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Introduction to 2nd Peter
Overview
Peter wrote this letter to encourage Christians to help them live in the same way Jesus lived. That is, he wanted to help them live in a way that honors God. He wanted them to learn more about Jesus. Peter wanted them to do this because there were people who taught the wrong things about God, false prophets, and people mocked them. The false teachers tried to convince Christians to believe in them and to follow them instead of Jesus. Peter used the word “knowledge” sixteen times in this letter. He did this to make clear to Christians that if they learned more about Jesus and what Jesus taught, it would help them to reject the false teachers. Peter also wanted people to know about when Jesus will return to earth.
See: False Prophet; Jesus' Return to Earth
Who wrote this letter?
Peter wrote this letter. He was a servant and an apostle of Jesus who is the Messiah.
See: Apostle; Messiah (Christ)
To whom did Peter write this letter?
Scholars think Peter wrote to the same group of Christians to whom he wrote his first letter (see: Introduction to First Peter). That is, he wrote it to the Christians who were scattered out into five different regions in what is now Turkey.
However, Peter also wrote this second letter to all Christians. That is, he knew other Christians would read this letter. So he wrote things to help all Christians. He wrote to “those who have received the same precious faith as we have received,” that is, all Christians.
See: Faith (Believe in)
What did Peter write about in this letter?
Peter wrote to encourage Christians. He encouraged the Christians to work very hard to learn more about Jesus. Peter spoke about trusting in God more than they did before.
Peter really wanted to know that true prophecy did not come from what people thought. Instead, it came from the Holy Spirit. He wrote this because there were many false teachers and false prophets. These people taught the wrong things about Jesus. Peter said these things destroyed a person’s trust in God. Peter warned the Christians to avoid the false teachers and prophets. He taught that the things they taught made people think bad things about Christians.
See: Prophecy (Prophesy) ; Holy Spirit; False Teacher; False Prophet
Why did Peter write this letter?
Peter wrote this letter to encourage Christians. He wanted them to keep believing the right things about God. He wanted them not to be tricked into believing the wrong things the false teachers and false prophets said. Peter spoke about “knowledge” sixteen times in this letter. He wanted Christians to know Jesus very well. Then they can quickly recognize false teaching. They can reject the false teaching.
See: False Teacher; False Prophet