Simon Peter

It has been customary, in treating of the character of Peter, to dwell especially on the striking peculiarities of his disposition— the marked lines and leading features by which he stands out manifestly distinguished from the other apostles. In this sense he has a character quite his own; he always appears in his various utterances, or movements, in perfect keeping with it; he is always like himself. What these personal characteristics were is well brought out in the following sentences of Neander. He ‘The influences of transforming grace, always attaching themselves to the constitutional character of an individual, purify and ennoble it; so, in this instance, what Peter became by the power of the divine life was in a measure determined by his natural peculiarities. A capacity for action, rapid in its movements, seizing with a firm grasp on its object, and carrying on his designs with ardour, was his leading characteristic, by which he effected so much in the service of the gospel. But the fire of his powerful nature needed first to be transformed by the flame of divine love, and to be refined from the impurity of selfishness, to render him undaunted in the publication of the gospel. By the natural constitution of his mind, he was indeed disposed to surrender himself at the moment entirely to the impression which seized him, without being turned aside by those considerations which would hold back more timorous spirits, and to express with energy what would move many minds; but he was easily misled, by a rash self-confidence, to say more and to venture more than he could accomplish; and though he quickly and ardently seized on an object, he allowed himself too easily to relinquish it, by yielding to the force of another impression.’ This is well said; and a review might be taken of the various occasions throughout the Gospel History in which Peter prominently comes forward, fitted to afford abundant proof of the estimate of his character, thus happily described by the author we have quoted.\nWe shall rather keep in view, however—in trying to present a short biography of Simon Peter—the great leading principles of the divine life common to Peter and all Christian men. Occasionally we may point out how the rugged, bold, ardent temperament for which he was distinguished brings out these principles into equally bold relief. Yet generally we shall prefer directing attention to those principles themselves—principles which will be found more or less strikingly developed in every regenerated man.\nThis classic is organized as\nI. Peter’s Introduction to Jesus (John 1:40-42)
II. First Requisite to the ‘New Name’: Sense of Sin (Luke 5:1-11)
III. The Romance of Peter on the Water (Matthew 14:22-33)
IV. Second Requisite to the ‘New Name’: Confession of Faith (Matthew 16:13-18; 1 Peter 2:4-5)
V. Peter Tempts and ‘Rebukes’ Jesus! (Matthew 16:21-23)
VI. Jesus Rebukes Peter as ‘Satan’ (Matthew 16:23)
VII. Peter Objects The Feet-washing (John 13:1-17)
VIII. Jesus Predicts Peter’s Sincerity No Ground for Security (Matthew 26.31-35; Mark 14.26-31; Luke 22.31-34 John 13:36-38)
IX. The Accuser and the Advocate (Luke 22:31-32)
X. Grace Restoration Predicted (Luke 22:32)
XI. Peter and the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:4-5; 2 Peter 1:13-21)