The beating heart of the Scriptures is the good news of salvation bound up in Jesus Christ, something Peter has summarized (1 Pet. 1:20-21), characterized (1 Pet. 1:24-25), and actualized (1 Pet. 1:23) in the accomplishment of God’s saving purposes. All this serves as a reminder for us of what we possess in the holy Scriptures. Through them the Spirit nourishes us with the truth and invigorates us for our journey as aliens and sojourners.
But the word of the LORD endures forever. (1 Peter 1:25, NKJV)
Peter held a high view of the Bible. He regarded it for what it is, the word of God Himself. In his second epistle Peter explains to us the nature of Scripture: “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:20–21).
In this affirmation, Peter recognizes that the written Word does not ultimately originate with man but with God. He particularly identifies the Holy Spirit as the One who brings truth to light. The Spirit inspires, illuminates, and accomplishes His purposes through the Bible. Those Scriptures relate to the Old Testament and also to the New (cf. 2 Pet. 3:15-16).
