the Epistles of

First and Second Peter

and Jude
WILLMINGTON'S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE AND OTHERS

This material is
copyrighted and
used by
permission.

B.A.M.A. Bible Institutes, Inc.

(Baptist Asian Missions Association, Inc.)
133 Isarog Street, LaLoma, Quezon City 1114 R.P.
 the Epistle of First Peter
INTRODUCTION: St. Peter" setting forth his relations to Rome and long
received in the RCC, may be safely set aside as
This First Epistle of Peter stands third in the nine unreliable. Scripture is silent concerning Peter's
Hebrew Christian Epistles which constitute the final residence and martyrdom at Rome, and the question is
group of books in our New Testament. still debated, but the uniform tradition of the Church,
For convenience the life of Peter may be divided when stripped of its embellishments, is strong enough
into four parts as follows: (1) from the beginning of his to make it reasonably certain. That Peter was the
life to his meeting with Jesus; (2) from his meeting bishop of Rome for 25 years may confidently be
with Jesus until Pentecost; (3) from Pentecost to the rejected as "unquestionably a colossal chronological
Jerusalem Conference; (4) from the Jerusalem mistake", and the claim is abandoned even by some
Conference to his death. Of the first part comparatively modern Catholic scholars.
little is known; the Gospels give us a vivid picture of Apparently Peter came to Rome shortly after Paul's
the second part, while the third part is quite fully release from his first imprisonment there. If Peter was
covered in the Acts. Our information about the last in Rome when Paul wrote the Prison Epistles it is
part again is quite meager. incredible that he should not have mentioned his name
Following the Jerusalem Conference the name of among those sending greetings in those letters. Upon
Peter disappears from the book of Acts. The references his release Paul doubtless revisited his churches in the
to him in the rest of the N. T. are scanty indeed. From east and spent the winter in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12).
Gal. 2:11-21 we know that Peter made a visit to Syrian Presumably the following spring he left for Spain,
Antioch where, because of his inconsistent conduct, he doubtless touching at Rome on the way there. It may
was publicly rebuked by Paul. From 1 Cor. 9:5 it is even be that Paul and Peter now met in Rome. Mark
plain that Peter travelled a lot, taking his wife with him. and Silas apparently remained with Peter while Paul
The name of Peter (Cephas) was used as a rallying went on to Spain, where he remained perhaps two
point for one of the factions in the Corinthian church years. In the absence of Paul, Peter would feel a special
(1 Cor. 1:12). This does not, however, prove that responsibility toward the churches in Asia Minor. It is
Peter had already been at Corinth, although this probable that Peter remained in Rome until his
inference was early drawn. martyrdom under Nero.
We hear nothing more of Peter until we come to 1. Of the original twelve apostles, three were
the two epistles which bear his name. In the first letter chosen to write inspired New Testament books
Peter is writing to the Christians in five provinces of or epistles. The three are Matthew, John, and
Asia Minor. It is not stated or even implied that Peter Peter.
had personally visited these provinces, but that 2. In his two epistles, Peter continues to fulfil
inference has often been drawn. The second letter was Christ's commandment to him to feed his sheep
apparently written to the same groups shortly after. and lambs. (See Jn. 21:15-17.)
A final reference in the N. T. to the closing years of 3. Peter's name appears 162 times in the New
Peter's life is found in John 21:18,19. John's record of Testament. Paul's name is found 177 times. The
the prediction of Jesus and his own interpretative names of the remaining eleven apostles combined
comment on it make it clear that the reference is to appear 142 times.
Peter's violent death. Beyond this the N. T. is silent 4. Peter has been called "the apostle of hope" (see
concerning the closing years of Peter's life. That Peter 1:3, 13, 21; 3:15). Paul could thus be classified as
went east to preach the Gospel in Babylon is in itself the apostle of faith, and John the apostle of love.
probable, but the only scriptural basis for the assertion 5. A key word in this epistle is "suffering." It (or its
is the disputed expression "in Babylon" found in equivalent) is used sixteen times. Six times it
1 Peter 5:12. speaks of Christ's suffering and ten times that of
Tradition uniformly asserts that Peter did go to believers. Another important word is "grace,"
Rome, that he labored there, and that he was martyred which appears eight times.
there. The elaborately developed "Legend of 1
 the Epistle of First Peter
6. The letter was probably written at the end of his b. The names for Christ:
life. It is thought that after this epistle he was (1) a spotless Lamb (1:19)
arrested and tried. Between his trial and (2) the Chief Cornerstone - his relationship
execution he wrote 2 Peter (2 Pet. 1:13-21). to the Scriptures (2:6)
It must have been written around A.D. 64, on (3) the precious Stone - his relationship to
the eve of the outbreak of the persecution by believers (2:7)
Nero. Nero died in A.D. 68. (4) the stumbling Stone - his relationship to
7.In 5:13 he identifies the place of writing as unbelievers (2:8)
Babylon. There are two main theories concerning (5) the Bishop of our souls (2:25)
the location of Babylon. (6) the chief Shepherd (5:4)
a. It is literal Babylon on the Euphrates River. c. His sinless life (1:19; 2:22)
This would seem to be the natural interpretation d. His suffering and death (1:11; 2:23, 24;
of the passage. Furthermore, the list of 3:18; 4:1, 13, 5:1)
countries in 1 Peter 1:1 is from East to West, e. His resurrection (3:21, 22)
which suggests that the writer was in the East at f. His ascension (3:22)
the time of writing . J. Vernon McGee writes: g. His presence at God's right hand (3:22)
"There was at this time a large colony of Jews h. His Second Coming (1:13 17; 4:13; 5:1, 4)
in ancient Babylon who had fled Rome due to 10. Peter also offers a number of titles which
severe persecution under Claudius and at the describe believers. Perhaps in no other New
time of writing bloody Nero was on the Testament book are so many given. We are
throne." (Through the Bible, p. 256) referred to as:
In addition to this, the descendants of those a. obedient children (1:14)
Jews taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar were b. new-born babes (2:2)
still living in and around Babylon. c. living stones (2:5)
b. It is Rome. Charles Ryrie writes: d. a holy priesthood (2:5)
"The place of the writing was Babylon (5:13), e. a royal priesthood (2:5)
a symbolic name for Rome much used by f. an holy nation (2:9)
writers who wished to avoid trouble with g. a peculiar people (2:9)
Roman authorities ... Peter was in Rome during h. strangers and pilgrims (2:11)
the last decade of his life and wrote this epistle i. Christians (4:16)
about A. D. 63, just before the outbreak of j. the righteous (4:18)
Nero's persecution in 64. Peter was martyred k. the elect of God (1:2)
about 67." (The Ryrie Study Bible, p. 425) l. the people of God (2:10)
Furthermore, it is argued that Peter states m. the oracles of God (4:11)
Mark (5:13) was with him at the time the epistle
n. the flock of God (5:2)
was written. However just prior to this, Paul had
11. It is generally considered that the Gospel of
written Timothy to bring Mark to Rome with him
Mark reflects the teaching of Peter. Young
(2 Tim. 4:11).
John Mark had, no doubt, often heard Peter
8. The church apparently was affected by
speak and preach.
worldliness in the pews (2:11) and materialism in
12. Peter and John are the only two New
the pulpit (5:1-3).
Testament authors to refer to Christ as a Lamb
9.Peter develops the doctrine of Christ in a
(Jn. 1:29, 36; Rev. 5:6; 1 Pet. 1:19).
remarkable way in the short epistle. He discusses:
13. A careful reading of 1 Peter and Ephesians
a. The incarnation of Christ (1:20). shows more than 100 parallels in teaching and
wording.
2
 the Epistle of First Peter
Note: only he who believes obeys, and only he who
1 Peter Ephesians obeys believes.
1:3 1:3 3. The Son redeemed us. "And sprinkling of
1:12 3:5, 10 the blood of Jesus Christ" (1:2).
4:11 3:6, 21 Richard DeHaan writes:
1:8 3:8 "The basis for this statement is Found in the
3:9 4:2 Old Testament ceremonial system. In certain
4:10 4:7, 11 of the rituals, the blood of the sacrificial
2:2 4:13, 1 animals was sprinkled in special areas. This
Peter was also familiar with the book of sprinkling had three different meanings.
Romans, and perhaps other epistles From Paul 1. First, it signified cleansing. The person
(see 2 Pet. 3:15, 16). who had been cured of leprosy, for
example, went before the priest, and
I. GOD'S SALVATION: blood was sprinkled to indicate that he
THE DETAILS OF SOVEREIGNTY was now free from the disease and clean
(1:1-25). (Lev. 14:1-7).
A. The Source of our salvation - the entire 2. Second, this act was used to symbolize
Trinity (1:1, 2). the ratification of a covenant between
1. The Father elected us. God and man. Whenever Jehovah and His
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of people entered into a covenant, it was
God" (v. 2). We are not told the basis of this sealed by the sprinkling of the blood of a
election, it should be noted. However, God's sacrificial animal (see Ex. 24:3-8).
election is based squarely upon 3. Third, the application of blood
foreknowledge. Note: "For whom he did designated certain articles of the
foreknow, he also did predestinate" tabernacle or temple as set apart for
(Rom. 8:29). worship. From that point on, the vessel
It should be quickly noted, though, that both was used exclusively for the service of the
man's responsibility (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 10:13; Lord (see Ex. 29:20-22)."
Rev. 22:17) and God's sovereignty (Good News for Bad Times, p. 15)
(Eph. 1:4, 5) are clearly taught in the Bible. In light of all this, the triune God is to be
In one single statement, our Lord combined blessed by the believer (v. 3). The Greek
both doctrines of election and free will. Note word for "blessed" is eulogetos, meaning "to
his words: speak well of." From this we get our word
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to eulogize. Thus, the child of God is to speak
me [this is election]; and him that cometh to well of the triune God. By doing this we
me I will in no wise cast out [this is free "bless" God. Note his reaction to this.
will]" (Jn. 6:37). "Then they that feared the Lord spoke
2. The Spirit sanctified us. "Through often one to another; and the Lord
sanctification of the Spirit" (1:2). After we hearkened, and heard it, and a book of
were elected, the Holy Spirit set us apart remembrance was written before him for
(the meaning of sanctification), convicted them that feared the Lord, and that
us of our sin (Jn. 16:8), and pointed us to thought upon his name" (Mal. 3:16).
Christ (Jn. 16:13, 14). B. The blessings of our salvation (1:3, 4).
This is accomplished through the obedience 1. A living hope. "His abundant mercy hath
of the believing sinner. It has been said that begotten us again unto a lively hope" (1:3).
3
 the Epistle of First Peter
In his epistle Peter mentions three living so often, and the result is the reflection of the
things: face of Jesus Christ in the character of the
a. a living hope (1:3) Christian. This, above all, God the Father
b. a living word (1:23) desires to see. Christlikeness is God's ideal for
c. a living stone (2:4) His child. Christian suffering is one of the most
2. A lasting home. "To an inheritance potent means to that end." (First Peter in the
incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth Greek New Testament, p. 27)
not away reserved in heaven for you." D. The Old Testament prophets and our
a. This home (inheritance) is perfect salvation (1:10-12).
(incorruptible). These remarkable verses state the following:
b. This home is pure (undefiled). 1. The Old Testament prophets (like Isaiah) did
c. This home is permanent (it fadeth not not always understand their inspired
away). prophecies about the Future Messiah.
C. The trials in our salvation (1:5-9). 2. When they sought to know, they were told
"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a the predictions would be understood only at
season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through a later date (New Testament times). Our
manifold temptations: That the trial of your Lord once referred to this during his earthly
faith, being much more precious than of gold ministry while speaking to his disciples.
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might "For verily I say unto you, that many prophets
be found unto praise and honour and glory at and righteous men have desired to see those
the appearing of Jesus Christ" (vs. 6, 7). things which ye see, and have not seen them;
Peter speaks of how precious is the trial of our and to hear those things which ye hear, and
faith. In this epistle he also refers to precious have not heard them" (Mt. 13:17).
blood (1:19), a cornerstone (2:4, 6, 7), and a Especially to be noted is 1:11. All Bible prophecy
humble spirit (3:4). All these, says Peter, are concerning the Lord Jesus Christ (the author of
precious. In his second epistle he adds two more: our salvation) is summarized in this little sentence:
"precious faith" (1:1) and "precious promises" "The sufferings of Christ, and the glory that shall
(1:4). follow."
Dr. Kenneth Wuest writes the following Here Peter connects Christ's first coming (the
concerning verse 7. sufferings) with his second coming (the glory).
"Peter tells us that this approval of our faith is This, in a nutshell, is a panorama of the purpose,
much more precious than the approval of gold, plan, and program of Almighty God. Note this
even though that gold be approved through fire beautiful outline as we trace it through the Word
testing ...The picture here is of an ancient of God:
goldsmith who puts his crude gold ore in a a. The sufferings - a Baby, wrapped in
crucible, subjects it to intense heat, and thus swaddling clothes (Lk. 2:12). The glory -
liquefies the mass. The impurities rise to the a King, clothed in majestic apparel
surface and are skimmed off. When the (Ps. 93: 1).
metalworker is able to see the reflection of his b. The sufferings - he was the wearied
face clearly mirrored in the surface of the liquid, traveller (Jn. 4:6). The glory - he will be
he takes it off the fire, for he knows that the the untiring God (Isa. 40:28, 29).
contents are pure gold. So it is with God and c. The sufferings - he had nowhere to lay his
His child. He puts us in the crucible of Christian head (Lk. 9:58). The glory - he will
suffering, in which process sin is gradually put become heir to all things (Heb. 1:2).
out of our lives, our faith is purified from the
slag of unbelief that somehow mingles with it
4
 the Epistle of First Peter
d. The sufferings - he was rejected by Israel E. The holy angels and our salvation (1:12).
(Jn. 1:11). The glory - he will be "Which things the angels desire to look into."
accepted by all the nations (Isa. 9:6). One of the accomplishments of our
e. The sufferings - wicked men took up salvation is to serve as an object lesson to
stones to throw at him (Jn. 8:59). heaven's elect angels. They do not experience
The glory - wicked men will cry for our redemption but they are intensely interested
stones to fall upon them to hide them in observing it! The following passages clearly
from him (Rev. 6:16). bring this out:
f. The sufferings - a lowly Savior, "Then I Daniel looked and behold, there
acquainted with grief (Isa. 53:3). stood other two [angels] the one on this side
The glory - the mighty God, anointed of the bank of the river, and the other on that
with the oil of gladness (Heb. 1:9). side of the bank of the river. And one said ...
g. The sufferings - he was clothed with a How long shall it be to the end of these
scarlet robe in mockery (Lk. 23:11). wonders?" (Dan. 12:5, 6).
The glory - he will be clothed with a "For I think that God hath set forth us the
vesture dipped in the blood of his apostles last, as it were appointed to death:
enemies (Rev. 19:13). for we are made a spectacle unto the world,
h. The sufferings - he was smitten with a and to angels, and to men" (1 Cor. 4:9).
reed (Mt. 27:30). The glory - he will rule "To the intent that now unto the principalities
the nations with a rod of iron and powers in the heavenly places might be
(Rev. 19:15). known by the church the manifold wisdom of
i. The sufferings - wicked soldiers bowed God" (Eph. 3:10).
their knee and mocked (Mk. 15:19). F. The high calling of our salvation (1:13-17).
