Simon Peter, also known as Cephas( John 1:42), was one of the first followers of Jesus Christ. He was an outspoken and ardent disciple, one of Jesus’ closest friends, an apostle, and a“ pillar” of the church( Galatians 2:9). Peter was enthusiastic, strong-willed, impulsive, and, at times, brash. But for all his strengths, Peter had several failings in his life. Still, the Lord who chose him continued to mould him into exactly who He intended Peter to be.
Simon was originally from Bethsaida( John 1:44) and lived in Capernaum( Mark 1:29), both cities on the coast of the Sea of Galilee. He was married( 1 Corinthians 9:5), and he and James and John were partners in a profitable fishing business( Luke 5:10). Simon met Jesus through his brother Andrew, who had followed Jesus after hearing John the Baptist proclaim that Jesus was the Lamb of God( John 1:35-36). Andrew immediately went to find his brother to bring him to Jesus. Upon meeting Simon, Jesus gave him a new name: Cephas( Aramaic) or Peter( Greek), which means“ rock”( John 1:40-42). Later, Jesus officially called Peter to follow Him, producing a miraculous catch of fish( Luke 5:1-7). Immediately, Peter left everything behind to follow the Lord( verse 11).
For the next three years, Peter lived as a disciple of the Lord Jesus. Being a natural-born leader, Peter became the de facto spokesman for the Twelve( Matthew 15:15, 18:21, 19:27; Mark 11:21; Luke 8:45, 12:41; John 6:68, 13:6-9, 36). More significantly, it was Peter who first confessed Jesus as“ the Christ, the Son of the living God,” a truth which Jesus said was divinely revealed to Peter( Matthew 16:16-17).
Peter was part of the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples, along with James and John. Only those three were present when Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus( Mark 5:37) and when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain( Matthew 17:1). Peter and John were given the special task of preparing the final Passover meal( Luke 22:8).
In several instances, Peter showed himself to be impetuous to the point of rashness. For example, it was Peter who left the boat to walk on the water to Jesus( Matthew 14:28-29)— and promptly took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink( verse 30). It was Peter who took Jesus aside to rebuke Him for speaking of His death( Matthew 16:22)— and was swiftly corrected by the Lord( verse 23). It was Peter who suggested erecting three tabernacles to honor Moses, Elijah, and Jesus( Matthew 17:4)— and fell to the ground in fearful silence at God’ s glory( verses 5-6). It was Peter who drew his sword and attacked the servant of the high priest( John 18:10)— and was immediately told to sheath his weapon( verse 11). It was Peter who boasted that he would never forsake the Lord, even if everyone else did( Matthew 26:33)— and later denied three times that he even knew the Lord( verses 70-74).
Through all of Peter’ s ups and downs, the Lord Jesus remained his loving Lord and faithful Guide. Jesus reaffirmed Simon as Peter, the“ Rock,” in Matthew 16:18-19, promising that he would be instrumental in establishing Jesus’ Church. After His resurrection, Jesus specifically named Peter as one who needed to hear the good news( Mark 16:7). And, repeating the miracle of the large catch of fish, Jesus made a special point of forgiving and restoring Peter and re-commissioning him as an apostle( John 21:6, 15-17).
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Team Talk
Bible Heroes The Life of Peter
Simon Peter, also known as Cephas( John 1:42), was one of the first followers of Jesus Christ. He was an outspoken and ardent disciple, one of Jesus’ closest friends, an apostle, and a“ pillar” of the church( Galatians 2:9). Peter was enthusiastic, strong-willed, impulsive, and, at times, brash. But for all his strengths, Peter had several failings in his life. Still, the Lord who chose him continued to mould him into exactly who He intended Peter to be.
Simon was originally from Bethsaida( John 1:44) and lived in Capernaum( Mark 1:29), both cities on the coast of the Sea of Galilee. He was married( 1 Corinthians 9:5), and he and James and John were partners in a profitable fishing business( Luke 5:10). Simon met Jesus through his brother Andrew, who had followed Jesus after hearing John the Baptist proclaim that Jesus was the Lamb of God( John 1:35-36). Andrew immediately went to find his brother to bring him to Jesus. Upon meeting Simon, Jesus gave him a new name: Cephas( Aramaic) or Peter( Greek), which means“ rock”( John 1:40-42). Later, Jesus officially called Peter to follow Him, producing a miraculous catch of fish( Luke 5:1-7). Immediately, Peter left everything behind to follow the Lord( verse 11).
For the next three years, Peter lived as a disciple of the Lord Jesus. Being a natural-born leader, Peter became the de facto spokesman for the Twelve( Matthew 15:15, 18:21, 19:27; Mark 11:21; Luke 8:45, 12:41; John 6:68, 13:6-9, 36). More significantly, it was Peter who first confessed Jesus as“ the Christ, the Son of the living God,” a truth which Jesus said was divinely revealed to Peter( Matthew 16:16-17).
Peter was part of the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples, along with James and John. Only those three were present when Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus( Mark 5:37) and when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain( Matthew 17:1). Peter and John were given the special task of preparing the final Passover meal( Luke 22:8).
In several instances, Peter showed himself to be impetuous to the point of rashness. For example, it was Peter who left the boat to walk on the water to Jesus( Matthew 14:28-29)— and promptly took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink( verse 30). It was Peter who took Jesus aside to rebuke Him for speaking of His death( Matthew 16:22)— and was swiftly corrected by the Lord( verse 23). It was Peter who suggested erecting three tabernacles to honor Moses, Elijah, and Jesus( Matthew 17:4)— and fell to the ground in fearful silence at God’ s glory( verses 5-6). It was Peter who drew his sword and attacked the servant of the high priest( John 18:10)— and was immediately told to sheath his weapon( verse 11). It was Peter who boasted that he would never forsake the Lord, even if everyone else did( Matthew 26:33)— and later denied three times that he even knew the Lord( verses 70-74).
Through all of Peter’ s ups and downs, the Lord Jesus remained his loving Lord and faithful Guide. Jesus reaffirmed Simon as Peter, the“ Rock,” in Matthew 16:18-19, promising that he would be instrumental in establishing Jesus’ Church. After His resurrection, Jesus specifically named Peter as one who needed to hear the good news( Mark 16:7). And, repeating the miracle of the large catch of fish, Jesus made a special point of forgiving and restoring Peter and re-commissioning him as an apostle( John 21:6, 15-17).