Peter wrote to encourage believers to diligently pursue godly character and a true knowledge of Christ and to expose and denounce the dangerously deceptive activity of false prophets and false teachers among the churches in Asia Minor who were undermining the original truth of Christ's message. Peter summarizes his purpose in 3:17-18, as he challenges true believers to be on their guard so that they may not "be carried away by the error of lawless men" and to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This short letter instructs believers to develop and show godly character resulting from a true knowledge of God, which comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The first chapter emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth. having begun by faith, Christians must diligently pursue moral excellence, godly knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and selfless love. The aim is that they would mature in their faith and knowledge of Jesus and that they would be productive in serving Him.
The next chapter seriously warns about false prophets and false teachers who were emerging among the churches. Peter denounces them as lawless men who participate in shameful lifestyles that appeal to the corrupt desires of sinful human nature.
Four major features characterize this letter: It contains one of the Bible's strongest statements about the inspiration, reliability and authority of Scripture - God's written Word. Chapter two and Jude's letter are remarkably similar in how they describe and denounce false teachers. Chapter three is one of the great New Testament chapters on Christ's second coming. Peter indirectly refers to Paul's writings as Scripture by mentioning then in relation to "the other Scriptures" (3:15-16).
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