(68) The Books of Peter

Expecting Grace through suffering!

 

Peter was originally known as Simon bar Jona, or Simon the son of John.  In Hebrew it is Shim'on which can be translated as "listen intently" or in some cases as "little hyena".  Simon's new name is Kefa in Hebrew.  In Greek it is Petra and Cephus.  All three mean the same thing; rock.  So when Jesus changed Simon's name he said:  "Listen intently you little hyena you are a rock".  It's no wonder Peter was confused all the time.  His books were written separately.  The first was written around 63 AD about 5 years before his death.  The second one was written right before his death in 68 AD.  Both were written in Rome, although the first book does mention the term Babylon.  Perhaps it was used a analogy of evil.  Both places had Jews living in captivity for their beliefs.  Oddly enough the second book was written around the same time Paul was in prison in Rome as well (2 Peter 3:13-16).  If that is the case both Peter and Paul were executed nearly the same time by the same Roman leader, Nero.

 

First Peter is filled with analogies that are based on the way Christ talked to him such  as using the terms stones and rock.  Silas actually helped him write the letter.  The book focuses on external opposition to the Church and all the suffering the Body must or will go through.  The second book focuses on the internal opposition of the Church.  It tells Christians what to look out for and not to be part of the world.  Christians need to discern right from wrong compare to what the world tells you and what Christ tells us.  This book is the most argued over it's authenticity of authorship because of the different writing style it has with 1st Peter.  But since Silas wrote the first one then the argument should be settled.  In today's canonical Bible it was the last one to be accepted as valid.

 

Peter was a successful married fisherman.  In Mark 1:29-31 it states that Peter had a mother-in law and in Luke he had hired employees for his occupation.  But he was not an educated man like Paul.  he was just an ordinary person (Acts 4:13).  He may not have been able to write very well which would explain the difference between the two books that bear his name.  Peter was a very rash and  outspoken person (Mark 8:27-33).  He often spoke his mind before thinking about it and that made him very inconsistent with his ideas and words, compare (Mark 14:27-31).  Jesus had to rebuke him and set him straight a couple of times.  Even Paul apparently had to talk to him (Galatians 2:11-21).  But nevertheless Peter was used by Jesus as a force to be reckoned with.  Peter being the strong-willed type could stand up and give his speech without any fear of repercussions.  Jesus in the end restores his character flawed ways to what Catholics believe to be the first Pope.  Tradition says that he was crucified but told the Romans to put him upside down so he would not die the same way Jesus did.

 

Some of the main points are:

1. God's mercy gives birth to hope (1 Pet 1:3)
2. The prophets hope of the OT became our reality (1 Pet 1:10-12)
3. Living by the example of Christ gives us hope and the grace that is promised (1 Pet 2:21)
4. We need to manage our spiritual gifts and use them (1 Pet 4:10-11)
5. Although we will suffer, we will still have grace (1 Pet 5:8-9)
6. Through our trials, God has escape routes for us (2 Pet 1:3-4)
7. Beware of false prophets (2 Pet 2)
8. Live a Godly life, there is a judgment (2 Pet 3:9-13)

These books were written to offer encouragement to those who are suffering based on their beliefs and to warn us not to fall away based on false teachings in the world.  Knowing the truth is the best way to fight the lies.  Unfortunately in today's world the lie seems better.  It's been said over and over again, the truth will set you free.  Perhaps people like to live in prison instead or they just can't accept the truth because the truth hurts.

More about Peter: http://ideasoftimbible.blogspot.com/2009/01/9-peter.html

(9) Peter

Life:
His Hebrew name was Shim'om Bar Yochanan, which means Simon son of John in English, or if we want to get modern, Simon Johnson. Jesus changed Shim'on's name to Kefa. This is translated into Greek as Cephus and in Latin as Petros. This is where we get Peter. All of those names mean "rock".

He was born in the town of Bethsaida, lived in a town called Capernaum, but worked in an area called Galilee. Which is odd because he may have known Jesus for 25-30 years living so close to him. He had a brother named Andrew. He was married (Mark 1:29-31). But she is never mentioned, so we do not know if she was still alive or not. His occupation was a fisherman. And that of which he may have been quite successful since he had his own employees (Luke 5:2-10). He was not highly educated. (Acts 4:13) This will cause many to believe that he did not write the 1st book of Peter due to the sophistication of the writing. Technically they are probably correct. It was hand written by Silas (1 Peter 5:12) but it was dictated by Peter, which should be sufficient enough.

Beliefs:
He was not a follower of Christ at first. He was one of the few that had been listening to John the Baptist occasionally (John 1:35-42) but he wasn't easily convinced. It took a lot of events to seriously change his mind. Since he had heard John the Baptist, he knew of what the Messiah was going to be but he probably never knew it would happen in his life time.

Attitudes:
The first thing we see from Peter is that he was outspoken. This comes across every time we read about him (Mark 8:29-33). At times he sounded like a smart mouth who needed to be put in his place. He acted on impulse. This caused him to be very inconsistent with his thoughts and actions. Just when you think he understood the meaning of his life he does something stupid and it leaves you wondering why he did what he did. (Mark 8:27-33, 14:27-31).


His Life Changing Experience:

Peter's brother was Andrew and was apparently a follower of John the Baptist. Andrew had been listening to John who had this important message: the Messiah is coming. Andrew knew of the Messiah's coming and was waiting. Peter had other things to do like run his business. Even when Christ was told about to Peter by Andrew we can see he still didn't believe until this life changing experience. Christ once told Peter after a bad night of fishing to go back out and try again. Peter, even though knew this was Jesus who Andrew had told him about, didn't want to do it. Most people think he was just obeying the Christ. But listen to what you read in Luke 5:3-9

• 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
• 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
• 5 Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
• 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
• 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
• 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"
• 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,

If Peter was just following the Master's command and believed, then why would he fall at the knees of Jesus after the catch? It is not until he sees this miracle that he starts to believe. Verse 5 shows the smart mouth side of him. He's not saying, "because I believe I will do it". He is saying in a sarcastic response, "Because you o' mighty one (yeah right) tell me to then by all means let's do it". He was astonished at what he saw. And then he fell to his knees and realized who was in his presence. But even then he will revert to his old self time and time again.

His Importance:

Peter will become the leader of the group. He at first becomes part of Jesus' small group (the 12). He will become part of Jesus' inner circle (the three: James, John and Peter). And he will become the Rock that Jesus restores and calls on to be the leader of his church. Historically the Roman Catholic Church will bestow upon him the title of the first Pope. He was a man who no one expected to be the man he ended up being. Simon, the smart mouth fisherman from Galilee becomes the Rock, messenger of the Almighty God.