The glory - every knee shall bow and In measuring up to this glorious salvation, the
acknowledge him (Phil. 2:10). believer is exhorted by Peter to:
j. The sufferings - he wore the crown of 1. Gird up the loins of his mind. Peter will repeat
thorns (Jn. 19:5). The glory - he will this in his second epistle: "This second epistle,
wear the crown of gold (Rev. 14-14). beloved, I now write unto you: in both which
k. The sufferings - his hands were pierced I stir up your pure minds by way of
with nails (Jn. 20:25). The glory - his remembrance" (2 Pet. 3:1).
hands will carry a sharp sickle This girding calls to mind a patriarch of the
(Rev. 14:14). Old Testament who wore a long flowing robe.
l. The sufferings - his feet were pierced with Around that robe he had a big belt called a
nails (Ps. 22:16). The glory - his feet will girdle. When the time came that he had to
stand on the Mount of Olives move swiftly, he pulled it up and lapped it over
(Zech. 14:4). the belt. He girded up his loins and was ready
m. The sufferings - he had no form or for action.
comeliness (Isa. 53:2). The glory - he 2. Keep sober in spirit.
will be beautiful (Ps. 27:4). 3. Fix his hope completely on God's grace.
n. The sufferings - he delivered up his spirit 4. Avoid returning to one's former life style.
(Jn. 19:30). The glory - he is alive 5. Be holy (separated unto God) in all one's
forevermore (Rev. 1:18). behavior.
o. The sufferings - he was laid in the tomb 6. Conduct himself in fear (a respectful awe and
(Mt. 27:59, 60). The glory - he will sit concern not to displease the Savior).
on his throne (Heb. 8:1).
5
 the Epistle of First Peter
G. The awesome cost of our salvation (1:18-22). 1. He is the smitten Rock to all who will drink
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not (Ex. 17:6; 1 Cor. 10:4; Jn. 4:13, 14;
redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and 7:37-39).
gold, from your vain conversation received by 2. He is the precious Stone to all who have
tradition from your fathers; but with the precious drunk (1 Pet. 2:3, 7).
blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish 3. He is the chief Cornerstone to the church
and without spot" (vs. 18, 19). (Eph. 2:20).
H. The method of our salvation (1:23-25). 4. He is the stumbling Stone to the Jews at his
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but first coming (Rom. 9:32, 33; 1 Cor. 1:23).
of incorruptible, by the word of God, which 5. He is the Headstone of the corner to the Jews
liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as at his Second Coming (Zech. 4:7).
grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of 6. He is the smiting Stone cut without hands to
grass. The grass withereth, and the flower Gentile world powers at his Second Coming
thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord (Dan. 2:34).
endureth for ever. And this is the word which by 7. He is the crushing Stone of judgement to all
the gospel is preached unto you" (vs. 23-25). unbelievers (Mt. 21:44).
II. GOD'S SALVATION: Peter says (2:4) this great Stone was
"disallowed" by Israel. This word means "to
THE DUTIES OF SAINTS (2:1-3:13).
put to a test and then repudiate." After
A. Their duties concerning the Scriptures examining Christ for thirty-four years, Israel
(2:1, 2). "flunked" him. He simply was not what they
"As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of were looking for in a Messiah!
the word, that ye may grow thereby" (2:2). Note, Furthermore, the apostle's statement
The word "desire" speaks of an intense yearning. in 2:6: "Wherefore also it is contained in the
David had this desire for God's Word. Scripture, behold, I lay in Sion a chief
"The ordinances of the Lord are true and cornerstone." Certainly here is the fulfilment of
righteous altogether. More to be desired are Christ's promise in Mt. 16:16, 18. Peter was
they than gold, yea, than much fine gold, not that foundation; Christ was. Finally
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb" (see 2:5), all believers are "lively stones, built
(Ps. 19:9, 10). up [into] a spiritual house, a holy priesthood,
The nation Israel had shown no desire for the to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to
Word of God in the Old Testament. Thus, when God by Jesus Christ." (See also Rev. 1:6.)
the Son of God appeared they viewed him in the C. Their duties concerning the body of Christ
same manner. (2:9,10).
"And when we shall see him, there is no beauty 1. To serve as priests of God. "But ye are a
that we should desire him" (Isa. 53:2). chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy
The word "sincere" is literally "unadulterated" - nation, a peculiar [literally, encircled] people"
that is, nothing mixed with it. See Rev. 14:10 (2:9).
concerning a similar passage dealing with God's Old Testament Israel had a priesthood, but
unadulterated wrath during the tribulation. the church is a priesthood. The New Scofield
B. Their duties concerning the Savior (2:3-8). Bible (p 1334) offers the following excellent
They are to view the Savior as God's precious summary of the priesthood.
Rock. The word "rock" or "stone" appears five a. "Until the law was given, the head of each
times and the word "precious" is found three family was the family priest
times in these verses. Note the various usages (Gen. 8:20; 26:25; 31:54).
of this Redeemer-like rock as described in the
Bible. 6
 the Epistle of First Peter
b. When the law was proposed, the promise 2. To shine as beacons of light.
to perfect obedience was that Israel should "That ye should shew forth the praise of him
be unto God 'a kingdom of priests' who hath called you out of darkness into his
(Ex. 19:6); but Israel violated the law, and marvellous light" (2:9).
God shut up the priestly office to the D. Their duties concerning the government
Aaronic family, appointing the tribe of Levi (2:11-17).
to minister to Israel, thus constituting the 1. To be above board. "Having your
typical priesthood. (Compare Ex. 13:2 and conversation honest among the Gentiles"
19:6 with Num. 8:16. See also Ex. 28:1.) (2:12).
c. In the church age, all Christians are 2. To be obedient. "Submit yourselves to every
unconditionally constituted 'a kingdom of ordinance of man for the Lord's sake" (2:13)
priests' (v. 9; Rev. l:6), the distinction Of course, this refers to those ordinances
which Israel failed to achieve by works. which do not contradict the Bible (Acts 5:29)
The priesthood of the Christian is, E. Their duties concerning their jobs (2:18-20).
therefore, a birthright, just as every "Servants, be subject to your masters with all
descendant of Aaron was born to the fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to
priesthood (Heb. 5:1). the froward [the unfair, surly]" (2:18).
d. The chief privilege of a priest is access to F. Their duties concerning sufferings (2:21-15).
God. Under the law the high priest only "For even hereunto were ye called: because
could enter 'the holiest of all ' and that but Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
once a year (Heb. 9:7); but when Christ example, that ye should follow his steps" (2:21).
died, the veil, a type of Christ's human "The word 'leaving' is literally 'leaving
body (Heb. 10:20), was rent, so that now behind.' When Peter used the Greek word here
the believer-priests, equally with Christ the translated 'example', he went back to his
High Priest - have access to God in the boyhood days for an illustration. The word
holiest (Heb. 10:19-22) The High Priest is means literally 'writing under.' It was used of
corporeally there (Heb. 4:14-16; 9:24; words given children to copy, both as a writing
10:19-22)." exercise and as a means of impressing a moral.
e. In the exercise of his office the New Sometimes it was used with reference to the act
Testament believer-priest is: of tracing over written letters ... just as a child
(1) A sacrificer who offers a fourfold slowly, with painstaking effort and close
sacrifice: application, follows the shape of the letters of his
(a) His own living body (Rom. 12:1; teacher and thus learns to write, so saints should,
Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:6; Jas. 1:27; with like painstaking effort and by close
1 Jn. 3:16). application, endeavor to be like the Lord Jesus in
(b) Praise to God, "the fruit of our lips their own personal lives." (Wuest; First Peter in
giving thanks to his name," to be the Greek New Testament, p. 67)
offered continually (Heb. 13:15; cf. Thus, the great example for the suffering
Ex. 25:22: "I will commune with Savior. Our Lord suffered blamelessly, graciously,
thee from above the mercy seat"). and trustfully. When he was reviled, he reviled not
(c) His substance (Rom. 12:13; again. When he suffered, he threatened not. What,
Gal. 6:6, 10; Titus 3:14; then, did he do? He "committed himself to him (the
Heb. 13:2, 16; 3 Jn. 1:5-8). Father) that judgeth righteously" (2:23).
(d) His service, i.e., "to do good" Note especially Peter's statement, "by whose
(Heb. 13:16). stripes ye were healed" (2:24). Is there physical
(2) An Intercessor (Col. 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:1). healing in the atonement? According to
7
 the Epistle of First Peter
Matthew 8:16,17, this was indeed predicted by combs and nets. After the styling ordeal was
Isaiah (53:4) and was fulfilled during the earthly completed many would stay up all night lest
ministry of Christ. But in 1 Peter 2 the apostle they spoil their coiffures for the next days
definitely links up Christ's stripes to the healing of festivities. This godless external display had
our souls and not our bodies. already been soundly condemned by the
Kenneth Wuest writes: prophet Isaiah centuries ago (Isa. 3:16-26).
"The word 'stripes' in the Greek presents a Where then is their beauty to come from?
picture of our Lord's lacerated back after the "Let it be the hidden [woman] of the heart,
scourging He endured at the hands of the Roman in that which is not corruptible, even the
soldiers. The Romans used a scourge of cords or ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which
thongs to which latter were attached pieces of is in the sight of God of great price" (3:4).
lead or brass, on small, sharp-pointed bones. By displaying this inner beauty (as well
Criminals condemned to crucifixion were as keeping a neat and attractive outward
ordinarily scourged before being executed. The appearance) the Christian wife has a far
victim was stripped to the waist and bound in a greater opportunity of winning her unsaved
stooping position, with the hands behind the husband to Christ (3:1).
back, to a post or pillar. The suffering under the Peter now points to an Old Testament
lash was intense. The body was frightfully wife who exhibited these womanly virtues.
lacerated. The Christian martyrs at Smyrna about She was Sarah, Abraham's beloved wife.
A. D. 155 were so torn by the scourges that their 2. The believing husband (3:7).
veins were laid bare, and the inner muscles and "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them
sinews and even the intestines were exposed. ... according to knowledge, giving honour
Peter remembered the body of our Lord after the unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel,
scourging, the flesh so dreadfully mangled that and as being heirs together of the grace of
the disfigured form appeared in his eyes as one life; that your prayers be not hindered"
single bruise." (3:7).
(First Peter in the Greek New Testament, p. 69) Here the Christian husband is to do two
G. Their duties concerning the home (3:1-7). things in regard to his wife:
l. The believing wife (3:1-6) is: a. He is to "dwell with them according to
a. to be in subjection to her husband knowledge." That is, he must have an
b. to be chaste intelligent recognition of the marriage
c. to be beautiful inside relationship. He simply must understand
"Whose adorning, let it not be that outward that:
adorning of plaiting the hair, and wearing of (1) His wife is a weaker vessel. This
gold, or putting on of apparel" (3:3). weakness is limited to the physical
It should be quickly noted that this realm, however. She is not weaker
verse does not forbid a Christian woman to intellectually or spiritually.
visit a beauty shop or a jewellery store. Those (2) His wife is his fellow-heir. She
who would insist it does have a problem here, shares the same spiritual equality
for Peter also refers to the wearing of clothes! before God as he does. Thus, the
What the passage does teach is that believing arrogant husband who lightly
women are not to dress in a gaudy manner. dismisses his wife to "the kitchen and
History tells us the Roman women of that the bedroom," insults not only her,
day went to ridiculous lengths in the but God himself.
adornment of the hair. The hair was arranged b. He is to give "honour unto the wife."
layer upon layer and interlaced with golden That is, he is to assign her a special place
8
 the Epistle of First Peter
in his heart. If these principles are not hold this view, but it is not without
followed, then every prayer coming from problems. The antithesis (opposing
that household will be hindered. thoughts) expressed in the words, 'being
H. Their duties concerning the local church put to death in the flesh but made alive by
(3:8-13). the spirit' (v. 18), some claim, would
1. Be of one mind (maintain the spirit of more naturally refer to our Lord's human
harmony). body and spirit than to the Holy Spirit.
2. Love each other. Furthermore, they object, to apply the
3. Show compassion ("have a heart"). term `spirits' to people is questionable.
4. Do not return evil for evil, "but contrariwise The Bible sometimes speaks of human
blessing" (3:9). To return evil for good is beings as 'souls', and mentions 'the spirits
unnatural. To return evil for evil is natural. of just men made perfect' (Heb. 12:2, 3),
To return good for evil is supernatural. but the Word of God never calls human
beings 'spirits.' This term seems to be
III. GOD'S SALVATION:
reserved for supernatural and nonhuman
THE DISCIPLINE OF SUFFERING beings.
(3:14 - 4:19) b). The 'spirits in prison' were the mongrel
A. Suffering justifies the sinner. offspring of a union between fallen
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the angels (the 'sons of God' of
just for the unjust, that he might bring us to Genesis 6:1, 2) and women. Those who
God" (3:18). take this position contend that when
Note the route and results of his suffering. Jesus died, He descended immediately
1. He went and "preached unto the spirits in into hades and announced to these
prison" (3:19). What is involved in these imprisoned spirits that He had paid the
words? Who were these spirits? In his book price for sin. Objections to this view are
Good News for Bad Times, Richard DeHaan that the purpose for this declaration is
lists four main theories which have been not given, and that one must accept the
offered to explain these questions: theory that fallen angels were actually
"By whom also he went and preached unto able to live in the marriage relationship
the spirits in prison, who at one time were with human women and produce
disobedient ... while the ark was offspring.
preparing" (1 Pet. 3:19, 20). c). These spirits were wicked angels of
"Just who were these spirits? Your Noah's day who engaged in some kind of
answer determines your interpretation of monstrous evil, but who probably did not
this perplexing passage, and dictates the actually marry women. The people who
answer to a second question, 'What hold this view consider the 'sons of God'
message was preached?' The word of Genesis 6 to be fallen angels who
'preached' means 'to herald' or 'to proclaim; entered into or possessed the bodies of
and can refer either to communicating the violent men. These men in turn fathered
Gospel or giving an announcement. Four children with even more lawless traits.
main views are held regarding the The term nephilum, translated 'giants' in
identification of these 'spirits in prison.' Genesis 6:4, thus would denote men who
a). They were the souls of the people to 'fall upon' or attack others rather than
whom Christ preached by the Holy Spirit 'fallen ones' or 'giants.' Scholars who give
through Noah during the 120 years the this explanation of the 'spirits in prison'
ark was being built. Many good scholars see the sinning angels of Genesis as the
9
 the Epistle of First Peter
same ones to whom Peter referred as conditions that led to the deluge, or the
'delivered ... into chains of darkness' people to whom Noah preached while
(2 Peter 2:4). They say the purpose of preparing the ark" (pp. 103, 104).
Christ's entrance into hades was to tell 2. He is "gone into heaven, and is on the right
this special group of wicked angels that hand of God; angels and authorities and
their doom was certain. He had paid the powers being made subject unto him" (3:22).
price for sin and would soon demonstrate Note: Another difficult section of Scripture
