Simon Peter, aka Cephas, was a fisherman who was originally from Bethsaida (John 1:44) but lived and worked in Capernaum (Mark 1:29) located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Israel. His brother Andrew was also a fisherman. Jesus told them to follow him and they obeyed and joined the rest of the 12 disciples and traveled with Jesus for much of his three year public ministry. During that time, Peter became part of Jesus’ inner circle along with James and John, sons of Zebedee who were also fishermen. The three of them shared the transfiguration experience with Jesus when Moses and Elijah appeared along with Jesus in a glorified body (Matthew 17:1-13); other examples that set them aside as the inner three include joining Jesus for the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Mark 5:37) and joining Christ in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37). Peter was outspoken, impulsive and strong-willed. These traits worked both for him and against him at times. Ultimately Peter grew in the grace and knowledge of Jesus and was the first to declare that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Matthew 16:13-18
Post-Resurrection Preaching
Peter was present at the first post-resurrection Pentecost and delivered a powerful sermon which further established Peter as one of the most well known leaders of the remaining apostles. Luke records the giving of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4) and as Peter spoke and connected Old Testament passages to current events, many were saved. From that group, travelers who were there for Pentecost went back to their various hometowns throughout the world and brought the gospel with them. This was the first missionary effort to spread the gospel which was orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. Peter was used in an instrumental way to begin the mission Christ had predicted, which is still being fulfilled to this very day, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).”
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people [who are speaking in tongues] are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
“‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”’
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 2:14-41
Peter’s Writing Ministry
After many years of the spread of the gospel, the early church was composed of both Jew and Gentile believers who found a common bond in faith in the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Christians were persecuted in Jerusalem and many scattered to various regions throughout the world (1 Peter 1:1). Peter wrote two letters which have been included in the canon of Scripture which provide much insight and doctrine to the Christian faith. A favorite of many students of the Bible is recorded in 2 Peter chapter 3 where he speaks of the Day of the Lord. These are words of encouragement for the present, warning against false doctrines, and hope for the future.
Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water [as in the creation narrative, Genesis 1:9]. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed [as in the flood of Noah, Genesis 6:13 ff]. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:3-18
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Bonus Content:
One of my favorite passages from Peter comes from 2 Peter 1:2-11 which lists eight traits for Christian growth. He details them and urges us to use them to confirm our calling and election. I wrote a blog post especially regarding this passage, Election and Assurance of Salvation.
