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Simon Peter – Prominent Prophet of the Apostles (1 of 10)

Focus Text: John 1.41-42

We introduce Peter with an excerpt from an article as it appears in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: “He [Simon Peter] has been styled the prince of the apostles, and, indeed, seems to have been their leader on every occasion. He is always named first in every list of them, and was their common spokesman. He was hopeful, bold, confident, courageous, frank, impulsive, energetic, vigorous, strong, and loving, and faithful to his Master notwithstanding his defection prior to the crucifixion. It is true that he was liable to change and inconsistency, and because of his peculiar temperament he sometimes appeared forward and rash. Yet, as another says, ‘His virtues and faults had their common root in his enthusiastic disposition,’ and the latter were at length overruled by divine grace into the most beautiful humility and meekness, as evinced in his two Epistles.”

From this overview of Simon Peter, we note how others have characterized him; he was “…hopeful, bold, confident, courageous, frank, impulsive, energetic, vigorous, strong, and loving, and faithful to his Master notwithstanding his defection prior to the crucifixion.” With this view of his character, it is easy to see why he is one of the more colorful and memorable characters in the New Testament; it is also easy to see why a study of events from his life will prove worthwhile for any person, believer or otherwise.

Enter Simon Peter! “He [Andrew] first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, ‘You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas’ (which is translated, A Stone).” (John 1.41-42). Our biblical introduction to Peter involves Jesus and an important prophetic play on words in the text just cited. Jesus said, “You are [present tense] Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called [future tense] Cephas (which is translated, A Stone).” To be the son of Jonas [Dove] indicated somewhat of the present character of Simon, flighty, impetuous, passionate, and sometimes even fickle.

Jesus knew Simon and He also knew the great change that would occur during His ministry; He knew that in the future this fickle son of a Dove would become Peter, A Stone; no longer fickle and flighty but grounded and rooted in the truth! In this introduction to Simon Peter we have an inspired overview of his present character as well as his future character. [Note: I am not ignorant of the fact that the “older and more reliable manuscripts” (as claimed by the advocates of some modern versions) read “John” and not “Jonas” in John 1.42, but they are not the more reliable; in fact, they are wrong. Jesus stated in Matthew 16.17 that this same Simon was the son of Jonas (Bar-Jona). For the Bible believer that settles which manuscripts are the more reliable.]

Peter at the last was not the Peter of the beginning. God’s grace allowed him time to mature and for his faith to grow. Even though at one time he denied the Christ, God saw fit to use him to deliver the first recorded Gospel sermon; God can use us if we will but allow it!

Questions:

1. List some of Peter’s traits as noted in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia?

2. What does “Jonah” mean? What does “Peter” mean?

3. Compare the words of the focus text with those of Matthew 16.17. What was different about what Jesus called Simon in the two verses (Hint: Notice the tenses of the verbs)?

4. What must we do in order for God to be able to use us; what did Peter have to do?

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

3 steps to peace...