Peter directs those seeking salvation today to Paul's epistles.
Peter connects the longsuffering of the Lord to salvation, then immediately refers to Paul's wisdom and 'all his epistles' speaking of these things. Les Feldick teaches this means the epistles of Paul—Romans through Hebrews—are where those seeking salvation today are to look.
2 Peter 3:15-16 — Peter explicitly ties salvation to Paul and his epistles, directly answering where the Bible says salvation is found today.
In 2 Peter 3:15-16, Peter writes: 'And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.'
In his teaching on 2 Peter 3:15-16, Les Feldick says Peter is pointing readers to Paul's epistles. He shows that Paul had written 'the wisdom' given to him by revelation, and identifies 'all his epistles' as Romans through Hebrews—'the heart of our New Testament.' These letters, Les says, speak of 'these things,' namely salvation.
Les Feldick says the phrase 'all his epistles' in 2 Peter 3:16 refers to Romans through Hebrews. He says those books are 'bunched together' in the New Testament and are 'the heart of our New Testament.'
Les explains that Peter was steeped in Judaism, legalism, temple worship, and Old Testament covenant promises. The idea that God was now bringing salvation to the whole human race was unthinkable to him. Even years afterward, Peter still had difficulty putting everything together that Paul had brought on the scene, though he agreed Paul was on the right track.
In Acts, Peter told Israel to 'repent and be baptized.' Les contrasts that with Paul's message to the Gentiles: 'believe the gospel.' He says Paul's letters, from Romans through Hebrews, never teach repentance and baptism for salvation; it is a different economy.
Peter wrote that unlearned and unstable people wrest Paul's epistles, 'as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction' (2 Peter 3:16). Les cites this as the end result for those who twist Paul's writings.
Peter Points to Paul's Epistles
Les shows that Peter, in 2 Peter 3, identifies Paul's epistles as containing salvation truth and says Romans through Hebrews are the heart of the New Testament.
Romans Through Hebrews
Les reiterates that Peter means Romans through Hebrews when he says Paul wrote in all his epistles about 'these things,' that is, salvation.
Peter's Admission of Difficult Things
Les explains that even at the end of his life, Peter still could not fully comprehend all that Paul had brought on the scene, yet he acknowledged Paul wrote about salvation.
Why the Gospels Aren't for the Church — 2 Corinthians 5
And they're missing the boat. Not that you ignore the Gospels. Oh, heaven forbid! I love to teach them. But you see, our basic doctrine for salvation, oh, now let me show you a verse in Peter. See that? That's the way I teach. I can't help that. Come back to Peter, I Peter, II Peter I mean, II Peter. Just come back from Revelation, just a few pages to the left, and you get II Peter.
Peter at the End of His Ministry
Les notes that Peter wrote shortly before his martyrdom, after Paul's gospel had been on the scene for years, and that Peter at least understood enough to say the longsuffering of the Lord is salvation.
Paul's Letters for the Church Age
Les teaches that Paul is the designated apostle of the Gentiles and that the Pauline letters contain the fundamental truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and the local church in this age of grace.
Peter's Acts Message vs. Paul's Gospel
Les contrasts Peter's Acts 2 instruction—repent and be baptized—with Paul's message for the Gentile—believe the gospel—and says Paul's letters never teach repentance and baptism for salvation.
Why It Was Hard for Peter
Les explains that Peter's Jewish and legalistic background made it hard for him to accept salvation for the whole human race, and that unlearned and unstable people twist Paul's writings to their destruction.
2 Peter 3:15: And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
This verse directly connects salvation to Paul's writings, answering where the Bible says to find salvation.
2 Peter 3:16: As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Peter confirms that Paul wrote about salvation in all his epistles and warns about those who twist his writings.
Acts 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Les quotes this as Peter's earlier message to Israel, contrasting it with Paul's gospel for the Gentiles.
Yes. In 2 Peter 3:15-16, Peter says the longsuffering of the Lord is salvation and that Paul wrote of these things in all his epistles. Les Feldick points out that Peter is telling his readers to go to Paul's letters for the truth about salvation.
Les Feldick teaches that the phrase refers to Romans through Hebrews, which he calls the heart of the New Testament. These letters, he says, are where 'these things'—salvation—are spoken of.
Les explains that Peter was steeped in Judaism and legalism and had been taught the Old Testament covenant promises. The idea that God was now saving the whole human race through grace alone was hard for Peter to grasp, and he admitted some things in Paul's writings were difficult to understand.
Les contrasts Peter's words at Pentecost—'repent and be baptized'—with Paul's gospel for the Gentile: 'believe the gospel.' He says Paul's letters never teach repentance and baptism for salvation; that was part of a different economy.
Watch the Teaching: Why Paul's Gospel Is Different From Peter's — Acts 9 & Galatians 1