Introduction to 2 Peter

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Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, NY
August 9, 2009

Introduction to 2 Peter
2 Peter 1:1

Introduction:

This morning I want to begin a series on 2 Peter. I had planned on doing a series highlighting the dangers of various theologies over the next couple of months, but as I thought about it I wanted to lay a foundation for that in Peter’s warnings about false teachers. Peter’s concerns and warnings are as relevant today as when he wrote, perhaps even more so since many of the things he was warning about are occurring today.

As with any Bible study, we need to understand the context before we can properly understand the meaning of the message given. For that reason we will set the context of the book of 2 Peter this morning by examining when was it written, to whom was it written, why was it written, and what the author was like. Now you might be thinking, “why not just get into the text and tell us what Peter said?” You might consider discussing all of this introductory material to be just academic and maybe even a waste of time. After all, isn’t it the Scriptures themselves that accomplish what God wants in our lives through the working of the Holy Spirit? Why then take up this time talking about things before we even look at the book? Let me try to illustrate the importance of context for you, for without an understanding of the author, the audience and the purpose of writing, we can make very wrong conclusions about the message written.

Imagine the following generic letter and for which we will apply different circumstances and authorship to give you an idea

Dear (your name)

I am writing to let you know that I miss you very much. It is hard to believe how difficult life has become since you left. I am managing to get the things done that I absolutely have to get done, but I can’t seem to get beyond that. I am glad that it will not be long before you return. Hurry back, I can hardly wait.

Now consider the difference in meaning this message conveys depending where you are when you receive it, and who signs it.

You are on a business trip. It is signed, Love, your fiancé

You’re on vacation from taking care of your invalid mother-in-law. It is signed, Your overwhelmed Sister

You are in the hospital recovering from surgery. It is signed, Your business partner. P.S. I will be going on vacation as soon as you return.

I think you can see from those examples that knowing the author, the circumstances of those being addressed and the purpose of the letter changes the meaning drastically. That is why we will be spending some time today trying to gain an understanding of the author, those being written to and the purpose of this letter.

Authorship- 2 Peter 1:1

– “Simon Peter, a bond servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,”

There are those that try to deny that the author of this letter was Simon Peter even though he is so obviously referred to in the opening phrase of this epistle. There are several reasons for this. Let me briefly go through some of the arguments and refute them. It is important that we understand that this letter is truly written by the Apostle Peter and not to someone else trying to pass off their own writing as Peter’s, which would then be a forgery and a lie and not something worth our time in trying to pursue godliness in our own lives.

First, there are those who think themselves scholars that say that this book could not be written by the apostle Peter because the Greek text here actually says, “Simeon Peter” not “Simon Peter.” The forger made a mistake and revealed himself. This is easily refuted by two facts. First, Peter is also called “Simeon” by James in Acts 15:14. This Hebrew variation of his name was not even unusually since his good friend and fellow apostle James used it to identify him to the entire multitude. Second, if a forger was really trying to pass himself off as Peter, then one thing he would not have made a make a mistake on is the name. It is much more probable that the true author would use a variant of his name than a forger

Second, some supposed scholars claim that the phrase in 2 Peter 3:4, “ever since our fathers died,” refers to the first-generation of Christians that had died, and since Peter died in A.D. 68 at the latest, Peter therefore could not have been alive to write the book. This is also easily refuted by two major lines of evidence. First, the phrase “our fathers” is used in Acts 3:13; Romans 9:5 and Hebrews 1:1 to refer to the Old Testament fathers. The immediate context and common usage of the phrase shows that Peter’s usage of the phrase means the same. Therefore, the date of Peter’s death is of no significance to his usage of “our fathers.” Second, even if “our fathers” did refer to first generation believers, Paul had already written to the Thessalonians in 51 A.D. to comfort them because believers there had already died. Peter’s usage of the phrase in the late 60’s, which would be over thirty years since Jesus death, burial and resurrection, would be very appropriate in addressing believers who already had seen the death of those that had proclaimed Christ to them.

