Together with James and John, Peter was one of the three apostles closest to Jesus, and is often considered the head of the band of disciples. At times the three of them were allowed to be with Jesus when the other apostles were not permitted (Matt 17:1; Mar 5:37; 9:2; 14:33). Within the Roman Catholic Church, esp., Peter was the first pope who holds a special ranking because it was to him to whom Jesus committed the key to the kingdom of God.
Stature of Peter at the Vatican
Peter the Person
Simon Peter, together with his brother Andrew, were sons of a certain John, a native of Bethsaida (Jn 1:44), who seemed to have moved to Capernaum when he married—his mother-in-law lived there (Matt 8:14; cf., v5)—where he made a living as a fisherman. Peter is, of course, the Greek translation of the Aramaic Cephas (Jn 1:42)—meaning 'rock'—which Jesus gave him. Cephas is used everywhere else in the NT only by Paul (1 Cor 1 and Gal only). There is no record of Peter having any children, though he may have had them. We hear from Paul that Peter was accompanied by his wife in his itinerant ministry among the churches (1 Cor 9:5).
Peter the Disciple
Though Peter would grow to become one of Jesus's closest disciples, he was not among the first. John the evangelist tells us John the Baptizer had, upon seeing Jesus (and no doubt, after baptizing him) instructed his disciples to follow after Jesus instead (jn 1:35). One of the two who first did was Andrew and it was Andrew who, in turn, brought his brother Peter to Jesus, at which point Jesus gave him the name Cephas (v41-42). Peter was, conspicuoulsy, not the most clear-thinking of the early band of disciples but he was certainly the most openly passionate in his relationship with the Saviour. This, perhaps, explains why there are more episodes in the four Gospels that involve him than any of the other disciples. More than the others too, Peter had all the more reason—heavily coated with rich emotions—he must have felt the weight of his own failure towards his Master but also the immense measure of grace when he was finally entrusted with the responsibility to "feel my lambs/sheep" (Jn 21:15 & 17). (For a catalogue of the episodes in the Gospels and Acts involving Peter, Click here)
Peter and Paul
Whatever may be Peter's failings, he become one of the most important leaders in the early Church. This brought him in
Peter & the Church in Rome
Peter in the Arts
It is only natural that such an iconic person as Peter should become a major subject for reflection in any Christianized society, such as the West used to be. It is impossible to know, even if only roughly, how many paintings and scupltures have been made of Peter, from the very best in every artistic sense to the plain consumeristic mediocre. Visit ALBERITH's Virtual Museum to view some of the most famous. They may "teach" you nothing in propositional terms but we are sure you will be inspired in ways propsitions cannot do. We are sure you will understand Peter better. Go to Museum
Resources:
Media Resources:
Constantine R. Campbell, In Pursuit of Paul: The Apostle. NT scholar at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, takes us on a journey to know Peter better in the following videos from Our Daily Bread. All these videos open in a new tab.
Episode 1: From Fisherman to Disciple of Jesus. 20.57 mins.
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Episode 2: Peter's Front Row Seat to Jesus' Ministry. 20.58 mins.
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Episode 3: Why Did Peter Deny Jesus? 21.04 mins.
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Episode 4: What Peter Did After Jesus Returned to Heaven. 22.00 mins.
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Episode 5: Peter Takes the Gospel Across the Mediterranean. 22.31 mins.
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Episode 6: Peter's Last Days. 21.34 mins.
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W. Wenham, W. "Did Peter Go to Rome in AD 42?" Tyndale Bulletin 23 (1972): 94-102.
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Brian Ruffner & Russell L. Huizing, "A Trinitarian Leadership Model: Insights from the Apostle Peter," Journal of Applied Christian Leadership 10.2 (2018).
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Further Reading:
Markus Bockmuehl, Simon Peter in Scripture and Memory. The New Testament Apostle in the Early Church. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Baker Academic, 2012.
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Christa M. Bonnet, "Leading from a Transformed Heart: A Content Anaylsis of Biblical Pivotal Moments in the Life of the Apostle Peter." PhD dissertation submitted to Regent University School of Business & Leadership. March 2020. This is one of the most readable disseration I have read.
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Roald Dijkstra, "The Apostle Peter, Anchor of the Church," The Ancient Near East Today.
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Martin Hengel, Saint Peter" The Underestimated Apostle. Tr. by Thomas H. Trapp. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010.
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