Apostle · NT
Peter the Apostle
Galilean fisherman called by Jesus to be a 'fisher of men' and the spokesman of the Twelve.
Simon, son of Jonah, was a fisherman at Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus called him with his brother Andrew to follow him and gave him a new name: Cephas in Aramaic, Petros in Greek — 'Rock.' Peter was the most prominent of the Twelve: he confessed Jesus as 'the Christ, the Son of the living God' (Matthew 16:16); he walked briefly on the water; he was present at the Transfiguration; he denied the Lord three times in the high priest's courtyard and was three times restored by the lakeshore.
At Pentecost Peter preached the sermon that brought three thousand into the church, and he opened the door of faith to the Gentiles in the household of Cornelius. He authored the two epistles that bear his name and, according to early tradition, was crucified upside down in Rome under Nero.
Key moments
Called from his nets
'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men' (Matthew 4:19).
Confession at Caesarea Philippi
'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God' (Matthew 16:16).
Denial and restoration
Three denials in the courtyard; three-fold 'feed my sheep' by the lakeshore (John 21).
Pentecost sermon
Three thousand baptized as the church is born (Acts 2).
Key verses
"And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."
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"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren."
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"So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."
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"And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him."
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"Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
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"knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit."
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Frequently asked
Was Peter the first pope?
The New Testament presents Peter as a leading apostle and the spokesman of the Twelve, but it does not describe him as a 'pope' over a Roman hierarchy. The apostolic council of Acts 15 is led by James, and Paul publicly corrects Peter in Galatians 2.
How did Peter die?
Scripture does not record Peter's death, but Jesus foretold he would die a martyr's death glorifying God (John 21:18-19). Early Christian tradition (Tertullian, Eusebius) holds that he was crucified in Rome under Nero around AD 64-67.
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