I preached this last Sunday morning on 2 Peter 1:12-21. Peter
is assuring his readers that he will continually repeat and reinforce the
message that has been entrusted to him. The truth of the gospel was not a fairytale
to Peter. It was not just a collection of stories that encouraged mankind to
live elevated lives. No, Peter claims that he was an eyewitness not only to the
earthly ministry of Christ, but also to the transfiguration. This event was
when God the Father spoke in affirmation of Jesus, and in doing so confirmed
the deity of Christ (the Greek phrasing here speaks of a oneness of being). To
Peter, the truth of the gospel was real; he had seen it and experienced it for
himself. But, when you move past this section in the passage to verse 19 you see
Peter reveal something incredible. Peter tells his readers that we have
something more sure than personal experience; we have the word of the prophets.
Now, Peter is referring not just to the major and minor prophets in the Old
Testament; he intends to indicate the Old Testament Scriptures generally (it
should not be overlooked that just two chapters over in 3:16 Peter refers to
Paul’s New Testament writings as Scripture as well). In other words, the word
of God trumps personal experience. If we are seeking truth in this life, Peter
would argue, God’s word is more sure than anything else, personal experience or
otherwise.
Below is a link to the full sermon video:
