Simon Peter I. Introduction A. The primary message of the New Testament is the Gospel: the good news of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, ascension/lordship, and imminent return in judgment (Luke 24:44-48, Acts 2:13-46, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8) B. Yet we should not miss the importance of those who saw Jesus in life and who testified as the witnesses of His resurrection: the twelve Apostles (Luke 24:44-48, 1 John 1:1-4) 1. Jesus specifically chose these men to learn of His teachings, witness His life and work, visited them in His resurrection, and commissioned them to receive power from the Holy Spirit and to go and proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom to the world (Matthew 10:1-4, 18:18, Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-2:48) 2. They would work to turn the world upside down, and we are to learn from their examples as they modeled the life of Jesus (Acts 17:6-7, 1 Corinthians 11:1) C. Who are the Apostles? 1. Simon Peter, the fisherman, listed first, the chief spokesman of the Twelve (Matthew 4:18-19, 10:1, 16:16-19) 2. John, brother of James, the sons of Zebedee; they, with Peter, were the Three who were closest to Jesus, and John was the disciple whom Jesus loved (Matthew 4:21, 17:1-9, John 13:23-25) 3. Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus (Matthew 10:4, 26:14-16) 4. The rest of the Apostles, the “Minor Nine,” of whom we learn comparatively less a. Originally Andrew (brother of Peter), James (brother of John), Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael?), Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector, also called Levi), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddeus, and Simon (the Cananean or Zealot; Matthew 10:1-4 / Mark 3:13-19 / Luke 6:13-16) b. Matthias would take Judas’ place (Acts 1:15-26) D. We do well to explore what can be known about these men and learn from them E. Let us consider Simon Peter 1. Simon Peter’s character is well-developed in the Gospels and Acts 2. Who is Simon Peter? How did he conduct himself? 3. How did he grow and mature over time? What remained the same about him? 4. What can we learn about following Jesus from Simon Peter? II. Simon bar Jonah A. By all accounts, a rough contemporary of Jesus, a fisherman of Bethsaida in Galilee 1. From Bethsaida, as were Philip and Andrew: John 1:44 2. Andrew, his brother, as introducing him to Jesus: John 1:40-42 3. As fishermen, called by Jesus from their nets to become fishers of men: Matthew 4:18-19 / Mark 1:16-18 / Luke 5:8-10 4. As Simon, son of Jonah/John: Matthew 16:17, John 21:15-17 5. As living in Capernaum, married, ostensibly with children: Matthew 8:14 / Mark 1:29-31 / Luke 4:38-39, 1 Corinthians 9:5, 1 Peter 5:1-4 ( -> 1 Timothy 3:1-8, Titus 1:5-7) 6. As recognizably Galilean: Mark 14:70 / Luke 22:59, Acts 2:7 7. As “unlearned and ignorant,” that is, having not received formal rabbinic education: Acts 4:13 B. Thus, by the time of Jesus’ ministry, Peter is participating fully in adult life; lives until the days of Nero, ca. 64 C. Thus, unlikely to be much older than Jesus, and equally unlikely to be much younger D. Simon Peter as a first century Galilean Jew, part of the unwashed masses, an ordinary man given an opportunity to participate in the most extraordinary circumstances III. Simon the Disciple A. Early in Jesus’ ministry, Simon called to become a fisher of men 1. In the Synoptic Gospels, as Jesus begins proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom in Galilee (Matthew 4:18-19 / Mark 1:16-18 / Luke 5:8-10) 2. In John, as Jesus is at Bethany beyond Jordan preparing to return to Galilee, brought by his brother Andrew, then given the name Peter (John 1:28-42) 3. Simon Peter heads up the list of those disciples called to be the Twelve (Matthew 10:1-4 / Mark 3:13-19 / Luke 6:12-16) B. Among the twelve disciples Simon quickly establishes himself as at least the mouthpiece/spokesman 1. Not for nothing is Simon the one to answer Jesus in Matthew 16:16 2. Throughout the Gospels, if one is answering for the whole, it is Simon Peter 3. Whether they recognized him as the “first among equals” at the time is disputable (e.g. Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 9:32-37); nevertheless, they seemed content with him serving as their spokesman (Matthew 18:21, 19:27, 26:35) C. As a disciple Simon exhibits an acute awareness of the distance between Jesus and himself, yet manifests a deep relationship with Jesus and great trust inasmuch as he understood and knew 1. Simon’s call in Luke 5:1-10 is instructive: when confronted with Jesus’ miracle and holiness, asks for Him to depart, for he is a sinful man 2. Simon is the one who proves willing to go out to meet Jesus and walk on water, to declare his willingness to die for Jesus--and to follow it up with action, however misguided (Matthew 14:28-29, 26:33-35, John 18:10) 3. So it is that Simon willingly confesses Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16); his confession about Jesus as the Holy One of God, who has the words of life, is at least equally compelling (John 6:68-69) D. Yet those same impulses led Simon to frequently act impulsively in unwise or inappropriate ways, from rebuking Jesus for speaking of His impending death and resurrection, to his response to the Transfiguration, leading to his denial of Jesus during His trial (Matthew 16:22-23, 17:4, 26:58, 69-75) E. Despite all this Jesus always manifests great confidence in Simon, giving him the name “Peter,” or “rock” (Aramaic kepha “Cephas”; Matthew 16:16, John 1:42), establishing him as one of the three closest disciples, granting