Peter, Simon is the most prominent of Jesus' twelve apostles. The New Testament gives a more complete picture of Peter than of any other disciple, with the exception of Paul, Saul. Peter is often considered to be a big, blundering fisherman. But this is a shallow portrayal. The picture of his personality portrayal in the New Testament is rich and many sided. A more fitting appraisal of Peter is that he was a pioneer among the twelve apostles and the early Universal Church, breaking ground that the Universal Church would later follow.

Disciple refers to a student, learner, or pupil. In the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible the word is used most often to refer to a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. The word is rarely used in the Old Testament. Prophet Isaiah used the term disciples to refer to those who are taught or instructed. Prophet Isaiah addresses his disciples: "I bind up this testimony, I seal this revelation, in the heart of my disciples." - Is. 8:16 - In general, disciples refers to a larger group of God's and Jesus' followers.

Apostle refers to a special messenger of the Lord Jesus Christ; a person to whom Jesus delegated authority for a certain tasks. The authority committed to the apostles by the Lord Jesus Christ was unique. It could not be transmitted to others. The apostles could install elders or other leaders and teachers in the Church, and they can authorize them to assume special responsibilities; but apostolic authority could not be transferred. In general, apostles refers to a inner group of the Lord Jesus Christ followers.

Peter's given name was Simon or Symeon. His father's name was Jonah. Simon's brother, Andrew, also joined Jesus as a disciple. The family probably lived at Capernaum on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, although it is possible that they lived in Bethsaida. - Matt. 16:17; Mark 1:16, 21, 29; John 1:42-44 -

Peter and Andrew were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee, and perhaps in partnership with James and John, the sons of Zebedee. In the midst of his labour as a fisherman, Simon's received a personal call from Jesus that changed his life. - Luke 5:8, 10 - The Gospel of John reports that Andrew and Peter [Simon] were disciples of John the Baptist before they joined Jesus. John also reports that Peter was introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew, who had recognized Jesus to be the Messiah.

On the following day as John....... One of these two who became followers of Jesus after hearing what John had said was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Early next morning, Andrew met his brother and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" - which means "the Christ" - and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked hard at him and said, "You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas" - meaning Rock. - John 1:35-42 -

The Lord Jesus Christ apparently gathered His followers in two stages: first as disciples, and later as apostles. Peter was the first disciple to be called and the first to be named an apostle. Peter's name heads every list of the Twelve in the New Testament. He apparently the strongest individual in the group. He frequently served as a spokesman for the disciples, and he was their recognized leader. Typical of Peter's dominant personality was his readiness to walk to the Lord Jesus Christ on the water and to ask the Lord Jesus Christ the awkward question of how often he should forgive a sinning brother. - Mark 1:16-18, 36, 3:14-16; Luke 22:32; Matt. 14:28, 18:21 -

An inner circle of three apostles existed among the Twelve. Peter was also the leader of this inner small group. The trio - Peter, James, and John - was present with Jesus personally on a number of occasions. They witnessed the raising of a young girl from the dead; they were present at Jesus' transfiguration; and they were present during Jesus' agony in Gethsemane. During Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, two of the three, Peter and John, were sent to make preparations for their last meal together. - Matt. 17:1-2, 26:37; Mark 5:37, 14:33; Luke 8:51, 22:8 -

The purpose of Jesus' existence in the flesh [fully human] was that people would come to a true of who God is and what He had done for man's salvation. The first apostle to recognize that was Peter. He confessed Jesus as Lord in the region of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus began the process which would lead to Peter's awareness by asking a non-threatening question, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" After the disciples voiced various rumours, Jesus put a more personal question to them, "But you" he said "who do you say I am?" Then Simon Peter spoke up, "You are the Christ" he said "the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. - Matt. 16:13-18 - Thus, by God's grace, Peter would become the first "Vicar of Christ" or the first "Pope" of the Universal Church.

How ironic that the one [Peter Simon] who denied Jesus most vehemently in His hour of suffering should be the first person to witness to His resurrection from the dead. Yet according to Saint Luke - 24:24 - and Saint Paul - 1 Cor. 15:5 - Peter was the first apostle to see the risen Lord Jesus Christ. We can only marvel at the grace of God in granting such a blessing to one who did not seem to deserve it. Peter's witnessing of the resurrection was a sign of his personal restoration to fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It also confirmed His appointment by God to serve as the "Vicar of Christ" in the emerging Universal Church.

The earliest information about the early Church comes from the Book of Acts. This shows clearly that Peter continued to exercise a key leadership role in the Universal Church. Indeed, the first 12 Chapters of the Book of Acts are built around the activity of the apostle Peter.

