1:12 Peter 1:1

Simon Peter as servant and apostle of Jesus Christ writes to those who have obtained like precious faith with him and the apostles and early believers, a faith of equal value shared by all believers including new converts.RH Jan 14, 1909+3
That faith is a precious gift of God within reach of all, genuine saving faith of inestimable worth that is not fruitless or merely formal.Ms 69, 1911, par. 1–4+4
It is obtained through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is both God and Saviour, and not through any righteousness or effort of one's own.RH Jan 14, 1909+3
It is faith that works by love and purifies the soul, uniting even the weakest believer to Christ so the just live a Christlike life of obedience and constant advancement.Lt 44, 1893, par. 13+4
It begins God's plan of addition in godliness, to be given all diligence day by day by adding to faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity, while the Lord multiplies grace and peace.Ms 79, 1912, par. 1–4+2

Simon Peter introduces himself as both a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, writing to believers who share with him a faith of equal preciousness, obtained through the righteousness of God and of Jesus Christ, to whom he pronounces blessing and urges continued growth in Christian virtues.Ms 23, 1910, par. 2–6 The address is to those who have obtained like precious faith with Peter, the apostles, the disciples, and the early Christians, a faith of equal preciousness and value shared by all believers.RH Jan 14, 1909+4 That faith is as precious as the apostles' own, received through the righteousness of God and Jesus Christ, and the exhortation that follows is valuable to all who are striving for immortality.2T 471.1–2+2 The verses that follow set out God's plan for developing Christian character, in which through knowledge of God and Jesus, divine power, and precious promises, believers receive what they need for life and godliness, may become partakers of the divine nature escaping the world's corruption, and are to grow diligently in faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity so as to be fruitful in knowing Christ.RH Sep 19, 1912

The address includes those who have just come to faith, new believers who have obtained a faith as precious as that shared by Peter and the other apostles through the righteousness of God and Jesus Christ.HLT1 v.1 It names as receivers those who have received the same precious faith through the righteousness of God and Jesus Christ, including young Christians, and with the verses that follow gives instruction of special value to those who desire the highest success in the Christian life and to perfect Christian character as laborers together with God.Ms 143, 1907, par. 1–5 It is a message for the little flock who have turned their feet into the royal path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in, including those newly keeping the Sabbath.Lt 59a, 1895, par. 5 It addresses young converts who have just obtained like precious faith as the starting point for growth in the Christian life.HLT1 v.2–6.3 It describes a like precious faith shared by those who take their stand on the commandments of God, including many who come into that faith from other churches.Ms 48, 1890, par. 3

The verse is spoken to both believers and unbelievers and calls those who have obtained like precious faith through the righteousness of God and Saviour Jesus Christ to a great and earnest work because the world is fast ripening for the closing up of its history.Ms 140, 1908, par. 6–9 Those who are truly serving the Lord Jesus will be a holy, sanctified people, communicating the light of truth to all around them, not only in their households but outside them to those who are not in the faith.Ms 140, 1908, par. 6–9 Those who have this faith are the people of God, distinct from unbelievers and worldlings, sharing a faith of equal preciousness with the apostles.Lt 47, 1891, par. 6–9 Here, people of like precious faith are Sabbath-keepers who should have access to care without endangering their religious principles or lacking fellowship in matters of faith.1T 490.2–491.3

Jesus Christ is presented as both God and Savior, through whose righteousness with God believers have received a faith as precious as the apostles'.RH Jan 14, 1909 The Father and the Son are presented as distinct persons who provide all the power believers need when they ask for it.Ms 49, 1906, par. 1–4

The faith of 2 Peter 1:1 is precious and held in common, the same in value for all who obtain it through the righteousness of God and Saviour Jesus Christ.Ms 69, 1911, par. 1–4+3 It is God's gift to the humble and contrite, and its grace, privilege and promise stand within reach of everyone so that all may come and share in them.Ms 116, 1905, par. 13–17+2 Growing in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour belongs to preparation for eternal life, with believers to increase daily in grace, knowledge and faith and to continue step by step toward perfection.Ms 69, 1911, par. 1–4+1

