There is a tendency to underestimate the contribution made by Peter to the first-century Church. We frequently hear and read much of Peter’s “denial” and too little of the man who was a very pillar in the early Christian Church.
Human frailty induced Peter to affirm, “I am ready to go with thee, both into prison and to death”—the same frailty that persuaded His followers to watch from a distance that macabre finale enacted upon Calvary, the same frailty that drew condemnation from the Master on the road to Emmaus: “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.”
Christ looked beyond the shortcomings of the moment and saw sufficient strength of character to entrust Peter with a particular commission. “But I have prayed for thee: and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren.
The Messiah was anticipating Peter’s investment with the Holy Spirit, and it may well be that Christ looked beyond the offensive nature of Peter’s impetuosity, recognizing in it a necessary ingredient for the leadership, fervour and courage so vital to the prosecution of the Christian warfare.
Peter heads the lists of both disciples and apostles. “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.” “And he saith unto them follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Thus commenced a great and moving discipleship, culminating in his martyrdom for what he believed to be true.
Matthew, Mark and Luke all give priority to Peter in the enumeration of the apostles called to the ministry. The Gospel narratives record many status of Peter is made manifestly clear. Nowhere is it plainer or more significant than in the sublime words of John: “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, 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.” In the two succeeding verses we read Christ’s injunction, “Feed my sheep”, in response to the touching confession, “Thou knowest that I love thee”.
It was this very confession of love that Christ regarded as the “rock” upon which His Church was to be built. It was Peter’s faith and love that impelled him to profess: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This confession was surely the “rock” upon which the whole Christian edifice was to be constructed, and which echoed in the heart of every convert from that day to this. It was this confession that sprang unreservedly from the hearts of three thousand souls at Pentecost.
“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 beautiful truth concealed in this passage can only be properly appreciated apart from the general misconception of the quotation. The words “this rock” could not refer to Peter, since Peter derives from the Greek word “Petros” (literally a stone, loose and movable) and is masculine gender. On the other hand the word “rock” stems from the Greek word “Petra” (literally a rock, in situ, immovable) and is feminine gender. As mentioned above, the “rock” was Peter’s confession: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Peter is careful to point out in his ministry that the “rock” was Christ and not himself. He amplifies the incontrovertible fact of Jesus being the “chief corner stone”. “Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”
Peter, in his great oration at Pentecost, makes a magnificent exposition and defence of the divine authority and mission of Christ. Here we have the real Peter, full of vigour, conviction and courage, and brilliantly motivated by the Holy Spirit. Here we have the apostle made strong for the work that lay before him: the apostle who was to “feed the sheep”. How he would have remembered the words of the Master: “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” How he would have felt the surge of conversion and confidence under the surveillance of the Comforter when he saw the irresistible impact of his sermon on all those present. “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.”
The indictment was unanswerable and stirred the consciences of the hearers. “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” The miracle of Pentecost claimed its own, exalting the human spirit in the Light of the Gospel of Christ, and permitting a mass bestowal of the Holy Spirit for the consolidation and enlargement of the Church of Christ. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marked the launching of a mighty campaign to bring the tragedy of Calvary to the notice of the Jews, and to bring the Gospel of Christ into the lives of misguided men and women. The clarion call is to repentance and baptism: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” This is the real Peter, sparing no effort to acquaint the Jews with the enormities of their transgression. “But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you . . . And killed the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”
In Acts chapter 4 we are introduced to yet another instance of the active antagonism of priests and Sadducees to the apostolic precept, bearing in mind the latter’s disbelief in the Resurrection: “Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” Peter and John were taken into custody because of the rich harvest from their preaching. “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.” The rescue work was made effective under the authority and guidance of Peter, always bearing in mind that it was the new Peter, “filled with the Holy Spirit”, and imbued with the urgent desire to discharge the mandate committed to him by the Redeemer.
The great apostle concludes his Pentecostal address with words that pulsate with conviction and truth, words that establish Peter beyond doubt as the chosen one to carry Christian precept to the house of Israel: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” The word “assuredly” would indeed apply to the preaching of the real Peter, who was sure, as never before, as to the Nazareneship, Priesthood, and Royal Prerogative of Jesus Christ.
Peter goes from strength to strength in presenting the Gospel of Christ to the Jews, and reminds them of the prophetic words of Moses—a name held in high esteem in all Israel: “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord our God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.” He entreats them concerning their privileged history and position, and accentuates their racial priority in the unfolding purpose of God. “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed . . . Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”
Peter’s defence of the Gospel took him to the very council chamber of the Sanhedrin, the focal point from which vehement and persistent attacks on Christian precept were launched. It was in this bigoted religious climate that the adversaries of Christ and the apostle sought to destroy those born to newness of life.
The greatness of Peter made manifest when he realised that the Gentiles also shared a part in the purpose of God, the vision given to him while in prayer without a doubt set the seal upon his stupendous labours in feeding the sheep of Christ. He proceeds to discourse upon the universal beneficence and ineffable love of God: “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons . . . but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
One of the most spiritually exhilarating experiences in the life of Peter was undoubtedly his meeting with Paul at Jerusalem, where the glorious truth of a universal Gospel was assented to and rejoiced in. Jews and Gentiles were united in the one hope, and the two great apostles must have been very near to the Messiah during this wonderful moment of unity.
“And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Peter, the great convert, was able to look at his life’s work in retrospect knowing that he had -fed the sheep” and “strengthened his brethren”. He would have been in advancing years when his epistles were penned, and he would have known of his approaching martyrdom. His writings are full of the wisdom -that is from above” and which is -first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
Peter was indeed born again, and had grown in spiritual perception and reflection in the fullness of an apostle of Jesus Christ: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” It was the real Peter, the apostle chosen by Christ to carry the Gospel message and to propound it with the mature conviction of faith and with a character made strong by association with the inspired evangelism of the Master.
Peter looked forward to the great end of his preaching—even to the day when his Messiah and Lord would return to gather his disciples and apostles, a time when clouds of witnesses would raise their voices in praise of the Almighty, and sing a new song for the glorious King of Zion. “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.”
Is Pentecost Happening Today? (Part 7) – Tongues Shall Cease