Third, there are scholars that claim there is too much variation between First and Second Peter for it to be the same author. Indeed, even men such as John Calvin struggled with the idea of Peter being the author because of the great differences in writing style between the two books. Yet, the disparity of style can be easily explained by what Peter himself tells us in 1 Peter 5:12, “Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly . . .” Peter said he used a secretary in writing the first letter. There is no mention of a secretary in Second Peter, so Peter may have written it out himself or used a different secretary. Either way, we find 1 Peter to have very smooth grammar probably because of Silvanus (Silas). The rough grammar of 2 Peter is either that of his own writing, or that of a different secretary used for that letter.

In all cases, we find the objections against Peter being the author are easily refuted. When the many personal references by the author, and the claim by the author to be the apostle are considered, then we must conclude that Simon Peter, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote this epistle. It is Scripture, and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.

Time of Writing

The date of the writing of this letter becomes a simple matter once the author is defined. Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:14 that the Lord had made it clear to him that he would soon die. Since it is known that Peter died during the time of Emperor Nero, that is before A.D. 68, then this letter was written in A.D. 66 or 67.

Audience

To whom was this letter written? There is nothing specifically stated within the letter about whom Peter was writing to except that it is to those who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. His statement in verse 1 is simply that it is to those who have “received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (1:1). However, there is a vital clue in 2 Peter 3:1 where Peter says, “this is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you . . .” This being true, then Second Peter is written to the same people as First Peter. Who then was First Peter written to? 1 Peter 1:1 states, “to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen . . .”

In both epistles, Peter is writing to those “who reside as aliens, scattered.” These are believers, both Gentile and Jewish, who are living in northern areas of what is now modern day Turkey. This was the area that the Holy Spirit did not allow Paul to go to in Acts 16, having him go to Macedonia instead. Since we do not have a detailed accounting of all of Peter’s travels, this may have been an area in which Peter did minister, or at least he had become well known to them. Paul had also become known to them through his writings, which Peter refers to in 2 Peter 3:15,16.

The Purpose of the Letter

In First Peter, he sought to prepare them for the persecution that was coming. Second Peter is a plea for them to grow in maturity in order to combat the false teachers that were coming and were already present with the added warning that the apostasy would only grow worse as the day of the Lord approached. We should note that Peter does not really give any new doctrine in this book. He himself says in 1:12 and 3:1 that his purpose was to remind them of things they have already been taught.

In a real sense that is what we will be doing in our study of this book as well. There is not any new doctrine to learn in the book, but we will be reminded of those things that have already been taught. If there is something that seems new to you it will only be because you have not studied those same truths earlier in other books of the Bible.

One of the characteristics that distinguishes a Biblical church is that it teaches the same faith as that of the apostles. We have one text of doctrine, the Bible. The cults, apostate and aberrant Christianity all come up with new doctrine. Apostate Christianity does this by denying what the Bible teaches and replacing it with their own reasoning. Cults and aberrant Christian groups do this by adding to the Scriptures new doctrine they gain from claimed new insight into the Scriptures or new revelation which is added to or supersedes the Scriptures. A Biblical church lives and dies by the Scriptures themselves which are the word of God, not the teachings of men added to them regardless of their claims.

Outline of 2 Peter

Second Peter breaks down into very simple outline.

Chapter 1 – Call to Maturity (Holiness)

Chapter 2 – Combating False Teachers (Heresy)

Chapter 3 – Coming of the Day of the Lord (Hope)

An outline with more detail would be:

Chapter 1 – Call to Maturity (Holiness)

1-2: Salutation

3-11: Growth in Christ

12-21 Ground of belief

Chapter 2 – Combating False Teachers (Heresy)

1-3 Danger of false teachers

4-9 Destruction of false teachers

10-22 Description of false teachers

Chapter 3 – Coming of the Day of the Lord (Hope)

1-7 Mockery in the last days

8-10 Manifestation of the Day of the Lord

11-18 Maturity in view of the Day of the Lord

Simon Peter

But who is Simon Peter? What was he like? What were the things that were on his heart? We need to understand something of this man in order to understand what he has written.

