Peter’s Adventures
—And the mission of the new prophets
Time ~ 11. Dawning of New Israel
Span ~ 70 years
Books ~ Acts, the Epistles, Revelation
Figures ~ Peter Paul
Begins with ~ Death of Jesus
Among the apostles and evangelists of Jesus Christ was Peter, one of "the twelve", that special group whom Jesus chose and trained during his own personal ministry of the gospel. This lesson is about Peter, a fisherman from Galilee whom Jesus made a very special fisher of men.
1 Christ’s Men
Jesus Christ did not choose from among the rich, the wise, and the powerful to help establish his kingdom, but from among the poor, lowly and sometimes weak. This was true of most of the old testament patriarchs. It is even more evident in the spiritual Israel.
Shining Examples
Over the time in which the New Israel (the kingdom of Heaven or church of Christ) was being established, there were many wonderful preachers such as the twelve apostles, Stephen, Philip, Paul, Apollos, Timothy, and many others.
The New Prophets
These men are to the new testament and the new Israel what the prophets were to the old. Indeed, the majority of these preachers were prophets, being inspired by God just as the old testament prophets had been. In a sense they were "more inspired" than the prophets of old, because their message made clear much that was previously shrouded in mystery (Colossians 1:25-26, Hebrews 1:1-2, 2Peter 3:2).
Their Mission
These great men were obeying the great commission to take the gospel into all the world to "every creature". They accomplished this task within a period of 40 years (Colossians 1:23).
A Man Called Peter
Among these apostles and evangelists was Peter, one of "the twelve", that special group whom Jesus chose and trained during his own personal ministry of the gospel.
2 A few facts about Peter
- One of the Twelve Apostles of Christ
- A fisherman of Galilee
- Saw Christ transfigured on the mountain
- Denied Christ but repented
- Saw Christ's ascension into heaven
- Preached in Jerusalem on Day of Pentecost
- Preached on other important occasions
- Was the messenger sent to Cornelius
- His name was Simon. Jesus called him Cephas. In Greek that name is Petros, which we say as Peter. The name means a rock.
- One of the strong leaders of the early church, the new Israel.
- Although a great apostle, Peter was not without fault. Paul challenged him on one occasion because he could see that Peter was behaving hypocritically (Galatians 2:11-14)
- Peter respected the wisdom given to his "beloved brother Paul" (2Peter 3:15-16)
- Peter wrote two letters in the New Testament to people "of like precious faith".
3 Bible Summary (Gospels and Acts )
- Peter chosen as an apostle (Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, John 1:42)
- Peter amazed and awe-struck follows Christ(Luke 5:1-11)
- Peter walks on the water (Matthew 14:22-33)
- Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 16:13-20, Luke 9:18-27)
- Peter rebukes Jesus (Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:31-38, Luke 9:22-27)
- Tax from a fish's mouth (Matthew 17:24-27)
- Seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-35)
- The transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28 2Peter 1:18)
- Peter draws his sword (John 18:1-14)
- Peter's denials of Christ (Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:55-62, John 18:16-27)
- Peter enters the empty tomb after Christ has been crucified and buried (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-10, John 20:1-9)
- The catch of fish (John 21:1-14)
- Simon son of John, do you love me? (John 21:15-23)
- The ascension (Acts 1:1-14)
- Peter leads the choosing of Matthias (Acts 1:15-26)
- Peter preaches on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41)
- Miracle at the temple gate (Acts 3:1-11)
- Peter preaches again (Acts 3:12-26)
- Arrested, tried, and released (Acts 4:1-22)
- Peter judges Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-16)
- Jailed, but released by an angel (Acts 5:17-42)
- Peter rebukes Simon the erstwhile sorcerer (Acts 8:14-25)
- Peter raises Tabitha to life (Acts 9:32-43)
- Peter sent to Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48)
- Peter reports to the other apostles (Acts 11:1-18)
- Jailed, but released by an angel again (Acts 12:1-17)
- Peter's leadership at the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-11)