Sermons on 2 Peter 1:16-21

2 Peter 1:16-21 Interpretation:

The Bible: Our Foundation and Guiding Light (CSFBC) interprets 2 Peter 1:16-21 as a robust defense of the divine inspiration and reliability of Scripture, emphasizing that the Bible is not merely a collection of human ideas or myths but is grounded in eyewitness testimony and divine revelation. The sermon uses the analogy of eyewitnesses in a court of law to illustrate the credibility of the apostles' testimony, and it draws a parallel between Moses receiving the law on Mount Sinai and the apostles receiving revelation, highlighting that both were direct encounters with God. The preacher also explores the Greek phrase regarding prophecy not coming from "someone's own interpretation," clarifying that Peter refers to the origin of Scripture, not its explanation, and that the authors were "carried along" by the Holy Spirit, not acting as mere automatons but as vessels guided by God.

Grounding Faith in the Authority of Scripture (Alistair Begg) offers a nuanced interpretation by focusing on the Transfiguration as a preview of Christ’s return and the authority of apostolic eyewitness testimony. The sermon uses the metaphor of prophets as ships raising their sails, with the Holy Spirit as the wind that "carries them along," emphasizing the cooperative but divinely directed nature of inspiration. Begg also addresses the phrase "word of the prophets made more certain," referencing Calvin’s view that the authority of the Old Testament is unchanged but is brought into full bloom by Christ’s advent, and he warns against seeking new revelations or voices from heaven, urging believers to rely on the sufficiency of Scripture.

Anchored in Christ: Navigating Life's Storms with Faith (Harmony Baptist Church of Waynesville, MO) interprets 2 Peter 1:16-21 through the metaphor of an anchor, drawing on the preacher’s naval experience. The sermon likens the reliability of God’s Word to the necessity of having the right anchor in the right place, warning that anchoring to anything other than Christ and Scripture leads to spiritual drift. The analogy extends to the process of dropping anchor, emphasizing the need for guidance (charts, depth) and relating it to the Holy Spirit’s role in guiding the biblical authors.

Embracing Sola Scriptura: The Authority of God's Word (Ligonier Ministries) interprets the passage as a foundational text for Sola Scriptura, contrasting the certainty of apostolic eyewitness and the prophetic word with the unreliability of human tradition or experience. The preacher highlights that Peter’s experience at the Transfiguration led him to trust Scripture even more, and he draws a distinction between seeking special experiences and relying on the "lamp shining in a dark place"—the Bible. The sermon also explores the Greek for "carried along by the Holy Spirit," emphasizing that the biblical writers were not simply inspired in a vague sense but were moved to write exactly what God intended, using their own personalities and contexts.

Proclaiming the Historical Truth of the Gospel (Ligonier Ministries) interprets 2 Peter 1:16-21 as a direct rebuttal to modern and post-Enlightenment skepticism about the historicity of the gospel. The sermon frames Peter’s insistence on eyewitness testimony and the prophetic word as a defense against the perennial heresy of reducing Christianity to myth or mere spiritual meaning. The preacher draws a sharp line between "history-like" and actual history, insisting that the events described in Scripture—including the Transfiguration and resurrection—are real, space-time events, and that the authority of Scripture is rooted in its historical truth claims, not in subjective interpretation or feeling.

Understanding Scripture: Authority, Interpretation, and Inerrancy (Ligonier Ministries) interprets 2 Peter 1:16-21 as a foundational text for the doctrine of plenary, verbal inspiration, emphasizing that every word, down to the smallest grammatical detail, is the product of God’s intent, not human invention. The sermon uniquely highlights the Greek phrase for “carried along by the Holy Spirit” as indicating that the prophets were not passive automatons but were actively moved by God, ensuring the Scriptures are both fully divine and yet reflect the personalities and styles of their human authors. The preacher uses the analogy of the Mount of Transfiguration, noting Peter’s claim that the prophetic word is “more sure” than even that direct experience, to stress the supreme reliability of Scripture. The sermon also critiques both mechanical dictation and purely human authorship, advocating a nuanced view that upholds both divine sovereignty and human agency in the writing of Scripture.

