2 Peter Chapter 1 Pt. 4 What We Must Remember: No Private Interpretations. Inerrant Truth From God.

The apostle Peter faithfully discharges his duties.

2 Peter 1:12   Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 

Peter is opening up his heart in this section, as he places a strong emphasis upon our need to be well grounded in the truth of scripture.

He tells us that he will not be lax or negligent in discharging his apostolic duties.  

His singular focus is to repeatedly and incessantly cause us to remember vital gospel doctrines. 

The apostle wants each one of us to know these truths, such that they are firmly established in our hearts and minds. 

He wants all Christians to have a thorough knowledge of Jesus Christ, of the apostolic teachings, so that our faith is stable.

The phrase "the present truth" reminds us that those believers did not have multiple copies of the Bible. 

The New Testament revelation was forthcoming, as the Holy Ghost moved the apostles to record them for us. 

Much of the apostolic teaching involved helping the early Christians to see how the Old Testament scriptures were literally fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ. 

As the gospels and epistles were written, they included hundreds of references to the Old Testament scriptures. 

The apostle Paul faithfully discharged his duties. 

Romans 15:14-16  And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15) Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, 16)  That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Paul did the same as Peter in seeking to help each believer in Christ, being fully established in the common faith. 

He wrote with boldness to the church at Rome, to help them remember certain essential apostolic doctrines, regarding salvation of the Gentiles.

Jude, the brother of Christ, faithfully discharged his duties.

Jude 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 

Jude also wrote to stir up the minds of Christians, in order to help them remember gospel truths. 

Jude was a half brother of Jesus Christ, and would have been raised as His brother. He was not an apostle, but he was a strong leader in the early church. 

Jude exhorted them (and Christians today) to stand up to false teachers and to contend for the common faith once delivered to the whole church. 

Peter was about to die, but he communicated what we need most.

2 Peter 1:13-15  Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14)  Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15) Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 

The verb "remember" is found 27 times in the New Testament, and most of those are commands for us to remember our Lord's teachings, His words and His mighty salvation.

This verb is also used 127 times in the Old Testament, often in connection with God remembering His covenant and His people remembering His Word.

Peter tells us that leading us to remember truth from scripture is the right thing to do for us. He spoke of putting off "my tabernacle" which refers to his impending martyrdom. 

Our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ showed Peter that he would die for the sake of the gospel (See John 21:18-19).

Therefore, Peter is leading us to remember and keep these truth in focus at all times, even after his death occurred. 

Thus, our remembering the Holy Spirit inspired scriptures, is the primary source of spiritual growth and sustenance. 

It is therefore, very fitting that Peter was guided by God's Spirit to exalt the inspired scriptures to us.

2 Peter 1:16-18  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. 17)  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18)  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 

All pagan mythologies can be traced back to the times of Nimrod. Every major nation adopted these mythologies for themselves. 

The Romans adopted all the Greek gods and goddesses as their own, giving them Roman names. 

Pagan idolatry fostered cults of debauchery and depravity. Worship of false gods and moral perversion was very widespread during the apostolic era.

Peter reminds all Christians that we do not follow "cunningly devised fables" (Greek word is muthos, from which our word "myth" comes). 

We do not believe sophisticated myths that were a cleverly crafted product of men's wicked imagination. 

In contrast, the apostles were eyewitnesses of Jesus' humble birth, His sinless life, and His death, burial and resurrection. 

They were eyewitnesses to the resurrection and ascension of Christ to His Father in heaven. 

They were eyewitnesses of all His mighty miracles, and saw His compassion for all people, and were taught Divine Truth from the lips of our Lord.   

Peter, James and John were with Jesus when He was transfigured before them in a mountain where Jesus led them. They saw and heard Moses and Elijah speaking with Jesus. 

They saw the glory rest upon Jesus and heard the Father command that they hear and heed His beloved Son (See Matthew 17:1-6).  

These wonderful events were indelibly etched upon their souls, so that they could teach us about Jesus Christ. 

2 Peter 1:19-21  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20)  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  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. 

Peter closes this first chapter by giving us essential truth concerning the revelation of God to mankind.

First, the Word of God is sure, fixed, absolute and authoritative. Therefore, we must read it and heed it. 

We must hear it and believe it. Gospel light shines into our sin darkened souls so that we may be born again, made spiritually alive in Christ. 

Second, no prophecy of scripture is subject to someone's private interpretation. Doctrine is revealed line upon line, here a little and there a little. 

If some teacher, pastor, or other church leader comes up with a new and novel explanation, we must reject it. God forbids all private interpretations.

The progressive revelation of Gods' truth means that someone's new or different take on scripture must be evaluated in light of the rest of scripture. 

We must view it within the context of the verse being interpreted, the chapter and the book where the verse is contained, and with the whole scope of Bible truth.

Third, Peter wants us always to remember that the Word of God is inspired truth. Holy men chosen by God throughout the ages of God's self revelation to mankind, were infallibly guided by the Holy Ghost. 

God's truth is immutable and inerrant. It is infused with the very power and nature of God. It is living truth, life changing truth, our guide to eternal salvation through repentant faith in Christ. 

May the truths communicated by the apostle Peter be a source of comfort, edification and spiritual strength for our soul. 

Bob