The Apostle Peter, also known as Saint Peter, was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ who believed in his mission. Jesus chose Peter to be the first Pope and lead the Christian church. Peter’s father, Jona, passed away when he was young, so he was raised by his uncle Zebedee and aunt Salome along with his younger brother, Andrew. Both Peter and Andrew were trained as fishermen in their hometown of Bethsaida and received religious education about the Scriptures and prophecies concerning the Messiah.
Peter’s original name was Simon before Jesus called him to be one of his Twelve Apostles. Simon and his brother Andrew were ordinary fishermen casting nets in the Sea of Galilee when Jesus approached them with a life-changing invitation: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” It’s important to note that fishing was a common means of livelihood during that time. However, this event demonstrates how Jesus valued individuals from humble backgrounds like Peter and Andrew.
By choosing ordinary people as his apostles instead of wealthy or influential figures, Jesus provided relatable examples for those from lower social classes. This act showed that even individuals from impoverished backgrounds could become significant religious leaders.
Once Simon became an apostle for Jesus, his name was changed to Peter. Jesus told Simon: “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.” (Matthew 16:17-18) Peter means “rock” in Greek, signifying that Jesus wanted his church to have a strong foundation and wanted Peter to have a prominent role in it. Peter is often listed at the head of the apostles because he was the first to be called. He had a fervent devotion to Jesus and served as the spokesman for the apostles, representing them all. Jesus entrusted Peter with the leadership of the Christian church after his death, further exemplifying their mutual belief and close friendship.
After Christ’s Ascension, Peter takes over as the undisputed leader of the church, continuing Jesus Christ’s mission and teachings. He preaches the ideas of faith and becomes highly influential in religious communities. Peter becomes the principal preacher of Christianity and acts as a mediator between Jews and Christians who are experiencing conflict. He also represents the Christians before Jewish authorities. Peter’s importance in religious life grows significantly. Towards the end of his life, Peter resides in Rome where he is credited with writing the first of two epistles associated with him. He passes away between 60 AD and 100 AD and is laid to rest on the Vatican Hill. In honor of this great apostle, the Basilica of Saint Peter is constructed above his grave. The Epistles of Saint Peter, although originally attributed to him, were not actually written by Peter himself. They were composed years apart from each other, making it implausible for Peter to have penned both. Despite this lesser known fact, Peter is often mistakenly recognized as the author of these letters.
The Apostle Peter holds a crucial position in Jesus’ mission. Historically, he was given the responsibility of leading the Christian church, which is presently one of the world’s major religions. Moreover, Peter played a significant role in fostering harmony among Jews and Christians and gained cultural significance as an influential figure in society. In terms of religion, Jesus’ selection of Peter allowed individuals from lower classes to establish a connection with their faith since Jesus chose his Twelve Apostles, including Peter, from ordinary people rather than the wealthy ones. Peter exhibited unwavering dedication to his religion and emerged as one of Jesus Christ’s foremost disciples.
Bibliography
JD Douglas, ed. The Illustrated Bible Dictionary. (Sydney, Australia: Tyndale House Publishers, 1980) p. 1200-1202
New Catholic Encyclopedia. (Washington DC: Catholic University of America, 1981) p. 200-205
Zanzig, Thomas. Jesus of History, Christ of Faith. (Winona, Minnesota: Christian Brothers Publications, 1992) p. 115
