Introduction:
In studying the two great books of I and II Peter it is very important to realize some things about the penman of these two books.  We must also realize that while Peter was the penman God was the author (II Timothy 3:16-17, II Samuel 23:2, and II Peter 1:20-21). 

I.  Who was Peter?
 

A.  Son of Jona (Matthew 16:17, John 1:42, and John 21:15-17).
B.  Peter was from Bethsaida (John 1:44).
C.  Peter was a fisherman and the brother of Andrew.  Peter was called to be a fisher of men (Matthew 4:17-18).

1.  Peter was in the fishing business with James and John the sons of Zebedee (Luke 5:1-10).

D.  Peter  was called "Cephas" which means "the stone", when he first met Jesus (John 1:40-42).

1.  Peter was not the rock on which the church would be built (Matthew 16:18).  It was Christ of whom he confessed (Matthew 16:15-17).

a.  Christ is the rock and chief cornerstone of the church (I Corinthians 10:4 and Ephesians 2:20-21).

E.  Peter was married (Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:30, and Luke 4:38-39).
 

II.  The importance of Peter
 

A.  Each time the Apostles are named Peter is first (Matthew 10:2-3, Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16, and Acts 1:13).
B.  Peter saw incredible things occur during the earthly life of Christ:

1.  Transfiguration of Christ - Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-13, and Luke 9:28-36).
2.  The Lord being arrested (John 18:1-15).
3.  The Resurrection of Christ (Mark 16:7 and I Corinthians 15:5).
4.  The Ascension of Christ (Acts 1:9-11).
5.  Peter was with the Lord during the Lord's time of weeping (Matthew 26:36-41).
6.  Special times of miracles (Mark 5:22-42).

C.  Peter was to feed the sheep (John 21:14-17).
D.  Peter was given the keys to the Kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:14, and Acts 10:34-43).

III.  Peter was not infallible

A.  He tried to stand before the Lord and His goal (Matthew 16:21-23).
B.  Peter lacked faith on the water during the storm (Matthew 14:22-32).

1.  We see Peter’s growth in realizing the trial of faith that needs to occur (I Peter 1:5-9).

C.  Peter would deny the Lord three times:

1.  As prophesied (Matthew 26:32-35, Mark 14:28-31, Luke 22:31-34, and John 13:37-38).
2.  Then fulfilled (Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:55-62, and John 18:25-28).

D.  It was Peter once again the tried to stand in the way of the death of Christ (John 18:1-11).
E.  Paul had to rebuke Peter (Galatians 2:11-21).

Conclusion:
Peter was obviously important in what the Lord had planned after He would leave this earth.  Peter would have to stand and defend the truth an grow a lot of the time he would live on earth doing the will of God.  Peter would die and very violent death (John 21:18-19 and II Peter 1:14).  Historic tradition would teach us the Peter would have been executed in a head-downward position.  In our next lesson we will learn of the authorship, time surrounding I and II Peter, and more about the work of this beloved soldier of Christ.
 
 

Copyright 2002 by Brian Yeager may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.