that He was indeed their Master by rising occurs at this point in Peter's first epistle.
from the dead. This interpretation is Again, Richard DeHaan writes the
possible only for those who feel that the following helpful words:
'sons of God' of Genesis 6 were fallen "Peter wrote, 'Who at one time were
angels, and that they possessed men's disobedient, when once the long-suffering
bodies and personalities for the purpose of God waited in the days of Noah, while
of leading the human race away from the ark was preparing, in which few, that
God. is, eight souls, were saved by water, the
d). The 'spirits in prison' are wicked beings like figure unto which even baptism doth
and Old Testament believers. Those who also now save us (not putting away of the
hold this view say that Christ descended filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
into hades between His death and conscience toward God), by the
resurrection to make an announcement resurrection of Jesus Christ'
to all wicked spirits, and to release the (1 Pet. 3:20, 21).
Old Testament saints being kept there in The best way to approach these verses
a special compartment. Paul declares is to examine the thoughts one by one as
that Jesus 'descended first into the lower Peter expressed them.
parts of the earth' and 'led captivity a. Noah and his family were 'saved by water.'
captive' (Eph. 4:8-10). Some Bible A little reflection makes it immediately
scholars see a dual purpose for our clear that the water would have destroyed
Lord's descent into hades. They say He Noah and his family, not saved them if they
first announced to fallen angels that He had not been in the ark. The flood, which
had conquered sin and paid its penalty. killed the rest of mankind, became the
Then, contending that the believers of intermediary means of deliverance when it
the ages before Calvary were not fully lifted the ark. If it had not, of course, the
forgiven until Christ had presented His ark and its inhabitants would have been
sacrifice, they maintain that He went to submerged, as were all of the highest
them immediately after His death to take mountains and tallest buildings.
them to heaven. This view can be held b. The scene of safety in the midst of
only if one is convicted that the judgement is portrayed by baptism. Peter
'compartment' theory of hades is biblical, wrote, 'The like figure unto which even
and that Old Testament saints were not baptism doth also now save us'
permitted to enter heaven until Jesus had (1 Pet. 3:21).
died on the cross. The Greek term translated 'figure' is
An exact identification of the 'spirits antitupon, and our word 'antitype' is a
in prison' is not possible. Because a transliteration of it. The water of baptism,
reference is made to Noah however, very therefore, is an antitype of the water of the
likely they are either supernatural spirit flood. It therefore 'saves' us in the same
creatures connected with the terrible way the deluge 'saved' Noah and his family.
10
 the Epistle of First Peter
The water, representing judgement and "But not only is the fact of persecution
death, buoyed up the ark so that its an indication of a spiritually prosperous
occupants were not drowned. Similarly, life, but also of the fact that the Holy
when we enter the water of baptism, Spirit is resting upon the Christian.
symbol of judgement and death, we declare The words 'rest upon' (see 4:14) are the
that we have found deliverance from the translation of a Greek word used in a
divine wrath because we are safe in the manuscript of 103 B.C. as a technical
Ark; that is, in Christ. In His death on the term in agriculture. The writer speaks of
cross He bore God's judgement against sin, a farmer resting his land by sowing light
and by faith in Him we have been brought crops upon it. He relieved the land of the
into safety. When a believer is baptized, he necessity of producing heavy crops, and
signifies that through union with Christ he thus gave it an opportunity to recuperate
is rescued from condemnation and death. its strength. The word is used in
c. The water of baptism is not a cleansing Matthew 11:28 where our Lord says,
agent. The verse says, 'not the putting 'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are
away of the filth of the flesh' (v. 21). heavy laden, and I will give you rest;
Baptism, rather than being the agent for literally, 'and I will rest you.' Here our
cleansing, is 'the answer of a good Lord causes the sinner who comes to
conscience toward God.' The Greek word Him to cease from his own efforts at
translated 'answer' is eperotema, which carrying his load of guilt and suffering,
means 'question', 'appeal' or 'pledge.' taking it upon Himself, allowing the
The latter fits this passage best, for baptism believer in his new life powers to
is a declaration by the Christian of his function as a child of God. In our First
intention to 'walk in newness of life' Peter passage, the Holy Spirit rests and
(see Rom. 6:4). This pledge issues from his refreshes the believer in the sense that
clear conscience as a foreign sinner, freed He takes over the saint's battle with sin
from guilt through his 'by-faith union' with and the heretofore futile effort at living a
Jesus Christ" life pleasing to God, by giving him
(Good New for Bad Times; pp. 104, 105). victory over the evil nature whose power
B. Suffering purifies the saint. was broken the moment God saved him,
1. It gives him spiritual prosperity. and by producing in his life His own
"But and if ye suffer for righteousness' fruit. The Spirit of the Glory, even the
sake, happy (prosperous) are ye" (3:14). Spirit of God, is resting with refreshing
The apostle says that in view of the fact power upon the child of God, causing
that they are being reproached, they are him to live a life which pleases God and
happy. The word "happy" is the translation of toward which the world hurls its venom
a Greek word which means "prosperous." It and hate." (K. Wuest, First Peter, p.120)
is used in Matthew 5:3-11, where it is 2. It gives him scriptural answers.
translated "blessed." It refers in these "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
contexts to a spiritually prosperous state or and be ready always to give an answer to
condition of the believer. That is, if the world every man that asketh you a reason of the
persecutes a Christian, that is an indication of hope that is in you, with meekness and
the spiritual prosperity of his life. The world fear" (3:15).
does not persecute a worldly Christian, only a A general rule of thumb is that suffering saints
spiritual one. It is spirituality that rubs its fur search the Scriptures more than others, if for
the wrong way.
11
 the Epistle of First Peter
no other reason than to find comfort in and and 26:28). What Peter is saying in these verses
answers for their pain! is that suffering glorifies the Savior if one
Dr. Kenneth Wuest writes: suffers as a Christian, that is, for his faith. But if
"Not only were these Christian Jews to he suffers as an evildoer, the Lord is not
find a refuge in Christ Jesus as they set glorified. We are to suffer because of our
Him apart as Lord of their lives, but they position, and not our disposition. The grand
were to be ready to give an answer to conclusion concerning the entire subject of
these persecutors who attacked them and suffering is given in 4:19:
the Word of God which they believed. "Wherefore, let them that suffer according to
The words 'give an answer' are the the will of God commit the keeping of their
translation of a Greek word used as a souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful
legal term in the courts. It means literally Creator."
'to talk off from', and was used of an IV. GOD'S SALVATION:
attorney who talked his client off from a
charge preferred against him. He
THE DELIGHTS OF SERVICE
presented a verbal defence. The (5:1-14).
exhortation is to Christians to talk the A. Serving as a shepherd (5:1-4).
Bible off from the charges preferred "The elders which are among you I exhort,
against it, thus presenting for it a verbal who am also an elder, and a witness of the
defence " (Ibid., p. 89) sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the
3. It gives him victory over his old nature glory that shall be revealed: feed the flock of
(4:1-3). God which is among you, taking the oversight
C. Suffering unifies the church (4:7-11). thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not
"As every man hath received the gift, even so for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as
minister the same one to another, as good being lords over God's heritage, but being
stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any ensamples to the flock. And when the chief
man speak, let him speak as the oracles of Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a
God; if any man minister, let him do it as of crown of glory that fadeth not away."
the ability which God giveth: that God in all In his epistle Peter refers to himself as an
things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, apostle (1:1), an elder, a witness, and a partaker
to whom be praise and dominion for ever and (5:1). Here again, as we have already seen (1:11)
ever. Amen" (vs. 10, 11). he links together "the sufferings of Christ and ...
Here in these verses Peter exhorts believers to: the glory that shall be revealed" (5:1).
1. Be accurate in speaking the Word of God. 1. The responsibilities of the shepherd (5:1-3).
2. Be accurate in performing the will of God. a. To feed the flock of God
D. Suffering glorifies the Savior (4:12-19). (see Acts 20:28). This responsibility
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the would also include tending, guiding, and
fiery trial which is to try you, as though some guarding the sheep.
strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, b. To do this willingly and not by
inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's constraint.
suffering that, when his glory shall be c. To do this humbly, and not in a
revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding high-handed manner.
joy" (vs. 12, 13). d. To be a pattern for God's flock.
Note: In his epistle (4:16) Peter refers to a 2. The rewards of the shepherd (5:4).
believer as a Christian. This title is used but two
other times in the entire Bible (Acts 11:26
12
 the Epistle of First Peter
"And when the chief Shepherd shall perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you"
appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory (5:10).
that fadeth not away." Especially to be noted are the words "the
This is one of at least five possible rewards a God of all grace " This is the story of the
believer may earn. These are: Christian life. The believer is to go from grace to
a. The incorruptible crown - given to those grace! (See Jn. 1:16.) James says, "He giveth
who master the old nature more grace" (Jas. 4:6). The Scriptures speak of:
(1 Cor. 9:25-27). 1. saving grace (Eph. 2:8, 9)
b. The crown of rejoicing - given to 2. serving grace (1 Cor. 15:9, 10)
soulwinners (Prov. 11:30; 3. sanctifying grace (Rom. 5:17; 6:17)
1 Thess. 2:19, 20; Dan. 12:3). 4. sacrificing grace (2 Cor. 8:l-9)
c. The crown of life - given to those who 5. singing grace (Col. 3:16)
successfully endure temptation 6. speaking grace (Col. 4:6)
(Jas. 1:12; Rev. 2:10). 7. strengthening grace (2 Tim. 2:1)
d. The crown of righteousness - given to 8. suffering grace (1 Pet. 5:10; 2 Cor. 12:9)
those who especially love the doctrine of In closing, Peter refers to Silvanus, "a faithful
the rapture (2 Tim. 4:8). brother" (5:12). He was the messenger of this
e. The crown of glory - given to faithful epistle and Peter's secretary. Silvanus is the
preachers and teachers (1 Pet. 5:2-4; lengthened form of Silas and doubtless this was
2 Tim. 4:1, 2; Acts 20:26-28). the same individual who was Paul's travelling
It has been suggested that these companion. (See Acts 15:40; 2 Cor. 1:19;
"crowns" will actually be talents and abilities 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1.)
with which to glorify Christ. Thus, the
greater the reward, the greater the ability.
B. Serving as a saint (5:5-7).
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves
unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one
to another, and be clothed with humility: for
God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to
the humble. Humble yourselves therefore
under the mighty hand of God, that he may
exalt you in due time: Casting all your care
upon him; for he careth for you."
C. Serving as a soldier (5:8-14).
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom
resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the
same afflictions are accomplished in your
brethren that are in the world" (vs. 8, 9).
Peter now ends this magnificent epistle by
once again reminding his readers of the ministry
of suffering.
"But the God of all grace, who hath called us
unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after
that ye have suffered a while, make you
13
 Study Questions For First Peter
1. List the apostles who wrote N.T. books or epistles. _____________________________________________-
2. Where was Peter when he wrote this book? ____________________________________________________
3. What is the outline of 1 Peter? 1. ______________________________ 2. ___________________________
3. ________________________________________ 4. _________________________________________
4. What are the 3 living things mentioned by Peter? 1. ________________________ 2. ____________________
3. _________________________________________
5. What are the precious things mentioned by Peter? ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Did the O.T. Prophets ever write things that they did not understand? _____yes _____no (check one)
7. Do the angels experience redemption? _____yes _____no
8. What is the cost of our redemption? __________________________________________________________
9. "As newborn babes (new Christians), desire ________________________________________________, that
ye may grow thereby." (finish the verse)
10. Christ is called a rock or stone 5 times. List them. 1. ______ _______________ 2. ____________________
3. ___________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________
5. ___________________________________________
11. Every believer is a (circle one) prophet priest king
12. What is the fourfold sacrifice we are to offer to God? 1. _____________________ 2.. _________________
3. _____________________________ 4. ____________________________
13. What are the two duties that we owe our government?
1.________________________________ 2. _________________________________
14. What 3 things is the Christian wife to do? 1. ____________________ 2. ___________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________
15. What 2 things is the Christian husband to do? 1. _______________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________
16. What will happen if questions 14 and 15 are not done? ___________________________________________
17. List the 4 things sufferings can accomplish. 1. ________________________ 2. _______________________
3. _________________________________________ 4. _________________________________________
18. List the 4 responsibilities of the Shepherd (pastor) 1. _________________________ 2. _________________
3. __________________________________________ 4. ________________________________________
19. Fill in the blanks: "...Yea, all of you be subject ______ ___ _______, and be clothed with ____________..."
20. As a soldier, we are to: "... be _____________, be _____________... resist ________________..."
14
21. The lion is compared to ______________________________________.
 Additional Outlines For First Peter
Written: A. D. 60
Key thought is Preparation for Victory over Suffering
Key Word - Suffering ( used 15 times) - From the Open Bible
Part One: The Salvation of the Believer (1:1 - 2:12)
I. Salutation (1:1,2)
II. Salvation of the Believer (1:3-12)
A. Hope for the Future (1:3,4)
B. Trials for the Present (1:5-9)
C. Anticipation in the Past (1:10-12)
III. Sanctification of the Believer (1:13 - 2:12)
A. "Be Ye Holy" (1:13-21)
B. "Love One Another" (1:22-25)
C. "Desire the Sincere Milk of the Word" (2:1-3)
D. "Offer Up Spiritual Sacrifices" (2:4-10)
E. "Abstain from Fleshly Lusts" (2:11,12)
Part Two: The Submission of the Believer (2:13 - 3:12)
I. Submission to the Government (2:13-17)
II. Submission in Business (2:18-25)
III. Submission in Marriage (3:1-8)
IV. Submission in All of Life (3:9-12)
Part Three: The Suffering of the Believer (3:13 - 5:14)
I. Conduct in Suffering (3:13-17)
II. Christ's Example of Suffering ((3:18 - 4:6)
III. Commands in Suffering (4:7-19)
IV. Minister in Suffering (5:1-9)
A. Elders, Feed the Flock (5:1-4)
B. Saints, Humble Yourselves (5:5-9)
V. Benediction (5:10-14)

