The Apostle Peter is one of the most difficult-to-understand personalities in the Bible. Many times he demonstrated incredible faith in God, and yet, at other times, displayed an impulsive nature that resulted in fear and doubt. Peter was one of the first of the Apostles to openly state that Jesus was the Messiah; yet Jesus openly corrected Peter – at times, severely. The Bible tells us Peter actually walked on water, then later denied Christ three times. But for all his apparent weaknesses, the Apostle Peter learned from his mistakes and became one of the most steadfast examples of a man who lives by faith.

Very little is known of Peter’s early life. The Bible tells us Peter’s true name was Simeon (Simon) Bar-Jonah, which in Aramaic means “Son of Jonah”. He originally lived in Bethsaida-Julias, and was married. He moved to Capernaum to form a fishing partnership with his brother Andrew with whom he was very close: they lived together, fished together, searched for the Messiah together, and were appointed apostles together. Since Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist, it is probable that Peter was as well. It was Andrew who first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah.” From that time on, Simon Peter’s life changed dramatically.

When Andrew brought Simon to Jesus, Christ looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah, You shall be called Cephas. Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Peter immediately left his nets and followed Jesus. Simon Peter knew early on that Jesus was no mere man.

Later, as stated in Luke 5:4, Jesus got into Peter’s boat and said, “Launch out into the deep and let down your net for a catch.” Simon told him they had fished all night and caught nothing, but he did as Jesus asked. When the net was hauled in, it was full of fish. Suddenly realizing he was in a higher presence, Simon quickly said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man O Lord” (Luke 5:8). It is interesting to note that Jesus’ reply was, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” As Jesus foretold Peter’s change of occupation, He already understood Peter’s primary weakness - fear. Yet He also knew Simon’s devotion, energy, and boldness would serve the church well in the future. Jesus, through loving correction, was going to help Peter turn his fear into faith.

Nothing in the scriptures indicates that Peter was a learned man, but most Jews were taught rudimentary writing and reading skills, as well as receiving religious instruction in the synagogues on the Sabbath day. As a probable disciple of John the Baptist, Simon would have received additional religious instruction beyond his fellows. That instruction would have prepared him for the Messiah.

When Jesus asked his disciples who everyone thought He was, the disciples answered, “Elijah”, “John the Baptist”, or even “that prophet”. Then Jesus asked who they thought He was. Simon immediately spoke up and said He was “the Christ, the son of the living God”. Jesus told Peter that God the Father had revealed this knowledge to him (Matthew 16:16-17).

Immediately following this startling revelation, in Matthew 16:18, Christ likened Peter to a small pebble. Christ then told Peter that God would found the church upon Himself, the Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4), not Peter: “And I say to you that you are Peter (petros: a small rock or pebble), and on this Rock (petra: a large boulder or outcropping) I will build my church.” In Matthew 16:19, Christ told Peter that he (along with the other apostles) was to be given the “keys to the kingdom of heaven” (the understanding of the way to salvation) along with certain authority to make binding decisions in the church. Many biblical scholars mistakenly point to this scripture as proof that Peter was the “sole” leader of the New Testament church, because they do not discern the difference between “petros” and “petra”. In particular, the Catholic Church has established a complete hierarchical priesthood built around the central theme that Peter was the first Pope and the “rock” on which the church was built, not Christ. This is a great error since it destroys faith in Jesus Christ who is the living head of the church to this very day (Ephesians 5:23). Peter clearly re-stated this principle in 1 Peter 2:5-8, which is a parallel scripture and further explains 1 Corinthians 10:4. It was important the disciples to whom Christ was speaking understood He was the one upon whom they should lean, and it was because of this powerful relationship, they could become unmovable in the faith and stand fast against heresy and persecution, even to their deaths.

Not long after receiving this special revelation from God, Peter was strongly rebuked by Jesus. As Jesus began revealing to His disciples He would suffer many things, Peter impulsively began to rebuke Him saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” as though Peter could prevent it (Matthew 16:22). Jesus corrected him in a very severe way and said, “Get behind Me Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of Men” (verse 23). Even though this was a very harsh correction, Jesus was transforming Peter’s impulsive, assertive, take-charge nature into one of true faith and reliance on God.