Divine Inspiration: The Authority of Scripture (SermonIndex.net) offers a detailed linguistic analysis of the Greek word translated “moved” or “carried along” (phero), likening it to a house being swept away by a flood—emphasizing that the human authors of Scripture were irresistibly borne along by the Holy Spirit, unable to direct their own course. The sermon further distinguishes between “revelation” (which is closed) and “illumination” (which continues), arguing that the Holy Spirit now enables believers to understand, but not add to, the inspired text. The preacher also explores the tension between the evident individuality of biblical authors and the doctrine of word-for-word inspiration, concluding that both are true and must be held in tension by faith.

Embracing the Truth: Anticipating Christ's Return (SermonIndex.net) interprets 2 Peter 1:16-21 as Peter’s apologetic against false teachers who denied Christ’s second coming, emphasizing the apostolic eyewitness testimony and the confirmation of Old Testament prophecy. The sermon uses the metaphor of “light shining in a dark place” to illustrate the prophetic word’s role as a guiding beacon until Christ’s return, and draws out the significance of the “morning star rising in your hearts” as an experiential anticipation of Christ’s imminent return. The preacher also notes the Jewish legal principle of “two or three witnesses” to validate Peter’s argument, and explains the use of euphemisms for God’s name (“the Excellent Glory”) in Jewish culture.

Empowering Believers Through Comprehensive Bible Study (SermonIndex.net) and "Equipping Believers: Understanding the Bible's Unity and Purpose" (SermonIndex.net) both mention 2 Peter 1:16-21, but only in the context of affirming the doctrine of inspiration, without offering unique interpretive insights or applications beyond what is already covered in the other sermons.

2 Peter 1:16-21 Theological Themes:

The Bible: Our Foundation and Guiding Light (CSFBC) introduces the theme of the adaptability and timeless relevance of Scripture, arguing that the Bible addresses every issue across cultures and ages because it is living and active, and that technological advances have only served to confirm its truth rather than undermine it. The sermon also presents the idea that God’s self-revelation in Scripture is an act of divine condescension and love, making Himself knowable to humanity.

Grounding Faith in the Authority of Scripture (Alistair Begg) adds the theme of the sufficiency and finality of Scripture, warning against the danger of seeking new revelations or prophetic words that claim to supplement or supersede the Bible. Begg also explores the idea that the authority of Scripture is not diminished by the human personalities of its authors, as the Holy Spirit works through their individuality to produce God’s Word.

Anchored in Christ: Navigating Life's Storms with Faith (Harmony Baptist Church of Waynesville, MO) develops the theme of assurance and security in the Christian life, using the anchor metaphor to illustrate how Scripture and Christ provide stability amid life’s storms. The sermon uniquely applies the idea of divine inspiration to the practical need for guidance, likening the Holy Spirit’s role in inspiration to navigational charts that prevent spiritual shipwreck.

Embracing Sola Scriptura: The Authority of God's Word (Ligonier Ministries) presents the theme of Sola Scriptura as not only a Reformation principle but as a personal and existential necessity for every believer. The preacher emphasizes that Scripture alone provides the light needed to navigate all of life’s questions, and that God’s Word is the only infallible authority for faith and practice, liberating believers to make wise decisions within its boundaries.

Proclaiming the Historical Truth of the Gospel (Ligonier Ministries) introduces the theme of the inseparability of historical fact and theological meaning in Christianity, arguing that the gospel’s saving power depends on real events in space and time. The sermon also critiques the modern tendency to separate meaning from history, insisting that the authority and efficacy of the gospel are grounded in its historical truth claims.

Understanding Scripture: Authority, Interpretation, and Inerrancy (Ligonier Ministries) introduces the theme of the self-authenticating nature of Scripture (autopistos), drawing from Calvin and the Westminster Confession, and argues that the Bible’s authority is not dependent on external validation but is inherent because it is God’s own word. The sermon also explores the perspicuity of Scripture, asserting that essential truths are accessible to ordinary believers, and warns against both hyper-individualistic interpretations and the relativism of postmodern hermeneutics.