From Explore the Book by J. Sidlow Baxter

FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER - CHRIST OUR HOPE AND EXAMPLE AMID TRIAL
Address (1:1,2)
I. The Living Hope - And What Goes With It (1:3 - 2:10).
A. The "living hope" (1:3-12) and our reaction thereto (1:13-21).
B. The "living word" (1:22 - 2:5) and our reaction thereto (2:1-3).
C. The "living stone" (2:4) and our relation thereto (2:5-10).
II. The Pilgrim Life - And How To Live It (2:11 - 4:11).
A. As citizens (2:12-17) servants (2:18-25) married (3:1-7).
B. As regards outsiders, and enduring suffering (3:8 - 4:6).
C. As regards other believers, and mutual service (4:7-11).
III. The "Fiery Trial" And How To Bear It (4:12 - 5:11).
A. "Rejoice" and "commit": the Lord's return near (4:12-19).
B. Elders a re to be examples in view of His return (5:1-4).
C. All are to be humble and vigilant - glory beyond! (5:5-11).
IV. Farewell (5:12-14).
15
 the Epistle of Second Peter
INTRODUCTION: nineteen are reiterated in some fashion in 2
Peter.
The occasion for 2 Peter was apparently an 6. The theme of 1 Peter is suffering, while that
outbreak of heresy among the churches addressed. The of 2 Peter is full knowledge. It appears
false teachers bringing this heresy are described some sixteen times with cognate (related)
in 2:1, 2, 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20; 3:3-5, 16. words.
The year of Peter's martyrdom is uncertain. Some 7. Thus 2 Peter may be favourably compared
would place his death shortly after the outbreak of the to 2 Timothy.
Neronian persecution, in the latter part of A. D. 64. a. Both books are the last written by their
Others feel that it may be as late as A. D. 67, or 68. authors.
It would seem, however, that Peter met his fate before
b. Both contain a key passage on the
Paul. When Paul wrote 2 Timothy Peter could no subject of inspiration (2 Pet. 1:20, 21;
longer have been in Rome. Apparently Peter's 2 Tim. 3:16).
execution had already taken place. We may
c. Both warn against false teachers
accordingly date 2 Peter in the early part of the year
(2 Tim 3 and 2 Pet. 2).
A. D. 65.
d. Both men knew they would die a
No hint of the place of composition is given in the
martyr's death for Christ (2 Tim. 4:6; cf.
epistle. If 1 Peter was written from Rome, as seems
2 Pet. 1:13-15).
probable, it seems natural to conclude that 2 Peter was
8. The summary statement of this epistle is
also written from there.
3:18:
1. This is Peter's second and final epistle.
"But grow in grace and in the knowledge of
2. The early church was at first somewhat
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be
reluctant to accept this epistle as canonical.
glory both now and forever. Amen."
There were two basic reasons for this:
a. Supposed differences in style between I. THE MULTIPLICATION
1 Peter and 2 Peter. OF THE POWER OF GOD (1:1 - 4).
b. The difference in the vocabulary of the "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you
two epistles. through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our
3. However a careful study of this epistle Lord, according as his divine power hath given
shows that it indeed came from the hand of unto us all things that pertain unto life and
Simon Peter. godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath
a. It claims to have been written by Peter called us to glory and virtue" (1:2, 3).
(1:1). Notice especially that tremendous phrase
b. The writer was at the transfiguration of in 1:3, "according as his divine power hath given
Christ (1:16-18; see also Mt. 17:1-13). unto us all things that pertain unto life and
c. He was told by the Savior concerning godliness." Henrietta Mears has offered the
his death (1:13-15; see also Jn. 21:18, following illustration concerning this glorious
19). statement:
d. He had already written his readers "Look at a criminal condemned to be hanged.
another epistle (3:1; see also 1 Pet. 1:1). Suppose a messenger comes to him and says:
4. This epistle contains the only inter- 'The governor has taken your case into
connective reference from one apostolic consideration, and 1 have brought you a purse
epistle to another. In other words, Peter of a thousand dollars.' The criminal will say,
refers to Paul's writings (3:15, 16). 'What good will it do me? I am to be hanged
5. It is very similar to the book of Jude. Out of tomorrow.' 'Well, I have another message. He
twenty-five verses in Jude, no less than has considered your case and sent you the deed
16
 the Epistle of Second Peter
to a million-dollar estate.' The condemned man A. Virtue.
despairingly shakes his head and says, 'What This quality has been described as "excellence
can I do with that? I must be hanged with energy." It also includes the praise of God
tomorrow.' But the messenger goes on. 'Stop! I by the child of God (1 Pet 2:9).
have another offer to make. I have brought you B. Knowledge.
the governor's own inauguration robe for you A reference to moral discernment. This
to wear with special favor.' The condemned discernment, of course. comes from a study of
man bursts into tears, as he says, 'Do you intend the Bible.
to mock me? How would I appear ascending C. Temperance
the steps of the gallows, wearing the governor's self-control (Prov. 16:32; 25:28).
own robe?' Then the messenger says, 'Wait, I D. Patience
have one more message. The governor has sent godly (and gracious) endurance.
you a pardon. What do you say to that?' The E. Godliness
poor man looks at him and says he doesn't the right worship and devotion to God.
believe it. But the messenger hands the pardon, F. Kindness
signed by the governor, with the official stamp acts of goodness.
upon it. Then the man leaps for joy, while tears G. Charity
of gratitude run down his face. Then the a love for saints, sinners, the Scriptures, and the
messenger says, `I am not through yet. I have Savior. By encouraging his readers to supply
brought you the pardon, the purse of gold, the themselves with these Christian elements, Peter
deed, and the royal robe which are yours in is literally fulfilling Jesus' prophecy concerning
addition.' These are the `all things' God has himself in Luke 22:31, 32:
given us in Christ, His Son. With these, nothing "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold,
can defeat the young Christian. The way I can Satan hath desired to have you, that he may
escape the awful sins in this world every day sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee,
and all the day is by partaking of His nature and that thy faith fail not. And when thou art
letting Him live through me. Lay hold of the converted (literally, turned about. Here Jesus
great and precious promises: that by these ye refers to that spiritual maturity that would
might be partakers of the divine nature." come at Pentecost), strengthen thy brethren."
(What the Bible is All About, pp. 622 - 633) Note the results of all this:
"For if these things be in you, and abound,
Just what are these "exceeding great and precious they make you that ye shall neither be barren
promises"? They consist totally of the glorious nor unfruitful" (1:8).
doctrinal facts presented in the Word of God. Peter This chapter has been called the "math
speaks of all this being "multiplied unto you through chapter."
the knowledge of God." This knowledge is a 1. Multiplication:
knowledge of God's Word. Shallow knowledge makes "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you"
superficial Christians. (1:2).
II. THE ADDITIONS BY THE CHILD OF 2. Addition:
GOD (1:5 - 9). "Add to your faith" (1:5).
"And besides this, giving all diligence, add to 3. Subtraction:
your faith ... " (1:5).
"He was purged from his old sins" (1:9).
Peter now lists seven qualities the believer is to
expand and develop. These are:

