Word Studies: II Peter/Jude

Class: 2 Peter/Jude

Week #6: October 17-21
Professor: Mr. Matthew Little
Assignments: The epistles of II Peter and Jude need to be read once before the classes start on Tuesday morning.
The sections of Be Alert (Warren Wiersbe) dealing with II Peter and Jude are to be read.

Mr. Little is a graduate of New Brunswick Bible Institute (NBBI). Completing four years of training in 1998, he served in pastoral ministries across Ontario and New Brunswick, along with his wife and three children. He is involved in hospital chaplaincy ministry and serves on the Canadian Board of Biblical Ministries Worldwide. In 2008, Mr. Little joined the NBBI faculty as a full-time staff member.


II Peter and Jude are two epistles which cannot be compared to any other books of the Bible. The intent of each book is to expose and condemn false teachers. When one reads these two books, they may seem extremely harsh and unforgiving. However, Peter and Jude are discussing teachers who deserve the condemnations found in these letters. They have no respect for the Word of God or even the Author Himself and teach doctrine directly adverse to what the Bible says. Because of this egregious assault on truth, Peter and Jude seek to warn believers about these false teachers and teach believers discernment and understanding in fighting for the standard of truth found in God's Word.

As Peter and Jude did in these small yet powerful epistles, Mr. Little also seeks to warn the students of false teachers and give them an understanding of truth versus falsehood.

The teacher and some students shared some thoughts on the subject.

"We have to be on guard against apostasy and be firmly grounded in the truth. We have to be proactive in teaching others."
- Mr. Little, New Brunswick

"I've always known the dangers of not being firmly established in the Word, but so far, all through II Peter it stresses how dangerous are the ways of the world and how we need to be aware of false teachers. The book is a giant call to be holy and to know God's truth. It just seems neat to me to be learning about reasons to study God's Word while at the BI."
- Cameron, Mt. Forest

"This week in the II Peter and Jude class, I am learning that we should know our faith well, so we will not be deceived by false teachers. Also, Jesus is coming and we should be prepared."
- Sophia, Waterloo

The year at the Bible Institute is an intense training session from opening weekend to Open Air Evangelism all the way through Word of Life Youth Camp for summer ministry. However, without studying the Word of God the students would be without the firm foundation they need to withstand "the wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:11). II Peter and Jude teach this principle of the study of truth. Without a knowledge of truth, how can one defend the truth? In today's world, believers need to know, trust and defend the truth of God's Word.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

- 1 Peter 3:15

BW

Learning the Word: 2 Peter and Jude

From WOLBRANOS

"2 Peter 1:5-10 has really stood out to me this week and is showing me that on top of faith in Christ we are supposed to act out our faith and bear fruit." -student (2010-11)

This week at WOLBI students are really enjoying 2 Peter and Jude with Matt Little.  Mr. Little graduated from New Brunswick Bible Institute in the spring of 1998 after completing four years of training. Along with his wife and three children, he has enjoyed ten years of pastoral ministry in the provinces of Ontario and New Brunswick. He serves on the Canadian Board of Biblical Ministries Worldwide and has been involved in hospital chaplaincy ministry. After teaching in a part time capacity at NBBI the Littles joined the faculty full time in May 2008.

One student comments about an example that Mr. Little used in class:

"Charles Templeton is an excellent example of how we can know about God and still not have a saving faith."  Another said, "It has really stood out to me how I can know what's in the Bible and discern if what someone is teaching is false."  We can only get our facts from God's Word and take literally what He says.

Matt Little is also learning as he teaches:

"As I am nearing the end of my second year teaching at WOLBI, 2 Peter and Jude continue to take on a deeper meaning for me.  These small epistles form the bedrock of truth concerning apostasy, and are becoming that much more important as we edge closer to the return of Christ.  I have especially come to appreciate more the culmination of Peter's teaching on apostasy, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (3:18)."  Nothing shines the light on error any more then a whole lot of people that are living for Christ."