Originally Posted by Newman
Originally Posted by AC.
Hey Brian, when taking the chapter as a whole it appears to me that 2Peter 2 is talking about false prophets and decievers who may have been taught (and have instructed others in) the way but never had spiritual life. The verse does not seem to be as potent of an endorsement of losing salvation when considering the whole chapter (unless I'm missing something?)

In fact, Peter seems to really be railing against those of whom he speaks in this chapter.....
I'm aware of the context. The fact remains that Peter says that these false prophets and deceivers had escaped the pollutions of the world. In order for it to mean what you think it means, you must introduce something into the text which is not there...you must interpret "they have escaped," penned by the divinely inspired Peter as "appearing to have escaped." Right?

Hey Brian, what Peter says here is a correct....unlike the heathen they were recipients of the Gospel and made a public profession (and were most probably baptized in the name of Jesus)which especially in those days was no light manner (unlike many of the nominal Christians of recent times). Just like those infants who are baptized in the name of Jesus and are taught the Gospel/hearers of the word (Christ crucified....they have also escaped the pollutions of the world in a sense, as external recipients of the means of grace, however......

Let's consider these few verses of 1 John 2 -
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19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

So considering all of what I wrote how do you take what Peter says? You don't believe in 'eternal security' for lack of a better term so what are you implying that Peter means when he says....'they have escaped the pollution of this world? that it was a conditional escape? They escaped from the pollutions on the condition that they don't go back to the pollution? I don't believe Peter is speaking about salvation here....he is speaking externally, Peter does not have divine insight and he is speaking as an observer, not as one judging the heart or teaching unconditional/conditional election or ir/resistible grace.....that is not the focus or the intent of his words here.....Reformed Christians believe that by the fruits you will know who the true Christians are (but even so we don't have the divine insight to know who the true child of God is with complete certainty). We also believe that man is accountable, especially those who have been taught/shown the way and know the truth...they will be beaten with more stripes than the heathen....as Matthew Henry comments....
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A state of apostasy is worse than a state of ignorance. To bring an evil report upon the good way of God, and a false charge against the way of truth, must expose to the heaviest condemnation.


the next verse 2 Peter 2:22 states.....
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For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
we have no indication that these 'false prophets' 'deceivers' were regenerated....quite the opposite since these labels are pretty good indicators that they are under demonic influence and do not have God's protection.

Sorry for the long post....I probably haven't changed your mind but thanks for considering what I wrote, regardless!

Peace!

AC

Last edited by AC.; Wed Aug 03, 2011 12:50 AM.
The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine