The Apostle Peter

Peter
Rock.

"And Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." - Matt. 16:16-18.

Simon Bar-Jonah was the brother of Andrew and son of Jonah. He was also known as Simeon. Simon was originally a fisherman of Bethsaida, on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee. He and his brother, Andrew, were the first disciples called by Jesus. (Matt. 4: 18-22; Mark 1: 16-20; Luke 5: 1-11; John 1: 40-42).

Simon was one of the twelve disciples and one of the inner circle. He was one of the three disciples present on several important occasions such as the transfiguration(Matt. 17: 1). Peter was one of those with Jesus on the night he was arrested Matt. 26: 37; and at the raising of the daughter of the synagogue official (Mark 5: 37).

Most are familiar with his confession of the Lord’s Messiahship and Godhead in Matt. 16: 13-19 and words then addressed to him, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will b uild my church,”

Peter was an outspoken follower of Our Lord but was also the first to deny Him after His arrest Matt. 26: 33-35, 58, 69-75.

It was Peter who stepped forth with the eleven on the day when they were all filled with the Holy Spirit in the upper room and addressed the crown that thought they were drunk.

After Jesus' ascension Peter preached on Pentecost and healed in the Temple.

Peter was called by God to reach out to the Gentiles. This started in a vision that is described in the Book of Acts (Acts 10).

Peter saw a vision in which a sheet full of animals descended from heaven, which made him realize that people of every nation who fear God and do what is right are acceptable to God, He received the gentile Cornelius as a Christian and was instrumental in persuading the Jerusalem council to receive gentiles into the church without circumcision.

It is interesting to note that the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch, one of the places where the Word was given to Jews and Gentiles alike.

The gospels of Peter are fuller within the context of scriptures which amplify understanding. Some of these scriptures are included here.

I am very grateful for the ministry of Peter, the apostle who opened the Way for me, a Gentile.

May God always be a blessing in your life!!