Peter

Peter

**Peter**, also known as **Simon Peter**, was Andrew's brother and was one of Jesus' twelve apostles. Peter was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. When Jesus called Peter to follow Him, Peter's life took a completely different direction. He became a "fisher-of-men". Peter was the disciple who climbed out of the boat to walk to Jesus, and he was also the first disciple to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Peter later became the leader of the emerging church.

## Bible InfoScan

Simon Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. His father’s name was John or Jonah (Matthew 16:17, John 1:42). Peter's family probably lived at Capernaum, on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee (Mark 1:21). It is also possible they came from Bethsaida (John 1:44). Peter’s brother, Andrew, brought him to Jesus. Jesus then changed Simon's name to the Greek name, Peter (in Aramaic, "Cephas").

The name Peter means “rock.” In the beginning, Peter did not appear to be “rock-like”. The name probably referred to what Peter would become by the grace of God (Matthew 16:17-19). We know that Peter was married. The Bible tells us that Jesus healed his mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31, Matthew 8:14-15). The apostle Paul also mentioned that Peter took his wife on his missionary travels (1 Corinthians 9:5).

Peter and his brother Andrew were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. They also may have been partners in the fishing business with James and John, the sons of Zebedee (Luke 5:10). When Jesus called Peter to follow Him, Peter's life took a new direction. He became a “fisher-of-men” (Matthew 4:18-20). When Jesus called his disciples (learners or apprentices), to be apostles (commissioned representatives), Peter was named first among them (Mark 3:14-16).

Peter was a strong individual who was often the spokesman for the disciples. He became their recognized leader (Mark 1:36, Luke 22:32). Peter always acted quickly. He was the disciple who climbed out of the boat to walk to Jesus (Matthew 14:28). He was the first disciple to recognize Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 16:13-17). Peter's "act or speak before you think" nature often got him into trouble.

He drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s slave in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus rebuked Him and healed the man's ear. (John 18:10-11). Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Him before the rooster crowed the next morning. Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.

Unfortunately, Peter did deny knowing Jesus three times as He had predicted. This event affected Peter in a deep way. In Luke 22:31, Jesus revealed to Peter that Satan had asked for permission to sift Peter like wheat. Jesus could have protected Peter and not allowed Satan to sift him. But, Jesus wanted to equip Peter to strengthen his brothers (Luke 22:32). After Jesus' death, Peter went fishing with the other disciples. Jesus appeared to them and Jesus called Peter to follow Him again and to care for and feed His sheep.

Jesus had come to Peter to restore Him and send Him out again to work in His kingdom! (John 21:1-19). With renewed purpose, Peter trained and encouraged others to follow the Lord Jesus. God used Peter’s failures to turn him from Petros, which means "small stone," into Petra, "the Rock." Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. The man who once denied Jesus now boldly stood preaching to crowds and in the Temple.

Peter became a strong and fearless leader in the early church (Acts 1:14-41, Acts 3:12-26). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter performed miracles. He healed a crippled beggar (Acts 3:1-11) and many others (Acts 5:12-16). He was imprisoned for preaching about Jesus, but he escaped miraculously (Acts 12:6-19). After seeing a vision, Peter was the first to take the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10).

He played a key role at the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15, Galatians 2). Here it was decided that Gentiles could become church members without first becoming Jews. Peter wrote two letters, 1 Peter and 2 Peter. These are often called epistles. In the letters he encouraged the readers facing persecution and suffering for their faith. He urged them to live as people who belong to Christ. According to early Christian tradition, Peter died in Rome.

## Life Lessons

* Jesus forgives, strengthens, and restores us to help others.
* Let God reveal the truth to you.
* Speak God's Word by the Holy Spirit's power.