Divine Inspiration: The Authority of Scripture (SermonIndex.net) adds a nuanced discussion of the difference between “mechanical dictation” and “thought inspiration,” ultimately advocating for “verbal plenary inspiration” while acknowledging the mystery of how God’s sovereignty and human personality coexist in the production of Scripture. The sermon also stresses the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in illumination, not revelation, and the enduring relevance and indestructibility of every word and even every letter of Scripture, referencing Jesus’ teaching on “jot and tittle.”

Embracing the Truth: Anticipating Christ's Return (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme of absolute truth versus relativism, using 2 Peter 1:16-21 to argue that Christian faith is grounded in objective, historical events and the sure word of prophecy, not subjective myths or personal interpretations. The sermon also develops the idea of the “morning star” as a symbol of eschatological hope, suggesting that the growing anticipation of Christ’s return is itself a work of the Spirit in believers’ hearts.

2 Peter 1:16-21 Historical and Contextual Insights:

The Bible: Our Foundation and Guiding Light (CSFBC) provides historical context by discussing the process of biblical authorship, noting that the Bible was written by over 40 authors across 1,600 to 2,000 years, many of whom never met, yet their writings form a coherent, non-contradictory narrative. The sermon also references the transmission of the law to Moses as a parallel to apostolic revelation, highlighting the continuity of divine self-disclosure.

Grounding Faith in the Authority of Scripture (Alistair Begg) offers historical insight into the context of false teachers in the early church, drawing attention to Peter’s concern about heresies and the need for a written record of apostolic teaching. Begg also references the practice of oral and written testimony in the ancient world, likening apostolic witness to legal evidence.

Embracing Sola Scriptura: The Authority of God's Word (Ligonier Ministries) provides Reformation-era context, recounting the Leipzig Disputation between Luther and Eck, the Council of Trent’s rejection of Sola Scriptura, and the subsequent decline of biblical authority in German Lutheranism due to Enlightenment rationalism and biblical criticism. The sermon situates 2 Peter 1:16-21 as a key text in the historical debate over the authority of Scripture versus tradition.

Proclaiming the Historical Truth of the Gospel (Ligonier Ministries) gives an extensive historical overview of the Enlightenment’s impact on biblical interpretation, referencing figures such as Lessing, Kant, Schleiermacher, Bultmann, and Barth, and tracing the development of historical criticism and its challenge to the historicity of the gospel. The sermon also discusses the Jesus Seminar and the trend of dehistoricizing Scripture, situating Peter’s defense as a response to both ancient and modern skepticism.

Embracing the Truth: Anticipating Christ's Return (SermonIndex.net) provides historical context by explaining that Peter was writing in response to false teachers who denied the second coming of Christ, a controversy that shaped the structure and urgency of his letter. The sermon also notes the Jewish legal requirement for “two or three witnesses” to establish truth, which Peter mirrors by appealing to apostolic eyewitness, the Father’s voice, and the prophetic Scriptures. Additionally, the preacher explains the Jewish reluctance to use the divine name, leading to euphemisms like “the Excellent Glory.”

Divine Inspiration: The Authority of Scripture (SermonIndex.net) offers a brief historical insight by noting that even by the time of Peter’s writing (circa AD 60), Paul’s letters were already being recognized as Scripture, on par with the Old Testament, as evidenced by Peter’s reference to them as “the rest of the Scriptures.”

2 Peter 1:16-21 Cross-References in the Bible:

The Bible: Our Foundation and Guiding Light (CSFBC) references Exodus (Moses receiving the law), Deuteronomy (the call to remember God’s acts), Matthew 17 (the Transfiguration), 2 Timothy 3:16 (all Scripture is God-breathed), and Hebrews 4:12 (the Word is living and active) to support the inspiration, authority, and transformative power of Scripture. These passages are used to reinforce the continuity of divine revelation and the reliability of biblical testimony.

