PETER KNEW THAT APOSTACY WAS COMING, AND THAT GOD'S PEOPLE WOULD BE TESTED, SO HE WARNED THEM

1. They would suffer persecution and also they would be beset by apostates corrupting their faith
2. The Apostles were "ordained" as witnesses to the Lord- but many other would so claim
3. But the events of the NT age were not done in a corner- & the shovel today continues to show us what the scribes have forgotten- The Bible is a Miracle book- believe it!

I.- NO CUNNINGLY DEVISED FABLES 16a

We have much confusion today-(who shot Kennedy)- & they had much confusion then- how to find truth?

A.- BUT THE BIBLE IS A COLLECTION OF BOOKS THAT GOD BREATHED, CANNONIZED BY THE EARLY CHURCH!

1. OT-39 Books-canonized by Ezra- translated to Greek-Septuigent-280BC- & we have 350 related manuscripts
2. NT- 27 Books-Canonized by 100 AD- without the Apocrypha- by thousands of Churches
3. In the study of Historical documents- The Bible as we how have it was settled- Rev.22:18,19

B.- BUT DURING THE BIBLE TIME, THERE WERE OTHER BOOKS WRITTEN, AND SOME CLAIMING TO BE BIBLE!

1. The Apocrypha- OT.-14; NT.- 15, that found acceptance in some churches- & Vulgate added OT-
2. The Pseudepigrapha- Not accepted by anyone- but claimed to be Scripture-written then-&copied
3. There were actual history books- Josephus- written 80AD great to read-authentic-not Bible

C.- AND THE WRITING OF MANY "BIBLES" CONTINUE EVEN THROUGH TODAY, BUT DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THEM!

1. The Koran of Mohamodism-swept world; The Book of Mormon; Science & Health; Desire of Ages
2. There are new "discoveries"- "The Aquarius Gospel of Jesus"-Astrologers trying to ride on Christianity
3. The "honest" frauds- The Satanic Bible"- current & new- & definitely not a longhair

Many of these try to prey on weak Christians- something secret-hidden-; but beware poison!
These are nothing new- Peter had the Philosophers, Sorcerers, & Gnostics BUT GOD GAVE HIM-

II.- A MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY V. 19

The speculations, theories, fables of man has been peddled -but for a sure word of prophecy-

A. PETER HAD A MORE SOUND BASIS FOR WHAT HE WROTE THAN THE SIGNS, WONDERS, DOPED VISIONS OF OTHERS

1. Does he mean- a more sure word than than the OT Prophets- or the Philosophers & religionists then?
2. Which you choose- note that Peter was- v.16 an eyewitness of Christ- v.18,9 & God's voice!
3. John the beloved that wrote Rev.-96 AD- also wrote I John 1:1-we have looked on, seen, handled

B.- THE SCIENCE AND HISTORY OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND MANUSCRIPT CRITICISM BEARS OUT PETER'S WORDS!

1. If all Bibles destroyed- We could replace most of it from over 300,000 graffiti-Tombs, pots, etc.
2. The early church fathers in their writings- made over 36,289 cataloged quotes from the Bible!
3. Add 1,700 OT Manuscripts, 4,000 NT Gr. Manuscripts, 27,000 Latin & other translations-Science evidence

C.- BUT PETER'S MESSAGE HAD AN IMPACT ON HIS GENERATION, AND BY GOD'S SPIRIT CARRIES TO OURS!

1. They made known the power and glory of the coming of Jesus v.16- the 12, & 500- preached to world
2. In a time of darkness- (confusion of sects & cults) a light shined- see men changed by God
3. Peter warned them to take heed- 19b- & so we must also keep our eyes on the light-Jesus!

Let me read you a quote about some of the other "holy books"- & you appreciate your Bible more

II.- THE BIBLE IS BREATHED BY HOLY SPIRIT! V. 20-21 8001201 GUAM

Paul said "All Scripture is given by inspiration-II Tim 3:16-"In breathed"

A.- PAUL SPOKE PLAINLY THAT THE MESSAGE OF GOD WAS GIVEN THROUGH THE APOSTLES - I Cor 2:9-16

1. God has a message for those He loves so great that their minds cannot contain it all-
2. God spiritually revealed this to "us"- the Apostles- and they wrote "inspired Scripture"
3. These writings are hidden to the natural mind- but revealed through the spirit! -read them.

B.- PETER PLAINLY SAID THAT NO SCRIPTURE IS OF ANY PRIVATE INTERPRETATION, - beware v.20

1. The night manager of "Owl "bookstore states that the water pot-in gospels is proof of Aquarius message
2. Some preachers succumb to temptation to set dates, align nations-& predict Antichrist- beware
3. But when you compare Scripture with Scripture-The basic church holds 90% together-Bible Doctrine

C.- THE BIBLE CAME TO US NOT BY THE WILL OF MAN; AND MUST BE ALSO INTERPRETED BY MOVING OF SPIRIT

1. The will of man gave us the great minds of all the ancient kingdoms- Greece & Rome- interesting
2. The Holy Spirit gave the Bible-prophecy- GOD SPAKE! & holy men repeated - So study it carefully
3. The Same Holy Spirit will teach you today- not for new Bibles! but the Eternal Word-

There is no shortcut to reading and understanding the Bible- get to it! Believe it-

WILL YOU LET THE DAY DAWN AND THE DAY STAR ARISE IN YOUR HEART V.19 - MEET JESUS OR BE CONFUSED!

1. The mysteries of the Bible are revealed--enough to get you saved- no more for your pride!
2. The mysteries are then revealed only as far as you are willing to OBEY GOD!
3. The faithful can face the future, with all its confusion- Bible bred and Bible Led!