There is so much of Peter’s story told in the New Testament… too much to tell in a single blog. When you think of Peter, what comes to your mind first?
Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, 1 of the 12 apostles of Jesus. His Hebrew/Aramaic name was “Simon”… Shifting Sand; Jesus named him Cephas (stone)… “Peter”… Rock.
Peter was a fisherman – probably the family business – with his brother, Andrew (who would also become an apostle of Jesus).
– Peter’s First Meeting with Jesus… John 1:35,40-42
– Peter’s Call to Discipleship… Matt. 4:18-20; Mark 1:14-18
– Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed… Matt. 8:14-17; Mark 1:29-31; Luke 4:38,39
– Peter’s Call to Apostleship… Luke 5:1-11
LifeAPP:
Jesus’ instructions didn’t make sense, but Peter obeyed them anyway. Are you willing to “let down your nets”… to do something odd or inconvenient in order to get to know Jesus better?
* We must obey Jesus, even when His commands don’t seem to make sense.
– Peter Walks on Water… Matt. 14:25-33
LifeAPP:
Peter seems to have been the most impulsive of the 12 apostles. He said things the others only thought, and did things they didn’t dare try.
Don’t be afraid to get out of the boat and try something new! Your faith only grows as you use it, so risk the unknown and try the unfamiliar. Jesus will always be there to catch you if you fall.
– Peter Makes the Great Confession… Matt. 16:13-20; Luke 9:18-20
LifeAPP:
Who do YOU say Jesus is? How you answer that question will determine how you live your life… who you will become… and where you will spend eternity.
– Peter Witnesses the Transfiguration… Matt. 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36
– Peter Pays His Taxes… Matt. 17:24-27
– Peter Asks about Forgiveness… Matt. 18:21,22
– Peter Wonders about Future Rewards… Matt. 19:27-30
– Peter (with John) Prepares the Last Supper… Luke 22:7-13
– Peter’s Feet Are Washed by Jesus… John 13:2-9
– Peter Is Told by Jesus He Will Deny Jesus… Matt. 26:31-35; Mark 14:29-31; Luke 22:31-34; John 13:36-38
LifeAPP:
Yes. Even Peter. This should remind us:
1) Satan wants to wreck our lives and our relationship with Jesus.
2) In our own strength, we cannot stand against Satan’s attacks.
3) When we repent, admitting our weakness and failure, we are once again empowered to strengthen our brothers.
Ask God to protect you from the temptations of Satan. Trust God for strength to respond as you should when you are tempted. If you have already failed, turn to God for forgiveness and for another chance.
* Good intentions aren’t enough against temptation.
– Peter “Praying” for Jesus in Gethsemane… Matt. 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42
– Peter “Defends” Jesus in Gethsemane… John 18:10,11
LifeAPP:
Peter was a strong man, and meant well; but, when he put his confidence in his own abilities and strength – as he often did – Jesus corrected him.
What weapons do you use to fight your spiritual battles? Your mind? Your strength? Your experiences? Your name? When you rely on God, you put yourself in a position to win every battle Satan wages against you.
– Peter Denies Jesus 3 Times… Matt. 26:58,69-75; Mark 14:54,66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18,25-27
– Peter at the Empty Tomb… Luke 24:12; John 20:1-10
– Peter Eats Breakfast with the Risen Jesus… John 21:1-14
– Peter Restored to Ministry by Jesus… John 21:15-19
LifeAPP:
Even when we’ve failed, we can repent… and still be used by God!
Do you love Jesus? Are you proving your love for Him by serving others? Are past failures haunting you and keeping you from serving Christ?
Look at the lesson of Peter, and realize God still wants you to be a useful worker with Him.
* If we love Jesus, we will minister to others.
– Peter’s Death Foretold by Jesus… John 21:20-23
– Peter Leads the Apostles to Choose Judas’ Replacement… Acts 1:15-26
– Peter’s Sermon on the Day of Pentecost… Acts 2:14-39
LifeAPP:
Surely many wondered if this was the same Peter they had always known. Gone was the man who often stepped out so boldly he fell on his face.
When you continue your commitment to serve Christ in the Holy Spirit’s power, you receive the kind of faith, courage, and power it takes to do things you would have never thought possible.
– Peter (with John) Heals a Lame Man… Acts 3:1-10
– Peter Preaches in Solomon’s Portico… Acts 3:11-26
– Peter (and John) Arrested for Boldness… Acts 4:1-21
LifeAPP:
One of the great privileges of following Jesus is the opportunity of telling those around you about Him – what He has done for you and what He can do for them. Use the opportunities you are given to share your faith with those God has placed in your life.
– Peter Deals with Ananias & Sapphira… Acts 5:1-10
– Peter Is Arrested & Beaten for Boldness… Acts 5:25-42
– Peter Deals with Simon the Sorcerer… Acts 8:14-24
– Peter Heals Aeneas… Acts 9:32-35
– Peter Heals Dorcas… Acts 9:36-43
– Peter with Cornelius – & Gentiles… Acts 10:1-48
LifeAPP:
Do you consider people of every race and color and nationality and social class the same way? Why not? God calls you to embrace them all and welcome them all as people Jesus came to save. He calls us to love everyone!
– Peter Defends Grace for Gentiles… Acts 11:1-18
– Peter Is Arrested, but Freed by an Angel… Acts 12:1-19
LifeAPP:
Are you facing what seems to be an impossible situation? Ar work? At school? At home? In your marriage? In your family? Somewhere else? If so, remember it’s not over until God says it’s over. He will never abandon you, but He will enable you to complete whatever He has planned for you to complete.
About halfway through the book of Acts, the book turns its attention from the apostles and to Paul… and the Bible is mostly silent about what happened to Peter afterwards.
– Peter & the Jerusalem Council… Acts 15:6-29
– Peter Confronted by Paul for Hypocrisy… Galatians 2:11-14
First & Second Peter were written by Peter (or, at least, dictated by him).
Extra-biblical history says Peter served as bishop of Antioch for 7 years.
Tradition says Peter helped Paul start the church in Rome, and served as its first pastor. Tradition also says Peter ended his ministry in Rome.
Origen, an early church historian, writes: “Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downwards, as he himself had desired to suffer”. Peter requested to be crucified upside-down, because he did not feel worthy to die as Jesus died.
You can read Peter’s story throughout the 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) the first half of the book of Acts, and in 1 & 2 Peter.
TheScottSpot 