Grounding Faith in the Authority of Scripture (Alistair Begg) cross-references Acts (Peter’s Pentecost sermon and the home of Cornelius), 2 Corinthians (Paul’s defense against accusations of deception), Luke 9 (the Transfiguration), 1 Corinthians 13 (the future full knowledge), and Acts 17 (the Bereans examining Scripture). These references are used to illustrate the apostolic emphasis on eyewitness testimony, the confirmation of Old Testament prophecy, and the necessity of testing all teaching by Scripture.

Anchored in Christ: Navigating Life's Storms with Faith (Harmony Baptist Church of Waynesville, MO) references Matthew 17 (the Transfiguration), Acts 1:8-9 (the ascension and apostolic witness), 1 Corinthians 15 (the resurrection appearances), Isaiah 42:1 (the servant prophecy), Genesis 12:3 (the promise to Abraham), Isaiah 7:14 (the virgin birth prophecy), and Isaiah 53 (the suffering servant). These passages are used to demonstrate the fulfillment of prophecy in Christ and the reliability of apostolic witness.

Embracing Sola Scriptura: The Authority of God's Word (Ligonier Ministries) references Mark 9, Luke 9, and Matthew 17 (the Transfiguration), John 8:12 (Jesus as the light of the world), and alludes to the broader narrative of Scripture as the lamp in a dark place. The preacher uses these references to show the unity of biblical revelation and the centrality of Christ as the fulfillment of prophecy.

Proclaiming the Historical Truth of the Gospel (Ligonier Ministries) cross-references Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-3 (Luke’s prologues emphasizing eyewitness testimony and historical investigation), Genesis 1:1 (the beginning of history), Matthew’s fulfillment formula ("that the Scriptures might be fulfilled"), and 1 Corinthians 15 (the historical basis of the gospel and resurrection). These references are marshaled to argue for the historical reliability and theological necessity of the events recorded in Scripture.

Divine Inspiration: The Authority of Scripture (SermonIndex.net) references several passages to support the doctrine of verbal inspiration: 2 Samuel 23:2 (“the Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and his word was on my tongue”), Jeremiah 1:9 (“I have put my words in your mouth”), Matthew 4:4 (“man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”), Matthew 5:18 (not one “jot or tittle” will pass from the law), 1 Corinthians 2:13 (Paul speaks “not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches”), and 2 Timothy 3:16 (“all Scripture is given by inspiration of God”). Each reference is used to reinforce the claim that not just the ideas, but the very words and even letters of Scripture are divinely inspired and authoritative.

Embracing the Truth: Anticipating Christ's Return (SermonIndex.net) cross-references John 1:14 (“we beheld his glory”), 1 John 1:1-3 (emphasizing apostolic eyewitness), Genesis 3 (the protoevangelium as the first prophecy of Christ), and alludes to the Book of Revelation and the two witnesses (Moses and Elijah) as part of the eschatological framework. These references are used to show the continuity of prophetic witness and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Christ, as well as to illustrate the principle of multiple witnesses.

Understanding Scripture: Authority, Interpretation, and Inerrancy (Ligonier Ministries) references the Westminster Confession, Calvin’s Institutes, and the Reformation slogan sola scriptura, as well as passages like Deuteronomy 29:29 (“the secret things belong to the Lord”), 1 Corinthians 15 (primary truths of the gospel), and 1 Peter 3 (the “spirits in prison” passage) to illustrate principles of interpretation and the unity of Scripture.

2 Peter 1:16-21 Christian References outside the Bible:

Grounding Faith in the Authority of Scripture (Alistair Begg) explicitly references John Calvin, quoting his commentary on the authority of the Word of God and its confirmation in Christ. Begg also cites Dick Lucas on the craving for a voice from heaven, and Isaac Watts’ hymn on the glory of God’s Word, using these sources to reinforce the sufficiency and authority of Scripture.

