The Underestimated Apostle – Part 2

Peter Denying the Christ Peter, the Underestimated Apostle 6 May The Paradox of Peter 6 May Preacher, President and Apostle 13 May Peter and Paul 13 May Peter in Rome Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn Peter Denying the Christ Recently on exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW

Peter as Preacher Under Peter the apostles ‘filled Jerusalem with [their] teaching’ (Acts 5:28). This ‘teaching’ is in the five summaries of Peter’s preaching in Jerusalem (Acts 2-10). As a Jew preaching to Jews we would expect emphasis on Law and ritual, but this is not so.

Peter as Preacher The five Acts sermons are focused on Jesus biographically and theologically. The baptism that John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus’ ministry in Galilee Jesus’ ministry in Judea and Jerusalem In Jerusalem Jesus was put to death...on a ‘tree’ God raised him on the third day Jesus appeared to chosen witnesses Jesus commanded them to testify about him Mark (written in Rome in 60s) is an expanded, written version of Peter’s spoken gospel.

Peter as Preacher Peter’s preaching as Jesus-events that were fulfilment-based: Acts 4:11 His rejection by Jewish leaders Psalm 118:22 5:20; 10:39 His crucifixion Deuteronomy 21:23 3:13,26; 4:27,30 Isaiah 52:13 2:25-28 His resurrection Psalm 16:10 2:34 His exaltation to God’s right hand Psalm 110:1 2:16-21 The outpouring of God’s Spirit Joel 2:28-32 These texts permeate the New Testament.

Sights from Jerusalem Pool of Siloam Bethesda Pool East Jerusalem today

Peter as President Paul with Peter and James in Jerusalem (c. 37) Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. Galatians 1:18-19

Peter as President For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me’. In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me’. 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

Peter as President I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins that he was buried that he was raised on the third day that he appeared to Cephas to the twelve to more than 500…. to James to all the apostles 1 Corinthians 15:3-7

Evidence of People Caiaphas Jehohanan Pilate

Peter, Apostle to Jews in the Land of Israel I [Paul] had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised; God worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised God worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles Galatians 2:7-8 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up … Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. Acts 9:31-32

Peter’s Stories about Jesus Mark Jesus’ dramatic first ‘day’ in Capernaum 1:21-34; cf. 1:35 The conflict stories in Capernaum 2:1-3:6 Jesus’ ‘kingdom’ parables 4:1-34 The lake-centred miracles 4:35-5:43 Various miscellaneous teachings 9:42-50 The eschatological discourse 13:1-37 The events of the last days in Jerusalem 14:1-16:6 Peter’s stories about Jesus were soon written for reading aloud in the earliest churches, with Jewish membership composed of people from the synagogue culture which was based on the reading and hearing of texts.

More sights from near Israel Megiddo - Rolling stone Cave 4, Qumran Megiddo - Rolling stone

Peter, the Underestimated Apostle Peter in Israel 33-c.42 is not to be underestimated: leader of the combined ‘Hebrew’ + ‘Hellenist’ community in Jerusalem; formulator and spokesman of the theological biography centred on Christ; identifier of key prophecies now fulfilled in Christ; influential in formulation of liturgical and theological ‘traditions’; and itinerant apostle throughout Judea, Samaria and Galilee.

Questions about the Underestimated Apostle