Showing posts with label Peter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peter. Show all posts

Sunday

Reading through The Bible - 2 Peter










Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.








2nd Peter  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

22nd book of the NT 
61st book of the Bible



It starts with a blessing centring around Grace & Peace
  in 2 Peter ch.1 v 2




and quickly takes us to consider more attributes in 
verses 5-7









What is it?

The Book of 2nd Peter is one of the EPISTLES in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.



How Long is it?

It only has 3 chapters.



When was it Written?

It was written in 67 AD which was very shortly before Peter was killed.



Who Wrote it?

Simon Peter the disciple of Jesus

The name of the letter tells us the writer.
Other letters in the bible are named to show who the recipients of the letters were specifically intended to be but these were letters written by Simon Peter who we know as the Apostle Peter.
One of the three disciples who Jesus often took with him apart from the others. 



Who was it Written to?

It was a general letter written to the scattered believers not just those from one nation or city as we read in the very first verse


"To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:"







What is it normally well-known for?



The Overview Bible  tells us the following


"The second epistle of Peter is a brief letter of reminders for first-century Christians. Peter urges his readers to make every effort to grow in their faith, to remember that the promises of God (spoken by the prophets and apostles) are trustworthy, and to beware those who teach otherwise."
   

verse 18  of chapter 3
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. "


verse 9  of chapter 3




 
verse 1 -2  of chapter 2

"1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."





Why was it Written? 

It was written to encourage and remind the believers of what they have in Jesus and to recognise false teachers.


The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Peter writes a letter reminding Christians about the truth of Jesus, and warning them that false teachers will come."



Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"Peter appears to have heard reports that false teachers had arisen in Asia Minor.  He wrote the book partly to encourage people from listening to them and also to continue encouraging them .... he talked about the Lord's return and how grand it would be if the people would hang in there."  

 







Which other Epistle teaches about the Lord's return?


2nd Thessalonians





Which other Epistle teaches about False Teachers?







Which other books of the Bible is this linked to? 

Peter wrote two epistles of which this is the second and follows 1st Peter 







How does it end?


With reminder of the character of Christians in
 chapter 3 v 11
 
 "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness"

and chapter 3 v 14

 "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless"


and a final encouragement 
chapter 3 v 18 the final verse of the book








The Overview Bible  provides the following

Quick outline of 2 Peter

2 Peter displays some remarkable parallelism. 

Peter begins with a call to diligence in good works, reminds the reader that they can count on the prophets, and then warns that false prophets will arise. 

Peter then assures them that the old prophecies are true, and finishes with a call to be diligent and on guard.


1.    Remember to be diligent (2 Pet 1:1–15)

2.    True prophets and teachers (2 Pet 1:16–21)

3.    False prophets and teachers (2 Pet 2)

4.    Remember the true prophecies (2 Pet 3:1–13)

5.    Be diligent; be on guard (2 Pet 3:14–18)











OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE 











Reading through The Bible - 1 Peter








Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shorter books.








1st Peter  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

21st book of the NT 
60th book of the Bible



It starts by blessing God
  in 1 Peter ch. 1 v 3-5


 
to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  
who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.


and quickly takes us to rejoice in salvation in 
verses 6-9

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,


8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,  
receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.






What is it?

The Book of 1 Peter is one of the EPISTLES in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.



How Long is it?

It has 5 chapters.



When was it Written?

It was written in 64 AD



Who Wrote it?

Simon Peter the disciple of Jesus

The name of the letter tells us the writer.
Other letters in the bible are named to show who the recipients of the letters were specifically intended to be but these were letters written by Simon Peter who we know as the Apostle Peter.
One of the three disciples who Jesus often took with him apart from the others. 

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"Peter wrote the letter during Nero's reign"  

 




Who was it Written to?

It was written to the believers that had moved away because of the persecution of the early church.
This is told to us in the first verse

"To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia." 





What is it normally well-known for?


It is a source in the Bible where people can find encouragement when suffering or being persecuted for their faith.


The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Peter writes to Christians who are being persecuted, encouraging them to testify to the truth and live accordingly"



Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"Jesus becomes the source of example and strength when we come into trials & tribulations.  By allowing God to help you in your perseverance and work for Christ we can always have hope in the midst of our suffering."






Why was it Written? 

It was written to encourage and remind the believers of the truth and love they have in Jesus and to rely on Him as they face persecution. 



Encouragement for times of worry


 



& persecution of the faith






but also to have love for one another





 

Which other books of the Bible may have a connection with this one? 