One of the first things we find out about Peter is that his brother, Andrew, had been a disciple of John the Baptist. Andrew was in the lower Jordan valley where John was baptizing people for repentance. John had baptized Jesus, who then went into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). When Jesus returned to the Jordan valley, John pointed Jesus out to his disciples as “the Lamb of God.” Andrew and another of John’s disciples (probably John) spent the day with Jesus after which Andrew concluded that Jesus was the Messiah (John 1:35-.40) He then went and found Peter who was also in the area at that time (John 1:41). Peter is a faithful Jew who was also looking for the coming of Messiah, and though the text does not specifically mention it, he was probably also a follower of John since he was there in the lower Jordan valley with Andrew. When Andrew tells Peter that they have found the Messiah, Peter wastes no time in coming to Jesus. It is at this time that Jesus gave him the name, Peter. John 1:42 records this event. Jesus said to him, “‘You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which translated means Peter).” Exactly why Jesus called him Cephas or Peter, which means stone, I do not know. Perhaps Jesus was looking down the years to what Peter would become, because in the early years the characteristic of Peter that was most like a stone was being hard headed. It is in Peter’s ministry as an apostle that we will see the good aspects of his stone like quality of standing firm in the midst of persecution and not wavering.

Peter also spent some time with Jesus before returning to Galilee with Him along with Andrew, Philip and Nathanael (John 1:29-51). Peter and Andrew were fishermen from the city of Bethsaida which was on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Traveling back to the region of Galilee with Jesus gave them a greater and more personal knowledge of Jesus. On the way back, they stopped in Cana of Galilee for a wedding where they were witnesses to Jesus’ first recorded public miracle of turning the water into wine (John 2:1-11).

Not long after Jesus had been to Jerusalem for Passover and had shown His zeal for the Lord by overturning the tables of the money changers for the first time (John 2:13-25), Jesus and His disciples are in the land of Judea baptizing people for repentance. From there they returned to Galilee, but traveling through Samaria instead of around it as would have been the normal practice of the Jews at that time. Peter’s prejudices were challenged even more when Jesus stopped at a well in Sychar and talked with a Samaritan woman, which was very contrary to normal Jewish social customs of that time. They ended up staying in Sychar for several days ministering to the Samaritans (John 4). Peter’s understanding of God’s love was being greatly stretched.

Sometime after Jesus had returned to the region of Galilee, He called Peter and Andrew to “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also fishermen and partners with Peter & Andrew also sharing a desire to find and follow the Messiah (Mark 1:19; Luke 5:10). Jesus also called them to be fishers of men. They all left their nets and followed Jesus.

Jesus then ministered in the area of Capernaum teaching with authority and casting out demons (Luke 4:31-37). After they left the synagogue, they went to the home of Andrew and Peter. Mark 1:30 then specifically points out that Peter’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever and they spoke to Jesus about her. Jesus then healed her and she got up and began to serve them. Now you cannot get a mother-in-law without having a wife. The Roman Catholic church has tried to back up their doctrine that their priests should be celibate by claiming that Peter was a single man. That claim is contrary to the Scriptures. Not only does this specific incident in Mark 1:30 point out that Simon Peter had a mother-in-law, but Paul also comments about Peter having a wife. In 1 Corinthians 9:5 Paul states that Cephas (Peter) took his believing wife with along him. The other apostles and the Lord’s brothers also did the same thing. Paul appears to be the only apostle that was single. Paul goes on to say in 1 Timothy 4:1-3 that those who forbid marriage are paying attention to the doctrine of demons. Peter was married as was the common custom of the Jews.

It is proper to say that when Jesus met Simon Peter, he was just a common fisherman with nothing special outstanding about him. Simon worked hard at his trade to support his family. From his reaction some years later in denying Jesus with a curse, we may think him to even be on the crude side. Other incidents showed he could also be uncontrolled, stubborn, proud and boastful. This in turn gave him a problem with what you could call foot-in-mouth disease. He would speak before he knew what he should say. Peter was also like many of the Jews of the time in being anxious for the Messiah to come. He wanted the yoke of Rome thrown off and for the Son of David to rule in Jerusalem. From the disputing that went on among the disciples, we can surmise that Peter also wanted his share in the kingdom when it came. Yet, Jesus saw something in this rugged fisherman, something He wanted to bring out, something that would be used to the glory of God. Jesus patiently worked with Peter.

