Peter

Introduction

    Much has been said and written concerning the apostle Peter but unfortunately much of what is believed by many people has no Biblical support for it. Peter is referred to as the first Pope by the Catholic church, but the Bible says nothing of this exalted position.

   He is however the leader of the other eleven apostles and is given the keys to the kingdom, but most have no clue what that means so they either ignore it or teach their own erroneous thoughts on that. We will dive into that later on in this study. Be patient.

   The title Pope literally means Father, so in essence what they are saying is that Peter is the Father of the church. The Bible is clear that Jesus was the founder and chief cornerstone of the kingdom church in Jerusalem and that all of the twelve apostles made up its foundation.

Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

   James (the Lord's half-brother) was actually the pastor of the first church at Jerusalem where Peter and the other eleven apostles to the lost sheep of Israel ministered at. (See Acts 15) In order to correctly understand Peter and his role in the scriptures we must go to the scriptures themselves.

   We must go back to the very beginning and start there. We will look at every aspect of Peter's life and allow the Bible to determine what we believe in regard to him and not to any cunningly devised fables.

Peter's Birthplace

John 1:44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

   Bethsaida sits on the Northeast corner of the Sea of Galilee in what is now and has been since the end of the first century an uninhabited stretch of what the world would view as prime real estate.

   Mountains all around, the beautiful sea with its great fishing and its great beaches all uninhabited, but why? Because Jesus cursed it for its disbelief in spite of all the miracles that Jesus performed there and all the teachings which they received.

Luke 10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.

Peters Occupation

   Peter was a fisherman prior to his calling by Jesus as a fisher of men, he was a very successful fisherman because Peter's house was right outside the synagogue which meant he would have lived in the best area of the city.

   Peter gladly gave up his business to follow the Lord without a moment’s hesitation once he knew the truth. Would to God we would follow Christ when he calls us without always stopping to rationalize everything. What God authorizes he also subsidizes.

Matthew 4:18 And JESUS, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

His Name

   He is first called Peter (Kepha in Hebrew and Cephas in Aramaic) in John 1:44. Much is said in regards to Peter and his name by Jesus himself and it was all for a very important reason.

   Jesus knew there would be much confusion regarding Peter and so God in his wisdom was very specific about who Peter was and what his name meant and the role he was to play in the church in Jerusalem.

   This would help any confused student of scripture the help they desire to be able to sort through all the fables that abound surrounding this great preacher.

John 1:42 And he brought him to JESUS. And when JESUS beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona:

* Simon is pronounced Shi-mon, as in Shimon Peres, Israel’s former Prime Minister.

Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

   The name Peter is the same as the Greek word, Petra: a pebble stone (Feminine). The word rock in the Greek language is translated Petros: a firm foundation (Masculine).

   Perhaps another reason but definitely not the main reason for Jesus giving Simon another name was also to keep people from confusing him with Jesus' half-brother Simon.

   Jesus was telling Peter, Thou art a pebble stone (Petra) and upon this firm foundation (Petros or a Rock) I will build my Church. Jesus was the Rock not Peter! Peter's statement that Jesus was the Christ is the testimony that all Jews needed to have to enter into the kingdom.

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, JESUS Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

   The Bible teaches us here that Jesus is the chief corner stone. Peter and the apostles are the foundation of that kingdom church.

   What does Jesus mean when he says the gates of Hell shall not prevail against His church? Well, first of all, gates have never been known to attack anyone, but these gates are literally the gates of Hell.

   So, Jesus is informing Peter that the church that he (Christ) will build will be surrounded by Hell itself, and her gates will not prevail (be opened) against that church.

    That church is built upon Peter's recognition of who Jesus is, "thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

   What is Christ's church doing in Hell? Christ is not saying that his church was in purgatory suffering for the past sins of it's members.

   Hell literally has two compartments, Paradise, or Abraham's Bosom and the other side were the rich man was tormented in flames.

   There is a great gulf between the two so that no one could leave one and enter the other, and according to Christ's own words there are gates that are keeping people inside of one of the two compartments.

   Those people that are assembled in Abraham's Bosom constitute a church (an assembly), like the church in the wilderness mentioned in Hebrews which was made up of Moses and the children of Israel. A church simply means a called-out assembly.

   When righteous people died under the Law they were immediately ushered into and became a part of the church that was in Abraham's Bosom which was in the abode of the dead also called Hell by some.

   It is important that you differentiate which part of the abode of the dead or Hell you are referring to because one part is Paradise and the other is torment.

   Jesus promised Peter that upon his declaration of Jesus being the Christ, the Son of the living God all who professed the same thing would be ushered into this church which would then wait for the return of Christ to set up his kingdom.