It is genuine, true saving faith of inestimable value as a precious treasure, the faith of God's elect.19MR 339.1–4+2 It is not fruitless, not superficial, not merely formal, and not the faith of a heretic or hypocrite.19MR 339.1–4+2

It is the faith that must be had, faith that works by love and purifies the soul.Lt 44, 1893, par. 13+3 The just live by it a truly spiritual, Christlike life of obedience to all of God's commandments, a life of progression and constant advancement taken one step at a time.19MR 339.1–4+1 That sanctifying faith is not produced by human plans or effort.Lt 65, 1900, par. 4–9

It unites the human with the divine nature and joins even the weakest believer to Jesus Christ, whose strength makes the weak strong.19MR 339.1–4+2 The righteousness and character of Christ are the source from which believers receive what they need to live faithfully.19MR 339.1–4+1

It must be constantly cherished, cultivated and kept in exercise in order to realize God's claims upon believers.RH May 26, 1904+4 It does not depend on intense feelings, loud petitions or physical exertion, but takes God at His word and reaches out to the Saviour to receive blessing, as illustrated by the woman's trust in Jesus.ST Feb 11, 1889 Forming character through daily faith in Christ in this way reveals His character and brings rest in accepting His yoke.RH May 26, 1904

It is precious because redemption was bought with the blood of the only begotten Son of God.Lt 144, 1903, par. 14–16 He was tried to the uttermost in human nature by affliction and bore the death penalty of transgression as the sinner's substitute and surety, and shows the fruit of His sufferings and death in His resurrection as the resurrection and the life.Lt 144, 1903, par. 14–16 All who will come under the covenant promise may obtain this like precious faith, and those who believe in Him and do the works of righteousness that He does are justified, sanctified, made white and tried, and obtain godliness and eternal life.Lt 144, 1903, par. 14–16

The like precious faith is obtained through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is both God and Saviour, and not through any righteousness, worth, plans, or effort of one's own.RH Jan 14, 1909+4 It must be constantly cherished, as the same faith the early Christians cherished, in order to realize God's claims upon believers, and cherished in this way it sanctifies and purifies the soul, forms character through daily faith in Christ, reveals His character, and brings rest by accepting His yoke.RH May 26, 1904+3 The surrounding verses promise that God's divine power supplies what is needed for life and godliness so that believers may become partakers of the divine nature, which means Christ gives moral power so every person may share in that nature, at the cost of His own life.Ms 68, 1895, par. 1–2

Contemplating Christ and His righteousness is a grand theme that leaves no room for self-righteousness or for glorifying self.Lt 43, 1895, par. 13–25 Christ's righteousness makes true obedience acceptable, and every good thing in a person comes through Him, while holiness is produced by divine grace as people submit to the Spirit and persevere in overcoming.Lt 43, 1895, par. 13–25+1 That righteousness and the merits of Jesus are the believer's dependence, and through consecration with determined purpose to live a Christian life and by taking hold of Christ with living faith at once, a person can be made clean and white in character.2MR 287.3–289.3+1 To neglect taking hold of Christ by living faith brings great loss, and character now being formed determines future destiny for life or for death.2MR 287.3–289.3+1

Jesus stood at the head of humanity as sin-bearer and representative head and overcame on humanity's behalf, so that believers may overcome in His strength and through His strength.RH Apr 24, 1900+1 The like precious faith is not mere profession that says I am saved while the heart is at enmity with the law, but harmony with God's great moral standard of righteousness.Ms 53, 1890, par. 48–59 That righteousness is received when the convicted sinner repents toward God and believes in Jesus Christ, who became substitute and surety, took human sins, suffered the Guiltless for the guilty, and imputes His own righteousness to all who believe in Him and accept Him as personal Saviour, with law and gospel going hand in hand as a perfect whole to produce unfeigned love and faith, cleansing from all sin and adoption into the royal family as sons of God and joint heirs with Christ.Ms 53, 1890, par. 48–59

