A Legacy of Truth – A Study of 2 Peter 1:12-21

“A Legacy of Truth”

I. Introduction

A. Context: 2 Peter was written around 60 AD; Peter’s impending death (c. 64 AD)

B. Central Question: What would you say if you knew you were dying soon?

II. Peter’s Urgency to Remind (2 Peter 1:12-15)

A. The importance of reminders in faith

B. Living in the “tent” of the body

C. Peter’s commitment to ensure remembrance after his death

III. The Reliability of Eyewitness Testimony (2 Peter 1:16-18)

A. Apostolic testimony is not based on myths

B. Peter as an eyewitness of Christ’s majesty (Transfiguration)

C. Legal and biblical significance of multiple eyewitnesses

IV. The Trustworthiness of Prophetic Scripture (2 Peter 1:19-21)

A. The prophetic message as a light in darkness

B. Scripture’s divine origin, not human interpretation

C. Role of the Holy Spirit in inspiring prophecy

D. Unity between prophets and apostles in revealing God’s message

V. Key Themes of Peter’s Final Testimony

A. The Word of God is completely reliable

B. Faith must be grounded in both personal witness and Scripture

C. The unified work of the Holy Spirit through history

VI. Reflection & Discussion Questions

A. How does the metaphor of a tent change our view of life and death?

B. Are we clearly communicating our faith to those we influence?

C. Why is it crucial to affirm the reliability of Scripture today?

D. What does it mean that the Holy Spirit worked through both prophets and apostles?

VII. Additional Scriptures

Deuteronomy 6:6–9, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 3:1–2, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 24:35, John 14:26, Acts 1:8, Romans 15:4, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Hebrews 2:1–4, Revelation 1:3