him to see the Transfiguration and moments of private instruction (Matthew 17:1-9, 24-27) F. What Simon Peter does after Jesus’ death is likewise instructive 1. Despite his denials Simon remained with other disciples after Jesus’ death (John 20:2, 10) 2. Ran with John to the tomb upon hearing Mary’s news (Luke 24:10-12, John 20:2-10) 3. Likely granted witness of Jesus in the resurrection before the other disciples (Luke 24:33-34) 4. John 21:1-7: upon hearing that Jesus was again present, Peter just jumps out of the boat and swims ashore; the other disciples are left to bring the boat in! 5. John 21:15-18: Jesus restores Peter, exhorted to feed and tend Jesus’ sheep 6. Acts 1:15-26: after Jesus’ ascension but before Pentecost, it is Peter who stands, establishes that Judas’ position must be filled, and Matthias is thus chosen G. As a disciple Simon loves Jesus, trusts Jesus to a significant degree, but his expectations about the Kingdom and how Jesus would establish it were quite different from how things would take place H. Simon’s willingness to say what others are thinking, to act, to promise, to extend himself prove to be both his strengths and his weaknesses depending on circumstances! IV. Peter the Apostle A. If there were any doubts about Peter’s role as first among equals, the spokesman, they were erased after Pentecost! B. The first twelve chapters of Acts can rightly be seen as the story of the advancement of the Gospel through the work of Simon Peter 1. Acts 2:14-36, 38-40: Peter is the one who preaches the first Gospel sermon, establishing the witness of the disciples to the resurrection 2. Acts 3:1-4:22: both Peter and John go to the Temple, but it is Peter who does the speaking and preaching, boldly proclaiming the Gospel even before the Sanhedrin 3. Acts 5:1-11: Peter is the one who speaks to Ananias and Sapphira 4. Acts 5:15: the sick were dragged out onto the streets so that at least Peter’s shadow would come upon them 5. Acts 5:29-32: Peter and the Apostles speak before the Sanhedrin, yet again, it is Peter as spokesman 6. Acts 8:14-25: Peter and John go down to Samaria; it is again Peter who speaks to Simon 7. Acts 9:32-43: Peter went about the churches in Israel, doing mighty acts 8. Acts 10:1-11:17, 15:7-11: Simon Peter is the one summoned to preach to Cornelius, to see the vision by means of which the Lord made known the Gentiles were cleansed, saw the Holy Spirit fall on them, and testified to fellow Jewish Christians that God has accepted the Gentiles as Gentiles 9. Acts 12:1-19: Peter arrested by Herod, delivered by an angel C. Paul testifies to Peter’s prominence, as a “pillar” of the church (1 Corinthians 9:5, Galatians 1:18, 2:9) D. At some point Peter leaves Jerusalem, continues apostolic ministry 1. Galatians 2:11-14: Peter had gone down to Antioch at some point, led into hypocrisy by associating with Gentile Christians only until Jewish Christians from Jerusalem arrived, rebuked by Paul (48? ca. 54-55?) 2. 1 Corinthians 1:12, 3:22: one of the factions in Corinth was of “Cephas,” indicating Peter most likely had spent some time there (ca. 52-57) E. As an Apostle Peter matures greatly, now having a full understanding of the Gospel thanks to the Holy Spirit; he remains the same character, but his impulses are channeled toward the bold proclamation of the Gospel of Christ, willing to suffer as Jesus did, passionately following after his Lord V. Peter the Elder A. According to tradition and most likely understanding of the veiled reference in 1 Peter 5:13, Peter ends up in Rome (58? – 65?) B. From Rome Peter writes his two letters C. 1 Peter: to the Christians in modern-day Turkey 1. Great encouragement in the hope of resurrection despite suffering (1 Peter 1:1-12) 2. Exhortation to live as servants of Christ, submissive to rulers, willing to suffer even when doing good, not disturbed by trials (1 Peter 1:13-4:19) 3. He writes as an elder to fellow elders to shepherd and oversee the flock, not lording over them, but by example (1 Peter 5:1-4) 4. All do well to humble themselves, cast anxiety upon God, and recognize that God is perfecting, establishing, and strengthening Christians in and despite suffering; this is true grace (1 Peter 5:5-14) D. 2 Peter: Peter’s final exhortation 1. Reminder regarding the development of faith and character, foundation of the Gospel in the prophetic word and apostolic witness (2 Peter 1:1-21) 2. Warning about the dangers of false prophets and teachers (2 Peter 2:1-20) 3. Scoffers will come; confidence in the final judgment by fire in light of a previous judgment by flood; commendation of Paul’s letters, exhortation to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus (2 Peter 3:1-18) E. From his letters we learn of Peter’s pastoral concern for fellow Christians and his humility; he expertly grounds Christians in present reality with encouragement regarding what God is doing in Jesus F. We can still see the same Peter, emphasizing action, fully confident in Jesus, and one who has modeled the growth and development in faith he now exhorts in others VI. Simon Peter in Tradition A. Much is said about Simon Peter according to various traditions B. Some such traditions may have been overstated later; many are at least consistent with Peter’s character and conduct C. The Gospel of Mark traditionally seen as written by Mark according to the preaching of Simon Peter (Papias in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 2.15, 3.30, 6.14; Irenaeus, Against Heretics 3.1) D. Simon Peter said to have again been compelled to rebuke Simon the Magician in Rome, where he had become a popular Gnosticizing teacher; he would later be known as