Peter’s impulsive nature was again demonstrated in the book of Mark. Jesus sent His disciples in a boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and told them He would join them later (Mark 6:45). The disciples boarded the boat and sailed off, but were soon struggling against a very heavy wind. Then they saw Jesus coming toward them, walking on the sea, and they were very disturbed. As Jesus called out to them, identifying Himself to them and telling them not to worry, Peter said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” This is possibly one of the most dramatic events in the Bible. Peter actually did step out of the boat and did begin to close the distance between himself and Christ. Peter was walking on the water, just as Christ was; but soon the roaring waves distracted him, causing him to doubt, and he began to sink beneath the waves. Then he cried out, “Lord save me!” Peter’s apparent devotion and boldness gave way to fear. His impulsiveness had led him to act before thinking. However, even though Peter’s fear turned to doubt and caused his faith to waiver, he was beginning to understand his own weakness and his need to lean upon the Rock, Jesus, for his salvation.

Even tougher lessons lay ahead for Peter.

At the end of Jesus’ ministry, on His last night during the traditional Passover supper, Jesus instituted a new foot washing ceremony. Christ assumed the role of a servant and began to wash the disciples’ feet. Peter, not fully understanding, said, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8). Peter then, impulsively, asked for his hands and his head to be washed as well. Jesus lovingly explained that it was enough to merely wash the feet at this service.

Following the Passover service, Peter claimed, “I will lay down my life for Your sake” (John 13:37). Jesus told him that before the rooster crowed the next morning, he would deny Him three times. Later that night, Peter failed to keep watch with Jesus as Jesus prayed fervently to His Father for the help He would need during the horrible ordeal that lay before Him. Then as the mob that came to arrest Him began to lay their hands on Him, Peter impulsively reached for his sword, cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant (Matthew 26:51-54). Christ rebuked Peter, reminding him who He was, then He restored the servant’s ear. Then fear overtook all the disciples, including Peter, and they fled for their lives. Surely, this night could not get any worse for Peter.

As the night progressed, Peter managed to overcome his fear to a degree. He followed Jesus and His captors at a safe distance, then melted into the crowd to watch during Jesus’ trial (Matthew 26:58). But when a servant girl recognized him as one of Jesus’ disciples, Peter denied that he knew what she was talking about. He was identified a second time, but uttering an oath, Peter denied knowing Jesus again. When he was singled out for a third time as one of Jesus’ followers, Peter cursed and swore he never knew Jesus. Then the rooster crowed. This time, an unspoken rebuke by Jesus proved devastating: “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times’” (Luke 22:61-62). This was more than Peter could endure -- he went out and wept bitterly. Peter, the Petros or small pebble, had been utterly crushed; while in stark contrast, Christ “the Rock” faithfully yielded to His harsh and bitter ordeal, completing his sacrifice as an offering for sin.

This would have shipwrecked most ordinary men; but although Peter was totally humiliated, he continued to company with the other disciples following the crucifixion. After Christ’s resurrection, Peter was the first Apostle to whom Jesus mercifully appeared. He again appeared to him near the Sea of Tiberias where Peter and some of the other disciples were fishing (John 21:1). Just as he had before, Jesus told them where to catch fish. After the nets were hauled in, they sat down to eat. Then Jesus said, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15-17). Reminiscent of how Peter denied Him three times, Jesus asked him this same question three times. Peter’s answer, lacking his usual impulsiveness, was spoken with firm conviction, “Yes Lord; You know that I love You.”

The Apostle Peter’s initial training was now over, and even though his transformation was not entirely complete, it was on solid ground. Peter was emboldened to speak first, after the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples at the Feast of Pentecost spoken of in Acts 2. Three thousand were then baptized. Peter was also the first of the spirit-begotten Apostles to perform a miracle; and it was through Peter that God first started calling the Gentiles into the church. Peter went on to start many congregations, and become a pillar in the church. Toward the end of his ministry, his spiritual strength and conviction became evident in his writings. The very tendencies that he struggled with, he now warned others to watch out for: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7). Peter remained faithful to his calling, even through the ordeal of crucifixion, which ended his life.

The Bible doesn’t point out Peter’s weaknesses to degrade him, but to show his remarkable transformation. Jesus took an impulsive, brash Simon and transformed him into a humble, obedient Peter, replacing fear with faith. Through his reliance on Christ, the Apostle Peter became a valiant, steadfast servant, just as Christ knew he would – an unmovable pillar, undefeated in faith.