The confirmation of our salvation
For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; instead, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 1:16 CSB
From the text, Peter presents his message first negatively in terms of a disclaimer and then positively by revealing the privileged status of an eyewitness. Notice the interesting change from the singular “I” to the plural “we.” Peter is not only a pastor who speaks personally to the members of his church; he also belongs to the body of the apostles. With the other apostles, he speaks with authority about the truth of the gospel. When false prophets seek either to distort the gospel or to teach their own tales and legends, Peter voices his apostolic opposition. According to Peter, false teachers are teaching the church members “contrived myths.” These false teachers deny the historical basis of the gospel message and instead present their own myths. A myth is a story which man has framed to express his own desires without any reference to reality. Because of its man-centered focus, a myth is devoid of redemptive power. “…instruct certain people not to teach false doctrine or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan” (1 Timothy 1:3-4; 4:7). By contrast, Scripture originates with God. The Bible is divinely inspired, rooted in history, and unquestionably true. The gospel message redeems man from sin and glorifies God. Then Peter relates the event when he with John and James saw a glimpse of the power and majesty of Jesus Christ coming into his eternal kingdom and he related this event to explain the promised return of Christ. In their writings, the apostles often testify to the coming of Christ (see Matthew 24:3; John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:8). When Jesus returns, he manifests his power in defeating the forces of his enemies. The return of Christ is the revelation of His power on the last day. As Peter indicates, the transfiguration of Jesus, which the apostle observed, prefigures this glorious event, “We were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” Peter, just like James and John, were witnesses of God’s majesty at the Mount of Transfiguration. With that experience, it confirmed their faith to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just like us, when we place our faith in Christ and believe in Him as our Lord and Savior, He will provide us confirmation of our salvation. The Word of God provides us the basis for the assurance of our salvation. “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
Comments