Peter's greeting opens practical instruction in godliness that is to be heeded with most earnest effort, read and practiced day by day.Ms 154, 1907, par. 17–22+1 Those who have obtained like precious faith stand at the beginning of God's prescribed plan of addition for attaining Christian perfection, to be perfected by adding grace to grace with increasing trust in and reverence for God in genuine simplicity rather than vain show.Ms 154, 1907, par. 17–22+1 Believers are to give all diligence to add to faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity.Ms 79, 1912, par. 1–4+2 There is no graduation in this school, for faith must be held and kept growing by constant diligence through the grace of Christ, while the Lord works on the plan of multiplication, multiplying grace and peace.Lt 44, 1893, par. 13+2 Doing this work brings the peace that comes from God's plan, makes victors at last, makes believers lights shining amid moral darkness and a power to bless, valued for simplicity of true virtue rather than name or exalted favor.Ms 154, 1907, par. 17–22+1

Grace and peace are multiplied through the knowledge of God and of Jesus the Lord.Ms 164, 1907, par. 1–2+1 That knowledge means knowing God and His relation with Christ and Christ's relation to God.Ms 164, 1907, par. 1–2 It carries conditions and influences that work through every soul who considers and weighs the matter intelligently, using all brainpower to understand the Word.Ms 164, 1907, par. 1–2 The Holy Spirit sanctifies through that knowledge, with God's Word serving as counselor and teacher.Ms 192, 1907, par. 1+1 Through that knowledge His divine power has given to those called to glory and virtue all things that pertain to life and godliness.Ms 102, 1899, par. 1–2+2

Exceeding great and precious promises are given so that by them believers may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.Ms 79, 1912, par. 1–4+2 This shows what humanity may become through privileges and opportunities in Christ when brought into obedience to God under control of divinity, on which future eternal happiness depends.RH Sep 19, 1912+1 God provides what is needed for life and godliness, including divine power and precious promises, while people diligently develop Christian character, resist temptation, and become fruitful in knowing Christ.RH Sep 19, 1912+1 Christ gives moral power so every person may share in that nature, at the cost of His own life, securing pardon for sinners through His suffering.Ms 68, 1895, par. 1–2+1

The chapter presents genuine sanctification and conversion as a continuing, progressive work of transformation from unholiness to holiness and growth in grace and Christian character, not completed at once.Ms 45, 1900, par. 20–23+2 God works for sanctification and supplies increasing grace as believers cooperate through persevering effort, cultivation of right habits, and faithful practice in daily duties.Ms 45, 1900, par. 20–23+2 Faith and God's promises lead believers to reflect the divine image and character through faithful practice in daily life.Ms 45, 1900, par. 20–23+1 Merely beginning the work is not attaining it, for the just live by faith in a spiritual, Christlike life of successive steps of progress, with faith cultivated and joining human nature with divine nature.Ms 13, 1884, par. 5–8+1

As these added qualities abound believers are not barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ but fruitful, and do not forget cleansing from old sins.Ms 79, 1912, par. 1–4+2 Growth includes temperance by overcoming every intemperate habit, and growth in Christlike kindness, tenderness, love, and patience.Lt 166, 1907, par. 7+1 Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in this way affects the entire character with heart, mind, soul, and strength enlisted.Ms 33, 1901, par. 2 Following these principles while seeking the righteousness of Christ secures eternal life, makes believers one with the Saviour, molds character after Christ's likeness into a holy temple for the Lord, and causes light to shine through them to the church and to the world.Ms 33, 1901, par. 2

The whole Christian experience is presented in small compass and is all embraced in believing and doing the words of Christ.Ms 105, 1894, par. 14–15 The first chapter beginning with this greeting is full of instruction, strikes the keynote of victory, and is to be studied and practiced.Lt 43, 1895, par. 13–25 Its teaching is to be carried into religious life as continual increase in grace, with no backward steps and no standstill but continual advancement in every stage of the knowledge of Christ.Lt 43, 1895, par. 13–25+1 That advance is joyful progress in knowing the Lord.Lt 54, 1911, par. 7

