GROW in GRACE
Sunday, February 12, 2023

1 Peter 1:16-21
Introduction

The Bible is trustworthy because of eyewitness testimony

and trustworthiness of prophets

I. Eyewitness Testimony (v.16-18)
v.16 – “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the
poser and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
Peter reminds his readers that the faith which they believe, and follow is no myth, and
the readers can be assured of this because:
1) Peter witnessed the Majesty of Christ at the Transfiguration – Matt. 17:1-8
2) the prophetic word of the OT foretold Christ’s coming
v.17,18 – “For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice
was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased, we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him
on the holy mountain.”
‘Majestic Glory’ – An indirect way, typical of Jewish speech, of referring to God Himself.
One reason for speaking indirectly was to avoid any possible misuse of the sacred
name of God.

II. Trustworthiness of Prophets (v.19-21)
v.19,20 – “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do
well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the
morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture
comes from someone’s own interpretation.”
Verse 19 speaks specifically about the prophetic word of the Old Testament, and Peter
emphasizes this, as if to say, “The written Scriptures are even more trustworthy than the
personal experience of the apostle Peter.”
v.21 – “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God
as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness…” 2 Timothy 3:16

“All of the Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, are the final authority as God’s
infallible and inerrant word.” Thomas Schreiner

III. Conclusion
Abundant Grace Statement of Faith on the Holy Scriptures:
We accept the Bible, including the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of
the New Testament, as the written Word of God. The Bible is the only essential and
infallible record of God’s self-disclosure. It leads us to salvation through faith in Jesus
Christ. Being given by God the Scriptures are both fully and verbally inspired by God.
Therefore, as originally given, the Bible is free of error in all it teaches. Each book is to
be interpreted according to its context and purpose and in reverent obedience to the
Lord who speaks through it in living power.
All believers are exhorted to study the Scriptures and diligently apply them to their lives.
The Scriptures are the authoritative and normative rule and guide of all Christian life,
practice, and doctrine. They are totally sufficient and must not be added to, superseded,
or changed by later tradition, extra-biblical revelation, or worldly wisdom. Every doctrinal
formulation, whether of creed, confession, or theology must be put to the test of the full
counsel of God in Holy Scripture.