17
 the Epistle of Second Peter
III. THE EXAMINATION These three verses certainly contain some of the
OF THE CALLING OF GOD (1:10 - 12). most profound statements concerning the importance,
interpretation, and impartation of the Word of God.
"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence
A. The importance of God's Word (1:19).
to make your calling and election sure: for if ye Peter says we have "a more sure word of
do these things, ye shall never fall" (1:10). prophecy." It should be noted that he had just
Peter is saying here that we are to possess that described the mighty transfiguration, but now
necessary confidence concerning both our salvation declares that the written Word (the
from God, and our service for God. No child of God is Scriptures) become a surer confirmation for
effective if he has doubts concerning either of these. the believer than even Peter's eyewitness
IV. THE REVELATION account on that mountain. This of course
TO THE APOSTLE OF GOD (1:13 - 15). does not contradict Christian experience, but it
does say that Christian experience should be
"Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this
confirmed by the Word of God. Note Peter's
tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in
beautiful description of Christ here: "Until the
remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put
day dawn, and the day star arise in your
off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus
hearts." To the church, he is the day star (see
Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will
Rev. 22:16), but to Israel, he becomes the Sun
endeavor that ye may be able after my decease
of righteousness (Mal. 4:2).
to have these things always in remembrance."
B. The interpretation of God's Word (1:20).
Peter knew of his approaching death (Jn. 21:18), as
This verse is saying that no single verse in the
did Moses (Deut. 4:22; 31:14), and Paul (2 Tim. 4:6).
Bible should be interpreted in and of itself,
He speaks of his death as "my decease" (1:15). The
apart from the remaining 31,172 verses. For
word here is actually "my exodus, " and is also used to
example:
describe the death of Jesus (Lk. 9:31).
1. Proxy baptism is not taught in 1
V. THE TRANSFIGURATION Corinthians 15:29 (whatever else it may
OF THE SON OF GOD (1:16 - 18). teach), for no other verse in the Bible
"For we ... were eyewitnesses of his majesty" confirms this.
(1:16). 2. Baptismal regeneration cannot be concluded
Here Peter reviews that glorious moment when he from Acts 2:38, for many other verses clearly
had once, along with James and John, viewed the refute it.
breathtaking, eye-blinding, and mind-boggling It is still true that a text taken out of context
transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ. is a pretext!
VI. THE INSPIRATION C. The impartation of God's Word (1:21).
OF THE WORD OF GOD (1:19 - 21). Here we are told that the authors of the Bible
were carried along by the Spirit of God as (it
"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; may be said) a sailboat is carried along by the
whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as wind. They did not go into a coma or trance,
unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until but were fully aware of what was happening
the day dawn, and the day star arise in your (see also 2 Tim. 3:16; Lk. 1:70; Acts 3:18).
hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of One final thought here. The same Holy Spirit,
the scripture is of any private interpretation. who originally gave the Word, now desires to
For the prophecy came not in old time by the teach it both to and through men of God today.
will of man: but holy men of God spake as (See 1 Cor. 2:9-16; Jn. 14:26; 16-13,14.)
they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
18
 the Epistle of Second Peter
VII. THE DEVIATION (2) Facts about his soul. We are told he
OF THE ENEMIES OF GOD (2:1 - 3:4). "vexed his righteous soul from day to
day with their unlawful deeds" (2:8).
A. The identity of these enemies. Also note the phrase, "And delivered
1. In the former days: just Lot, vexed with the filthy
a. Wicked angels (2:4). All angels who conversation (conduct) of the wicked"
sided in with Lucifer during his great (2:7). The verb "vexed" is found twice
revolt (Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:11-19; in these verses. Each comes from a
Rev. 12:3, 4) will, of course, along with
different Greek word. In 2:7 the word is
Satan, someday be judged by God.
kataphoneo, which means "to wear
However, it is believed by many that in down with toil, to exhaust with labor,
this passage Peter has in mind a special to oppress." The second word is
group of fallen angels who added to
basanizo, meaning "to torture, to
their original iniquity by the sin
torment." Thus, through compromise,
described in Genesis 6:1-5. As a result,
Lot subjected his righteous soul to
these evil spirits are already "delivered ...
exhausting labor and cruel torment.
into chains (literally, pits) of darkness, to
(3) Facts about his Savior. "The Lord
be reserved (kept, confined) unto
knoweth how to deliver the godly out
judgement" (see also Jude 6)
of temptation" (2:9; see Gen. 19:15, 17,
b. Those citizens during Noah's day (2:5).
22; Ps. 34:15, 17, 19; 1 Cor. 10:13).
"And spared not the old world ...
During his earthly ministry our Lord
bringing in the flood upon the world of
used the historical account of both Noah
the ungodly." The Greek word for
and Lot to illustrate those conditions
"flood" here is kataklusmos, which which will prevail just prior to the final
means "to overwhelm with water " Our judgement.
English word "cataclysmic" comes From "And as it was in the days of Noah,
this.
so shall it be also in the days of the
c. Those citizens during Lot's day (2:6-9). Son of man. They did eat, they drank,
"And turning the cities of Sodom and they married wives, they were given
Gomorrha into ashes condemned them in marriage, until the day that Noah
with an overthrow" (2:6). Here the entered into the ark, and the flood
Greek word for "overthrow" is came, and destroyed them all.
katastrepho, referring to the act of Likewise also as it was in the days of
turning over and under, "to throw Lot; they did eat, they drank, they
down." Our English word "catastrophe" bought, they sold, they planted, they
comes from this. (See Gen. 19; Jude 7.) builded; but the same day that Lot
In these verses (2:6-9) we are given some went out of Sodom it rained fire and
additional facts about Lot not recorded in the brimstone from heaven, and
Genesis 19 account. destroyed them all. Even thus shall it
(1) Facts about his salvation. He is be in the day when the Son of man is
referred to as just and righteous. It revealed" (Lk. 17:26-30).
would have been difficult to deduct this In passing it may be said here
at times from the Old Testament that Lot is a type of the church,
account, "Nevertheless, the foundation which will be taken out prior to
of God standeth sure, having this seal, judgement, while Noah is a
the Lord knoweth them that are his"
(2 Tim 2:19). 19
 the Epistle of Second Peter
foreshadow of Israel, which nation "feigned words is plastos in the Greek. We
will be preserved during judgement. get our word "plastic" from this. Peter is
d. False prophets. "But there were false saying that their work may be stretched or
prophets also among the people ... Who shortened to fit any and all theological
have forsaken the right way, and are systems. However, the heretics will be
gone astray, following the way of punished, for "their damnation slumbereth
Balaam who loved the wages of not" (see also Deut. 32:35)
unrighteousness" (2:1, 15). See 5. They "walk after the flesh in the lust of
Numbers 22-24 for background of uncleanness" (2:10).
Balaam. He was a typical hireling 6. They despise (look upon with utter contempt
prophet, anxious to market his gift for all forms of government (2:10).
money. He is also referred to in 7. They are presumptuous, self-willed, and
Jude 11 and Revelation 2:14. possess no regard or respect for either men
2. In the latter days: or angels (2:10).
a. False teachers. "Even as there shall be 8. They possess the nature of brute wild
false teachers among you" (2:1). animals (2:12).
b. Scoffers. "Knowing this first, that there 9. They condemn without even understanding
come in the last days scoffers, walking what they are rejecting (2:12).
after their own lusts" (3:3). 10. They are committed to the perverted hedonist
B. The iniquity of these enemies. How can these philosophy (2:13): "They that count it
foes be recognised? pleasure to riot in the daytime." The word for
What are their marks, and what is their "riot" in the Greek is truphee, meaning
message? The apostle lists no less than "softness, effeminacy, luxurious living."
twenty-six characteristics of these cursed They do not work for a living.
creatures: (See also Acts 17:21; Titus 1:12; Phil. 3:19;
1. They bring in destructive heresies. These 1 Thess. 5:7.)
heresies are introduced along with and 11. They are spots and blemishes in their own
alongside the truth. A tiny portion of deadly society (2:13).
poison placed in a gallon of wholesome milk 12. They pretend to have roots in historic
is far more dangerous than a bottle of Christianity. "Sporting (revealing) themselves
marked poison, for the fatal milk is often with their own deceivings while they feast
unrecognised until it is too late (2:1). with you." This is thought to have referred to
2. They deny the Lord who bought them. This that love feast held in the early church before
little phrase completely refutes the doctrine the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:17-34).
of the limited atonement (2:1). 13. Their hearts are eaten up with adultery
3. They speak evil of the way of truth (2:2). (2:14). They cannot look at an attractive
In doing this they gather to themselves many woman without mentally undressing her.
disciples. "And many shall follow their 14. They entice the unstable (2:14).
pernicious (lustful) ways." False followers 15. They are materialistic to the core (2:14).
will go after false teachers. The passage in 16. They are children of cursing (2:14).
1 Cor. 11:19 explains why God permits the 17. They have totally forsaken the right way
cults of the day. (2:15).
4. They will exploit (if possible) the very elect 18. They are wells (springs) without water
of God. "And through covetousness shall (2:17).
they with feigned words make merchandise
of you" (2:3). The phrase translated
20
 the Epistle of Second Peter
19. They are empty "clouds that are carried with himself, and they enter in and dwell there:
a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is and the last state of that man is worse than
reserved for ever" (2:17). the first. Even so shall it be also unto this
Dr. K. Wuest writes: wicked generation" (Mt. 12:43-45).
"Tempest is lailaps in the Greek, referring to Here is a case of reformation without
a whirlwind, a tempestuous wind, a squall, regeneration! Peter then concludes:
violent wind. It is never a single gust, nor a "For it had been better for them
steadily blowing wind, however violent, but (false teachers) not to have known the way
a storm breaking from black thunder clouds of righteousness, than, after they have
in furious gusts ... throwing everything known it, to turn from the holy
topsy-turvy." (In These Last Days, p. 59) commandment delivered unto them"
20. They speak "great swelling words of vanity" (2:21).
(2:18). Again it should be observed that Christ
21. They play upon the sensual nature of man had previously spoken concerning this
(2:18). "They allure through the lusts of the subject.
flesh ... those that were clean escaped from "And that servant, which knew his lord's
them who live in error." In other words, they will, and prepared not himself, neither did
drag down to destruction those who might according to his will, shall be beaten with
have otherwise escaped. many stripes. But he that knew not, and
22. They are the blind leading the blind (2:19). did commit things worthy of stripes, shall
"While they promise them liberty, they be beaten with few stripes. For unto
themselves are the servants of corruption." whomsoever much is given, of him shall be
On at least two occasions our Lord referred much required: and to whom men have
to this characteristic while he was on earth. committed much, of him they will ask the
"Let them alone; they are blind leaders of more" (Lk. 12:47, 48).
the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, 24. They are as filthy hogs and dogs (2:22). "The
both shall fall into the ditch" (Mt. 15:14). dog is turned to his own vomit again; and,
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, the sow that was washed (in the Greek tense
hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to it is literally the sow that washed itself) to her
make one proselyte, and when he is made, wallowing in the mire. " Is Peter teaching
ye make him twofold more the child of hell here that a Christian can lose his salvation?
than yourselves" (Mt. 23:15). He is not: See his statements on eternal
23. Their "latter end is worse with them than the security in 1 Peter 1:3-5. Nowhere in the
beginning" (2:20). One of our Lord's most Bible does God call a believer a hog or a
frightening accounts on demonic activity dog. These are false teachers!
vividly illustrates the twenty-third 25. They ridicule the Second Coming and reject
characteristic of the enemies of the faith. He any thought of coming judgement. "Where is
said: the promise of his coming? For since the
"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they
man, he walketh through dry places, were from the beginning of the creation".
seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he (3:4).
saith, I will return into my house from 26. They utterly and eternally close their minds to
whence I came out; and when he is come those truths revealed in both God's world and
he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. in his Word. "For this they willingly are
Then goeth he, and taketh with himself ignorant of" (3:5). An agnostic is therefore
seven other spirits more wicked than not a person who says "I can't believe; " but
21
 the Epistle of Second Peter
rather, "I won't believe!" They are without heavens shall pass away with a great noise,
excuse. (See Rom. 1:18-20.) and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,
VIII. THE CONDEMNATION OF THE the earth also and the works that are therein
shall be burned up.'
FORMER WORLD OF GOD (3:5, 6). Yes, the earth will eventually undergo a
"The heavens were of old, and the earth cataclysmic destruction, which may well
standing out of the water and in the water: consist of actual atomic disintegration. The
whereby the world that then was, being Greek word translated 'elements' in the
overflowed with water perished." The phrase above passage actually means the basic
"the earth standing out of the water and in the subdivisions of matter, corresponding quite
water," may be a reference to the statement in closely to the modern scientific concept of the
Genesis 1:7: chemical elements. The word translated
"And God made the firmament (space), and 'melt' means 'break apart.' The phrase 'pass
divided the waters which were under the away' does not mean 'be annihilated' but,
firmament from the waters which were above rather 'pass out of sight.' The 'heavens' are not
the firmament." the stars, but the 'sky' or 'air.' Finally, `great
A number of Bible students have advocated a noise' and 'fervent heat' are intrinsically
canopy theory which teaches that prior to the associated with atomic explosions.
great Flood much of the ocean's present water Peter's prophecy may well describe,
volume was suspended in the upper atmosphere therefore, a final cataclysm when the earth
in the form of invisible water vapor. Thus, as itself, with its atmosphere, will experience a
early as the second day of creation, God had vast nuclear chain reaction and perish in a
already prepared for the watery judgement he tremendous atomic holocaust. Although it is
would employ in Noah's day. These conceivable that man's activities may lead to
atmospheric oceans then came pouring down as this final conflagration, it seems likely that
recorded in Genesis 7:11. The word God Himself will bring it about.
"overflowed" in the Greek is katakluzo, from The very existence of such a remarkable
whence our English word "cataclysm" comes. prophecy in the Bible is evidence of
IX. THE ANNIHILATION OF THE inspiration. The scientific discovery that
matter can be converted into energy is one of
PRESENT WORLD OF GOD (3:7-12).
the greatest triumphs of twentieth-century
Probably few men in America today are as science, and yet this plain forecast of atomic
qualified to write concerning these verses as is disintegration into `fervent heat' has been in
Dr. Henry Morris. Morris is the Director of the the Bible for 1,900 years."
Institute for Creation Research. He writes the There are, in fact, numerous other references in
following: the Bible indicating the fundamental equivalence
"Question: 'Will the world eventually be of matter and energy, and also the even more
destroyed in a nuclear holocaust?' Answer: remarkable fact that the structural integrity of
'The over-forty generation still remembers the "matter" is maintained by something which is
unbelievable headlines of August, 1945, non-material, the mysterious "binding energy" of
describing the awful destruction in Hiroshima, the atom.
when the first atomic bomb was unveiled and Peter, for example, says that the heavens and
the world entered the nuclear age. the earth which are now, are kept in store (that is,
Bible-believing Christians recall how they "preserved" or "conserved") by the same Word
thought immediately of the great prophecy in (2 Pet. 3:7) - by the same omnipotent Word
2 Peter 3:10: 'The day of the Lord will come which first created them. Similarly, in
as a thief in the night; in the which the 22
 the Epistle of Second Peter
Hebrews 1:3, the Scriptures say that the Creator, out forever. And that which brought on the
the Lord Jesus Christ, is now "upholding all curse - rebellion and sin, in the persons of the
things by the Word of his power." Note - "things" devil and his angels and of all those men who
are held together by "power;" or energy. have rejected or neglected God's Word and
Likewise, Paul says "in Christ all things consist" His great salvation in Jesus Christ - will be
(literally, "cohere") (Col. 1:17). separated forever from the presence of God
Finally the Bible tells us that "the worlds" (that and the redeemed.
is, the "space-time cosmos") were framed by the (Rev. 20:10-15; 2 Thess. 1:9)
Word of God, so that "things which are seen But then the earth, with its heavens, will be
were not made of things which do appear" made new again! 'We according to his
(Heb. 11:3). These are only a few of the scores of promise, look for new heavens and a new
examples of the scientific insights of the Bible, earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness
not, of course, couched in the technical jargon of (2 Pet. 3:13). 'Behold,' says the Lord Jesus, '1
modern textbooks, but expressing clearly the make all things new' (Rev. 21:5). The
basic truths behind the jargon. primeval creative power of the divine Word
Furthermore, not only is the basic fact of the will be exercised once more and the 'times of
essential non-mechanical nature of matter stated restitution of all things' (Acts 3:21) will
in the cited references, but also the actual identity come. God will answer the prayers of the
and source of the nuclear forces and binding faithful through the ages when they pray:
energies which hold the atomic nucleus together. 'Thy kingdom come; thy will be done, in
That source of power is nothing less than Christ earth, as it is in heaven' (Mt. 6:10).
Himself! He is the omnipotent Creator and How utterly, fantastically foolish it is today
Sustainer of the universe! for anyone to dare to question God's Word
"No wonder that Paul says: 'For in him we and to neglect His gracious gift of
live and move and have our being, so that he forgiveness and salvation. 'Heaven and earth
is not far from every one of us' shall pass away,' said Jesus, `but my words
(Acts 17:27, 28). The very atoms of our shall not pass away' (Mt. 24:35). 'The world
bodies are preserved from instant passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that
disintegration by the Lord Jesus Christ. The doeth the will of God abideth forever'"
very brain cells which men employ to devise (1 Jn. 2:17).
their vain speculations about their origin and (The Bible Has the Answer, pp. 344-346)
destiny, denying the Word which created X. THE NEW CREATION (3:13-18).
them, are held together by the One whom
they continually blaspheme by their unbelief. V13. The New Creation
If He were to withdraw His gracious (Isa. 65:17; 66:22; Rom. 21:1,2)
sustaining power for only an instant, the V14. This hope produces holiness
whole world would collapse into chaos. (1 Thess. 3:12, 13; 1 John 3:3)
And, in fact, that is exactly what is going to
happen some day! From the face of His wrath V15 - 16. These verses are the only
and His outraged grace and mercy, 'the earth inter-connective reference from one apostolic
and the heaven fled away; and there was epistle to another. In other words, Peter refers to
found no place for them' (Rev. 20:11). In the Paul's writings.
fires of atomic dissolution, all the age-long V17. Your knowledge should keep you on guard
effects of the Curse that have filled the earth against being led astray.
with the scars of physical convulsions,
disorders, decay, and death will be purged V18. Summary and Benediction.
23
 Study Questions for Second Peter
1. The theme of 1 Peter is _______________________, 2 Peter is ______ _____________________________

