On the day of Pentecost , Peter was the main speaker to the crowd in Jerusalem ( Acts 2:14ff ), and the Church began with an influx of about 3,000 new believers ( verse 41 ). Later , Peter healed a lame beggar ( Acts 3 ) and preached boldly before the Sanhedrin ( Acts 4 ). Even arrest , beatings , and threats could not dampen Peter ’ s resolve to preach the risen Christ ( Acts 5 ).
Jesus ’ promise that Peter would be foundational in building the Church was fulfilled in three stages : Peter preached on the day of Pentecost ( Acts 2 ). Then , he was present when the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit ( Acts 8 ). Finally , he was summoned to the home of the Roman centurion Cornelius , who also believed and received the Holy Spirit ( Acts 10 ). In this way , Peter “ unlocked ” three different worlds and opened the door of the Church to Jews , Samaritans , and Gentiles .
Even as an apostle , Peter experienced some growing pains . At first , he had resisted taking the gospel to Cornelius , a Gentile . However , when he saw the Romans receive the Holy Spirit in the same manner he had , Peter concluded that “ God does not show favoritism ” ( Acts 10:34 ). After that , Peter strongly defended the Gentiles ’ position as believers and was adamant that they did not need to conform to Jewish law ( Acts 15:7-11 ).
Another episode of growth in Peter ’ s life concerns his visit to Antioch , where he enjoyed the fellowship of Gentile believers . However , when some legalistic Jews arrived in Antioch , Peter , to appease them , withdrew from the Gentile Christians . The Apostle Paul saw this as hypocrisy and called it such to Peter ’ s face ( Galatians 2:11-14 ).
Later in life , Peter spent time with John Mark ( 1 Peter 5:13 ), who wrote the gospel of Mark based on Peter ’ s remembrances of his time with Jesus . Peter wrote two inspired epistles , 1 and 2 Peter , between A . D . 60 and 68 . Jesus said that Peter would die a martyr ’ s death ( John 21:18-19 )— a prophecy fulfilled , presumably , during Nero ’ s reign . Tradition has it that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome , and , although such the story may be true , there is no scriptural or historical witness to the particulars of Peter ’ s death .
What can we learn from Peter ’ s life ? Here are a few lessons :
Jesus overcomes fear . Whether stepping out of a boat onto a tossing sea or stepping across the threshold of a Gentile home for the first time , Peter found courage in following Christ . “ There is no fear in love . But perfect love drives out fear ” ( 1 John 4:18 ).
Jesus forgives unfaithfulness . After he had boasted of his fidelity , Peter fervently denied the Lord three times . It seemed that Peter had burned his bridges , but Jesus lovingly rebuilt them and restored Peter to service . Peter was a former failure , but , with Jesus , failure is not the end . “ If we are faithless , he will remain faithful , for he cannot disown himself ” ( 2 Timothy 2:13 ).
Jesus patiently teaches . Over and over , Peter needed correction , and the Lord gave it with patience , firmness , and love . The Master Teacher looks for students willing to learn . “ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go ” ( Psalm 32:8 ).
Jesus sees us as He intends us to be . The very first time they met , Jesus called Simon “ Peter .” The rough and reckless fisherman was , in Jesus ’ eyes , a firm and faithful rock . “ He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion ” ( Philippians 1:6 ).
Jesus uses unlikely heroes . Peter was a fisherman from Galilee , but Jesus called him to be a fisher of men ( Luke 5:10 ). Because Peter was willing to leave all he had to follow Jesus , God used him in great ways . As Peter preached , people were amazed at his boldness because he was “ unschooled ” and “ ordinary .” But then they took note that Peter “ had been with Jesus ” ( Acts 4:13 ).
Being with Jesus makes all the difference .
Jeremiah
' For I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds ,' declares the LORD , ' Because they have called you an outcast , saying : " It is Zion ; no one cares for her ."
On the day of Pentecost , Peter was the main speaker to the crowd in Jerusalem ( Acts 2:14ff ), and the Church began with an influx of about 3,000 new believers ( verse 41 ). Later , Peter healed a lame beggar ( Acts 3 ) and preached boldly before the Sanhedrin ( Acts 4 ). Even arrest , beatings , and threats could not dampen Peter ’ s resolve to preach the risen Christ ( Acts 5 ).
Jesus ’ promise that Peter would be foundational in building the Church was fulfilled in three stages : Peter preached on the day of Pentecost ( Acts 2 ). Then , he was present when the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit ( Acts 8 ). Finally , he was summoned to the home of the Roman centurion Cornelius , who also believed and received the Holy Spirit ( Acts 10 ). In this way , Peter “ unlocked ” three different worlds and opened the door of the Church to Jews , Samaritans , and Gentiles .
Even as an apostle , Peter experienced some growing pains . At first , he had resisted taking the gospel to Cornelius , a Gentile . However , when he saw the Romans receive the Holy Spirit in the same manner he had , Peter concluded that “ God does not show favoritism ” ( Acts 10:34 ). After that , Peter strongly defended the Gentiles ’ position as believers and was adamant that they did not need to conform to Jewish law ( Acts 15:7-11 ).
Another episode of growth in Peter ’ s life concerns his visit to Antioch , where he enjoyed the fellowship of Gentile believers . However , when some legalistic Jews arrived in Antioch , Peter , to appease them , withdrew from the Gentile Christians . The Apostle Paul saw this as hypocrisy and called it such to Peter ’ s face ( Galatians 2:11-14 ).
Later in life , Peter spent time with John Mark ( 1 Peter 5:13 ), who wrote the gospel of Mark based on Peter ’ s remembrances of his time with Jesus . Peter wrote two inspired epistles , 1 and 2 Peter , between A . D . 60 and 68 . Jesus said that Peter would die a martyr ’ s death ( John 21:18-19 )— a prophecy fulfilled , presumably , during Nero ’ s reign . Tradition has it that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome , and , although such the story may be true , there is no scriptural or historical witness to the particulars of Peter ’ s death .
What can we learn from Peter ’ s life ? Here are a few lessons :
Jesus overcomes fear . Whether stepping out of a boat onto a tossing sea or stepping across the threshold of a Gentile home for the first time , Peter found courage in following Christ . “ There is no fear in love . But perfect love drives out fear ” ( 1 John 4:18 ).
Jesus forgives unfaithfulness . After he had boasted of his fidelity , Peter fervently denied the Lord three times . It seemed that Peter had burned his bridges , but Jesus lovingly rebuilt them and restored Peter to service . Peter was a former failure , but , with Jesus , failure is not the end . “ If we are faithless , he will remain faithful , for he cannot disown himself ” ( 2 Timothy 2:13 ).
Jesus patiently teaches . Over and over , Peter needed correction , and the Lord gave it with patience , firmness , and love . The Master Teacher looks for students willing to learn . “ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go ” ( Psalm 32:8 ).
Jesus sees us as He intends us to be . The very first time they met , Jesus called Simon “ Peter .” The rough and reckless fisherman was , in Jesus ’ eyes , a firm and faithful rock . “ He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion ” ( Philippians 1:6 ).
Jesus uses unlikely heroes . Peter was a fisherman from Galilee , but Jesus called him to be a fisher of men ( Luke 5:10 ). Because Peter was willing to leave all he had to follow Jesus , God used him in great ways . As Peter preached , people were amazed at his boldness because he was “ unschooled ” and “ ordinary .” But then they took note that Peter “ had been with Jesus ” ( Acts 4:13 ).
Being with Jesus makes all the difference .
Jeremiah
30:17
9
' For I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds ,' declares the LORD , ' Because they have called you an outcast , saying : " It is Zion ; no one cares for her ."