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Peter-3 A BIOGRAPHY OF PETER PART 3

During the first decade of the Church, Peter is the dominant figure.

The Apostle who spoke for the twelve, walked on water, confessed Jesus is the Christ, and shared the most intimate moments (transfiguration / Gethsemane)

Continued as the spokesman 1) In the upper room to the disciples 2) At Pentecost to the Jews 3) At the temple healing 4) In prison suffering 5) In the church purging 6) To Somalia welcoming Samaritans 7) To Caesarea welcoming Gentiles

He healed the sick Raised the dead He spoke for God

Peter is a man to listen to

An Interview With St. Peter By John Philips

St. Peter played a prominent part in the early Church. The book of Acts records several of his early sermons. He authored two books in the Holy Scriptures. A study of his sayings casts much light on his attitude toward the Church and its teachings. How would he have answered questions both Catholics and Protestants ask in this ecumenical age? We have written and addressed some, as it were, to St. Peter. His replies are all taken from his own speeches and writings as we have them in the Holy Scr9iptures. We have used only the approved Confraternity edition of the Scriptures in giving St. Peter’s replies.

Could you tell us simply, St. Peter, how we can be saved from our sins? “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21) “Set your hope completely upon that grace which is brought to you in the revelation of Jesus Christ” (I St. Peter 1:13) “To him all the prophets bear witness, that through his name all who believe in him may receive forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 10:43).

Do those who have trusted the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins have to anticipate purgatory when they die? “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has begotten us again through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto a living hope, unto an incorruptible inheritance – undefiled and unfading, reserved for you in heaven. By the power of God you are guarded through faith for salvation, which is ready to be revealed in the last time. Over this you rejoice” (I St. Peter 1:3-6).

But surely, St. Peter, even the true believer has a residue of sins for which he has to make restitution to God in penance? “Christ…has suffered for you,…who himself bore our sins in this body upon the tree, that we, having died to sin, might live to justice; an by his stripes you were healed (I St. Peter 2:21, 24).

St. Peter, is it possible for the grace to be purchased by us in any way? “You know that you were redeemed from the vain manner of life handed down from your fathers, not with perishable things, with silver or gold. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I St. Peter 1:18-19). “Thy money go to destruction with thee, because thou has thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money. Thou has no part or lot in this matter; for thy heart is not right before God. Repent therefore of this wickedness…and pray to God, that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:20-22).

What is your opinion on baptismal regeneration, St. Peter? Are we bought into the family of God through a sacrament of baptism? Is this how we are born again? “For you have been reborn, not from corruptible seed but from incorruptible, through the word of God who lives and abides forever” (I St. Peter 1:23).

Do you think all men will eventually be saved? “But the heavens that now are, and the earth, by that same word have been stored up, being reserved for fire against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men” (II St. Peter 3:7).

St. Peter, do you think a Christian should be expected to keep all the ordinances and traditions which grow up around even the true faith? “Why then do you now try to test God by putting on the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 15:10-11).

Should we pray to the father, or to the Lord’s mother? “Pray to God” (Acts 8:22) “Invoke as Father him who without respect of persons judges according to each one’s word” (I St. Peter 1:17).

Who is it that brings us to God, St. Peter? “Christ also died once for sins, the Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God” (I St. Peter 3:18).

St. Peter, do you think we should give great prominence to the Holy Scriptures in speaking to men about God? “The word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the word of the gospel that was preached to you” (I St. Peter 1:25).

Did you ever consider, yourself any higher than other Church leaders, St. Peter? “Now I exhort the presbyters among you – I, your fellow presbyter” (I St. Peter 5:1).

Is the true Sovereign Pontiff Christ Himself? If so, how will He reward faithful Church leaders, St. Peter? “And when the Prince of the shepherds appears, you [The presbyters] will receive the unfading crown of glory” (I St. Peter 5:4).

Would you subscribe to the teaching that the Church should have a separate priesthood distinct from other Christians? “Be you yourselves as living stones…a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (I St. Peter 2:5).

If we are to regard every true believer as a priest, what is the priestly function of the believer? “You, however, are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people; that you may proclaim the perfections of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I St. Peter 2:9).

Do I not need some other mediator or intercessor? “Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

St. Peter, what should be our proper concept of the Lord Jesus now that He has ascended to God? Should we still think of Him as depicted in the crucifix or as a Babe? “Jesus Christ…is at the right hand of God, swallowing up death that we might be made heirs of eternal life; for he went into heaven. Angels, Powers and Virtues being made subject to him” (I St. Peter 3:22).

And Peter, what about the Church being built on you? “And coming to Him as a living stone (Jesus Christ) chief cornerstone?” I Peter 2:4-7

And as St. Paul said “Other foundation can no man lay…” (I Corinthians 3:11).

I/II Peter = Living

1 Peter 1 – living hope fully v.3, 8, 13 I Peter 2 – living Christly v.9,4,21 I Peter 3 – living submissively I Peter 4 – living purposefully v.2-10 I Peter 5 – living humbly v.5-6 2 Peter 1 – living growingly v.5-9 2 Peter 2 – living cautiously 2 Peter 3 – living knowingly

Slides


Check Out All The Sermons In The Series

You can find all the sermons and short clips from this series, Scriptural Biographies – Peter here.

You can find all the sermons and short clips from this series, Special Services here.

You can find all the sermons and short clips from this series, ZNA here.

Looking To Study The Bible Like Dr. Barnett?

Dr. Barnett has curated an Amazon page with a large collection of resources he uses in his study of God’s Word. You can check it out here.