Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-01

Every Christian finds in the develop
| ment Of Peters character encourage
ment. There is an element of weak
ness in his personality when we flrst
meet this fisherman of Galilee that
suggests to the disciple of the Lord
Jesus that If the Master could trans
form the changeable and cratic Simon
into the stalwart and forceful Peter, He
can mold us until we shall be like Him.
If Andrew never did anything else for
the Kingdom of God than to win his
brother for the Christ, he would de-
serve to rank high in the history OF
Christianity.
When Simon was introduced to the
Lord Jesus by his brother the Master
assured him that he would become Pc
ter, a rock. None but one who knew
men could have made such a predic-
ton concerning the impetuous, frank
and outspoken Simon. He became one
of the first disciples Of Christ and was
summoned by the Lord to join his col
lege of apostles when the Master was
selecting the twelve to teach them His
gospel From the hour that Simon
gave up his fishing business to follow
Jesus and learn how to take men alive
he became a dominant force in the
apostolic college While he did not
completely understand the ideals of the
Christ, his heart was being filled daily
with love and expectation concerning
the coming of the kingdom. The apos-
ties had learned through their close
fellowship with the Master the prac-
ticability and power of His gospel.
They had learned something of the
power while on their missionary jour-
ney, but they failed to understand the
real significance of their tour in heather
lands that took them up to Caesarea.
When Jesus gave them the personal
test concerning their individual faith in
His character, Peter, speaking for the
twelve, proclaimed that He was the
Christ, the Son of the Living God. That
answer was one Of the most impor-
tant confessions of faith that ever fell
from human lips. It was the first
acknowledgment by men of Christ's
Messiahshlp. 1t was destined to have
worldwide significance. 1t proved that
the twelve, especially Peter, possessed
spiritual power to grasp the mission
and messages of their Master. In their
acknowledgment of Him Jesus heard
agree with the idea of a suffering SOW
ereign. His protest brought him Sc
we're rebuke. He had made wonderful
advancement, but he had to grow in his
knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
Warned Of Danger
Peters confidence in his love and
loyalty to the Master had to face an
acid test on the night preceding the
Lords crucifixion. Although Jesus had
honored Peter with an opportunity to
be present when Moses and Elijah con-
ferred about His approaching death
upon the Mount of TRANSPORTATION, Pc
ter had failed to grasp its meaning. He
opened up nostilities with the holy
/ priests servant in the Garden Of Geth-
Semane. Peter had followed afar of
when they arrested the Master. In the
upper room, where the twelve had
partaken of the Passover with the Lord
Jesus. the Master had warned Peter
that in that crucial hour he would pray
| for him and that after he had failed,
he would be given added power. so he
could give strength to his brethren. In
spite of that prophecy Peter claimed
| that he would not be disloyal to the
| Lord.
Nevertheless the man who followed
/ afar of and who succeeded through
the prestige of another member of the