   If they died they would go to Paradise where they would never have to worry about the gates of Hell bursting open and its inhabitants flooding into Abraham's Bosom to prevail against the church assembled there.

   Over and over Israel is told they must believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God in order to have eternal life.

   All those that do will be resurrected at the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom to rule and reign with Christ on earth, while the church which is Christ's body rules and reigns in the Heavenlies. We today have a heavenly destiny not an earthly one.

   The kingdom belongs to Israel not the hcurch which is his body. Yes, there is more than one assembly mentioned in the Bible as we have already shown you. Paul is the first however to learn about the church which is Christ's body. Col 1:18 & 24

   The 12 apostles will sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel during the Millennial Kingdom when the Church that is presently in the heart of the earth is risen and restored. Shall these dead bones live?

   Yes Israel will live again in the kingdom. We are not Israel, we are the church which is his body, Jesus Christ is our head, he is Israel's King in the kingdom.

Peter's Family

   Why a section on Peter's family? Does it really matter who his family members are? Yes it does, because much has been claimed concerning Peter and whether or not he was married?

John 1:40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

   Of course we already know that Peter had a brother named Andrew and that his father's name was Jona (Jonah in Hebrew), but is there any mention of Peter's other family members in scripture?

Matthew 8:14 And when JESUS was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

1 Corinthians 9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? (Cephas was the name given to Peter by Jesus)?

   So we see from these two scriptures that Peter had a wife, which he led about on his journeys and that the Lord's half-brothers and many of the apostles were married.

   Where people and churches get the teaching of the celibacy of the priesthood is beyond me. They sure didn’t get it from the scriptural records.

   All Old Testament priests were allowed to be married and all New Testament pastors are allowed to be married. God warned us against those organizations which would forbid people from marrying.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having

their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

* Back to the context:

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

   The question we must ask ourselves is twofold. What are the keys of the kingdom and to whom are they given? Of course the keys are going to be given to Peter just like it says, you don't have to be afraid of that verse and make it say something it does not because you don't understand it.

   You need simply to know how to rightly divide scripture and the answer becomes plain. Peter along with the other eleven apostles will rule sitting on 12 thrones in the kingdom when that which is done in heaven will be done on earth.

   The 12 apostles to the nation of Israel will have the literal keys given to them then to bind and loose things during that time, not today.

20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

   Why does Jesus here tell his disciples not to spread the news that he was indeed the Christ if that was what they needed as a nation to believe to gain entrance into the coming kingdom?

   Because he had to die for their sins first! Every once and awhile the people would get excited about the miracles that Jesus was doing, and they would try to make him king before he had gone to the cross for them.

   Peter didn't want him to go to the cross, but he could never have become his king and Saviour if he didn't. Jesus knew exactly what he was doing.

   Once again Peter acted before he thought. Peter wanted Jesus to be king without having to be a suffering Saviour. Jesus had to express the necessity of his going to the cross to immediately dispel any of their false hopes that there could be some other way. There was no other way!

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Peter's Ministry

   The Bible tells us that Peter visited Antioch and that he ministered in Samaria, Joppa, Caesarea, Jerusalem, and to Babylon but there is an erroneous teaching still prevalent today which says that Peter was the bishop of Rome for 40 years, even during the time when Jews were forbidden to be in Rome by Caesar himself.

   In Acts 12 he was in prison in Jerusalem in 44 AD. In Acts 15 he was at the Council in Jerusalem 52 AD. In Galatians 2:11 Paul joined him in Antioch in 53 AD.

   In Romans chapter one Paul wrote to Rome and addressed twenty-seven people but not a word to Peter. It would have been an insult not to have addressed Peter if he was there in 58 AD, especially if he was the first Pope.

Acts 18:2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

   In Paul's last letter (2nd Timothy) written from his prison cell in Rome Peter is not mentioned as ever being in Rome.

2 Timothy 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

2 Timothy 4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10 Now Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me.

   Peter possibly helped to start a Messianic church, but it was not in Rome, it was in Babylon! It was from there that Peter wrote his first of two epistles.

1 Peter 5:12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. 13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you;

Peters Position

Acts 10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

   Scripture absolutely forbids the worship of any man including Peter himself. This goes for Mary and the Pope as well. Jesus Christ alone is to be worshipped!

Galatians 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) .., 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. 11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

* Peter was not the infallible head of the church:

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

   While Peter is not mentioned here, something very important is, the Bible says that JESUS is the head of the church, not Peter!

   In the book of Acts Peter is a prominent member of the church in Jerusalem where James was the pastor that sent Peter and John on a mission trip.

Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

He was an Apostle to the Jews:

Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas (Peter), and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen (Gentiles), and they unto the circumcision (Jews).