In Luke 5 these things become evident. Peter the fisherman obeys Jesus the carpenter in letting down his fish nets because he recognizes Jesus as his master. The resulting miracle catch of fish drives it even deeper into Peter’s heart of his own sinful nature before Jesus. After this, Peter follows Jesus full time. Peter sees more miracles, listens to more of Jesus’ teaching that He is God’s only begotten son who has come to bring men back to the Father (John 5). Peter sees the hatred of the Scribes and Pharisees break out against Jesus. Peter starts to understand the true nature of spirituality that it is living for God from the heart and not by the legalism of man made systems (Matthew 5-7).

Peter continues to follow Jesus. He learns more and more as he listens to Jesus, watches His life and sees His compassion for men as demonstrated by the many, many healings. Peter also sees the hatred of the Scribes and Pharisees increase until there is an open break and they are seeking to kill Jesus. Peter also sees the Master respond calmly in life threatening situations. Peter is given a chance to proclaim to others what they have been taught (Matthew 10). After their return, Jesus continues to teach them. He feeds the 5,000 & the 4,000 (Matthew 14 & 15). Both are lessons that they can depend on Jesus to provide for them. Jesus walks on the water and calms the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14). That is a lesson that Jesus is in control of nature too, but Peter learned an additional lesson. After Jesus had come near them and identified himself, Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Peter knew he could not walk on water himself unless the Lord enabled it. Jesus said, “Come,” so Peter got out of the boat and went. Things were going well until “seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” The Lord did, and Peter learned that to successfully follow the Lord you must keep your eyes on Him and not doubt (Matthew 14:25-35). Peter is often criticized for taking his eyes off of Jesus and sinking, but remember, he was the only disciple to get of out fo the boat. Peter’s faith may have wavered, but at least he was willing to try and boldly exercise it.

Peter also learned that not all those claiming to follow Christ will continue to do so, for many left Jesus in John 6. Jesus even questioned the disciples if they too would leave, but the lessons had already taken root in Peter, and he answered in John 6:68-69, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”

One of Peter’s finest hours is in Matthew 16:16,17 when Peter responded to Jesus’ question as to who they thought He was. Peter said, “‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” It is a great confession, but it was followed immediately by Peter’s puffed up pride. In John 16:21, only 5 verses later, Peter is strongly rebuked. John records, “From that time Jesus Christ began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.'”

This same characteristic of rash boldness led to Peter’s most disastrous hour. It is the night before Jesus is crucified. The last supper has just been completed and Jesus tells them that He will be betrayed and that they will not be able to follow Him (John 13:37,38) Peter brashly proclaims, ‘Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.’ Jesus answered, ‘Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a cock shall not crow, until you deny Me three times.'”

Peter certainly tried to fulfill his boast. He even took out his little sword and tried to take off the head of the Malchus, the servant of the High priest. But Malchus was favored by God, and Peter was a fisherman, not a soldier, so all he cut off was his ear (John 18:10). Peter was even bold enough to follow Jesus after He was taken away by the soldiers. But a final important lesson had to be learned by Peter. You cannot serve God in your own strength. You must do it in His way in His strength otherwise you’re doomed to failure. Peter was bold and he went right into the courtyard where Jesus was being tried. Luke 22:55f even tells us that after the first and second time that Peter denied knowing the Lord to the simple question of a servant girl, he still stubbornly stayed there and did not leave. But Luke 22:60 reveals that Peter’s failure would be according to the Lord’s prediction. A man began to insist that Peter was a Galilean that has been with the Lord and “Peter said, ‘Man I do not know what you are talking about.” Matthew 26:74 adds that he even began to curse and swear. It was then that the cock crowed, Jesus turned and looked at Peter, and Peter lost it. Luke 22:62 says, “he went out and wept bitterly.”

Jesus was crucified the next day. John 19:25-27 records that only some of the women and John were present when Jesus paid the price for our sins with His life upon that cross. Where were the other disciples and especially Peter, the one who had been so boastful the night before? They were hiding.