The greeting holds out the possibility of an experience wholly sufficient to place the believer in right relation to God.Ms 99a, 1908, par. 1–2 Every promise in God's book gives encouragement that believers may be partakers of the divine nature.Ms 99a, 1908, par. 1–2 That possibility is to rely upon God, to believe His Word, and to work His works by laying hold of the divinity of Christ.Ms 99a, 1908, par. 1–2 It is worth more than all the riches of the world, with nothing on earth to compare to it, and as believers lay hold of the power thus placed within reach they receive a hope so strong they can rely wholly upon God's promises, and laying hold of the possibilities in Christ they become sons and daughters of God.Ms 99a, 1908, par. 1–2

Those who have obtained this like precious faith through the righteousness of God and Saviour Jesus Christ are granted great privileges and blessings with nothing withheld from them.Lt 43, 1895, par. 13–25 That righteousness is a grand theme for contemplation, and contemplating Christ and His righteousness leaves no room for self-righteousness or for glorifying self.Lt 43, 1895, par. 13–25 The first chapter beginning with this greeting is full of instruction, strikes the keynote of victory, is to be studied and practiced, and allows no standstill but continual advancement in every stage of the knowledge of Christ.Lt 43, 1895, par. 13–25 It sets forth privileges and opportunities to increase in knowledge and in grace and perfection of Christian character.Ms 92, 1900, par. 11–12 Even the very simplest can take hold of the divine nature and become a partaker of Jesus Christ through the knowledge of Jesus Christ who gave His life to buy them with a price, even the precious blood of the Son of God.Ms 163, 1898, par. 16–17

Standing in Christ keeps them from drifting with temptation, and if they are determined to make of themselves all that God intended, they can become as precious in the sight of God as Daniel was, beloved of God.Ms 163, 1898, par. 16–17 God does not act without human cooperation and will not force anyone to drink of the water of life, but those who are complete in Christ are looked upon by God as heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ to the immortal inheritance.Ms 163, 1898, par. 16–17 Election is connected with faith and the righteousness of God and Christ, for God elects those who follow the plan of spiritual growth described in the chapter, and no one who is unprepared for heaven enters it.Lt 53, 1904, par. 16–18 Yet Christ has paid the price for every person, so all are redeemed and none need be lost.Lt 53, 1904, par. 16–18 Those who receive Christ as their personal Saviour are given power to become God's children, and through repentance and intelligent faith they are cleansed from sin and may share in the divine nature.Lt 53, 1904, par. 16–18

The same valuable faith brings believers into a life where grace and peace are multiplied through knowing God and Jesus, where divine power has given everything needed for life and godliness, and where exceeding great promises enable sharing in the divine nature and escaping the corruption in the world through lust.Ms 79, 1912, par. 1–4 That faith must be exercised by giving all diligence to add virtue and knowledge and temperance and patience and godliness and brotherly kindness and charity, so believers are not barren nor unfruitful in knowing Christ and do not forget cleansing from old sins.Ms 79, 1912, par. 1–4+1 There is no graduation in the school of Christ; believers must work on the plan of addition while the Lord works on the plan of multiplication.Lt 44, 1893, par. 13 Those who have this faith must place themselves where they can follow on to know the Lord by searching the Scriptures and carrying them out in daily life, and it is by practice of the Word and by prayer and watchfulness and service to God that religious experience is confirmed.Ms 79, 1912, par. 1–4

Doing these things gives assurance and makes calling and election doubly sure so they never fall but have a right to enter through the gates into the city of God with an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.Ms 79, 1912, par. 1–4+1 Doing the work it requires gives the grace of Christ, makes victors at last, and secures the eternal life insurance policy that Christ gave His life so every soul could secure through His grace, received through obedience to the law of God and giving the entire self to Christ as His soldier of the cross under Him as Captain of salvation, proved in personal religious experience testifying that Christ has not died in vain.Ms 154, 1907, par. 17–22 This greeting begins God's eternal life insurance policy, given instead of a Freemason life insurance policy.Lt 374, 1907, par. 25–29 It is to be repeated to those in danger as protection, promising eternal life to those who add grace to grace and assuring that if they make their calling and election sure, they shall never fall and an entrance shall be ministered unto them abundantly into the everlasting kingdom.Lt 374, 1907, par. 25–29