2. List 4 ways that 2 Peter may be compared to 2 Timothy. 1. _______________________________________

2.______________________________________ 3.____________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________

3. Write out the summary statement as found in 3:18: _______________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

4. The outline for 2 Peter has 10 points. What is the key word for each? 1. Multiplication 2.________________

______________________________ 3. ___________________________________ 4. Revelation

5. ____________________________ 6. ____________________________ 7. ________________________

8. Condemnation 9. ______________________________ 10. _____________________________________

5. What are we to add to our faith? 1. _____________ 2. __________________ 3. _______________________

4. ________________________ 5. _________________________ 6. _______________ 7. _____________

6. List the 3 reasons (verses) Ch. 1 is called the math chapter?

1._________________________________________________________________________________

2.__________________________________________________________________________________

3.__________________________________________________________________________________

7. Is anything more sure than being an eye witness? If so, what?______________________________________

8. "A ___________________ taken out of context, is a __________________________."

9. Should any one verse in the Bible be used to build a doctrine upon? ______ yes _______ no

10. The days of __________ and of _________ are given as examples of conditions just before the Lord returns.

11. Could the world be destroyed by atomic explosions? _____ yes ______ no. Give a reference _____________

12. What force holds the universe together now? ____________________________________________

13. We are to look for a ______ ____________ and a ______ _________, wherein dwelleth _______________.
14. Finally, we are to grow in ____________ and ____________________ of __________________________
24
 Additional Material for Second Peter
Date written - A. D. 65

From Explore the Book by J. Sidlow Baxter

SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER

The True Knowledge and The Sure Hope

I. The True "Knowledge" - In Which to Grow - Chapter One

A. How "these things" are to be "abounded" in (1:2-11).
B. Why "these things" are to be "remembered" (1:12-21).

II. The False "Teachers" - Who Were to Come - Chapter Two

A. Their havoc and their own destruction (2:1-9).
B. Their excesses and peril to believers (2:10-22).

III. The Sure "Promise" - For Age-End Days - Chapter Three

A. The promise upheld against scoffers (3:1-9).
B. The promise a challenge to believers (3:10-18).

From the Open Bible

OUTLINE OF SECOND PETER

I. Cultivation of Christian Character (1:1-21).

A. Salutation (1:1,2).
B. Growth in Christ (1:3-14).
C. Grounds of Belief (1:15-21).
1. Experience of the Transfiguration (1:15-18).
2. Certainty of the Scriptures (1:19-21).

II. Condemnation of False Teachers (2:1-22)

A. Danger of False Teachers (2:1-3).
B. Destruction of False Teachers (2:4-9).
C. Description of False Teachers (2:10-22).

III. Confidence of Christ's Return (3:1-18).

A. Mockery in the Last Days (3:1-7).
B. Manifestation of the Day of the Lord (3:8-10).
C. Maturity in View of the Day of the Lord (3:11-18).

25
 the Epistle of Jude
INTRODUCTION This brief message of twenty-five verses is the
vestibule (introduction) to the Revelation ...
by J. Sidlow Baxter Without Jude, the prophetic picture which
"The writer of this short but intense letter calls begins with the teachings of Christ in the
himself a 'bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of Gospels and develops throughout the epistle
James.' By common consent, the James here referred to would be incomplete. See Luke 18:8;
is the James who wrote the Epistle of James. If our 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1;
brief enquiry into the identity of that James be sound 2 Timothy 4:3; 2 Peter 2:1; 3:3. Jude brings the
(see additional material to that epistle), then both he teachings of the entire Bible about apostasy to a
and Jude were sons of Alphaeus and Mary, and were tremendous climax. He takes us back to the very
the cousins of our dear Lord. Jude's being so closely dawn of human history. We are reminded of
related to our Saviour after the flesh lends lustre to his apostasy at the gate of Eden and within God's
designation of himself as the 'bondservant of Jesus ancient people Israel. Our thoughts are turned to
Christ.' Our Lord's human kinsmen recognised His princes and prophets, to saints and sinners, to
Divine nature and glory, though some of them had eternal fire and everlasting darkness, to the sea
disbelieved at first, and were now His adoring and to the stars, to past judgements and future
servants." glory." (Dr. S. Maxwell Coder, Jude, the Acts
(J. Sidlow Baxter; Explore The Book;Vol. 6, page 313) of the Apostates, pp. 3, 4)
5. Jude has been called the judges of the New
INTRODUCTION Testament.
by H.L. Willmington 6. It is very similar to 2 Peter. Peter placed the
ministry of false teachers in the future
1. Jude was the brother of James (author of the (2 Pet. 2:1), whereas Jude saw them as already
book of James and first pastor of the Jerusalem present (1:4).
church in Acts 15) and half-brother of Jesus. 7. Jude refers to two non-canonical books.
(See Mk. 6:3.) They are:
2.Along with his brothers, Jude did not believe in a. The Assumption of Moses (Jude 9)
the ministry of Jesus until after the resurrection b. The Book of Enoch (1:14, 15 Paul had
(Jn. 7:3-8). But sometime between the previously also done this.
resurrection and ascension both boys were (See Acts 17:28; 2 Tim. 3:8.)
gloriously saved. They were present (along with 8. "Jude was intending to write an epistle
their mother Mary) in the upper room just prior regarding 'our common salvation; (3), when the
to Pentecost (Acts 1:13). Spirit detoured him to write concerning the
3. Jude was apparently married and was apostasy. It is a graphic and striking description
accompanied by his wife as he performed of the apostasy. What was a little cloud the size
missionary work (1 Cor. 9:5). of a man's hand in Jude's day is, in our day, a
4. "The beginning of the age of the Church is storm of hurricane proportions - because we are
described in the Acts of the Apostles. The end in the apostasy of which he foretold. It is a
of the Church Age is set forth in the Epistle of question now of how much worse it can become
Jude, which might well be called the Acts of the before genuine believers are taken out by the
Apostates Jude is the only book in all God's rapture."
Word entirely devoted to the great apostasy (Through the Bible, p. 293, J. Vernon McGee)
which is to come upon Christendom before the
Lord Jesus Christ returns.

