Simon Peter

INTRODUCTION

Today we are beginning a study of the twelve disciples

Please turn in your Bibles to Mark 3.

We are looking at Mark 3:16, “And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter)”

From this point (except in Mark 14:37), Mark uses this name for Simon, though this is not when it’s first given

Simon is “Simon Peter”, or simply “Peter”, who became a central figure in the New Testament of the Bible

He is the most mentioned apostle in the Gospels

His name appears more than any other biblical character besides Jesus himself

He is portrayed as a passionate and impulsive disciple

He often spoke before thinking and He made many bold declarations of faith

Through his journey with Jesus, Peter transforms from a simple fisherman into a powerful leader in the early church

Let’s begin by looking at his…

I. Early Life and Call to Discipleship

Birth and Background in Bethsaida

Simon Peter was born in Bethsaida, a village in the Galilee region of Palestine (Jn.1:44)

He later moved to Capernaum (Mk.1:21, 29)

His father’s name was Jonah (Mat.16:17) also known as John (Jn.1:42)

He had a brother named Andrew, who would later become one of Jesus' disciples as well (Jn.1:40)

Occupation as a Fisherman

Peter was a fisherman by trade, along with his brother Andrew and fellow disciples James and John (Mk.1:16-17)

They all worked on the Sea of Galilee, where they caught fish for a living

Peter and his brother were partners with James and John in Capernaum (Luke 5:10)

Encounter with Jesus and Call to Discipleship (John 1:35-42)

Peter's original name was Simon or the Hebrew Simeon, which means “to hear” or “to listen”

There were 8 other men in the NT with the same name: Simon the Zealot (Mat.10:4), Simon the brother of Jesus (Mat.13:55), Simon the leper (Mat.26:6), Simon the Pharisee (Lk.7:40), Simon the Cyrene (Mat.27:32), Simon the Father of Judas Iscariot (Jn.6:71), Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9), Simon the tanner of Joppa (Acts 9:43)

Jesus gave him the name Peter, which means "rock" or “stone” (John 1:42)

He was also known as Simon bar-Jonah, meaning "Simon, son of Jonah."

When we think about his…

II. Discipleship and Ministry with Jesus

We understand…

He was Prominent Among the Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles' names are listed in four places in the New Testament (Matthew 10:2–4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:13–16; Acts 1:13)

Their names are in three groups of four, based on how close they were to Jesus

The first group had two brothers: Peter and Andrew, and James and John

The second group had Philip, Nathaniel, Matthew, and Thomas

‌The third group had James, Thaddeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot (later replaced by Matthias)

The order changes slightly, but they're always in the same groups

Each group is led by one person: Peter, Philip, and James

We know more about the first group than the others

He was a Leader Among Leaders

He dominates the first 12 chapters of Acts

He is always seen taking the lead***

In declaring Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 16:16)

In choosing a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:15-26)

In explaining the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:14-16)

In preaching at Pentecost (Acts 2:22-36)

Like the other disciples…

He Witnessed the Miracles and Teachings of Jesus

Peter would have witnessed Jesus driving out the demon in the synagogue in Capernaum (Mk. 1:21-28)

He would have witnessed the healing of his mother-in-law (Mk.1:30-31)

He would have witnessed the healing of the leper (Mk.1:40-45)

He would have witnessed the healing of the paralytic (Mk.2:1-12)

He would have witnessed Jesus eating Matthew’s fellow tax collectors (Mk.2:14-17)

He would have witnessed the healing of the man with the withered hand (Mk.3:1-6)

He would have also witnessed His teaching in those situations

In spite of what he witnessed...

He Had Moments of Faith and Courage (Matthew 14:22-33)

He Had Moments of Doubt and Failure

Peter's Rebuke by Jesus (Matthew 16:21-23)

Denial of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75)

After Peter “went out and wept bitterly,” he experienced…

III. Forgiveness and Restoration

Encounter with the Risen Christ (John 21:15-19)

Transformation by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2)

He preached and performed miracles in Jerusalem (Acts 3-4)

He Ministered to the Gentiles (Acts 10-11)

He played an important role in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)

He contributed to the NT with his two letters (1 & 2 Peter)

Before we close, let’s notice 3...

V. Lessons He Learned

He Learned to Trust Jesus with the Impossible (Mat.14:22-33)

He Learned God Could Use Him to Say the Miraculous (Mat.16:13-20)

He Learned that Crushing Defeat and Deep Humiliation Often Follow Hard on the Heals of Our Greatest Victories (Mat.16:21-23)

CONCLUSION

When you look at the raw material that Jesus had to work with, you can’t help but to think of ourselves

Like Peter, we too, are a work in progress

Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Since God used him, He can use you

That’s the reminder we get from Peter’s life story

His life show a journey of transformation from a simple fisherman to a powerful leader in the early church

God can use ordinary people with flaws and weaknesses for His divine purposes

Peter also encouraged others by His death

Jesus said how he would die in John 21:18-19.

Early church historians believed Peter died between 64-68 AD during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero

According to tradition, he was crucified in Rome upside down at his own request because he did not feel worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus

What kind of person are you?

There is much we can learn from Peter and the rest of the disciples

Though they had many failures, they also had many triumphs

The Lord was patient with them just as He is patient with us

He’s making us into His image and that takes time

But before that can happen you must be born again

So I encourage you today to repent and turn to Jesus and be forgiven of all your sin, like Peter.

Let’s pray