You might think that would be the end for Peter. How could God use such a boastful, fickle man that would run away and hide out of fear. Peter thought God was done with him, but the Lord was not finished with him. Jesus rose from the dead the third day, and Mark 16:7 says that when the women met the angel at the empty tomb. Peter was specifically singled out to be told by them that Jesus was risen from the dead and to meet Him in Galilee. Luke 24:34 and 1 Corinthians 15:5 both record that the Lord specifically appeared to Peter prior to appearing to the others. Then in John 21 there is recorded the interaction between Jesus and Peter by the Sea of Galilee when the Lord took Peter aside and called on him to take care of His sheep. Jesus even revealed to Peter that he would not fail in the future but would be faithful even to death as a martyr for the cause of Christ.

God was not finished with Peter. Instead He used Peter mightily as one of the Pillars of the church (Galatians 2:9). It was Peter who on the day of Pentecost delivered the sermon after which about 3,000 souls were saved (Acts 2). It was Peter that healed the lame beggar at the Temple, after which he preached another uncompromising sermon to the multitudes (Acts 3). It was Peter who, after he and John had been arrested, rebuked the Elders of the people (the Sanhedrien) in Acts 4 by boldly proclaiming the gospel even laying the responsibility of Jesus’ murder on their hands. It was Peter in Acts 5 that confronted Ananias and Sapphira about their lying to the Holy Spirit. Though the rulers had warned Peter not to preach Christ, Peter did so anyway and was again arrested and placed in jail. The Holy Spirit then opened the jail and Peter and the rest of the apostles went right back to the temple and were preaching. When it was discovered the next day and they were again brought back before the Council, Peter again held nothing back and said, “We must obey God rather than men” Acts 5:29). They were beaten, but they rejoiced to suffer for Jesus’ sake and continued to proclaim Christ. It was the apostles that stayed in Jerusalem to continue to proclaim the gospel after severe persecution broke out in Acts 9. It was Peter in Acts 10 that God used to open the door for gospel message to go to the Gentiles. And it was Peter at the Council at Jerusalem in Acts 15 that defended the gospel going out to the Gentiles. Peter was not perfect, and Paul had to rebuke him for being influenced by those of the circumcision (Galatians 2:11f), but he continued to grow in his walk with the Lord.

It was this Simon Peter, who identifies himself as “a bond servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,” that wrote the Epistle of Second Peter that we will be studying the next few months. It should be noted here that Peter’s self identification is as a douloV / doulos and apostle of Jesus Christ are important. Though English versions often translate this as servant or bond-servant, the better English word is “slave” for it refers to someone who was under the authority of a master that owned them and not to someone hired to aide an employer. Peter recognized that he was redeemed from sin with the price of the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18,19), he was purchased by God and no longer his own (1 Corinthians 6:20; 2 Peter 2:1). He had learned to submit his will to the Lord and trust Him and therefore go and do whatever the Lord desired. He was also an apostle (apostoloV) meaning that he was sent by the Lord as His representative and with His authority. God has given him something to say to us, and we should pay attention.

Conclusions

Simon, the Son of John, was just a common fisherman who had a hope that Messiah would come. Simon yielded his life to follow the Messiah, and Jesus made him into Peter, a man who was mightily used by God in taking the gospel around the world and building the Lord’s church. God is still in the same business of taking simple, sinful humans and bringing them to Himself and changing them into a vessels of glory. God is doing that in my life, and He desires to do the same thing in your life. The only question is one Peter had to face himself. Are you willing to be humble enough to both trust and follow the Lord as His slave? If so, then you will learn, grow and be used of God to accomplish things far beyond any of your abilities.

