Peter: A Man Who Fell Into Faith!

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                Baker

Curtis Baker

Synoptic Gospels

Instructor:  Sue Detweiler

November 15, 2005

Peter:  A Man Who Fell Into Faith!

        In every list of the twelve disciples it is Peter who is named first.  This is often a sign of a leader or of significance.  We often hear of someone being solid as a rock, but what does that really mean?  I began looking at the life of a disciple we hear so much about, yet I really do feel like I know enough about him;  Peter.  He is most often mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels in the book of Mark.  Hence where I started my study.

        Papias, Bishop of Hierapolis, wrote…Mark was the interpreter of Peter.  He wrote down accurately everything that he remembered of Peter (Barclay 16-17).  Mark’s gospel is nothing other than the preaching material of Peter.  Peter was a man of vulnerability and example of walking in the light.  He kept nothing back or hidden.  He would tell of his mistakes, of the rebukes he sometimes received from the Master, of his own horrible disloyalty and so forth.  He didn’t hide anything because he wanted everything to be in the light.  He wanted others to know that through his mistakes, others could learn.  He wanted to be living proof of how forgiving the Lord truly was.  And how the reoccurring grace of Christ abundantly flows for us and never runs dry.  In many ways he was an open book.  (Barclay, 17)

        For the most part, Peter was a typical man.  Peter was a married man (1 cor 9:5).  He was also a fisherman by trade.  Peter was a typical Galilean (18).  Some describe a typical Galilean as quick-tempered, impulsive, emotional, easily roused be an appeal to adventure, loyal to the end.  The Talmud says of the Galileans: “They were ever more anxious for honor that for gain.”

        When Matthew is talking of the disciples, he lists Peter first, “The first, Simon” (Matt 10:2).  Here is a little word study and something I found interesting.  Protos means first, but it also means chef (Geisler, 347-49).  It is possible to say that Matthew was not just coincidently naming Peter first, but that he is saying that Peter was the leader of the disciples and “apostolic band” (Barclay, 18).  There is much evidence that he was a leader in the band of twelve disciples.  He and John, along with James were in the inner circle of the twelve that were often closest to Jesus.  

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        Peter even stands out as a spokesman, or one least afraid to ask those tough questions (Matt 15:15, Luke 12:41).  Peter was even the one who asked how often he must forgive (Matt 18:21), and even asked Jesus what the reward was for those who denied everything and left all behind to follow Jesus (Matt 19:27).  Basically, he had the guts!  He did walk in a bold and courageous spirit.  I feel mainly because he wanted to make sure there were no questions.  There was no room for error.  He wanted clear and concise answers where no one could argue. ...

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