When the Holy Spirit visited the Church in Samaria, the apostles sent Peter and John to verify its authenticity. - Acts 8:14-25 - But this event was only a prelude to the one event which concluded Peter's testimony in the New Testament: the preaching and the proclamation of the Gospel to the Gentile. The chains of events that happened before the bestowal of the Holy Spirit on Gentile believers - beginning with Peter's staying in the house of a man of "unclean" profession, continuing with his vision of "unclean" foods, and climaxing in his realization that no human being, Gentile included, ought to be considered "unclean". It demonstrates the triumph of God's grace to bring about conversion in stubborn hearts and the hardened social customs of Jewish believers. - Acts 8:14-25, 10-12 -

One of the centurions.......Next day, while they were still on their journey and had only a short distance to go before reaching Jaffa, Peter went to the housetop at about the sixth hour to pray. He felt hungry and was looking forward to his meal, but before it was ready he fell into a trance and saw heaven thrown open and something like a big sheet being let down to earth by its four corners; it contained every possible sort of animal and bird, walking, crawling or flying ones. A voice then said to him, "Now, Peter; kill and eat!" But Peter answered, "Certainly not, Lord; I have never eaten anything profane or unclean." Again, a second time, the voice spoke to him, "What God has made clean, you have no right to call profane. This was repeated three times, and then suddenly the container was drawn up to heaven again.

Peter was still worrying over the meaning of the vision he had seen, when the men sent by Cornelius arrived. They asked where Simon's house was and they were now standing at the door, calling out to know if the Simon known as Peter was lodging there. Peter's mind was still on the vision and the Spirit had to tell him, "Some men have come to see you. Hurry down, and do not hesitate about going back with them; it was I who told them to come." Peter went down and said to them, "I am the man you are looking for; why have you come?" They said, "The centurion Cornelius, who is an upright and God-fearing man, highly regarded by the entire Jewish people, was directed by a holy angel to send for you and bring you to his house and to listen to what you have to say." So Peter asked them in and gave them lodging.

Next day, he was ready to go off with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Jaffa. They reached Caesarea the following day, and Cornelius was waiting for them. He has asked his relations and close friends to be there, and as Peter reached the house Cornelius went out to meet him, knelt at his feet and prostrated himself. But Peter helped him up. "Stand up." he said, "I am only a man after all!" Talking together they went in to meet all the people assembled there, and Peter said to them, "You know it is forbidden for Jews to mix with people of another race and visit them, but God has made it clear to me that I must not call anyone profane or unclean. That is why I made no objection to coming when I was sent for; but I should like to know exactly why you sent for me." Cornelius replied, "Three days ago I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, when I suddenly saw a man in front of me in shinning robes." He said, "Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been accepted as a sacrifice in the sight of God; so now you must send to Jaffa and fetch Simon known as Peter who is lodging in the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea." So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Here we all are, assembled in front of you to hear what message God has given you for us.

Then Peter addressed them: "The truth I have now come to realise" he said "is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him."

...........As things turned out they were to live together in that Church a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called "Christians."... - Acts 10-12 -

Following the death of apostle James, the brother of apostle John, and Peter's miraculous release from prison, Saint Luke reports that Peter left and went to another place. - Acts 12:17 - Apostle Peter probably broadened the evangelizing in other areas, once the mantle of leadership of the Jerusalem Church is well preserved and look after by the other apostles. Apostle Peter played a key role at the Council of Jerusalem which decided in favour of granting Church faithful to Gentiles without first requiring them to become Jews. Saint Paul mentioned a visit of apostle Peter to Antioch of Syria and he may even refer to a mission of apostle Peter to Corinth. Apostle Peter dropped into the background in the Book of Acts is not because his ministry ended. Saint Luke, the writer of the Book of Acts, simply began to trace the course of the Gospel's spread to Gentile Rome through the ministry of the apostle Paul. - Acts 15; 1 Cor. 1:12; Gal. 2 -

According to early Christian tradition, apostle Peter went to Rome, where he died.

The two New Testament epistles/letters bearing the name of "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ" - 1 Peter 1:1 - and Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ - 2 Peter 1:1 - though otherwise having little in common.

1 Peter, the longer of the two epistles, is written in fine Greek and refers frequently to the Old Testament. It is an epistle for the downhearted, written to give encouragement in times of trail and disappointment. 1 Peter anchors the Christian's hope not so much on logic or persuasion, but on the matchless sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, who "suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps." This, in fact, is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow the way he took." - 1 Peter 2:21 -

In contrast to 1 Peter, 2 Peter is briefer and written in a forced style. It rails against false teachers and prophets, while reminding believers of their election by God and assuring them of the Lord Jesus Christ return.