KIDS CORNER

Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help. Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – 1) Count how many times Peter is mentioned. 2) Talk with your parents about how God changed Peter from being a fisherman to a fisher of men.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. Why is the context of a letter so important? Give an example. Who wrote Second Peter? Why do some doubt his authorship? What evidence refutes their speculations? When was this epistle written and why do we think it was then? To whom was Peter writing? What were their religious characteristics and where were they living? What is the main message(s) of Second Peter? How did he intend to present that message(s). What is a major difference between Biblical churches and cults and apostate or aberrant Christian groups? Write a simple outline for Second Peter. How did it come about that Peter became a disciple of Jesus? Where did Peter live? What was his trade? Describe his family? How does the Biblical evidence contradict Roman Catholic doctrine about Peter? How did the Lord challenge Peter’s prejudices? What are some incidents that demonstrated Peter’s bold faith? What were some of his rash statements and what did they reveal about him? What were some of the rebukes Peter received from Jesus? What was Peter’s greatest failure? How did Jesus restore him? What were some of the changes in Peter after the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit? What was Peter’s role in the early church in Jerusalem? How did God use Peter to break the barrier between Jews and Gentiles? Why does Peter identify himself as a douloV / doulos of Jesus Christ? What does that mean? What does it mean that he was an apostle of Jesus Christ? What is required of you in order for the Lord to use you great ways?

Sermon Notes- 8/9/2009

Introduction to 2 Peter

Introduction

The importance of context: _____________________________________________________

_____________ can radically change the meaning of a message received

Authorship– 1 Peter 1:1

1) The Greek text here actually says, “____________ Peter” not “Simon Peter.”

Peter is also called “Simeon” by ____________ in Acts 15:14.

It is more likely that the real person would use a variant of his name than a ___________

2) 2 Peter 3:4, “ever since our fathers died,” refers to the first-generation of Christians that had _______

        “Our fathers ” refers to the Old Testament ______________in Acts 3:13; Romans 9:5 and Hebrews 1:1

2 Peter is written more than __ years after Jesus’ resurrection, and some early disciples had already died

3) There is too much ____________ between First and Second Peter

1 Peter 5:12 tells us that __________ was the Peter’s secretary in writing First Peter

Second Peter is either Peter’s own writing or he is using a ____________ secretary

Time of Writing

About A.D. __________ since Nero’s reign ended A.D. 68 and Peter expected to die soon (2 Peter 1:14)

Audience

Those having “received a _____of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior. . .” The same as those in 1 Peter 1:1 – Jewish & Gentile believers throughout what is modern northern ______

The Purpose of the Letter

A plea to grow in ___________ in order to combat false teachers and in view of coming Day of the Lord

To ______________ them of what they have already been taught (2 Peter 1:12; 3:1)

Biblical churches are marked by adherence to ______________ doctrine.

The cults, apostate and aberrant Christianity are marked by men developing ________ doctrine

Outline of 2 Peter

Chapter 1 – Call to Maturity (Holiness)

1-2: Salutation

3-11: Growth in Christ

12-21 Ground of belief

Chapter 2 – Combating False Teachers (Heresy)

1-3 Danger of false teachers

4-9 Destruction of false teachers

10-22 Description of false teachers

Chapter 3 – Coming of the Day of the Lord (Hope)

1-7 Mockery in the last days

8-10 Manifestation of the Day of the Lord

11-18 Maturity in view of the Day of the Lord

Simon Peter

The brother of _______. Both were followers of John the Baptist & looking for the coming of the Messiah

Jesus gives Simon the additional name of Cephas / Peter, meaning “_________”

Peter traveled with Jesus back to _________and saw Jesus’ miracle at the wedding in Cana along the way.

Peter’s __________were challenged when Jesus spoke to the woman at the well & they stayed in Samaria

Jesus called Peter & Andrew, and James and John to be “__________ of men” (Luke 5:10)

Jesus went to the home of Peter & Andrew and healed Peter’s ___________________ (Mark 1:30)

Peter led around a believing _________ on his missionary journeys (1 Corinthians 9:5)

Peter follows Jesus in ministry for three years, learning from Him & growing in __________

Peter could be ________ in faith (getting out of the boat), but could also _________(sinking) Matthew 13

Peter correctly identified Jesus and His origin, but could be shortsighted & _______(Matt. 16:16-17, 21-23)

Peter was bold when Jesus was __________(John 18:10), but _______when standing alone (Luke 22:55f)

Jesus _____________ Peter to ministry (John 21), and became bold after the coming of the Holy Spirit

Peter was the primary ________Acts 2-5 and broke the barrier to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10)

Peter identified himself as the ____________ (douloV / doulos) and apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ


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