   What port did Jonah sail from? Joppa. Which of the twelve apostles opened the door for one family of Gentiles to be saved? Peter.

   Where was Peter when he was called to go to these Gentiles? Joppa. The apostle Peter obeyed the second time but only after he was prodded by an angel of God to go these Gentiles.

   He never again led another Gentile to Christ according to the scriptures, but he stayed working with the circumcision until his death, and he and the church in Jerusalem recognized that God would now use Paul to go to the Gentiles.

   Jonah also refused to go to Nineveh until the second time that God got hold of him. Peter had just unlocked the door to the Gentiles in Acts chapter ten but only after God saved the apostle to the Gentiles one chapter earlier.

   That was not just a coincidence. Peter ended his ministry in Babylon where he wrote Second Peter and was later martyred for his faith.

Matthew 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

   Who better to send to catch a fish than Peter the fisherman, turned fisher of men, but it wasn’t Peter's skills that Jesus needed. The miracle that was performed here was solely Christ's doing, Peter was just along for the ride.

   Peter didn't have any foreknowledge that a fish had a piece of money in its mouth. It is Jesus Christ who is Omniscience (All Knowing).

   It wasn't by any power in Peter that commanded that particular fish to be the first fish to bite Peter's hook. It was Jesus Christ.

   Peter was there to be an eyewitness of Christ's majesty and power. Peter was no more or less holy than any other Saint.

Luke 5:4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

   Here we see Simon (Peter) the professional fisherman informing Jesus that he and his fishing partners were unable to catch anything with all their training and experience.

   Peter must have thought that this carpenter turned Rabbi must think he knows better than us fisherman how to catch fish. Peter eventually agrees to Jesus' request but as it appears he was only trying to appease Jesus. Peter didn’t really expect to catch anything.

6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

   Peter didn’t get to say, I told you so instead he realized that there was a lot more to this Rabbi than he had originally given him credit for. In fact he now recognized Jesus as his Lord.

10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

   Peter was momentarily afraid when he finally realized who he was standing in front of and Jesus calmed his fears and redirected his life to a life of more than just student of the word of God into one that was dedicated to preaching the word of God.

   Many people that are called to preach refuse to forsake their livelihood in order to follow Christ because of fear and his reply to you is still the same as it was to Peter, Fear not!

   Peter stuck with Jesus early on when many others left him because many of his teachings were hard to understand:

John 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

   What a profoundly true statement that Peter makes. It is sad though, that a man who knew this could so easily file that truth away when persecution came knocking in the garden.

   We are all capable of doing the same thing. In fact, many of us would have never pulled a sword out in the garden as Peter did because we would have run at the first sight of any persecution.

   Today we have our comfort zones so well protected that we wouldn't even dare do anything or say anything that would bring about any persecution. We have become experts at hiding our Christianity when it is the only hope others have of ever receiving Christ as their Saviour.

   Let your light shine before others. Tell someone on a regular basis the gospel story. How many people have you led to Christ? 100? 50? 10? 5? 1? 0? Are you waiting for a safer opportunity? If you are waiting for them to come to you it is not going to happen.

The Upper Room

John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; 3

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

   Here goes Peter again putting his foot in his mouth. Just as Jesus is about to teach his disciples a lesson on humility and service Peter shows everyone that he is the proudest one in the bunch by saying, I will not allow someone so holy to wash my feet because I am humble.

   If he were truly as humble as he thought, he would have allowed Jesus to finish his lesson and obeyed his teacher which obviously knew better than Peter.

   I don't believe Peter meant to be full of pride here but that is what was revealed. I’m sure he thought after, what a fool I have made of myself again, but if the truth be told, many of us would have acted in much the same way as Peter did.

18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 21 When Jesus

had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. 29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. 31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. 37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. 38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

   Peter was unable to back up his boasting about his loyalty to Christ in the garden when he fled with the others, but he became a very bold witness after he witnessed Christ's resurrection even to the point of being crucified himself.

   While people are not crucified today as a form of persecution I wonder how many of us would run away as Peter did in the garden the first time and how many of us would gladly suffer with our Saviour as Peter did at the end of his life.

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have

prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Later that night

Mark 14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. 37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

   I believe that Peter, James and John were in Christ's inner circle not because they were more holy than any of the other twelve, excluding Judas Iscariot of course, but they were there because they needed the most attention.

   When we read of any disciples excluding Judas Iscariot getting in trouble it was always one of these three. Peter was always sticking his foot in his mouth and James and John both wanted to be first in Christ's Kingdom.

   In these verses it is the same three that could not even stay awake one hour to watch as Jesus had asked them to. It is what we do when no one is around that defines who we really are.

