General epistles

Catholic epistles

  • James
  • 1, 2 Peter
  • 1, 2, 3 John
  • Jude

Peter, Apostle of Jesus Christ

1 Peter 1:1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Who’s who

  • Who is Peter? An apostle of Jesus Christ.
  • Who are you? Elect exiles, chosen, set apart, obedient and cleansed
  • Who is God? Father, Son, Spirit

Apostle of Christ

• Brother                         • Fisherman

• Husband                      • Human

• Sinner                           • Friend

• Believer                        • Rock

• Eyewitness                  • Preacher

• Healer                          • Pioneer

• Hero                             • Martyr


Brother

  • Andrew followed John the Baptist, who called Jesus, “Lamb of God
  • Andrew left John to follow Jesus
  • Andrew told his brother Simon, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.


Fisherman

Jesus saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:16-18)

Husband

Simon’s mother-in-law was down with a fever. Jesus helped her up, and the fever left. (Mark 1:29-31)

Peter’s wife traveled with him on his missions. (1 Corinthians 9:5)
 

Human

When he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink. (Matthew 14:30)

Never, Lord! (Matthew 16:22)

I will put up three shelters. (Matthew 17:4)

You shall never wash my feet. (John 13:8)

I am only a man myself. (Acts 10:26)

I appeal as a fellow elder. (1 Peter 5:1)

Sinner

  • “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8)
  • Peter drew a sword and cut off the servant’s right ear. (John 18:10)
  • Peter denied Jesus three times.
  • Peter hypocritically avoided non-Jewish Christians. (Galatians 2:12)

 

Friend

  • Only Peter, James and John went with Jesus to raise girl. (Mark 5:37)
  • Only Peter, James and John saw Jesus transfigured. (Luke 9:28)
  • Only Peter, James and John were near Jesus in garden. (Mark 14:33)


Believer

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69)

Apostle of Christ


• Brother                      • Fisherman

• Husband                    • Human

• Sinner                        • Friend

• Believer                      • Rock

• Eyewitness                 • Preacher

• Healer                         • Pioneer

• Hero                            •Martyr



Rock

I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 16:18-19)

Eyewitness

I appeal as … a witness of Christ’s sufferings. (2 Peter 5:1)

We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2 Peter 1:16)

Eyewitness

• Saw Jesus walk on water—and walked on water himself.

• Heard Jesus’ voice for three years; heard Father’s voice from heaven; saw Moses, Elijah, Jesus’ glory

• Stood inside empty tomb; ate with risen Lord; heard his marching orders

Eyewitness

“We are witnesses of everything he did... He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach.” (Acts 10:39-41)

Preacher

“God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ… Repent and be baptized… in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” About three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2)

Healer

People brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered … bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. (Acts 5:15-16)

Pioneer

• Peter and John went to Samaria, prayed, and shared the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-17)

• Peter led Roman officer to Christ: “God does not show favoritism.” (Acts 10)

• Peter urged Jerusalem Council to affirm non-Jewish Christians. (Acts 15)

Hero

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

We must obey God rather than men! (Acts 5:29)

Martyr

• Jesus said, “Feed my sheep” and told how Peter would die. (John 21:15-19)

• Peter was threatened, beaten, and jailed. Rescued twice by an angel.

• “I am soon to die.” (2 Peter 1:14)

• Peter was crucified upside down.

Apostle of Christ


• Brother                          • Fisherman

• Husband                        • Human

• Sinner                            • Friend

• Believer                          • Rock

• Eyewitness                    • Preacher

• Healer                            • Pioneer

• Hero                               • Martyr


Last modified: Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 7:26 PM