HOW ARE WE TO REMEMBER WHAT THE PROPHETS AND APOSTLES SAID?
In the apostle Peter’s second letter, he shared his intent to stimulate their thinking by urging them to always remember the words of the holy prophets and of the commands of Jesus given through the apostles. In this way, Peter put the writings of the apostles on equal footing with that of the prophets. For both the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles wrote by the inspiration and authority of the Lord. As Peter stated earlier in his second letter, “No prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God” (2 Pet. 1:21). Likewise, the apostles of Jesus did not speak their own words, but bore first hand witness to what they had seen and heard of Jesus, as they were commanded by Him.
So Peter wanted believers to remember and always be mindful of what is now called the Old and New Testaments. His desire was that by remembering the words of the prophets and the apostles that the minds of believers would be stirred up to pure and wholesome thinking.
But how are we to remember what the prophets and apostles said? Read, study and meditate on God’s Word. For the key to a renewed mind is what we put in it.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your Word. It is one of Your greatest gifts to us. Help us to always desire it and remember it. Even more, through Your Spirit, empower us to live by it. In Jesus’ name, amen.