Can You Trust the Bible? 2 Peter 1

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: Examining What We Assume About Scripture

In 2023, a man in Camden, Maine was cleaning out his attic. He stumbled upon a dusty, forgotten painting. It didn’t look like any special, just an old canvas tucked away in storage.

But something about it caught his attention, so he brought it to an expert. To his surprise, the appraiser identified it as an original Rembrandt. A masterpiece worth over $1 million dollars.

For years, the painting had been dismissed, ignored and nearly thrown out. Simply because no one took the time to examine it closely. That’s exactly how many people treat the Bible.

They assume it’s just another old book. Maybe a collection of moral sayings or religious opinions. Some think is was made up by men. Others believe it’s full of contradictions.

Yet others think it’s too complicated to understand. Many don’t see how it could possibly be relevant today. So it sits on the shelf or in an used phone app, unopened, untrusted and untested.

But here’s the truth. When you take a closer look and begin to actually examine what the Bible say, not what you’ve heard it says, everything changes. Jesus said in …

John 17:17 (ESV) Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Jesus doesn’t just say the Bible contains truth, He says it is truth. This verse is a prayer where Jesus was asking the Father to transform the lives of His disciples through the truth of God’s Word. The Word of God is the source of transformation in a believer’s life.

The Holy Spirit inspired men to write down God’s Word and He uses it to change our lives with His truth. Scripture is not just partially true, it is truth in its entirety. This truth is not fading with time, it is eternal truth, relevant forever.

Psalm 119:160 (ESV) The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Every one of God’s words stands, endures and continues to guide us with righteousness. The Bible is the standard by which we discern and judge all other supposed truths. Scripture is not partially true but completely reliable.

Isaiah 40:8 (ESV) The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

We are so used to the things around us, like the plants, houses, people, knowledge, fading and becoming irrelevant. Our world is in constant change that is accelerating in every aspect. Yet, the truth of God’s Word does not change, it is never outdated.

In fact it will stand forever, even in the new heavens and new earth, it is eternal. In a world where everything changes, God’s Word does not. God’s truth remains, His promises stay firm and He still speaks to us through the pages of this book.

So today we ask the question that many are wondering about in out time “Can you trust the Bible?” We’re going to learn from 2 Peter 1 why the Bible is not a myth, it’s the very word of God. It is absolutely trustworthy in 2025 and forever.

God Reminds Us Through Faithful Witnesses

2 Peter 1:12 (ESV) Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.

Last Sunday we talked about the qualities of Jesus that we are to be growing in. Peter is reminding us as believers of what we already know. In fact, Peter’s readers were established in the truth of God’s Word.

Why would we need reminders of what we already know? We need reminders because knowing the truth doesn’t guarantee we’ll live it out. Knowing and putting the truth into practice are two different things.

Actually, knowing the truth is far easier than obeying the truth. Spiritual reminders are not redundant and not to be dismissed. They are essential.

2 Peter 1:13–14 (ESV) I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.

God has revealed to Peter that he is nearing death. His final concern for these spiritual children of his was for their faith to remain strong. His calling was to stir up the people of God, not with a new word, but by reminding them with the Word they already knew.

In his last words, Peter reminds us of the importance of reminding one another to be stirred up in following God’s truth in His Word. The word to stir up in the Greek means to “awaken fully," "to arouse from sleep," or "to excite.” He is calling for an emotional and spiritual shaking with his reminder.

Peter also illustrates the role of mature believers in encouraging younger believers throughout their lives. There is no retirement in the kingdom of God. Faithful witnesses continue pointing others to God’s truth.

2 Peter 1:15 (ESV) And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Peter was also preparing the believers he was writing to for his death. Peter didn’t want their faith to depend on his presence. He wanted it grounded in the truth of Bod’s Word so they could return to it after he was gone.

His legacy wasn’t his personality, it was Scripture. He wanted to make sure they would remember and obey God’s Word. Faithful ministry aims not for followers of us, but followers of Jesus through His Word.

Application: Responding to God’s Reminders Through His People

How are we reminded of God’s Word today? We learned from Peter that we all need to be reminded, not only of what God’s Word says but that must put it into practice. God reminds us of His truth through the voices of faithful people.

People like pastors, parents, mentors, small group leaders or believing friends. That is why it’s so important to have relationships with other believers in our church family. We can be reminded of God’s truth in Sunday services through the message.

But it’s equally important to be reminded of God’s truth and to discuss how to apply it in one of our Life Groups. If you’re not regularly a part of one of our Life groups, you need to be. Being part of a small group is not optional, it is assumed in Scripture that everyone should be.

They are a place of reminders of God’s Word, prayer and building relationships. If none of our current Life Groups fit your schedule, let me know. We are looking to continue to expand our Life Groups.

Are you listening to and acting on the reminders God is sending your way? Or have you tuned them out because you’ve heard it before. This week, take time to thank someone who has pointed you to God’s Word.

Then consider who you can stir up by way of reminder. God uses ordinary words to keep His eternal truths alive. He uses faithful people to keep us grounded.

God Reveals His Truth Through Eyewitnesses

2 Peter 1:16 (ESV) For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

The teaching and writings in the New Testament were not man-made, artfully fabricated stories. In particular, the revelation of the future power and coming of Jesus is not some fairy tale. Peter, James and John saw the glorified Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.

They saw his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. The heavenly glory of Jesus was revealed to them. This proved that He was no ordinary human being, but the very son of God.

On the Mount, Jesus was talking with Moses and Elijah. Peter and the other two were eyewitnesses of this supernatural event showing the divinity of Jesus Christ. This was not a story they heard from someone else.

