Session 1 - 1 Peter w/JP

2 Truths from Context, given, by Scripture.

Context from Scripture

Peter an Apostle of Jesus Christ

Elect Exiles of the Diaspora/Dispersion

1 Peter 1:1 ESV

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

“Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ.”

Who was Peter an apostle of JC?

The Scriptures distinguish Peter’s “name” other than labeling him under general identity with “the disciples.” Interesting.

TDNT - The Greek meaning behind “Peter.”

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament 2. The Special Position of Peter.

2. The Special Position of Peter.

According to the Synoptists Peter assumed a special position in the group around Jesus. With the sons of Zebedee and his brother Andrew he belonged to the innermost and most intimate circle of those associated with Jesus. Even in this inner circle (Mk. 9:2 and par.), however, he had an important position of precedence, so that the Synoptic Gospels always portray him as standing in the forefront, Mk. 9:5. Thus Jesus allows only Peter and the sons of Zebedee to go with Him into the house of the ruler of the synagogue, Mk. 5:37. Peter is also the leading character in the story of the miraculous catch, Lk. 5:1 ff. According to Mt. 14:28 it is also he who tries to imitate the Lord by walking on the lake. He is distinguished by excess of zeal and effort, though these also lead to his denial. He acts as spokesman for the twelve, and he has to hear the harsh V 6, p 102 words: “Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men,” Mk. 8:29–33 and par. What is said to him applies to all the disciples (“… and looked on his disciples …,” Mk. 8:33). In the name of his fellow-disciples he asks the casuistical question: “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” Mt. 18:21. With John he is given the task of preparing the passover, Lk. 22:8. In Gethsemane, he is, like the others, unable to meet the request to watch with the Lord for an hour; hence Jesus puts to him and to the sons of Zebedee the reproachful question of Mk. 14:37; Mt. 26:40. Even outsiders like the tax-collector (Mt. 17:24) turn to him as the most obvious representative of the circle around Jesus. The lists of disciples (Mk. 3:16; Mt. 10:2; Lk. 6:14; Ac. 1:13) confirm this position. There are differences between these, but they all put the name of Peter first (Mt. πρῶτος) and in so doing support the view of Peter’s role found in the Gospel stories. Particularly worth noting is the expression “Peter and they that were with him” in Mk. 1:36 and Lk. 9:32 (8:45 acc. to some MSS), cf. also the saying of the angel in Mk. 16:7: “Tell his disciples and Peter.”

Scriptural Examples of Apostle Peter:

All 4 Gospels identify Peter

Called by Jesus

Matthew 4:18–20 ESV

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Part of the “Inner Circle”

Mark 9:2 ESV

2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,

Imitating the Lord by walking on water.

Matthew 14:28 ESV

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”

Peter’s hurried devotion to Jesus.

John 21:7 ESV

7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

Confessed Jesus and then Rebuked!

Mark 8:29–33 ESV

29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. 31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Denied Jesus at the Crucifixion

Luke 22:54–62 ESV

54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

It’s important to recognize the “remorse” in his rejection of the Lord.

Luke 22:62 ESV

62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

Jesus foretold Peter’s Denial

Matthew 26:30–35 ESV

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Matthew 26:

After Jesus’ Resurrection

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament 1. The Question of the Apostolic Commission apart from Mt. 16:17–19.

In any case it is of supreme importance that in 1 C. 15:5 Peter is the first eye-witness of the risen Lord.

Is it significant Jesus appeared to Peter first or that it is recorded as such?

1 Corinthians 15:5 ESV

5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

Peter’s Death

Harmony of the Gospels The Apostles: Four Lists (Matthew 10:2–4) (David G. Shackelford)

For most details we must rely upon church tradition. Scripture indicates that Peter was crucified (Jn 21:18–19). According to Origen, Peter did not consider himself worthy to be crucified as Christ was, so at his request, he was crucified upside down. Andrew was commanded to renounce his preaching and sacrifice to the pagan gods. When he refused, he was scourged and crucified on a cross that was in the shape of an X. This came to be known as St. Andrew’s cross. He hung for three days encouraging the onlookers to come to Christ. This tradition also says he died on November 30, but we do not know the year.