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Simon Peter – Prominent Prophet of the Apostles (9 of 10)

Focus Text: 1 Peter 5.1-4

Part of Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost went like this: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know —— Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” (Acts 2.22-24).

Nothing could be more frank than to say to others, “…you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death [Jesus of Nazareth].” Yet, these were Peter’s words to an assembled multitude of people in Jerusalem. Frankness such as this can be taken for rudeness, but it all depends on the circumstance. The stakes had never been higher; time was of the essence and eternal souls were at risk! Had a building been burning, or a dangerous storm been approaching, one would hardly even remember how the news was broken. Was Peter smiling when he spoke these words? Was his tone of voice friendly and inviting? Did his body language betray hidden hostilities? Frankly – who cares!! It was a time for deliberate, life-saving actions!

There may be a time for being overly sensitive, but this was not the time. There are times for forgetting one’s self and just doing what has to be done; this was that kind of time! On this historic Pentecost day the Lord’s church was to begin; absolute and eternal forgiveness of sins was to be offered for the very first time in man’s history. The news was absolutely so wonderful that anyone who was thinking clearly would have gleefully renounced their sins, especially the sins of which some in this crowd were guilty, and received the free pardon offered from heaven’s bosom! When one recognizes the overwhelming and crushing weight of sin, the focus is not on the frankness of the messenger, but rather on the wonderful news of the message! Peter was frank because it was a time for frankness; the circumstances warranted no less and those who were guilty expected no less!

The love, devotion, courage, and zeal of the apostle Peter are reflected in the message he delivered on Pentecost; these traits are also evident in his two epistles. His frankness does not detract from these traits; rather it shows the great burden he had for souls as well as the urgency of repentance which he knew to be the case in the lives of all men. It also declares that he actually believed the statement he made to the Sanhedrin when he declared, “Nor is there salvation in any other [other than Jesus], for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4.12). Had there been another way, had diplomacy and tact been the answer to sin, perhaps Peter’s frankness would have been inappropriate. However, given the nature of the case, one could not expect less of Peter than was exhibited on Pentecost.

Peter was frank because of his love for truth and because of his love for the souls of men. Our challenge is to nurture that same love in our hearts and act in a manner consistent with that love!

Questions:

1. How do frankness and rudeness differ? Is frankness the same as rudeness?

2. On Pentecost, of what specific sin did Peter say some were guilty?

3. If there is but one name by which men can be saved, what urgency should be attached to the gospel for which He died?

4. How did Peter show his love for truth and for the souls of dying humanity?

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

A Lot Of Salt