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2 Peter 1:16-21 Inductive Bible Study Notes, Cross References, Outline, and Discussion Questions
Three Faithful Witnesses
Chapter 1:16-21
2 Pe 1:16-21
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased" —
18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,
21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Key Words
· Made 5
· Prophecy 3
· Utterance 2
· Glory 2
· Majesty 2
· Know 2
· Eyewitnesses 1
· Holy 2
Titles
Three Faithful Witnesses
Outline
I. The Witness of the Apostles 16
II. The Witness of the Father 17-18
III. The Witness of the Word 19-21
Cross References, Questions, Observations
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
1 Co 1:17
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.
Eph 4:14
14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
1 Ti 1:4
4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.
1 Ti 4:7
7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
Tit 1:14
14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
Mt 28:18
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Mark 9:1
9:1 The Transfiguration And Jesus was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."
Php 3:21
21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
Mt 24:3
3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
Mt 24:27
27 " For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Ac 1:11
11 They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."
Mt 17:1-5
1 Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.
2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.
3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!"
Jn 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
1 Jn 1:3
3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
1 Jn 4:14
14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
a) What are some ways that people may do this today?
1) Often today, people try to candy coat the gospel just to get a “decision”.
17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased" —
Mk 1:11
11 and a voice came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."
a)
1)
18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
Mt 17:5-6
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!"
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified.
Isa 11:9
9 They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.
Isa 56:7
7 Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples."
Zec 8:3
3 "Thus says the LORD, 'I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.'
Mt 17:1
1 Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.
Mt 17:6
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified.
a) What is the Holy mountain?
b) What affect do you think this had on their faith?
c) What affect would it have on your faith if it happened to you today?
d) Why do you think this event took place?
1)
19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
Ps 19:7-9
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
Lk 16:31
31 "But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Jn 5:39
39 "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;
Ac 17:11
11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Mt 7:24
24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Mk 4:24
24 "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more.
NIV
Jas 1:22
22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
a) What is the prophetic word that is more sure with us?
b) Explain what the lamp shining in the darkness refers to.
c) What does this dawning of the day refer to?
1)
20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,
Ro 6:6
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
1 Ti 1:9
9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers
2 Pe 3:3
3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
1 Ti 1:6-7
6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,
7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
a) Why does he say to know this first of all?
b) What does it mean when you have a different interpretation from someone else?
c) How do you know if you have the correct interpretation of a passage?
1)
21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Jer 23:16
16 Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the LORD.
Lk 1:70
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old —
2 Ti 3:16
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
2 Sa 23:2
2 "The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.
Lk 1:70
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old —
Ac 1:16
16 "Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
Ac 3:18
18 "But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.
Ac 28:25
25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,
Heb 9:8
8 The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing,
Heb 10:15
15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,
a)
1) God only used holy men to pen His Holy Word!
Key Verse
21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Central Teaching
God supplies abundant faithful witnesses on which to base our faith.
Application - You Make Your Own!
Memorize 2 Pet 1:20-21 and use it in conversation to encourage young believers and witness to unbelievers.
Study on 2 Peter Chapter by Chapter
| 2 Peter 1:1-9 | 2 Peter 1:10-15 | 2 Peter 1:16-21 | 2 Peter 2:1-11 |
| 2 Peter 2:12-16 | 2 Peter 2:17-22 | 2 Peter 3:1-6 | 2 Peter 3:7-13 |
| 2 Peter 3:14-18 |