The Apostles - Peter (Simon)

1. One of the most prominent characters in the Gospels
- a rough and tumble man whose emotions often got him into trouble
- was one of the favorites of Jesus Christ

2. Peter's true name was Simon.
- his brother is Andrew
- Simon was a follower of John the Baptist.
- Andrew introduced Simon to Jesus
- Jesus renamed Simon Cephas (in Aramaic meaning "rock.")
- His aggressiveness made Peter a natural spokesman for the twelve.

3. Jesus included Peter in his inner circle - he took Peter, James, and John into the house of Jairus, where Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead (Mark 5:35-43).
- Peter was among those same disciples Jesus chose to witness the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9).
- one of the 3 who saw Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33-42).

4. Most of us remember Peter for denying Christ three times during the night of Jesus' trial. Following his resurrection, Jesus took special care to rehabilitate Peter and assure him he was forgiven.

5. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the apostles. Peter was so overcome that he began to preach to the crowd. Acts 2:41 tells us 3,000 people were converted that day. Through the remainder of that book, Peter and John were persecuted for their stand for Christ.

6. Early in his ministry, Simon Peter preached only to Jews, but God gave him a vision in Joppa of a huge sheet containing all types of animals, warning him not to call anything made by God impure. Peter then baptized the Roman centurion Cornelius and his household and understood that the gospel is for all people.

7. Accomplishments of Peter the Apostle:
- After being invited by Jesus to come, Peter got out of his boat and for a brief few moments walked on water (Matthew 14:28-33).
- Peter correctly identified Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 16:16), not through his own knowledge but the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.
- He was chosen by Jesus to witness the transfiguration.
- After Pentecost, Peter boldly proclaimed the gospel in Jerusalem, unafraid of arrest and persecution.
- Most scholars consider Peter the eyewitness source for the Gospel of Mark.
- He penned the books 1 Peter and 2 Peter.