I have, on occasion, felt the need to remind people of the critical place of the ministry of the word of God that comes forth from the local church. I have been a pastor and taught God’s word in churches of around 40-350 people. Over the years I have sought to shepherd the flock with God’s word (that is what Pastors/Elders are supposed to do so this is not unusual). But I have come across believers who doubted my ministry because “my church” (it’s not mine of course but that’s the way people talk) was not a mega-church or I was not preaching on TV. More than once I reproved these folks, reminding them that the Spirit of God could use anyone who was faithful in using God’s word, the Bible. I had to do this because I could see what was in their lives and doctrine, something their favorite TV preacher could not see. And they needed to heed my words because it was God’s word being applied to their situation.
Perhaps Peter had a similar problem. The “Bible” for Jesus and His disciples was, of course, the “Old Testament.” But after Jesus’ ascension there were men (Apostles) who spoke and wrote what they said was God’s word. The Church began to recognize the authority of these words that were written and were being read in local churches. But I can imagine that there were occasional skeptics, wondering if Peter (or one of the others) considered his words to be on a par with Moses or one of the prophets. Peter therefore assures them: we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place. The words of the OT prophets had been fulfilled in Jesus and this truth was being announced and explained by Peter and the other Apostles. It was important that those who heard what they said understand this; their salvation depended on it!
Thus on the one hand Peter says we were eyewitnesses. But then he says his words are inspired by God. In 1:20 Peter says, no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation. What does that mean? It means that Scripture is never dependent on the man used by God to write it down. I say never dependent by which we realize that the man must be faithful to pass on what God wants said; they must be holy men. But again, Peter did not write cunningly devised fables; those are the ideas of men. Prophecy (the true word of God) never came by the will of man. None of the former writers (the OT) thought up their words; they were moved by the Holy Spirit. And Peter is saying the same is true as he records what Jesus promised to give him through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:12-15).
The words here are so true. The Holy Spirit carried them along. It was not dictation. God used the men, their personalities, their background and so forth. But the Spirit carried them in such a way that they spoke words that perfectly declared God’s Word. It’s important for us to know this today. The Bible is fully trustworthy. Rely on it at home, work, play, in every issue of your life.
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