the heresiarch, the spring from which all future heresy derived (Acts of Peter; Justin Martyr, Apologia 26; Epiphanius, Panarion 21.3.5; Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies 6.15) E. In John 21:18-19 Jesus spoke of how Peter would die according to John’s commentary; according to tradition Peter was condemned by Nero to die by crucifixion, but he refused to die the same way his Lord died, and therefore requested and was granted to die by crucifixion upside down (1 Clement 5; Tertullian, Prescription Against the Heretics 31, Scorpiace 15; Acts of Peter; Origen, Commentary on Genesis 3 according to Eusebius, Ecclesastical History 3.1) 1. Did he die this way? We cannot know for certain 2. Nevertheless it is entirely consistent with Peter’s character and conduct! F. Peter would eventually be exalted beyond his station, intended or even desired, reckoned with Paul as the founders of the church in Rome, and as the elders of Rome gave place to the bishop of Rome, the claim that Peter was given special authority granted to his successors and thus the papacy and the present Roman Catholic church 1. The church in Rome existed before Paul’s letter there in ca. 54; Roman Jews were present on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10) 2. Peter reckoned himself an elder among elders (1 Peter 5:1); neither he nor any other Apostle claimed their authority was transferable, and neither did the earliest generations of Christians after them! G. Much of how people see Peter has more to do with the legends and traditions which have circulated about him after his death than anything written about him in his life; we do well to return to Scripture and what it reveals about him! VII. Simon Peter: A Passionate Follower of Jesus A. What, then, can we learn from Simon Peter? B. In Simon Peter we have a very realistic and very human model of faith: he is fully devoted to Jesus of Nazareth and his cause, even when he is not quite sure what that means 1. He asks to come out to Jesus on the water, does so, but stumbles when afraid 2. He confesses Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and then rebukes the Christ, the Son of the living God, when He spoke of His betrayal and death 3. He asserted his loyalty to death, was willing to attack to save Jesus, but denied him at the moment of crisis 4. Perhaps no scene best exemplifies Simon Peter than in John 13:1-10: acutely aware of the distance between Jesus and himself, unwilling to see his Lord humiliate Himself, trying everything to remove the shame and/or impulsively wanting more C. Simon Peter would mature, coming to a full understanding of what God accomplished by hanging Jesus on a tree, boldly standing for Jesus where he had once shriveled in fear, giving up everything for the purposes of advancing the Kingdom and ultimately following Jesus all the way to death D. He never lost his zeal or his passion for the ways of Jesus; he matures in those passions, but persists in them until the end E. Few speak as much of His suffering as Peter does in his letters, and Peter is acutely aware of how he and other believers suffer and will suffer in following Jesus F. He may not have died as the legends have said, but that particular legend has all the marks of vintage Peter: even in death he recognized the distance between Jesus and himself, and proved willing to suffer further agony so as to respect it G. We do well to heed the exhortation of Peter in life and letter, in all diligence adding faith with virtue, with virtue knowledge, with knowledge self-control, with self-control steadfastness, with steadfastness godliness, with godliness brotherly affection, and with brotherly affection love, seeking to be perfected, encouraged, and strengthened by God in and despite suffering, so as to partake in heavenly glory with Peter and all the saints! H. Invitation/songbook Scripture, Meditation, and Application 1: And walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, “Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18-19). Simon bar Jonah was a first century Galilean Jewish fisherman. He did not receive an advanced education; he lived as the common masses. Everything changed for Simon when Jesus of Nazareth called him. Will we, like Peter, leave our nets and follow Jesus? 2: And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Simon Peter believed firmly and strongly in Jesus. On behalf of the rest of the disciples he confessed Jesus to be the Christ. For the rest of his life Peter would passionately devote himself to Jesus and His purposes. Will we stand firm and confess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God? 3: And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall never be unto thee” (Matthew 16:22). Simon Peter was always zealous but not always according to right knowledge. Soon after confessing Jesus as the Christ he rebuked Him! He would later deny Jesus three times after professing willingness to die for Him. Zeal and passion are crucial for strong faith, but they must be tempered by trust in God and accurate understanding of His ways. 4: Now this [Jesus] spake, signifying by what manner of death [Peter] should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, “Follow me” (John 21:19). According to tradition Peter was executed by Nero. He was to be crucified. Peter could not countenance dying exactly as Jesus did. He was thus crucified upside down. Such is at least consistent with Peter’s character. He always understood that Jesus was holier and greater than he. May we also recognize that Jesus is our Lord and we are but sinful people, and trust Him for justification, sanctification, and salvation!