2 Peter (Introduction) (Bible Study)

Authenticity and Themes of the Second Epistle of Peter.
The Second Epistle of Peter, authored by Simon Peter around A.D. 66 shortly before his martyrdom, faced significant historical challenges regarding its authenticity but is now widely accepted as genuine. It serves as Peter's final letter, warning of impending apostasy and emphasizing the necessity of knowledge of Christ as the defense against heresy. The epistle highlights growth in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ as essential for Christians, contrasting with the Gnostic heresy that claimed secret knowledge. Peter anchors the church on Scripture as the sure defense against false teachings, paralleling Paul's final epistle, 2 Timothy, in its themes of warning and steadfast faith.