retracts because this man was the High Priest. We don't see obvious hidden messages or parables in the rest of the New Testament by any of the Apostles or anyone in the churches.
Conceptually; I would interject the idea that the narrow road should be something we should consider if we are truly walking in light of 2 Corithians 13:5; 2 Peter 1:10-11. The seriousness of hellfire is something often avoided in sermons today; even where the Gospel is more or less preached faithfully. Discernment can help us avoid the Matthew 7:6 error of casting pearls before swine. Thoughts?
Apostle Paul is the Masterbuilder of the gospel of grace that was given to him by the ascended Jesus Christ our God and Saviour.
2 Peter 1:20
Knowing this first, thatnoprophecy of the scriptureisof anyprivateinterpretation.
2 Timothy 3:16
Allscriptureis given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Apostle Paul started his ministry in Acts chapter nine .
Acts 9:15
ButtheLord said unto him,Gothy way: for heis a chosen vessel unto me,tobear my name beforetheGentiles, and kings, andthechildren ofIsrael:
The Jews did not want to hear Apostle Paul's doctrine , so Apostle Paul and Barnabas went to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said,It was necessary thattheword ofGod should first have been spokentoyou: but seeing ye putit from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turntotheGentiles.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Apostle Paul's gospel of the grace of God
There are many verses in the Bible that show the human nature of Jesus. But also there are many verses that show the divine nature of Jesus. Some of them are many parts of John's gospel (especially the begining) such as John 1:30, John 2:19, John 3:13, John 8:58-59, John 10:30-33, John 14:9-10, John 14:23, John 20:28, Acts 20:28, Titus 2:13, 2 Peter 1:1, Hebrews 1:8, Matthew 1:22-23, 1 Cor 10:9, Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1, Zechariah 11:12-13, Romans 9:1-5, and many other that I can not recall now. Jesus also accepted people to kneel infront of Him, something that is only permitted for God. Also compare Psalms 102:25-27 where it talks about God to Hebrews 1:10 where it talks about Jesus. Also compare Joel 3:5 to Acts 9:13. Compare Jeremiah 17:9 to Rev 2:23, etc.
So we have two kinds of scripture. One says that Jesus is human, the other says that Jesus is God. So what do we make out of these two? The obvious, that Jesus is the God, one person of the Godhead, who became man.
Lets think it in another way. We know that God loved people so much so that He sacrificed His own son for us. Now lets use another example. Suppose I love my brother and want to help Him. and the only way to help him is to give my own life for him. How does it seem to you that I would sacrifice instead of my own life, my son's life for Him to help Him? Why my son? And not myself? The most sensible thing is that I would sacrifice my own life for him, not somebody's else. That would be very egoistic. Somebody else to suffer for my intention to help somebody that I love? I think you can understand what I trying to say. So what did God do? He sacrificed Himself for us, one person out of the Godhead took on Him our nature, became a man and gave His life for us. So it is God's love that attracts people to Him. It wouldn't be love if He sacrificed somebody else, an innocent person's life, for his intention to save us. I hope I haven't done it so complicated to understand. GBU
Of Jesus Christ: Isaiah 9:6,7 (an Old Testament Prophecy); Micah 5:2 & John 1:1-14 (from everlasting); Matthew 1:22,23; Mark 2:5-7; John 8:56-58; John 16: 27,28; John 17:4,5; John 20:27,28; Philippians 2:5-7; Colossians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Titus 3:13; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:8-10; 1 John 5:7; 1 John 5:20.
Of the Holy Spirit: Matthew 12:31; Luke 1:34,35; Luke 11:13; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7-11; Acts 5:3; Acts 8:29; Acts 13:4; Romans 8:14; Romans 8:26,27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 10:29; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 5:6.
The above are a few Scriptures that point to the deity of Jesus Christ & God's Spirit: all showing that they don't work independently from God, but have been sent out from God, from God's Being, to accomplish His Purposes in the world. And we know that Jesus, as the Word of God clothed with humanity, is the very expression of God to the world ( John 14:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 4:2). Hope these will help you in your study of this very important doctrine. Blessings.
2 Peter 1:20-21
20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of anyprivateinterpretation.
21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Now that we understand what Peter wrote . Apostle Paul wrote this verse to Timothy and I like it.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
You're right about different churches and different ways of believing, but the fundamental of Salvation should be clean cut, Jesus Christ died on the cross for all our sins and was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures . 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Ray, in Christ Jesus
West Angeles Church Consecration Calendar
Me a member at West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral Los Angeles California
John 8:36 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
" Jesus Christ is Father and the Son same language you can understand is God for us to be heirs to all the world. To believe you can do and follow Jesus and become what your expected to be the truth of God Romans 8:2 KJV, 1 Corinthians 7:22 KJV. This is the life to live also exhibited. It is used in
discipleship- to show the Holy bible is life
saints/ citizens- free from sin Galatians 5:1 KJV, liability, set free from thraldom, ransom Mark 10:45 KJV, evil ,captivity of Satan.
Freedom from the laws, rules, thraldom that are not of God moral and obedience to it. You are titled to freedom to the house of God and his supper. A example of analogy used family of God Himself.
Ways you can be free from sin are to listen to God's voice and word to obey and follow " do it" (speaking, actions, attention of communications)
Examples of people in the holy bible that made themselves free in God you can read and follow are Romans 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:1 .
Word Spoken and Written by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY