July 13th 2025 2 peter 1 v 8 - 21
8,9. If these things be in you, and abound. The word be in means "to be under one as a foundation or basis."
This is implied in regeneration, in the Spirit's presence in the heart.
But the matter of abounding implies Christian growth and the Spirit's fullness or full control as experienced by believers at Pentecost and since
Neither barren (unworking) nor unfruitful. The fruit of the Spirit, if we rightly UNDERSTAND, is the character of Christ understood in the Christian.
In the description of this fruit in Gal 5 v 22,23, divine love (agape) is mentioned first; and the other graces, seven in number, are subsumed under it.
These are closely related in their spirit and meaning to Peter's list
In Col 3:14 Paul mentions divine love last as the comprehensive summation of the graces, the way as Peter does The Father is glorified as the believer bears much fruit
In the knowledge of our Lord. This is a statement of the direction in which Christian conquest bears.
V 9 The alternative is then mentioned.
It is blindness and spiritual intolerance, and a weakened sense of spiritual reality and life.
V 10. Give diligence (make it your business) to make your calling and election sure (firm).
Here is personal responsibility with reference to God's call and choice of them.
If ye do (keep on doing) ... ye shall never fall ( stumble) Obedience is not optional in any consideration of Christian safety.
V 11. An entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly (richly)
Good stewardship of Christ's riches will bear eternal proceeds. The Christian, endowed with wealth through Christ's provision, invests and saves for future wealth (1 Tim 6 v 19).
V 12. I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance . . . though ye know . . . and be" estab1ished. The sense in the Greek is, I will be intending to remind you always."
Even where knowledge and establishment exist, there is need for motivation and exhortation:
V 13-15. As long as I am in this tabernacle.
Christ, in his post-resurrection commissioning of Peter, had intimated that the apostle would die a martyr's death (John 21 v 18). This is probably that to which Peter refers in verse
V14. A sense of the brevity of his life adds weight to his feeling of responsibility for his readers.
After my decease. Peter's epistles would serve to extend his care and admonition for his brethren.
V 16-18. We have not followed cunningly devised fables . . . but were eyewitnesses.
The authenticity of the apostolic witness urges this reinforcement of it. Peter here speaks of a previous ministry to these people. This may be a reference to his sermon on Pentecost when some of them
had been present or it may refer to labours among them in Asia Minor.
This is my beloved Son. This reference to the Transfiguration scene may well have implied a rebuke to the false teachers who, if Colossians describes a parallel situation, were inclined toward the adoration of angels, thus reducing the pre-eminence of Christ.
V 19-21. We have also a more sure word of prophecy. Taken with what is said in verse 21, the reference of these verses seems to be to the OT Scriptures.
It is an amazing assessment of the validity of Holy Scripture that Peter declares it to be more dependable than a voice from heaven heard with the natural ear.
By implication, here is a rebuke for those teachers who went far beyond Scripture, constructing cunningly devised mystical theories.
Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, (or spake from God, being borne along by the Holy Spirit).
This passage strongly recalls the comment on prophetic inspiration recorded in 1 Pet 1 v 10-12, another link between the two epistles.
News from the Church New dates
16th July…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
if you just want to talk well that’s OK too
6th August..…..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
ANSWERS TO 6th July QUESTIONS
1) Joseph of Arimathea 2) Ceasar Augustus 3) Simon of Cyrene 4)Nathanael 5) John
6) A rich young ruler 7) The Shepherds 8) Pilate 9) Peter, James and John 10) Simeon 11) Bartimeus 12) Zechariah 13) Matthias 14) Aquila 15) Philip 16) Saul (Paul)
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is MEN in the NEW TESTAMENT
1 Who was the silversmith that stirred up opposition to Paul?
2 Who was Paul’s companion on his first missionary journey?
3 Who tried to deceive God and was struck dead?
4 Who healed the crippled man at the temple gate called Beautiful?
5 Who was the first Christian martyr?
6 Who saw a vision of a sheet full of animals let down from heaven?
7 Who cast out the demon possessed girl at Philippi ?
8 Which roman centurion heard the gospel from Peter?
9 Who else was imprisoned with Paul at Philippi?
10 Who raised Dorcas from the dead?
11 Who wrote the book of Acts?
12 Who was almost persuaded to become a Christian, after hearing Paul’s testimony?
13 Who Baptized Saul?
14 Which apostle was killed by Herod with the sword?
15 Who went with Paul on his second missionary journey?
16 Who Aquila and Priscilla teach the way of God more clearly?
2 PETER 3 V 10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night
In the which the heavens shall pass away with great noise
And the elements shall melt with fervent heat
The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up
God Bless