26
 the Epistle of Jude
I. THE PROBLEM OF APOSTASY We note:
(VS. 1 - 4). 1. Jude's compulsion: "It was needful for me"
(v. 3). The meaning of the word needful is "to
A. The author of this epistle. bear down upon, to compress." God literally
"Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of pressured Jude to write this
James " (v. 1). We note Jude does not "pull (see also 1 Cor. 9:16).
rank" here by reminding us that he was an actual
2. Jude's command: "That ye should earnestly
half-brother of Jesus.
contend for the faith which was once delivered
B. The recipients of this epistle.
unto the saints" (v. 3).
"To them that are sanctified by God the Father,
He said we are to contend, but not be contentious.
and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called" (v. 1).
For the latter, see Titus 3:9. To contend involves
The phrase "preserved in Jesus Christ;" should
both defence and offence. An excellent Old
be translated "kept for Jesus Christ." It is used
Testament example of this is found in
of Peter's and Paul's imprisonments in
Nehemiah 4:17, 18.
Acts 12:5 and 25:4, 21. (See also 1 Pet. 1:4.)
Note also what we are to contend for. It is the
Even before Jude warns about the terrible
faith, that is, the entire Word of God.
apostasy which had already settled down upon
Furthermore, this faith (in the Greek language)
the world of his day and would grow
was once for all delivered unto the saints! John
progressively worse, he reassures the believers
would later warn all not to add to or take from
that they are kept for Christ! Here he supplies us
this faith (see Rev. 22:18, 19).
with the inspired answer to the prayer of Christ:
3. Jude's concern. "For there are certain men crept
"Holy Father, keep through thine own name
in unawares ..." (v. 4). The word "unawares" is
those whom thou hast given me" (Jn. 17:11).
literally "having settled down alongside"
(See also 1 Thess. 5:23.)
(see also 2 Pet. 2:1).
Jude continues with, "Mercy unto you, and
peace, and love, be multiplied" (v. 2). II. THE DESCRIPTION OF APOSTASY.
S. Maxwell Coder writes: In no less than sixteen tense and terrible terms, Jude
"There is an upward look in the word mercy, describes the filthy fruit of apostasy. Before listing
an inward look in the word peace, and an these, let us define what an apostate really is.
outward look in the word love. These three S. Maxwell Coder writes:
related us properly to God, to our own inner "An apostate has received light, but not life. He
being, and to our brethren around us. When may have received, in some degree, the written
they are multiplied, and only then, will we be Word; but he has not received the living Word,
able to cope with the great apostasy." the Son of God" (Jude, the Acts of the
(Jude, the Acts of the Apostates, p. 13) Apostates, p. 21).
C. The purpose of this epistle (vs. 3, 4). (See also 2 Thess. 2:10; Acts 8:13-23.)
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write Now let us consider their doctrine.
unto you of the common salvation, it was A. They are ungodly men (v. 4). This means
needful for me to write unto you, and exhort they are destitute of reverential awe toward
you that ye should earnestly contend for the God (2 Tim. 3:5).
faith which was once delivered unto the saints. B. They twist God's grace into licentiousness
For there are certain men crept in unawares, (v. 4). This is what the cults of the day do.
who were before of old ordained to this C. They deny and say harsh things about the
condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace Person and work of Christ (vs. 4, 15). This is
of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the what the heretics of the day do (Titus 1:16).
only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." D. They are given over to sensuous dreams
27 (v. 8).
 the Epistle of Jude
E. They defile the flesh (theirs and others') (v. 8). Heb. 3:12, 18, 19; 4:1.) The word apollumi,
F. They reject both divine and human translated "destroyed" in this verse, is used
authority (v. 8). elsewhere as "physical death" (Lk. 15:17).
G. They ridicule the existence of angels (v. 8). B. The angels:
H. They mock and curse at anything they do "And the angels which kept not their first estate,
not understand (v. 10). but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in
I. They "do their thing" like dumb and everlasting chains under darkness unto the
unreasoning animals (v. 10). judgement of the great day" (v. 6).
J. They are grumblers and faultfinders (v. 16). We shall deal with this group of apostates after
K. They follow after their own lusts (v. 16). discussing the sin and destruction of Sodom and
L. They are arrogant (v. 16). Gomorrah.
M. They flatter people, using flowery language C. The citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah:
for the sake of gaining an advantage (v. 16). "Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities
N. They are divisive (v. 19). about them in like manner, giving themselves
O. They are worldly-minded (v. 19). over to fornication, and going after strange flesh,
P. They are devoid of the Spirit (v. 19). are set forth for an example, suffering the
vengeance of external fire" (v. 7).
III. THE HISTORICAL EXAMPLES OF Some of the most depraved sexual perverts
APOSTASY (VS. 5, 6, 7, 9, 11). of ancient times lived in Sodom. God destroyed
In the above verses Jude describes seven this cesspool of sin in Genesis 19.
individuals or groups of individuals who fell into Let us now go back to the wicked angels of
apostasy. verse 6, for a similarity may exist between their
A. Israel: sin and that of Sodom. Here we must consider
"I will therefore put you in remembrance, two things:
though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, 1. The fact of their sin. The Scriptures are
having saved the people out of the land of explicit that there exist two kinds of fallen
Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed angels - the unchained and those chained. The
not" (v. 5). unchained at present have access to high places
1. Question: When and where did this take and to the bodies of unsaved men
place? It began at Kadesh-barnea shortly after (Eph. 6:12; Lk. 8:27; Mk. 1:23). These
Israel had left Egypt for Palestine. Here at unchained angels will, of course, someday be
Kadesh they were influenced by the "mixed judged by God. Their one main sin was that of
multitude ' (an unsaved group of Egyptians following Satan in his foul rebellion against God
and non-Hebrews) who had left Egypt with (1 Cor. 6:3; Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:12-19).
them, causing them to rebel against God's The chained are at present already incarcerated,
Word. as stated by both Peter (2 Pet. 2:4) and Jude. It
2. Question: Does this mean that all the was apparently to this place that certain
children of Israel became apostates, and, upon unchained fallen angels on two separate
dying, went into eternal hell? occasions begged Christ not to send them
It does not, for God never sends his people "before their time" (Mk. 1:24; Lk. 8:31;
to hell. (See Ex. 3:7; 5:1; Deut. 33:29.) Mt. 8:28).
What it does mean is that it is tragically 2. The nature of their sin. It is believed that the
possible for even believers to become sin which led to this premature punishment of a
ensnared into the trap of apostasy and suffer limited number of fallen angels can be directly
for it without actually becoming apostates linked to Genesis 6. It will be remembered that
themselves. (See also 1 Cor. 10:1-12; in this chapter we read of the "sons of God"
28
 the Epistle of Jude
marrying the "daughters of men." Many believe D. The devil:
this to be a reference to fallen angels (sons of "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending
God) actually mating with earthly women with the devil he disputed about the body of
(daughters of men). Dr. Kenneth Wuest, Moses, durst not bring against him a railing
Greek scholar, brings out the fact that the accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee "
words in Jude "in like manner" are an adverbial (v. 9).
accusative, referring back to the phrase "giving In this passage Satan is indirectly brought in as
themselves over to fornication." In other words, an apostate.
the comparison is made between the sin of 1. The source of this statement: It appears
Sodom and the sin of these angels. What was to have been quoted from a first-century
sin of Sodom? The answer of course was the book entitled The Assumption of Moses.
sexual perversion. Wuest writes, A copy of this was found in 1861. This, of
"The word 'strange' is the translation of the course, does not mean that the entire book
Greek word heteras which means 'another was inspired simply because Jude takes one
of a different kind.' In committing this sin of little part from it. Paul quoted from
fornication, the angels transgressed the Titus 1:2. He also mentions the name of
limits of their own kind, and invaded the two of the magicians in Egypt, although
realm of another order of being. The sin of their names are not mentioned in the Old
Sodom was the transgressing of the male Testament (2 Tim. 3:8). James also tells us
beyond the limitations imposed by God." that Elijah's prayer caused a
(Word Studies in First Peter, p. 103) three-and-a-half-year drought, a fact not
3. One final thought concerning this passage recorded in the Old Testament account
and this subject. Jude is admonishing his (Jas. 5:17; cf. 1 Ki. 17:1; 18:1).
readers to remember three well-known Old 2. The theology of this statement: Why did
Testament examples of apostasy. These were: Satan desire Moses' body? The Assumption
a. The historical example of Israel's unbelief. of Moses gives two reasons why Moses
b. The historical example of those angels who should not have a decent burial.
kept not their first estate. a. Because Moses had formerly murdered
c. The historical example of Sodom's an Egyptian.
destruction. b. Because he (Satan) was king of death
Concerning the first example, the minds of and had a right to all dead bodies.
Jude's readers would immediately go back to Two other reasons have been offered by
Numbers 14, the account of Israel's great church theologians to explain this, both of
rebellion at Kadesh-barnea. As they read the which seem more reasonable than the above
third example, they would at once remember the two.
frightful passage recorded in Genesis 19, the c. Because Satan wanted the body to be
fiery destruction of Sodom on the plains. But found by Israel and worshipped as a
what other chapter would come to mind sacred relic. We do know that the nation
concerning the second historical example if would later worship the serpent of brass
Genesis 6 is ruled out? Note: At this point we he had once made (2 Ki. 13:4).
have described for us representatives of each of d. Because Satan desired to keep Moses
the three great classes of God's creatures from appearing with Elijah on the Mount
mentioned in Scripture: saved men, angels, and of Transfiguration (Mt. 17).
unsaved men. 3. The hero of this statement.
In Deuteronomy 34:5, 6 we read, "So
Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there
29
 the Epistle of Jude
in the land of Moab, according to the word IV. THE METAPHORS OF APOSTASY.
of the Lord. And he buried him in a valley "These men are those who are hidden reefs in your
in the land of Moab ... but no man knoweth love-feasts when they feast with you without fear,
of his sepulchre unto this day." Apparently caring for themselves; clouds without water,
the "he" in this verse is a reference to the carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit,
archangel Michael, the hero of this doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea,
statement. He is mentioned three times in casting up their own shame like foam; wandering
the Old Testament (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:l) stars, for whom the black darkness has been
and again in the New Testament, in reserved forever" (vs. 12, 13, New American
addition to the reference in Jude Standard Bible).
(Rev. 12:7-9).
Once again, to quote from S. Maxwell Coder:
E. Cain. "The more minutely we examine this great epistle,
"Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way
the most impressive becomes its delineation of the
of Cain" (v. 11). The way (apostasy) of Cain is
doctrine of apostasy. Jude has now covered the
described in Genesis 4:1-7. He brought a
whole creation, from angels to men and brute
bloodless sacrifice to God. That is the way of the
beasts. There yet remains the realm of nature, and
apostate liberals of our day. They look to culture
in five flashing inspired word-pictures he brings
instead of Calvary. (See 1 Jn. 3:11, 12.)
before us the earth, the air, the trees, the sea, and
F. Balaam. the starry heavens, to complete the panorama
"And ran greedily after the error of Balaam for
needed to provide the church with a magnificent
reward" (v. 11). Balaam was a false
final summary of conditions as they are to be in
money-grabbing prophet mentioned in
Christendom just before the scenes of Revelation
Numbers 22-25. Thus the error of Balaam was
are unveiled."
making merchandise of the gospel ministry. Many
(Jude, the Acts of the Apostates, p. 75)
modern apostates do this.
A. Hidden Rocks. Describing the unseen dangers
G. Korah.
of apostasy. We note that these rocks are hidden
"And perished in the gainsaying of Korah"
in the Christian love-feasts, a reference to the
(v. 11). In Numbers 16 Korah led a rebellion
Lord's Table in the early days of the church. How
against Moses, the official spokesman for God.
are we to understand this? Paul explains it in
For this great sin he was sent down into the Pit,
1 Corinthians 11:17-30. The first-century church
the earth opening up its bowels and swallowing
had a full meal in connection with Holy
him. Present-day apostates speak evil against
Communion. But some of these apostates
pastors, missionaries, Bible teachers, and other
(or perhaps believers influenced by apostasy) had
God-appointed men.
joined themselves at these gatherings. As a result,
In summarising this section, note the words of
some practised gluttony and drunkenness, while
S. Maxwell Coder:
others were actually going hungry. Divine
"Cain was a tiller of the soil; Balaam was a
judgement had taken many in death due to this.
prophet, Korah was a prince in Israel. One
B. Waterless clouds. Describing the false promises
reason for this selection of three men may be
of apostasy. (See also Prov. 25:14.)
to demonstrate that apostasy is not confined
These clouds are said to be carried along by the
to one class of persons. This evil is not
winds. Doubt less the "winds" here are demonic
peculiar to religious leaders. It touches
activity. Apostates are the captives of Satan.
prophets, princes, and people alike. There are
For a refreshing contrast, see 2 Peter 1:21.
apostates in pulpit, palace, and poorhouse."
C. Autumn trees. Describing the barren profession
(Jude, the Acts of the Apostates, p. 66)
of apostasy. The Greek phrase here is literally
30 "late autumn trees;" suggesting the fact that the
 the Epistle of Jude
great apostasy is to come as the autumn of the contained 108 chapters. In 1773 a copy of this
Church Age is waning and the winter of work was discovered. The apostle Jude was
judgement is nigh. (See also Mt. 13:30; 15:30; inspired by God to take the words which are
Prov. 2:22.) found here in verses 14, 15 from this book.
D. Wild waves. Describing the wasted effort of B. The speaker of this statement. The book, of
apostasy. The sea is often a symbol for evil in the course, was not written by Enoch, but the
Bible (Isa. 57:20, 21). The apostasy of the last statement here was apparently taken from his
days will be characterised by much learning. text. Both Enoch and Noah were fearless
(2 Tim. 3:7) and mighty works (Mt. 7:22), but preachers of prophecy and righteousness.
neither to any avail. (See also 2 Pet. 2:5.)
E. Wandering stars. This describes the aimless The amazing faith of this pre-Flood prophet
purpose of apostasy - perhaps the most frightening may be seen in that he predicted the Second
characteristic of apostasy. Coming of Christ centuries before our Lord
A quote from S. Maxwell Coder is appropriate came the first time! Enoch thus predicts his
here: coming in Genesis, while John proclaims it in
"By way of contrast, true believers enjoy a Revelation (see Rev. 19:11-14). Both men refer
lifelong love-feast. They are borne along by the to the same event.
Holy Spirit, unmoved by winds of false doctrine. 1. He comes with his saints
After a life of fruitfulness, they go home to be (Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 3:13).
with Christ, in glory and honor. Forever 2. He comes to judge (Heb. 9:26-28; 2 Pet. 3:7).
afterward they dwell in light unutterable. Instead VI. THE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST
of being lifeless, dangerous rocks, they are living
stones (1 Pet. 2:5). Rather than waterless clouds
APOSTASY (VS. 20 - 25).
they are sources of living water (Jn. 7:38). far A. We are to build. "But ye, beloved, building up
from being dead trees, they are called 'trees of yourselves on your most holy faith" (v. 20).
righteousness, the planting of the Lord' This is accomplished through the Word of God.
(Isa. 61:3). In contrast with raging waves, their (See 2 Pet. 1:5-7; Acts 20:32; Rom. 10:17;
peace is like a river and their righteousness as 1 Pet. 22; 1 Jn. 2:5.)
the waves of the sea (Isa. 48:18). Whereas B. We are to pray. "Praying in the Holy Ghost"
wandering stars have reserved for them the (v. 20). See Ephesians 6:18.
blackness of darkness forever, true believers C. We are to keep ourselves in God's love. In
shall shine as the stars forever and ever" verse 1 we are kept for Jesus, but here we are
(Dan. 12:3). (Jude, the Acts of the Apostates, to keep in God's love. How is this done? While
pp. 82, 83) the believer cannot escape the boundary of
God's love (Ps. 139:7-12), he can withdraw
V. THE JUDGEMENT OF APOSTASY.
himself from the full blessings of this love
"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, (Jn. 15:9).
prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord D. We are to anticipate the rapture.
cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute "Looking For the mercy of our Lord Jesus
judgement upon all, and to convince all that are Christ unto eternal life" (v. 21; see also
ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds Lk. 12:37; Titus 2:13).
which they have ungodly committed, and of all E. We are to win the lost (vs. 22, 23).
their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have
spoken against him" (vs. 14, 15).
A. The source of this statement.
Around 100 B.C., a non-canonical book
entitled The Book of Enoch was written. It 31
 Study Questions for Jude
1. Who was Jude?___________________________________________________________________________

