Peter is a man who was declared to be the “first” of the disciples in the various lists of the disciples. This declaration of Peter as the “first” of the disciples does not mean that he was the first listed. While it may imply that meaning, what is being stated first and foremost is that Peter was the leader of the disciples. The word itself carries the meaning of being chief. Peter was therefore the chief of the apostles. Much like an Indian tribe may have a chief, so Peter was the chief of the other 11 apostles.
Peter was also one of the three members of Jesus’ close-knit, intimate circle. Peter was a privileged man to walk up onto the Mount of Transfiguration and see Jesus in His transfigured state. After John, James, and Peter ascended the mountain, Jesus’ clothes shined in a bleached white such as they had never seen before. Both Elijah and Moses appeared.
Peter, in his typical Peter-esque type of way, was the first one to act. Peter was a man who loved to take the initiative. This was not bad; he just needed to be discipled. He quickly rushed into action and was ready to build tents for Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. His heart was not bad; it just needed proper instruction. Peter desired to serve Jesus, and he asked his Lord if He would desire of Peter to build them tents. But on that mountain, the Father called out and realigned Peter’s focus on Christ only.
At another point in Christ’s ministry, there came a time when Peter saw Jesus walking on the water. Peter yet again calls out to his Lord. He was the first to move into action. His desire to live for Christ is actually admirable. He was a frail human who desired to live for the Lord. He saw Jesus, his beloved Teacher, and wanted to be with Him. Peter desired to follow Jesus wherever He went.
Jesus called out to Peter to come to Him. If anyone stops for a moment here, he should come to the conclusion that it was pretty amazing that Peter even stepped out of that boat. Think about it. How on earth would anyone draw the conclusion that he could walk on water? Peter believed Jesus, or at least, he desperately wanted to. He often tried in his own strength, which was a part of the problem, albeit not the whole.
Peter stepped out of the boat, and at first, he was on the water, but then he lost his focus. So often, this is the problem of mankind. When someone fixes his gaze upon Jesus, he will see that he is able to walk toward Jesus as well (Heb. 12:1-2). But when someone begins to focus on something else, that will often be the direction in which he will go. Very quickly, Peter fell into the water, but Christ rushed to his aid.
When the band of men came to arrest Jesus by stealth, Jesus was betrayed by Judas with a kiss. As the assailants surrounded Jesus, Peter was the first one to thrust his sword at a man by the name of Malchus. Peter cut off this man’s ear in his zeal to protect his Lord. This is Peter. He was a very zealous man who loved his God, but he needed to be discipled.
A time also arose in the ministry of Jesus Christ when Jesus told the disciples that they would all fall away. He referred to the way that, when a Shepherd is struck, the sheep scatter, as well. Peter, as was his custom, told Christ that even though everyone would fall away, he never would. Jesus then reaffirmed Peter’s specific, future denial. Peter retorted back that he would rather die than do such a thing. At that point, Jesus did not speak anymore on the matter.
As the Christian knows, shortly after, Peter fell away. He denied Jesus and was cut to the core because of his sin. But after Jesus rose from the dead, He reaffirmed His love for Peter. He also told Peter that a time of testing would come again. Scripture says, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkest whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest” (John 21:18). In this Scripture, Jesus was telling Peter of the death that he would die. Sometime later, Peter would be crucified upside down, according to church history. But Jesus added these words at the end of His prophecy concerning Peter: “Follow me” (John 21:19).
Peter did just that, and in Acts 2:14-15, we can see a turn of events that marked the rest of Peter’s ministry.
Peter’s boldness seen in his standing
Prior to Acts 2:14-15, Peter and many others had received the promised Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit came upon them, they received a power from on high that they never had before. Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and boldness came upon him. He was now operating in the Lord’s strength and not his own. A crowd of people had gathered to witness what was taking place. People were speaking in tongues, and someone needed to give an answer to the phenomenon that was occurring. But who would rise to such an occasion and verbally express his faith? Scripture says, “But Peter, standing up with the eleven…” (Acts 2:14). It would be Peter.
He took the first opportunity that he had to declare that he would never deny Christ again. He rose to his feet in boldness. It is probable that he stood out considerably as one man standing amongst a sea of people that were seated. But Peter wanted it that way and relished the opportunity.
Peter’s boldness heard in his voice
Scripture goes on to say that Peter did not just stand, but he also, “…lifted up his voice …” (Acts 2:14). Peter’s boldness for the Lord was both heard and seen. His voice would have been heard by all those who had gathered around the home in which he was. So must the Christian’s boldness in this modern era be both heard and seen by those around him.
Peter’s boldness heard in his call
Scripture says, “Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words” (Acts 2:14). In Peter’s boldness, he issued a call for the people to “hearken” to his words. He was virtually calling the people out by name. He called out to the people of Judaea and also to those who lived in Jerusalem. He desired for their attentiveness and wanted them to be assured of the truth.
Peter’s boldness perceived in his faith
Finally, Peter’s boldness was fully demonstrated through his faith in what was taking place. Peter quickly referenced the events that were taking place. At that time, many people had been speaking in tongues. Those that were passing by were torn over their interpretations of the events. Some were even saying that the people who were speaking in tongues were actually drunk. But Peter believed something entirely different. Peter said, “For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day” (Acts 1:15). Peter believed, maybe better yet, he was assured, that God was in their midst. No alternative explanation would do.
Application
Peter was not the most honorable man who has ever lived. He was full of flaws and frailties. However, the Lord was patient with Peter. Peter needed to be discipled. Peter needed to be forgiven. He also needed the Spirit of God. He got all three, and Peter was transformed into a vessel for honorable use.
So you, too, can be built up in the Lord, forgiven of your sin, and supplied with the Spirit of God. You, too, can be a bold witness of the resurrected Christ.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the ways that You have helped me thus far to be a vessel for honorable use. Teach me Your Word, and help me to live by it this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen