Regeneration or being “born again” precedes faith. Regeneration is a supernatural act from God and not by our flesh. The Holy Spirit invades the souls of the elect and changes the disposition of their minds, souls, and wills toward the things God which they previously hated. He removes the heart of stone and gives them a heart of flesh. The one who was dead in sins and trespasses is raised to spiritual life. It is a sovereign act of God. In regeneration we are changed and are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is not turning over a new leaf, but a life changing event by the supernatural work of God. The one who previously hated God and was hostile now begins to have affection and love for Christ. We are as passive in our spiritual birth as we are in a natural birth. Being born again or regenerated is initiated and performed by God and God alone. In the parable of the sower in Luke 8:4-15, there are 4 different soils mentioned. This is the state of the hearts prior to hearing the Word of God which is the seed in this parable. How did the good soil become good soil before hearing and receiving the Word of God? The good soil is good because God had tilled and cultivated the soil in regeneration. He prepared and changed the soil to be ready to receive the Gospel with gladness and sincerity. When the heart that has been regenerated (good soil) hears the Word of God and the Gospel (the seed), faith springs forth and results in salvation and justification.

If one doesn’t believe that Jesus is God, then they don’t believe in the Jesus of the Bible. If one doesn’t accept the Son as God as He truly is, they can’t have the Father or eternal life. Knowing and believing Jesus is God is a necessity to true faith. If Jesus is not God, then He was born in original sin and unable to save us. If Jesus is not God, then He wouldn’t have precious unblemished blood to redeem His people. If Jesus is not God, then a creature would be attempting to rescue fallen rebel creatures. Jesus is God and came to save and purchase His church (Acts 20:28) The doctrine of the Trinity is vital to the Christian faith. For every Christian, we have been saved, rescued, and redeemed by our only Savior and God, the great I AM!!!!!

Growing in grace is not measured by time, involvement in church activities, or feelings, but is rather measured in light of the knowledge one has of God which is then applied practically in our lives. We have a peace that surpasses all comprehension and a grace that’s amazing, let us grow in the knowledge of those things and of our God!!! Higher theology = higher doxology!!

He called us not because of our merit, actions, or righteousness, but by His own GLORY and EXCELLENCE!

Those who are chosen from before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-6) have a promise of God for salvation and glorification (Romans 8:29-30). It is these to which He has set His love upon, that He effectually calls. By His divine power He causes them to be born again and to become partakers of the divine nature of God as He indwells them with the Holy Spirit which is a seal (Ephesians 1:13-14)(Ephesians 4:30) and a help throughout life. In this divine act of mercy and power, He transforms us and rescues us from the power and corruption of sin and by His indwelling presence in us, leads us to sanctification and conformity to the image of God, to which the elect have been predestined (Romans 8:29). Throughout this life He has by His power and Spirit granted us all things for life and godliness due to partaking of His divine nature by His divine power (2 Peter 1:3-4). This will be seen at its fullest in eternity as we will be a partaker of the Divine forever and ever as we are dwelling with Him and have a body that is in conformity with the body of His glory (Phil 3:20-21)(1 John 3:1-2). This end for His people is a result of His divine power, His mercy, His grace, His precious and magnificent promises, His glory, and His excellence!!

Peter wants the church to be able to recall all the things he has taught them after his death to defend the faith, the church, and God.

Peter did follow or proclaim tales, myths, or fables when he declared the power and the coming of God. What he had proclaimed was truth as he was an eyewitness of the majesty of God. Peter did not die for a tale that was not true, but rather died as a martyr for God and the truth of God.

These are the words of truth versus words of lies, the words of freedom versus the words of bondage, the words of life versus the words of death!

Chapter 2 is a continuation from the idea that Peter labored at the end of Chapter 1. He made it clear that the Old Testament prophets were carried along by the Holy Spirit to record the words of God. The prophetic word of the Old Testament was made more sure by the incarnation of Christ as Peter was an eyewitness. The same is true to the New Testament authors as they too were carried along by the Holy Spirit to record the God breathed(theopneustos) words.  The origin of Scripture is God (not man), but God used men as instruments that He carried along by the Holy Spirit. Peter drives home the point that God was the origin of the words spoken by the true prophets of God in the Old Testament as compared to the false prophets whose words come from their own fallen heart and not from God.  The whole matter comes down to the source and the origin of the words: God or man?

This verse is not in reference to being bought in a redemptive way. This verse does not speak of a general atonement for all people with the death of Christ on the cross. We have clear scripture throughout the Bible that speaks to a particular redemption for the elect (John 10:28) (Romans 8:29-30) (Acts 20:28) (Hebrews 7, 9, 10). We must not take one passage of scripture, read it on the surface level, and then dismiss all the other numerous clear texts on the atonement for the sheep in the death of Jesus. We must ask ourselves, is the word “Master” being used here in this context speaking of Jesus of God the Father? What point is Peter trying to convey to these people He is writing to? What is in view here in regards to being bought?

These false teachers are not Christians but are rather following the sinful desires of their unregenerate hearts. They do not love God, but rather serve another “god”….themselves.

These false teachers and heretics are compared to unreasoning animals or brute beasts who are born as creatures of instinct. The wild beasts act in accordance with their natural instincts whereas these false teachers act according to the nature we are all born into which is a fallen sinful nature which is hostile to God. They revile even angelic beings which they have no understanding or knowledge of which is something even the holy angels will not do even to the fallen angels.  Just as the wild unreasoning animals are captured and destroyed so is the fate of false teachers and heretics by the hand of God.

Peter is referring to this letter as the second letter he is writing to the exiles, with 1 Peter being the first letter in view. The audience of this letter is the same as the first which is the Diaspora who are the scattered exiles in Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:1). Peter states the purpose of this letter is to stir up a reminder to them that they are to remember and hold fast to the words spoken by the prophets in the Old Testament as well as the commandments of the Lord as they had heard from the apostles.  The same is true for us today as we are to renew our mind and constantly be in remembrance of the words of sacred scripture. The foundation of the church was the prophets and the apostles (Ephesians 2:19-21) and they both speak today through the Bible.

Peter ends his letter with an exhortation and instruction to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are not to be lazy or idle in our growth in His knowledge, but rather be diligent. Our sanctification and knowledge of God are linked. As Paul stated, we must renew our minds daily. We are sanctified in the truth; His Word is truth (John 17:17). Higher knowledge and theology equal higher doxology and sanctification to the believer.