VIII. Conclusion
Peter Was the Most Prominent Disciple
As I reflect on the life of Peter, one of Jesus's most prominent disciples, I am struck by the many firsts that marked his journey of faith. Peter was not only a follower but often at the forefront of key moments in biblical history.
These moments reveal much about his character, his failings, his role in Christian history, and he also had a deep connection to Jesus. Let me take you through seven significant firsts in Peter's life that highlight his unique place in the early Jesus movement.
The First to Confess Jesus as the Messiah
One of Peter’s defining moments came when he was the first disciple to openly confess Jesus as the Messiah. This wasn’t just a casual statement; it was a profound declaration of faith on which Jesus built the church! In Matthew 16:16, Peter boldly proclaimed, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." This was pivotal, not only for this often most unstable of disciples but also for the billions of believers to come afterward.
This moment is worldchanging because it shows his deep understanding and recognition of who Jesus truly is, even beyond the miracles and teachings. It was this confession that led Jesus to declare Peter's confession (not Peter himself) as the rock upon which He would build the church.
The First to Walk on Water
Imagine being in a boat during a storm and seeing Jesus walking on water toward you. It must have been a terrifying and awe-inspiring sight because we have to remember that it was pitch black out there! There was no cruise ship level lighting to assist either.
Peter, true to his impulsive nature, didn’t hesitate to ask Jesus if he could come to Him on the water. When Jesus told him to come, Peter stepped out of the boat and became the first (and only) disciple to walk on water. This event, recorded in Matthew 14:29, is a powerful testament to this man's faith.
It also serves as a reminder of his human frailty because as soon as Peter took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the wind and waves, he began to sink. Yet, even in his doubt, Peter had the presence of mind to call out to Jesus, who immediately reached out and saved him.
The First to Preach to the Gentiles
Not only was Peter the first to walk on water, he was also the first disciple to preach to the Gentiles. Up until that point, the message of Jesus had been primarily focused on the Jewish people. But in Acts 10, we see Jesus Christ expanding His mission.
The manner in which this unfolded was Peter was called to the home of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, where he delivered a powerful message that opened the door for Gentiles to receive the gospel. What stands out to me about this moment is his willingness to follow God's leading, even when it challenged his own cultural norms.
Remember that Jesus told someone, "I came first to the lost House of Israel." Peter’s vision, in which God showed him that no person is outside the reach of His grace, was revolutionary!
So much so, that when his paradigm shifted, he declared in Acts 10:34-35, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts anyone who fears him," he was not only making a theological statement but was also paving the way for the global spread of Christianity. But it wasn't Peter who would be sent to the Gentiles, that assignment was reserved for Paul.
The First Disciple to Witness the Empty Tomb
The resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is the cornerstone of the faith that I preach, and Peter was among the first to witness the empty tomb. In Luke 24:12, we read that he, after hearing the women's report, ran to the tomb, found it empty, and with nothing in it but the burial clothes. This discovery must have been both confusing because it confirmed the incredible news that Jesus had risen!
Peter's reaction was not just about seeing for himself, it was also about the dawning realization that everything his Lord had said was true. This moment marked the beginning of a new chapter for not only Peter, but the entire world and he, who had not long before denied Jesus thrice, had become a key witness to the truth of the message of salvation for the entire world.
The First to Heal in Jesus’s Name Post-Ascension
After Christ ascended to heaven, the disciples were left to carry on His work, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Peter, once again, took a leading role. He was the first disciple to perform a healing in Jesus's name after the Ascension.
In the book of Acts chapter 3, he encounters a man who was lame from birth sitting at the temple gate called Beautiful. When the man asked for money, Peter replied, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Let us not lose track of the fact that not to long before, Peter had both denied Jesus's name, lied about knowing him, and hid when the Lord was being crucified!
This healing was significant for several reasons. First, it demonstrated the power and authority of the apostleship Jesus had anointed His first disciples with. Second, it served as a public witness to the continuing presence of the Messiah through His followers and subsequent generations. The man’s healing not only changed his life but also sparked a movement drawing more people to the early church.
Peter Was The First to Receive a Vision Post-Resurrection
Peter’s leadership continued as he was the first to receive a vision from God after the resurrection. This occurred in the book of Acts, chapter 10, where he had a vision of a sheet being lowered from heaven, filled with all kinds of animals. When a voice told him to "kill and eat," Peter, still adhering to Jewish dietary laws, refused. But the voice responded, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."
This revelatory vision and command was pivotal because it signaled a shift in the early church's understanding of who could be included in God’s kingdom although Jesus had both demonstrated all were welcome (or would be) as well as the taught the foundational verse of Christianity (to Nicodemus) "for God so loved the world..." (John 3:16).
The vision prepared Peter for his encounter with a Gentile named Cornelius, the Roman centurion. Furthermore, Peter’s willingness to embrace this new direction, despite his initial hesitation, was a testament to his openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
As I contemplate these seven firsts in the life of the initially hesistant (to follow Jesus) disciple, I am reminded of his unique role in the early church and his often tumultuous, relationship with the Lord Jesus. He was far from perfect being impulsive, sometimes fearful, and occasionally misunderstood what Jesus taught. Yet, his willingness to step out in faith and to be the first in many key moments, speaks volumes about what is possible if all believers do the same.
Peter’s journey is a powerful reminder that God can use us, despite imperfections. Yet just as he was the first to confess, to walk on water, to preach to the Gentiles, to witness the empty tomb, to heal in Jesus’s name, and to receive new revelations, we too are called to step out in faith, trusting that God will lead and equip us for whatever He has planned.
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