2. This epistle might be called "The Acts ____ _______ ________________".

3. The end of the ______________________ ________________________ is set forth in Jude.

4. What one word would you use to describe the subject of Jude? ____________________________

5. What is the 6 point outline of Jude? (1)________________________________________________________

(2) ____________________ ____________________ (3) ________________________________________

(4) _________________________ ______________ _(5) ________________________________________

(6) __________________________________________

6. List the seven (7) individuals or groups who fell into apostasy: (1) ________________ (2) _____________

(3) _______________________________ (4) __________________________ (5) ____________________

(6) _______________________________ (7) _____________________________

7. What two non-Biblical books does Jude quote from? (1)___________________________________________

(2).____________________________________________________________________________________

8. Give a description of an Apostate ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

9. Complete Jude's wonderful benediction: "Now unto Him that is _____________________ to keep you

from ________________________________, and to present you __________________________ before the

_________________ ____________ of His ________________ with exceeding _____________, to the

only _____________ God, our Saviour, be ____________ and ____________________________________,

____________ and power, both now and ever. Amen

32
 Additional Outlines for Jude
From J. Sidlow Baxter; Explore the Book; Vol 6; p. 315
THE EPISTLE OF JUDE
Contend for the Faith.
Key verse - verse 3

Greetings, verses 1,2

WHY TO CONTEND - APOSTATE TEACHERS ( vs. 3 - 16).
Their subtle perversions: two basic denials (3,4)
Their certain doom: three historic examples (5-7).
Their impious ways: three historic examples (8-11).
Their utter falsity: six awful metaphors (12-13).
Enoch's prophecy: Coming destruction (14-166).
HOW TO CONTEND - OUR TRUE RESOURCES ( 17 - 23).
Realise that the apostasy has been foretold (17-19).
"Build," "pray in the Spirit," "keep," "look" (20,21).
Show compassion towards certain who contend (22).
Others seek urgently to rescue: but keep pure (23).
Jude's doxology: Coming consummation.

From the Living Bible

"The author identifies himself as "the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James" (v. 1). This designation,
combined with the reference in verse 17 to the apostles, makes it unlikely that this is the apostle Jude, called
"Judas the brother of James" in Luke 6:16 and in Acts 1:13. This leaves the traditional view that Jude was one of
the Lord's brothers, called Judas in Matt. 13:55 and Mark 6:3...
Jude's description of these heretics is reminiscent of that found in Second Peter and leads to the issue of the
relationship between the two epistles...two arguments for the priority (written first) of Second Peter are so
strong that they tip the scales in favor of this position: (1) A comparison of the two books shows that Second
Peter anticipates the future rise of apostate teachers (2 Pet. 2:1,2; 3:3) while Jude records the historical fulfilment
of Peter's words (Jude 4, 11, 12, 17, 18); (2) Jude directly quotes Second Peter 3:3 and acknowledges it as a
quotation from the apostles (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1).
Because of the silence of the New Testament and tradition concerning Jude's later years, we cannot know
where this epistle was written. Nor is there any way to be certain of its date. Assuming the priority of Second
Peter ( A. D. 64-66), the probable range is A. D. 66-80..."
(A. D. 66 is generally accepted).

OUTLINE OF JUDE
I. Purpose of Jude (1 - 4)
II. Description of False Teachers (5 - 16).
A. Past Judgement of False Teachers (5 - 7).
B. Present Characteristics of False Teachers ( 8 - 13).
C. Future Judgement of False Teachers ( 14 - 16).
III. Defence Against False Teachers ( 17 - 23).
IV. Doxology of Jude (24,25).
 EXAM FOR FIRST PETER,
PETER, SECOND PETER & JUDE

Student's Name:_________________ Teacher's Name:_____________ Date: / /

FIRST PETER
1. List the apostles who wrote N. T. books or epistles. _____________________________________________

2. What is the outline of 1 Peter? 1. ______________________________ 2. ___________________________

3. ________________________________________ 4. _________________________________________

3. Did the O. T. Prophets ever write things that they did not understand? _____yes _____no (check one)

4. What is the cost of our redemption? __________________________________________________________

5. "As newborn babes (new Christians), desire ________________________________________________, that

ye may grow thereby." (finish the verse)

6. Every believer is a (circle one) prophet priest king

7. What is the fourfold sacrifice we are to offer to God? 1. _____________________ 2.. _________________

3. _____________________________ 4. ____________________________

8. What are the two duties that we owe our government?

1.________________________________ 2. _________________________________

9. List the 4 things sufferings can accomplish. 1. ________________________ 2. _______________________

3. _________________________________________ 4. _________________________________________

10. List the 4 responsibilities of the Shepherd (pastor) 1. _________________________ 2. _________________

3. __________________________________________ 4. ________________________________________

11. Fill in the blanks: "...Yea, all of you be subject ______ ___ _______, and be clothed with ____________..."

SECOND PETER
12. The theme of 1 Peter is _______________________, II Peter is ______ _____________________________

13. What are we to add to our faith? 1. _____________ 2. __________________ 3. ______________________

4. ______________________5.______________________6._________________7.___________________

14. Is anything more sure than being an eye witness? If so, what?______________________________________
 EXAM FOR FIRST PETER,
PETER, SECOND PETER & JUDE

15. The days of __________ and of _________ are given as examples of conditions just before the Lord returns.

16. Could the world be destroyed by atomic explosions? _____ yes ______ no.

Give a reference _______________

17. We are to look for a ______ ____________ and a ______ _________, wherein dwelleth _______________.

Jude
18. Who was Jude?__________________________________________________________________________

19. This epistle might be called "The Acts ____ _______ ________________".

20. The end of the ______________________ ________________________ is set forth in Jude.

21. What one word would you use to describe the subject of Jude? ____________________________

22. Complete Jude's wonderful benediction: "Now unto Him that is _____________________ to keep you

from ________________________________, and to present you __________________________ before the

_________________ ____________ of His ________________ with exceeding _____________, to the

only _____________ God, our Saviour, be ____________ and ____________________________________,

____________ and power, both now and ever. Amen

23. I have read _______% of the printed material and ______% of the books of First Peter,
Second Peter and Jude from the Bible.

24. I have looked up _____% of the Scripture references in First Peter, Second Peter and Jude.

24. In my through the Bible reading I have read Matt. 1:1 to ____________ this school year.

25. Write the N. T. books in order:

 the Epistles of First
First and Second Peter, Jude
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FIRST PETER - INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
I. God's Salvation: The Details of Sovereignty (1:1-25). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
II. God's Salvation: The Duties of Saints (2:1-3:13). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
III. God's Salvation: The Discipline of Suffering (3:14 - 4:19) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
IV. God's Salvation: The Delights of Service (5:1-14). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Study Questions and Additional Outlines...................................................................................................14-15
SECOND PETER - INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
I. The Multiplication of the Power of God (1:1 - 4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
II. The Additions by the Child of God (1:5 - 9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
III. The Examination of the Calling of God (1:10 - 12). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
IV. The Revelation to the Apostle of God (1:13 - 15). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
V. The Transfiguration of the Son of God (1:16 - l8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
VI. The Inspiration of the Word of God (1:19 - 21). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
VII. The Deviation of the Enemies of God (2:1 - 3:4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
VIII. The Condemnation of the Former World of God (3:5, 6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
IX. The Annihilation of the Present World of God (3:7 - 12). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
X. The New Creation (3:13-18). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Study Questions and Additional Outlines...................................................................................................24-25
JUDE - INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
I. The Problem of Apostasy (vs. 1 - 4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
II. The Description of Apostasy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
III. The Historical Examples of Apostasy (vs. 5, 6, 7, 9, 11). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
IV. The Metaphors of Apostasy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
V. The Judgement of Apostasy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
VI. The Safeguards Against Apostasy (vs. 20 - 25). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Study Questions and Additional Outlines...................................................................................................32-33

REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS BLOCK:

1. Read all the material for this block.
2. Look and read all the verses in the material as you read through the material.
3. Fill in the answers to your STUDY QUESTIONS ahead of time so you will be better
prepared for the EXAM during the final hour.
4. T-H-I-N-K as you read this material. It will be a blessing to you.
It will also change your life.