They saw it with their very eyes. The foundation of the Christian message is not imagination. It is eyewitness experience.

2 Peter 1:17 (ESV) 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,”

On that mountain top, not only was the glorified Jesus revealed, but God the Father spoke in an audible voice that all present heard. He said “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” God the Father broke into the human experience and confirmed Jesus’ identity.

Jesus was not only the Messiah. He was God’s beloved Son. This transfiguration serves as a preview of Christ’s second coming in glory.

When Jesus comes again, He will come with honor and glory, not as an ordinary human being. When He returns every eye on earth will see Him in His glory at the same time. God the Father was well pleased with Jesus for carrying out His mission.

2 Peter 1:18 (ESV) We ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

Peter reiterates that he, James and John not only saw Jesus glorified, they also heard the voice of God the Father on the mountain. This is not a secondhand account. It is not an account of one eyewitness.

This was an account of three eyewitnesses who saw and heard the same things. The account of the Transfiguration is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. The apostles did not preach and write their own ideas.

They reported what they had witnessed. Their testimony forms the foundation of our faith.

Application: Trusting and Sharing What God Has Proven True

If God went through such lengths to confirm Jesus’ identity in real time with multiple real witnesses, we can trust what those witnesses wrote down. God is not asking us to take a blind leap of faith. He gives us credible evidence.

There is much more that proves the truth and supernatural origin of God’s truth in the Bible. The book was written over thousands of years by many authors. Yet it tells one unified story.

Hundreds of prophesies were fulfilled in history and in the life of Jesus Christ. Millions of lives have been transformed down through history by the truth found in the Bible. So, let’s be people who share God’s truth boldly.

Knowing it stands firm gives us confidence. This week, consider telling someone your own eyewitness story. Think about how you’ve seen God work in your life.

Let me know and we’ll have you share your story with our church family. Your eyewitness story can be a healing, an answer to prayer, God’s guidance, how you were saved or how Jesus helped you through a difficult time.

Let your story be a light to someone else’s doubt.

God Confirms His Word through Prophetic Scripture

2 Peter 1:19 (ESV) 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,

The prophetic word referred to in this verse is the Old Testament scripture. The New Testament eyewitness experiences confirm the Old Testament prophecies. The Old Testament prophecies confirm the New Testament eyewitnesses.

Both the Old and New Testaments are God’s Word. The New Testament brings the fulfillment of the Old Testament. We need to pay attention to the complete Bible.

The Bible, God’s Word is like a lamp of truth shining in a world of sin, darkness and lies. We must pay attention to it every day of our lives. God’s Word is our standard of truth.

The day that is going to dawn is the day that Jesus returns to planet earth. When He returns as the morning star, we will also see His glory and brilliance. We will know Him in our hearts.

We will be with Him forever.

2 Peter 1:20 (ESV) Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.

This verse tells us some very important information that we must know first of all. No prophecy of Scripture was written simply by human explanation or interpretation. The words of the Bible did not come from human creativity.

Scripture is not the opinion of the human authors who wrote down the words. Rather it has divine origin. It carries divine authority.

2 Peter 1:21 (ESV) 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.

This verse is one of the most important on how the Bible was written. God’s word was not produced by human will or intellect. Human authors wrote down words that came from God.

They were inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit directed each and every word in the Bible. That is why God’s Word is truth with no error.

That’s why the Bible isn’t just reliable, it’s perfect. Not because the men were perfect, but because the Holy Spirit was. All Scripture is inspired by God.

Application: Building Daily Life Around God’s Reliable Word

God’s Word is the most reliable source of truth that we’ll ever have. It’s not based on feelings, trends or personal interpretation. It’s Spirit-breathed.

It is a book unlike any other book in the world. If you’re not reading the Bible daily, start today. When I say read the Bible, I mean read the Bible.

Not some verse a day devotional with 90% of the text what someone thinks. If you’ve not read the Bible much, don’t start in Genesis. Start in the New Testament with the Gospels.

Read through the New Testament to understand all about Jesus. Then you’ll be ready to read the Old Testament. You will see how it points to Jesus.

If you want to read on your phone, the You Version app is a good one. It has many Bible reading plans. Choose a plan that is mostly the Bible.

Not other people’ interpretation. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and apply it to your life. Make a commitment today to reading at least a chapter every day.

If a promise or verse stands out to you, write it down, memorize it, share it. God has given us one book to read. It is the book we are to follow.

Let’s learn to hear God speak to us through his Word each and every day. And then share God’s truth with others. That’s God’s vision for our church.

Conclusion: Trusting God by Trusting His Word

Let’s reflect back on our opening illustration. That long lost painting in the attic hadn’t changed. It was always a masterpiece. The only thing that changed was someone finally saw it.

They stopped overlooking it and got close enough to recognize its priceless value. That’s the invitation that God has extended to us through His Word. The Bible hasn’t changed.

It’s truth has stood for generations. It’s not just ink on a page or a dusty old book. It’s the voice of God.

It was written by men carried along by the Holy Spirit. The truth of the Bible is a lamp in the darkness. It is a firm foundation in confusion.

God’s Word is a trustworthy guide in a world of constantly shifting opinions. So what must we do with God’s Word?

We open the Bible with renewed awe, as God’s love letter to us. We trust what it says in our daily lives. We share God’s truth within at every opportunity.

We know the power of God’s Word to change lives. We live daily by God’s Word when life is easy. We live by it when it’s not.

Because when we trust the Bible, we are trusting God Himself.

📘 Continue the Journey

Reflect deeper and apply this week’s message with the Message Study Guide — perfect for personal devotions, family discussion, or your Life Group.

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