The chapter's teaching is a promise of eternal life: those who study and practice its words develop a character fit for entrance into God's kingdom.Lt 21, 1910, par. 13 It is valuable for every church member, and its words are to be kept in mind and heart.Lt 37, 1905, par. 3–4 It points to Christ's suffering to secure pardon for sinners and to the purpose that people become partakers of the divine nature, overcoming the corruption in the world through lust.Lt 37, 1905, par. 3–4 Believers add virtue and other graces day by day so they can overcome and stand before God, and this growth leads to entrance into Christ's everlasting kingdom and eternal life.Ms 118, 1909, par. 1–4 It is a precious picture of what Christians may become when they hear and obey its counsel, its instruction is to be studied and practiced with watchfulness and prayer, and it warns against lifting the soul to vanity.Lt 188, 1906, par. 1–4

Eternal life is obtained by living according to the plan of addition, while disobedience and treating oneself as a law unto oneself disqualify a person from citizenship in God's kingdom.Ms 3, 1906, par. 10 The first chapter explains the character that must be formed in those who are to enter God's city through the precious faith by which believers receive the righteousness of God and Jesus Christ.Lt 95, 1901, par. 24–30

God is the source of human power and ability, and recognizing personal weakness while trusting Him as helper guards against self-confidence and brings spiritual life, gratitude, and light to others.Ms 134, 1909, par. 1–2 Daily conversion keeps a living connection with God, and on that connection the responsibilities of ministry depend.Ms 134, 1909, par. 1–2 Christ is the only hope and sole and complete dependence, the helper and strength and sympathizing and sympathetic friend who understands human weakness, to whom every trial and perplexity is to be brought in faith.Ms 1, 1895, par. 34–35+1 Because this precious faith rests on Christ received through the righteousness of God and Jesus Christ, believers are to trust in Him rather than depend on human beings to direct them.Ms 41, 1908, par. 1–5

Those who take the name of Christian are to obey in order to honor that name, with the mind thoroughly cultivated and with all aspirations and enterprises that pure religion sanctions allowed.Lt 337, 1904, par. 10 Obeying this instruction brings rich blessing.Lt 337, 1904, par. 10 Sharing in the promised reward requires obedience to God's law and, through Christ's grace, a character fit to stand before heaven.Ms 116, 1905, par. 13–17

The verse gives instruction for educational work for youth, and those in positions of responsibility for establishing new schools for training children should give it special study in managing school matters.Ms 54, 1903, par. 1–2 Youth are thus to be surrounded by the most favorable circumstances for forming a character strong enough to withstand the evils of this world, since believers have obtained a faith as precious as the apostles' through the righteousness of God and Jesus Christ.Ms 54, 1903, par. 1–2+1 Parents should teach this same precious faith carefully to their children, so that the household may rejoice together in the peace of Jesus Christ.Ms 229, 1902, par. 53–56 Christian parents rightly count partaking of and cherishing this faith in its gospel simplicity as of greater importance for their children than literary attainments with all their dangers, guarding against confusing influences, associations, and companionships that sweep faith away and lead through objectionable influences to doubt and skepticism that throws off restraint and leaves morals and principles worse.Ms 45, 1893, par. 1

The chapter sets forth the experiences that fit men and women to become efficient workers for God, and those who offer themselves for service, including those not yet adapted to one line of work, should study it to gain that fitness and be directed to work they can do.17MR 36.1–2+1 Churches and schools are to be taught pure truth free from error and fables, so their minds may grasp the truths concerning salvation.Ms 70, 1901, par. 28–30 That teaching must come by a message bearing the Holy Spirit's authority, and teachings that mix truth with error or divert minds from truth are to be rejected.Ms 70, 1901, par. 28–30