   Another reason they were in Christ's inner circle is because if your will check and see they write almost all of the Hebrew epistles that follow Paul's epistles to the Gentiles in the body of Christ.

39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. 41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. 43 And immediately, while he yet spake,

cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. 45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. 46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him. 47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

   Once again Peter goes off halfcocked and tries to fight his way ought of a mess. Jesus never resorted to violence. Peter had zeal, but zeal without knowledge will always lead to trouble.

   Luckily Jesus was there to straighten out the mess Peter had made when he cut off the servant of the high priest's ear. I believe God allowed this situation to transpire to plant a missionary in the high priest's service.

   I can't see how someone who had their ear chopped off by a disciple of Jesus and then was healed by the very person he was coming to arrest could have kept his mouth shut.

   I believe that we will see this servant of the high priest in Heaven one day. How could someone be healed by Jesus and then not become his disciple? I’ll bet the high priest had to get rid of him to avoid seeing a witness to the power of Christ on a daily basis.

48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. 50 And they all forsook him, and fled.

   Peter no doubt was afraid and confused, thinking “why would Jesus just allow himself to be taken, was he just giving up?” so he ran just like everyone else.

   He should have known better, he should have recalled the words that Jesus spoke to him earlier that night when he said, Strike the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered, but he didn’t. Peter was just like the rest of mankind, he was a man of great strength, but he was just a man.

51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. 53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all

the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. 54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

   Here we see Peter following Jesus from a safe distance trying to see what would happen. With all that Peter had seen Jesus do over the past three years surely, he must have thought Jesus would come out of this situation victoriously.

   Peter however was only willing to follow Jesus at a safe distance. I wonder how close we are willing to follow Jesus when it gets hard because of persecution?

55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. 56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. 57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, 58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. 59 But neither so did their witness agree together. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? 64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. 65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands. 66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. 68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. 69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. 70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. 71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. 72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock

crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

   How could someone so close to Jesus for so long deny that he ever knew him? When it comes right down to it and we are faced with a life and death situation we find out what we are really made of.

   Peter wasn't quite ready to be a leader of the Jews yet, at least he wasn’t until after he saw the risen Christ. It is amazing the power connected with the resurrection of Christ.

Peter after Christ Resurrection

John 21:1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

    Once again Peter returns to his fishing and just as the last time Peter toils all night and catches nothing. Remember, Peter is supposed to be a fisher of men now. What is he doing? Contemplating returning to the simpler life? No! He was simply working while he was awaiting further instructions.

4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

   Was it Jesus that withheld the fish until this time? Absolutely! Without Christ we can do nothing! Was he trying to help reassure those that may have been considering returning to their secular careers? Possibly.

    Mainly what Jesus was doing was teaching his disciples that with my help, even though I am not in the boat with you physically, you will be able to do what I call you to do. God subsidizes whatever He authorizes.

   Notice how that Peter gets convicted about his nakedness when he realizes that he is in the presence of Jesus just as Adam and Eve did when God showed up in the Garden of Eden.

   Even though Peter had some covering that was socially acceptable to his fellow fisherman he knew it was not enough to please God and he immediately covered up his nakedness.

   Should we as Christian men show off our chest in public or was Peter just being legalistic here. I believe Peter had the right idea but unfortunately his conviction only appeared when Christ was around. We should we hold our convictions 24/7.

8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

   While they all sat around the fire eating fish Jesus asked Peter if he loved him more than these. People have debated what the “these” were but I think it is clear by the context that Jesus was taking about the fish and Peter's family fishing business. Hey Peter, Why do you keep coming back to your family business?

   Why did Jesus ask Peter three times if he loved him? I believe because Peter denied him three times. Jesus wanted Peter to say three times I love you more than the security that a life as a fisherman would provide.

Peters Death and Martyrdom:

18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

   Here we read the words of JESUS, which tell us that Peter would die by crucifixion. Peter did die a martyr's death, but his death had no atoning power associated with it as did Christ's.

   Too much has been accredited to the life of Peter that has no biblical foundation or support behind it. The Bible must be our sole authority.

20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

   I hope it was someone other than Peter that started this rumor, and we don’t see Peter trying to squelch this before it got out of control either.  Peter wasn't infallible as is taught today by many because the Bible is clear that there is only one perfect person.

24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

   Much else could and should be written to clear up many of the misconceptions concerning Peter. The problem isn’t a lack of materials but a lack of concern by those who place tradition above the word of God. I will leave you with the warning of Jesus on his subject:

Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

   My friend, I hope this study has been a blessing to you and that you truly have built your faith, not on the traditions of men, but on God's word alone. God will richly bless you if you have.

 

 The End