CR News

God's Hammer (2): The More Sure Word (Part 1)

Last time we saw that the Bible is God's mighty sledgehammer which He uses to shatter the rock in pieces (Jer. 23:29). Over the next few months we shall consider some of the qualities of the Holy Scriptures from the book of II Peter.

In II Peter 1:16-18, Peter writes about Christ's transfiguration. The effulgence of Christ's face and garments speak of the "majesty" (16) and "honour and glory" (17) that is His as the incarnate Son of God (cf. 17). This majesty, honour and glory shall also be manifest at Christ's second "coming" (16).

Peter tells us that he was an eyewitness (16) of Christ's transfiguration. He saw Christ being transfigured with His own eyes (16-17). He heard, with his own ears, the voice from the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (17). Peter was a credible witness. He had preached of Christ's glory for thirty or so years and was willing to die in this faith (13-15).

There are only two options. Either Peter (and Matthew, Mark and Luke who record Christ's transfiguration in their gospel accounts) made the story up simply in order to magnify Jesus - and then the scoffers whom Peter was opposing were right, the transfiguration is only a "cunningly devised" fable (16) - or Peter is telling the truth. By the Holy Spirit, we receive Peter's eyewitness testimony as trustworthy and sure.

But, writes Peter, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy" (19). Peter's eyewitness account is sure, but there is another testimony which is even more sure. This is the "word of prophecy" (19) or "scripture" (20), namely the Old Testament, especially, in this context, as it prophesies Christ's glorious second coming.

How is it that the Old Testament is more sure than Peter's witness of Christ's glory at His transfiguration? Perhaps there were some who might still have had some doubts regarding Peter's memory, for example, that there was some detail which he had forgotten or recalled incorrectly. On the other hand, there are absolutely no possible mistakes in Scripture. Scripture was infallibly written by men borne along by the Holy Spirit (21), so the very idea that it could err is to be abominated. Therefore no matter how sure Peter's recollection was - and since it was recorded in the Bible it must have been completely accurate! - the Scriptures are even more sure. If Peter wanted to consider Christ's glory, he could recall that day on the holy mount or he could turn to the law and the prophets. For Peter, although he trusted his recollection of that wonderful day, the Scriptures were even more sure. We need this hearty confidence in the Scriptures too, as we shall see next time later in this series (DV).

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Additional Info

  • Volume: 8
  • Issue: 12
Stewart, Angus

Rev. Angust Stewart (Wife: Mary)

Ordained - 2001

Pastorates: Covenant Protestant Reformed Church of Ballymena, Northern Ireland - 2001

Website: www.cprf.co.uk/

Contact Details

  • Address
    7 Lislunnan Road
  • City
    Ballymena
  • State or Province
    Co.Antrim
  • Zip Code
    BT42 3NR
  • Country
    Ireland
  • Telephone
    (01144) 28 25 891851
back to top

Contact Details

Denomination

  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Reading Sermon Library
  • Taped Sermon Library

Synodical Officers

  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Synodical Committees

  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Emeritus Committee
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Contact/Missions

  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Classical Officers

Classis East
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Classis West
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.