NT Characters: Peter

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.IntroductionIn these NT character podcasts, we have already heard a lesson on the apostles Paul and Andrew. We continue our study with the balance of the better known apostles; the lesser known ones we will cover all together in the final podcast on the apostles.For Catholics he is the majestic prince of the apostles, as a visit to the Vatican will quickly remind one. The Orthodox view is nearer that of the Protestants: although he is a major apostle, he is no pope. Yet Protestants further downgrade Peter, perhaps in overreaction to papal claims. What is the truth about this man?Peter is mentioned nearly 180x in the NT (compared to nearly 300 mentions of Paul/Saul). Yet, though there isn't as much biblical material on him as there is in Paul's case, still Peter is a monumental character, and it would be impossible to sum up his life in a single podcast.He is often mentioned in the Gospels and in Acts 1-12. Then he appears in Acts 15. Paul refers to him in Galatians 2. Peter identifies himself in the salutations of 1 and 2 Peter. Further (speculative) information about Peter, lacking in the Bible, was more than made up for in later tradition!His letters reflect many of Jesus' teachings in the gospels. In addition, one historic event is alluded to -- the Transfiguration (2 Peter 1:16-18).Personal The name Petros (English Peter) comes from the Greek word for rock. In Aramaic he was Cephas, pronounced kay-pah (John 1:42; 1 Corinthians 1:12, 3:22, 9:5, 15:5; Galatians 1:18, 2:9,11,14). We might call him "Rocky." Since he's the son of Jonah (bar Jonah), a modernized equivalent for his full name would be "Rocky Johnson."Peter hailed from Bethsaida, which was also the home of Philip (John 1:44). This town has been excavated from 1987 on, and was soon afterwards identified as the biblical Bethsaida. What then about his "house" in Capernaum?Peter was a simple fisherman (Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16; Acts 4:13).He was married; in Mark 1:29 his mother-in-law was healed, and in 1 Corinthians 9:5.As for 1-2 Peter, like most ancient writers, Peter employed the services of a scribe. The man who helped him write 1 Peter was Silvanus (1 Peter 5:12), also called Silas. Who assisted Peter with his second letter, we do not know. MinistryIntroduction to Jesus"We have found the Messiah" -- recruited by his brother Andrew (John 1:41).He was first called of the apostles, and this appointment is recorded in Matthew 10:2, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14.Phase I: Training with the Twelve (Matthew 4-Acts 1), 27-30 ADPhase II: Twelve Years of Church Ministry (Acts 2-12), 30-42 ADPhase III: Later ministry (Acts 15, 1-2 Peter, later traditions), 49-64 ADConnection with Mark. 1 Peter 5:13 -- He is now in Rome (represented by the code-word "Babylon"), and close to Mark, who Papias says recorded Peter's words: "Mark having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatever he remembered. It was not, however, in exact order that he related the sayings or deeds of Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor accompanied Him. But afterwards, as I said, he accompanied Peter, who accommodated his instructions to the necessities [of his hearers], but with no intention of giving a regular narrative of the Lord's sayings. Wherefore Mark made no mistake in thus writing some things as he remembered them. For of one thing he took special care, not to omit anything he had heard, and not to put anything fictitious into the statements. -- Eusebius, Church HistoryPreeminence?"For they say that Peter and James and John after the ascension of our Savior, as if also preferred by our Lord, strove not after honor, but chose James the Just as overseer of Jerusalem." -- Clement of Alexandria, c.190 AD.Papacy -- Orthodox do not recognize Peter as having been over the church at Jerusalem.Evidence of Acts 15.Spheres of influence -- see 2 Corinthians 10:16, Galatians 2:8.Snapshots Matthew 16:21-24 -- misunderstanding the call to follow Christ.Matthew 26:51-54 (see John 18:10, and hear the podcast on Malchus) -- Peter is rebuked for using force to prevent harm coming to Jesus.John 21:15-22 -- challenged to love Jesus above all, and without comparing his situation to those of other disciples.Acts 10:1-11:18 -- challenged to rethink the old law, in full acceptance of Gentiles as fellow believers.Galatians 2:11-14 -- challenged by Paul not to vacillate on this important principle. (2 Peter 3:15-16 -- continued respect for Paul.)1 Peter 5:1 -- a fellow elder and witness of Christ's sufferings. Peter had walked with the Lord a long time, received many corrections, and learned a lot about leadership by the time he was in his 60s.Martyrdom "Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21:18-19). Crucified upside-down in Rome (Acts of Peter). Josephus comments that Roman soldiers used to amuse themselves by crucifying persons in various positions.Passages and sources mentionedMatthew-John; Acts 1:14, 10:1-11:18; Galatians 2:8, 1 Peter 1:1, 5:1,13; 2 Peter 1:1, 3:15-16.Apocryphal works: Acts of Peter, Gospel of Peter, Preaching of Peter, Apocalypse of Peter, Judgment of PeterEusebius, Church History, Book 3, Chapter 39.15-16.You might also want to read the 9 lessons on 1-2 Peter in the NT Studies series (this website).Lessons for usMoral lesson 1: Think before you speak.Moral lesson 2: Be humble. God isn't limited to doing great things in your life only when you are "top dog."Life observation 1: People change, especially when they follow Jesus long enough.Life observation 2: The Christian journey is full of corrections. We need get good at accepting criticism from others (in humility).Life observation 3: Better step out in faith and be corrected than hold back in timidity. Growth comes through daring to act.