New Testament Lesson # 43: 1 and 2 Peter, Jude
“A Chosen
Generation”
Ponderize
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready
always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that
is in you with meekness and fear.”
Introduction
From the New Testament Student Manual: “The Apostle Peter was the
preeminent witness of Jesus Christ in the early Christian Church. His two epistles were written
at a time of great persecution and apostasy. Peter sought to help Church
members understand that if they endured persecution well, they would receive
salvation and eternal glory. He reminded the Saints that they were “a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), and as such, they were to be holy
even as Jesus Christ is holy (see 1 Peter
1:15–16). In his first
epistle, Peter wrote about Jesus Christ’s ministry to the spirit world
following His Crucifixion (see 1 Peter
3:18–20; 4:6).
In his second epistle, Peter encouraged disciples of Jesus Christ to
seek after the traits that would enable them to obtain a divine nature like the
Savior. By so doing, their knowledge of God would grow and they could make
their calling and election sure (see 2 Peter
1:2–10). To help the Saints
avoid being deceived, Peter also warned of “false prophets” and “false
teachers” (2 Peter 2:1).” The first epistle was probably
written from Rome between AD 62 and 64 (Silvanus is also known as Silas). The second epistle is a
little more complicated to date. Here is the New Testament Student Manual again
“The text of 2 Peter does not identify where the epistle was written, but
it is commonly assumed that Peter wrote it in Rome. Peter mentioned Paul’s
epistles (see 2 Peter
3:15–16), so it is likely
that 2 Peter was written after many of Paul’s letters had been gathered
together. This suggests that 2 Peter could not have been written earlier
than A.D. 60. Scholars believe that it was written sometime between
A.D. 64 and 68.”[1]
Jude identified himself as the “servant of Jesus Christ and brother of
James” (Jude 1:1). “Traditionally the author has been
understood to be Jude the half-brother of Jesus Christ [and therefore a son of
Joseph and Mary] (see Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). Jude was evidently an active Church
member of high esteem in Jerusalem, and he had traveled as a missionary (see Acts 1:13–14; 1 Corinthians
9:5). Though Jude does not
appear to have held a prominent leadership position in the early Church, early
Christians held his epistle in sufficient esteem to include it in the New
Testament canon.”[2]
The book of Jude is a lot harder to date, and is very similar to 2 Peter.
1. Live in faith and holiness as a chosen generation.
1 Peter 1 and 1 Peter
2:1–10.
“Peter addressed this epistle to Church members ‘scattered throughout
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia’—the five Roman provinces in
Asia Minor, located in modern-day Turkey.”[3]
Why is faith “much more precious than … gold,” as Peter stated? (See 1 Peter 1:7;
Hebrews 11:6;
1 Nephi
7:12.) What do you think it means to have our faith tried with fire? What
is the ultimate purpose of our faith? (See 1 Peter
1:5, 9.) Elder Scott: “These four tools [prayer, scripture study, family
home evening, temple attendance] are fundamental habits for securing your life
in the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Remember our Savior is the
Prince of Peace. Peace in this mortal life comes from His atoning sacrifice.
When we are consistently praying morning and night, studying our scriptures
daily, having weekly family home evening, and attending the temple regularly,
we are actively responding to His invitation to “come unto Him.” The more we
develop these habits, the more anxious is Satan to harm us but the less is his
ability to do so. Through the use of these tools, we exercise our agency to
accept the full gifts of His atoning sacrifice.I am not suggesting that all of
life’s struggles will disappear as you do these things. We came to mortal life
precisely to grow from trials and testing. Challenges help us become more like
our Father in Heaven, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible to
endure those challenges. I testify that as we actively come unto
Him, we can endure every temptation, every heartache, every challenge we face,
in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”[4]
Who are the “chosen generation?” Elder Bruce R. McConkie defined a
chosen generation as “not those living in a particular period or age, but … the
house of Israel both anciently, in the meridian of time, and now in these
latter-days. … [It includes] faithful members of the Church who have taken upon
themselves the name of Christ and been adopted into his family” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1966–73], 3:294).
Elder Nelson, “In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term from which peculiar was
translated is segullah, which means
‘valued property,’ or ‘treasure.’ In the New Testament, the Greek term from
which peculiar was translated is peripoiesis,
which means ‘possession,’ or ‘an obtaining.’ Thus, we see that the scriptural
term peculiar signifies ‘valued treasure,’ ‘made’ or ‘selected by God.’ For us
to be identified by servants of the Lord as his peculiar people is a compliment
of the highest order” (“Children
of the Covenant,” Ensign, May
1995, 34).
