CHARACTER STUDY ~ PETER

Peter also known as Simon Bar-Jona and Cephas was a fisherman. The name Peter means "rock or stone". His brother was Andrews who was also a disciple of Jesus Christ. When called to follow Christ he wholeheartedly followed Him. He was part of the inner circle of Jesus Christ and was present with Him until he denied Him during His trial.

Some Characteristics of Peter:   

✔ It was his boat that was used to preach by Jesus and was asked to launch his net into the deep to catch fish after toiling all night. If we rent our resources for Christ in the advancement of His Kingdom, He will make us launch into the depths of prosperity.

✔ He was present when Jesus performed significant miracles such as the healing of his mother-in-law, the blind, lame, and other forms of health and spiritual issues, and the resuscitation of Lazarus and the daughter of Jairus. We will experience miracles if we have a closer walk with Christ.

✔ He caught the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah and Christ attested it was not revealed to him by flesh but rather by God. Jesus assured him that upon him shall the church be built and this manifested on the Day of Pentecost when he preached to many souls. 

✔ He rebuked Jesus for predicting His death saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But Jesus responded he was more mindful of the things of men than of God. We must be more mindful of the things of God than the flesh. 

✔ He was not willing for Jesus to wash his feet but when he gained understanding of it, he demanded his hands and head be washed. Until we align with the will of Christ, we cannot be a part of Him.  

✔ He expresses himself freely with Christ: He questioned why Jesus asked who touched Him when they walked in a crowded place, he also demanded the understanding of the parable of the steward, the forgiveness of sin, and eating food that defiles. He also asked questions about end-time events. He did not hide his feelings when he saw the fig tree Jesus cursed withered. Asking questions helps to gain a better understanding.  

✔ He was the only disciple who walked upon the water but began to drown when his faith waived. God can use us but if doubts set in, we will sink.   

✔ He experienced the transfiguration of the Lord. A close walk with God will open our heavens for us and we shall encounter God daily.

✔ He prepared and ate the Last Supper with the Lord. We must dine with the Lord by partaking in the Eucharist. We obtain strength and power by taking the Eucharist.

✔ He was at the Garden of Gethsemane but could not stay awake to pray with the Lord because his body was weak although his spirit was willing. This teaches us to take our health and spiritual lives seriously. There must always be a correct balance between the two at all times.

✔ Jesus warned him ahead of time the devil wanted to sift him like wheat but He has prayed for him that his faith will not fail to strengthen the others. He denied Jesus but was quick to repent. Christ has said a prayer on your behalf that your faith will not fail so step out in faith. 

✔ It is believed he was the one who cut off the ear of Malchus a servant of the high priest. 

✔ He was at the tomb of Jesus to confirm His resurrection. He experienced the risen Christ and all the miracles He performed. Seek Christ and you shall encounter the power of His saving grace.    

✔ He performed significant miracles in the Name of Jesus and baptized new converts. He healed the man at the Beautiful Gate, healed Aeneas who suffered from palsy for eight years, and raised Dorcas to life. 

✔ He was persecuted, beaten, put in prison, and put to death for the Gospel. We must be ready to go any length with the Lord. In his apostolic work, he exposed the evil deeds of Ananias and Sapphira, he also rebuked the sorcerer who wanted to purchase the gift of God. 

✔ He saw the vision of clean and unclean animals and was asked to kill and eat. He refused to eat anything unclean but God has made everything clean. We must reach out to all perishing souls with the message of salvation. He was in the house of Cornelius and other Gentiles to preach the gospel. 

✔ He wrote two books of the Bible. These are called first and second Peter. 

Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 4:18-20; 8:14; 14:28-31; 15:15; 16:16-23; 18:21; 26:33-75; Mark 5:37; 11:21; 13:3&4; 14:29-72; 16:7; Luke 5:1-11;  8:45; 9:28-33; 12:41;  22:8 & 31-46; 24:12&34; John 13:6-11; 36-38; 18:15-27; 20:2-6; 21:1-23; 22:50-62; Acts 1:13-22; 2:14-40; 3:1-26; 4:1-23; 5:1-42; 8:14-25; 9:32-43; 10:1-48; 11:1-18; 12:3-19; 15:7-11; 1 Corinthians 15:4&5; Galatians 1:18; 2:9;