Embracing Sola Scriptura: The Authority of God's Word (Ligonier Ministries) references Martin Luther’s defense of Sola Scriptura at the Diet of Worms, the Council of Trent’s rejection of the principle, and John Calvin’s commentary on 2 Peter 1:20, emphasizing the need for reverence, obedience, and teachability in reading Scripture. The preacher also quotes Luther on the necessity of preaching the Bible and not relying on human wisdom.

Proclaiming the Historical Truth of the Gospel (Ligonier Ministries) references a wide array of Christian scholars and theologians, including Hermann Reimarus, Gotthold Lessing, Emmanuel Kant, Friedrich Schleiermacher, Albert Schweitzer, Rudolf Bultmann, Karl Barth, Francis Schaeffer, Hans Frei, and Van Harvey. The sermon critiques their various attempts to rescue or reinterpret Christianity in light of modern historical criticism, arguing that all such attempts ultimately fail and that the gospel stands on the historical truth claims of Scripture.

Understanding Scripture: Authority, Interpretation, and Inerrancy (Ligonier Ministries) explicitly references John Calvin, quoting his statement that “the Scriptures are autopistos” (self-authenticating), and also cites the Westminster Confession’s criteria for recognizing the divine authority of Scripture (heavenliness, efficacy, majesty, consent of parts, scope, and perfection). The sermon also mentions John Wesley’s view that if there is one error in the Bible, there might as well be a thousand, and references the Reformation slogan sola scriptura as foundational for Protestant theology.

2 Peter 1:16-21 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

The Bible: Our Foundation and Guiding Light (CSFBC) uses the analogy of eyewitness testimony in criminal cases and the game of "telephone" to illustrate the reliability and consistency of biblical testimony compared to human communication. The sermon also references Thomas Jefferson’s approach to the Bible (removing miracles to retain moral teachings), Galileo and Isaac Newton’s views on Scripture, and the discovery of dinosaur DNA as an example of scientific evidence supporting biblical claims. These illustrations are used to argue for the credibility and enduring relevance of the Bible.

Anchored in Christ: Navigating Life's Storms with Faith (Harmony Baptist Church of Waynesville, MO) draws extensively on the preacher’s naval experience, recounting two specific stories: one where a ship’s anchor chain broke due to a weak link, and another where a ship lost its entire anchor and chain by dropping it in the wrong place. These stories serve as metaphors for the necessity of having the right anchor (Christ and Scripture) and being anchored in the right place (God’s Word), warning against spiritual drift and misplaced faith.

Proclaiming the Historical Truth of the Gospel (Ligonier Ministries) references the Enlightenment’s "ugly ditch" (Lessing) and "mighty chasm" (Kant) as metaphors for the perceived gap between historical events and present knowledge. The sermon also describes the Jesus Seminar’s use of colored marbles to vote on the authenticity of Jesus’ sayings, highlighting the absurdity of reducing historical truth to academic consensus. These secular illustrations are used to critique the relativizing of biblical history and to underscore the necessity of divine revelation.

Divine Inspiration: The Authority of Scripture (SermonIndex.net) uses the vivid analogy of a house being swept away by a flood in Australia to illustrate the Greek word “phero” (“carried along”), showing how the biblical authors were irresistibly moved by the Holy Spirit, just as the house could not resist the current. The sermon also references the technology of an “autowriter” used by the U.S. President to sign documents remotely, as an analogy for the mechanical dictation theory of inspiration, ultimately rejecting it in favor of a more nuanced view.

Embracing the Truth: Anticipating Christ's Return (SermonIndex.net) uses the example of gravity as an “absolute truth” in the physical world to contrast with the relativism of contemporary culture, arguing that biblical truth is similarly unchanging and objective. The preacher also references the planet Venus as the “morning star,” explaining its appearance before dawn as a metaphor for the anticipation of Christ’s return, and uses the illustration of a manhole cover missing on a sidewalk to stress the importance of not just hearing but heeding the prophetic word. The sermon further references contemporary “prophets” predicting political outcomes (specifically, the U.S. presidential election and prophecies about Donald Trump) to illustrate the difference between true and false prophecy, contrasting the certainty of biblical prophecy with the fallibility of modern predictions.