Peter wrote two epistles of which this is the first and is followed by 2nd Peter

 2nd Thessalonians also deals with suffering as a Christian







How does it end?


With encouragement of eternal life in Jesus
 chapter 5 v 11

 





and that God answers our prayers 
chapter 5 v 14










The Overview Bible  gives us the following


Quick outline of 1 Peter

  1. Suffering proves salvation (1 Pet 1:1-12)
    Therefore: 
    • Be holy (1 Pet 1:13–21)
    • Love one another (1 Pet 1:22–25)
    • Long for the word (1 Pet 2:1–3)
  2. We are a holy people (1 Pet 2:4–11)
    Therefore, pursue excellent behaviour:
     
    • Toward authority (1 Pet 2:11–25)
    • Toward spouses (1 Pet 3:1–7)
    • Toward all (1 Pet 3:8–12)
  3. Christ suffered for us (1 Pet 3:13–22)
    Therefore: 
    • Live for the will of God (1 Pet 4:1–6)
    • Exercise spiritual gifts (1 Pet 4:7–11)
  4. Suffering tests us (1 Pet 4:12–19)
    Therefore: 
    • Elders should guard the flock (1 Pet 5:1–5)
    • Humble yourselves under God (1 Pet 5:6–7)
    • Stand firm (1 Pet 5:8–14)









OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE 











Wednesday

All The Same? - 31 Days in Acts

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Today is Day 25 of my 31 Days in Acts and today we are going to look at chapter 15



verses 1 - 5


The chapter starts with the controversy over circumcision.
The leaders in Jerusalem who probably all come from Jewish background were saying all believers should be circumcised.
Some people come to Antioch and speak about this but Paul & Barnabas disagree.  So they are sent to Jerusalem to talk with the Apostles there. 



verses 6 - 21

Peter is in Jerusalem and he tells how he was led by God to take the gospel to the Gentiles and he does not advocate circumcision for them.
Then Paul & Barnabas speak of their work among the Gentiles and they also do not advocate imposing circumcision.



verses 22 - 29

The leaders in Jerusalem take heed of the advice and agree with them.  They then send Paul, Barnabas and two others (Silas and Judas) back to Antioch with a letter telling the new gentile converts that they are not commanded to be circumcised but 

29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.


Good type of advice for today as well.
New believers should not be given a list of things they must or must not do but they should be taught to learn from the Bible how to conduct themselves and know that there are aspects of life that God will not condone but also that other Christians do not have the right to insist on a lot of other secondary rules which will only put pressure on people.


verses 30 - 35

The believers in Antioch received the letter well and were encouraged by it.
Judas and Silas, being recognised as prophets, also spoke words from God to the people.
After a while Judas returned to Jerusalem but Silas remained in Antioch with Paul & Barnabas.




verses 36 - 41

A while later Paul wanted to go back to all the places he and Barnabas had visited and preached and discipled people in.  Barnabas must have been in agreement about the travelling but they differed in opinion as to who should go with them.
Barnabas wanted to take John Mark but Paul did not because John Mark had left them previously which we read about in chapter 13  Day 23  A Specific Job for the Kingdom  
 They could not come to an agreement over this so in the end Barnabas took John Mark and they went to Cyprus, while Paul took Silas and they went to Syria.

Was Barnabas giving Mark a second chance whereas Paul would not or was it because Barnabas and Mark were related as some commentators say they were cousins?

There is an indication in verse 40 that Paul may have been considered to be in the right

40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren
 to the grace of God.


but because Barnabas was always known for being a great encourager and helper and mentor of Paul in the first years after Paul's conversion, I can't bring myself to think that he was wrong (maybe I just always have had a certain likeness for his character).

I think they both had different ideas of how the ministry could continue and who they could work with but we have not been given any other information on who made the final decision or if any other apostles had any input to it.


Sometimes relationships change but it should be for the better.

However it was decided, it resulted in Paul and Silas going to the churches in Syria etc. on the mainland and Barnabas taking John Mark to the island of Cyprus which we heard of in chapter 13 Day 23  A Specific Job  of our reading of Acts.  There we saw only one convert which was the proconsul and John Mark had been helping Paul and Barnabas at that time.

In the end it did mean that instead of one missionary trip with Paul and Barnabas together, there were two trips to different areas with two other people involved learning from the Apostles.



I'm trying to read and write about the Book of Acts for 31 Days so please come back and join me for some notes & some thoughts each day. 

As the month goes on each Day's Link will be added in 










Interested to know more about the Book of Acts?
Then Try these commentaries




Or this Bible Study



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