I Peter begins on a positive note, praising God for the blessings of a "living hope" which He has reserved for believers. This Doxology of praise sets a triumphant tone for the remainder of the epistle/letter. 1 Peter identifies its author as "Peter, an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ" because of his frequent references to Christ's suffering, show that the profile of the Suffering Servant was etched deeply upon his memory. He calls Mark his 'son' - 1 Peter 5:13 - recalling his affection for the young man and family mentioned in Acts 12:12. These facts lead naturally to the clarification that the apostle Peter wrote this epistle/letter. By recognizing, apostle Silvanus role and, he being a former associate of the apostle Paul, and as one who doubtlessly came to the Greek language as a native, apostle Silvanus may have played a role in bringing this epistle/letter to completion. In conclusion, we might say that the writing and ideas came from apostle Peter, but the design and fine tuning came from apostle Silvanus. The reference to "Babylon" a common image for civil power opposed to God, indicates that the epistle/letter was written from Rome.

I write these few words to you through Silvanus, who is a brother I know I can trust, to encourage you never to let go this true grace of God to which I bear witness. Your sister in Babylon, who is with you among the chosen, sends you greetings; so does my son, Mark. - 1 Peter 5:12-13 -

1 Peter is addressed to Christians living in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia - places in the northern and western parts of Asia Minor [modern Turkey] The peoples there appear to have been Gentiles, although they probably had not been evangelized by apostle Peter himself. The epistle/letter was obviously written to believers undergoing trials and persecutions, to give them courage in the face of their adversities. And 1 Peter was written by one who sensed the triumphant outcome of God's purpose for the world. The triumph of the future depends in no way on what we have done but on the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and because God has raised Jesus from the dead, God is deserving of praise; for His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope.

The unshakableness of our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ which awaits us in heaven, resounds like a clap of thunder throughout the epistle/letter. Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead, His suffering and death have vital meaning. The believer can gain courage in present adversity by looking and empathizing the example of Jesus Christ in His suffering. We have a sure hope for the present and future because of Christ's resurrection. This truly is a "living hope" for it is one we can live by, even in the midst of "various trials."

1 Peter is an epistle/letter of hope, the accent falls not on wishful thinking, but on present help. No scriptural/biblical writer shows the connection between faith and conduct in a clearer manner than does Peter. Putting into practice is not simply the most important thing; it is the only thing.

Peter's stress on attitude and behavior, however, is not an appeal to some vague sense of "moral goodness" in people. The conduct Peter describes is the result of a life reclaimed by the perfect power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ has redeemed believers; Christ upholds and guides them and Christ will reward them. The Lord Jesus Christ is both the model and goal of the redeemed life. Consequently, believers may move forward on the pilgrim way, with love, peace, joy and salvation.

I urge you, my dear people, while you are visitors and pilgrim to keep yourselves free from the selfish passions that attack the soul. Always behave honorably among pagans so that they can see your good works for themselves and, when the day of reckoning comes, give thanks to God for the things which now make them denounce you as criminal. - 1 Peter 2:11-12 -

No one can hurt you if you are determined to do only what is right: if you do have to suffer for being good, you will count it a blessing. There is no need to be afraid or to worry about them. Simply reverence the Lord Jesus Christ in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you all have, But give it with courtesy and respect and with a clear conscience, so that those who slander you when you are living a good life in Christ may be proved wrong in the accusations that they bring. And if it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong. 1 Peter 3:13-17 -

2 Peter begins with a greeting, enjoining believers, because they have been chosen by God, to develop noble characters, and noble attitude. Recognizing that his own death is near, the author sees in the transfiguration of Jesus a forecast of the brilliant day when the Lord Jesus Christ come again. Incidentally, the following chapter is a condensation of material from the letter of Jude, condemning false teachers and false prophets. The final chapter deals with the future coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. We proclaim your death, O Lord Jesus and profess your Resurrection until You come again.

It shifts the emphasis from a hope by which one live to a hope on which one can count, and living in it. The epistle/letter speaks to the assurance of salvation by ensuring that Christians are "partakers of the divine nature."

Since everything is coming to an end like this, you should be living holy and saintly lives while you wait and long for the Day of God to come, when the sky will dissolve in flames and the elements melt in the heat. What we are waiting for is what he promised: the new heavens and earth, the place where righteousness will be at home. So then, my friends, while you are waiting, do your best to lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace. Think of our Lord's patience as your opportunity to be saved: our brother Paul, who is so dear to us, told you this when he wrote to you with the wisdom that is his special gift. He always writes like this when he deals with this sort of subject, and this makes some points in his letter hard to understand; these are the points that uneducated and unbalanced people distort, in the same way as they distort the rest of scripture - a fatal thing for them to do. You have been warned about this, my friends; be careful not to get carried away by the errors of unprincipled people, from the firm ground that you are standing on. Instead, go on growing in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory, in time and in eternity. Amen. - 2 Peter 3:11-18 -

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Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.

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Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -