Outline Study Of Simon Peter

by Verta Giddings

Peter was the more prominent one of the disciples, like a pioneer. He is considered to be a big, blustering fisherman, but he broke the ground for the other disciples. He often was their spokesman.

John 1:35-42 – These were disciples of John the Baptist, now of Jesus. Andrew, brother of Peter introduced him to Peter – “We have found the Messiah, the Christ.” Right away, Jesus called Peter “A stone.” Didn’t Jesus know what Peter would later do and say? Of course, He did! Peter was afterward called to follow Jesus – Luke 5:1-11.

Peter lived in Capernaum – Mark 1:21, 29-31; also it says at Bethsaida - John 1:44 – a nearby city. He was married – Matt. 8:14-15; I Cor. 9:5.

Jesus taught Peter about forgiveness – Matt. 18:21-22 – until seventy times seven.

Three disciples were singled out to be with Jesus on special occasions: they were Peter, James and John.
(1)    When Jesus raised the young girl from the dead – Mark 5:35-42.
(2)     At Jesus’ transfiguration – Matt. 17:1-2.
(3)    In Gethsemane – Matt. 26:36-38 – here Peter cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest – Matt. 26:51; John 18:26.

Peter was the first disciple to recognize Jesus as the Messiah – Matt. 16:13-18. Peter said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Peter’s character was not always ‘rock-like.’ Jesus fully understood Peter’s weakness, but He still said, “thou art Peter” (a stone).

Jesus told Peter he would deny Him, and of course Peter declared he would go to prison with Him and even die for Him – Luke 22:31-34. Jesus said he would pray for him. When the time came, Peter did deny Jesus, but when Jesus looked on him, he wept bitterly – Matt. 26:69-75; Luke 22:61-62. Peter did deny Jesus, but he showed his repentance before the Lord. Judas Iscariot, on the other hand never let Jesus know he was wrong that he betrayed Him.

Peter was the first of the disciples to see the resurrected Christ – Luke 24:34; I Cor. 15:5.

He was the first to proclaim salvation to the Gentiles – Acts 10: & 15:7-11.

He was put in prison after the death of James, and was released by an angel of the Lord – Acts 12:3-4, 7-11.

The Apostle Paul said that Peter was the apostle to the circumcision (the Jews), as Paul was to the uncircumcision (the Gentiles) – Gal. 2:7.

Peter had the encounter with Paul at Antioch – Gal. 2:9-14, but he learned by it – II Peter 3:15-16. Peter had been eating with the Gentiles until some (Jews) came from Jerusalem. Then he withdrew himself from the Gentiles and caused others to do the same. If this matter had not been addressed and cleared up, where would we be today? Paul had experienced the glorious message of the grace of God and would not let Peter deny it.

This action of Peter’s was just as serious as his denial of Christ when he was facing death. It was not standing for the finished work of Christ.

Amen!