Receiving God's grace brings responsibility to act diligently and carry the light of the gospel to others and seek the salvation of fellow human beings.Ms 62, 1901, par. 1–2 Faith is the starting point for a life of godliness and self-control enabled by Christ's power and promises, growing through continual advance in the qualities listed in the chapter.ST May 8, 1901+1 Believers are to press onward and upward in service, relying on God's sustaining power and grace, since God provides what is needed to reach the standard He sets and Christ died so believers may share in the divine nature and escape the world's corruption.ST May 8, 1901 Those who have obtained like precious faith through the righteousness of God and Saviour Jesus Christ are called to a great and earnest work because the world is fast ripening for the closing up of its history, and those truly serving the Lord Jesus will be a holy, sanctified people communicating the light of truth to all around them, not only in their households but outside them to those not in the faith.Ms 140, 1908, par. 6–9

Those who have obtained like precious faith hold the same precious faith in common in equal value and are members of the body of Christ to act in harmony and harmonious action together.12MR 38.3+3 God entrusts each believer with the work of blessing and comforting those of like precious faith, looking up and believing in Jesus and being a light to others by example and cheerful service in response to His love in giving His precious life to save them.12MR 38.3+1 They are to counsel together in unity with clear mind and clear testimony and to speak about Jesus and His love, to support one another and seek one another's companionship and maintain close Christian fellowship and devotion with Christian privileges.Lt 88, 1906, par. 1–2+3 This fellowship produces the oneness Christ prayed for through the Holy Ghost, and to think the Christian life can be lived apart from those of like faith or without those privileges is deception by the enemy.STOM 47.1

Fellow believers who share this faith as precious as the apostles' are joined by present truth and need watchfulness and prayer when separated from one another.Lt 10, 1856, par. 1–2 Their interests must be guarded, and entertaining suggestions and reports from the enemies of God and truth against them sows the seed of evil surmising in prepared soil producing a harvest after its kind and allows a root of bitterness to defile many.Ms 24, 1892, par. 10 Publicly magnifying differences among fellow workers dishonors God and the truth and gives their enemies an advantage.Lt 25b, 1892, par. 17

The chapter brings comfort and encouragement to everyone who shares the same precious faith, and it should be read aloud in the churches as an uplifting testimony.Lt 18, 1912, par. 2–3 When its truths are allowed to fill heart and mind, they give strength to resist every temptation to look on the dark side of circumstances and to speak discouragement.Lt 18, 1912, par. 2–3 It is valuable for every church member, with its words to be kept in mind and heart, pointing to Christ's suffering to secure pardon for sinners and to the purpose that people become partakers of the divine nature by overcoming the corruption in the world through lust.Lt 37, 1905, par. 3–4 It is a message for the church to obey in both letter and spirit, calling for a change in speech and spirit particularly among those seeking office.Lt 164, 1910, par. 3 It begins a charge that every person has self to bring into order and reason to walk carefully before God to honor and fear Him and glorify His holy name, opening the whole chapter to the close as a corrective to the wrong course pursued by professed believers, to the perversities of human beings claiming to be God's people, to Satan's working against God's plans, and to conference presidents who are not sanctified and prepared.Lt 189, 1909, par. 30–31

God provided for perishing souls by sending His only begotten Son, though the world would not receive Him, and the promises connected with this provision are to be grasped and acted upon.Ms 71, 1911, par. 13–16 The devil works to get God out of sight and make Him seem a nonentity, so people cannot recognize the Lord God of heaven, the all-powerful God, as with His people.Ms 153, 1904, par. 53–56 Grace and peace are multiplied to believers through knowing God and Jesus Christ as they act on the plan of addition by adding the Christian graces, and Christ then works on the plan of multiplication to fit them as laborers together with God.Ms 153, 1904, par. 53–56 Believers build character by adding grace to grace, and as they do this God multiplies grace and peace to them.20MR 342.5 Faith in Jesus is the basis for growing in Christian experience in Christ's school, and failure to grow leaves weakness and burden and frailties of religious experience.Ms 88, 1893, par. 9–13