2. Follow the Savior’s example in enduring trials and persecution.
Elder Anderson: “The Apostle Peter identified something he called a
“trial of your faith.” He had experienced it. . . . Peter later encouraged
others: “Think it not strange,” he said, “concerning the fiery trial
which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” These
fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to
diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son of God and to weaken your
resolve to keep your promises to Him. These trials are often camouflaged, making
them difficult to identify. They take root in our weaknesses, our
vulnerabilities, our sensitivities, or in those things that matter most to us.
A real but manageable test for one can be a fiery trial for another. How do you
remain “steadfast and immovable” during a trial of faith? You
immerse yourself in the very things that helped build your core of faith: you
exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you
keep the commandments, and you serve others.”[5]
3. Partake of the divine nature and strive to make your calling and
election sure.
Elder McConkie, “If the full blessings of salvation are to follow, the
doctrine of election must operate twice. First, righteous spirits are elected
or chosen to come to mortality as heirs of special blessings. Then, they must
be called and elected again in this life, an occurrence which takes place when
they join the true Church. (D&C 53:1.)
Finally, in order to reap eternal salvation, they must press forward in
obedient devotion to the truth until they make their ‘calling and election
sure’ (2 Pet.
1), that is, are ‘sealed up unto eternal life.’ (D&C
131:5.)” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd
ed. [1966], 217–17).
Joseph Smith: “After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins,
and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the
laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to
humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and
living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou
shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that
the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his
calling and election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the
other Comforter.’ To receive the other Comforter is to have Christ appear to
him and to see the visions of eternity. [Teachings of the Prophet Joseph
Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 149–51; italics added].
Joseph Smith: “Though they might hear the voice of God and know that
Jesus was the Son of God, this would be no evidence that their election and
calling was made sure. … They then would want that more sure word of prophecy,
that they were sealed in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the
kingdom of God. Then, having this promise sealed unto them, it was an anchor to
the soul, sure and steadfast. Though the thunders might roll and lightnings
flash, and earthquakes bellow, and war gather thick around, yet this hope and
knowledge would support the soul in every hour of trial, trouble and
tribulation.” (Teachings, p. 298.)
2 Peter 1:19 JST: “JST 2 Pet. 1:19 We have therefore a more
sure knowledge of the word of prophecy, to which word of prophecy ye do well
that ye take heed … as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until
the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:” Joseph Smith said of this
verse, “Peter penned the most sublime language of any of the apostles” (Teachings, p. 301). Why do you think that is?
4. Resist false teachers and those who deny the Second Coming.
2 Peter 2–3 and Jude.
Joseph F. Smith: “We can accept nothing as authoritative but that which
comes directly through the appointed channel, the constituted organizations of
the Priesthood, which is the channel that God has appointed through which to
make known His mind and will to the world. … And the moment that individuals
look to any other source, that moment they throw themselves open to the
seductive influences of Satan, and render themselves liable to become servants
of the devil; they lose sight of the true order through which the blessings of
the Priesthood are to be enjoyed; they step outside of the pale of the kingdom
of God, and are on dangerous ground. Whenever you see a man rise up claiming to
have received direct revelation from the Lord to the Church, independent of the
order and channel of the Priesthood, you may set him down as an imposter” (Gospel
Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 41–42).
M. Russell Ballard: “Therefore, let us beware of false prophets and
false teachers, both men and women, who are self-appointed declarers of the
doctrines of the Church and who seek to spread their false gospel and attract
followers by sponsoring symposia, books, and journals whose contents challenge
fundamental doctrines of the Church. Beware of those who speak and publish in
opposition to God’s true prophets and who actively proselyte others with
reckless disregard for the eternal well-being of those whom they seduce. Like
Nehor and Korihor in the Book
of Mormon, they rely on sophistry to deceive and entice others to their
views. They ‘set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get
gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion’ (2 Ne. 26:29).”
Regarding the Second Coming, Elder Neal A. Maxwell provided the
insight that “God lives in an eternal now where the past, present, and future
are constantly before Him (see D&C
130:7). His divine determinations are guaranteed, since whatever He takes
in His heart to do, He will surely do it (see Abraham 3:17).
He knows the end from the beginning! (see Abraham 2:8)”
(“Care
for the Life of the Soul,” Ensign,
May 2003, 70).
Elder Anderson: “Those awaiting the Savior’s coming will “look for
[Him].” And He has promised, “I will come”! The righteous will see Him “in the
clouds of heaven [with all the holy angels], clothed with power and great
glory.” “An angel shall sound his trump, and the saints … from the
four quarters of the earth” will “be caught up to meet him.” Those
“that have slept,” meaning those worthy Saints who have died, “shall [also]
come forth to meet [Him].” The scripture reads, “The Lord [will] set his foot
upon [the] mount,” and “[He] shall utter his voice, and all the ends
of the earth shall hear it.”[6]
Core is Korah—Numbers 16:1–35
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