On Simon Peter (Cephas)

[Bendito]

I would like to create a new thread on Peter because I would like some clarification on a few things about his conversion and I'm not certain he sinned after conversion as people on here have inferred or implied.

Peters conversion was genuine he was the first of the apostles to declare that Jesus was the christ (Messiah) the son of God and at Pentecost he was the first to prophesy to all those gathered. See Acts chapter 2. Both Peter and John go on to heal and do miracles by Gods power. But the unbelieving Jews and high priests are sceptical and even set out to stone them and forbid them from teaching on Jesus name. however Peter says we ought to obey God rather than men. In chapter 5.

Further on in Acts 10 Peter gets given a vision by God about clean and unclean foods and by this vision God lets Peter know salvation is open to the Gentiles. Cornelius, a gentile is born again. Further adventures follow, Peter is chucked in prison at one point but is set free, Paul is converted and Barnabas goes and helps him spread the word to the gentiles.

But they Paul and Baranbas also get stoned and persecuted for spreading the gospel by certain sects of the Pharisees saying nobody can be saved unless they are circumcised. Chapter 14 they are preaching to a mixture of gentiles and jews and things are getting contentious. Verse 4 says the multitude of the city was divided, part held with the Jews, part with the apostles. More miracles and they end up at Antioch where the whole church is gathered together reporting on what happened with the gentiles. At this point they decide to consult Peter and the other apostles on the question of whether its anybody can be saved unless they are circumcised as some Pharisees from judea were teaching. Ok so what does Peter say well you can read it acts 15:7-11

Peter denied Jesus because he walked in fear...sin...Jesus acted in a hypociritical fashion trying to please this group when he was with them, and acting differently with another group. sin..You must remember that Peter was just a man. He had to learn and grow just like the rest of us.

 

[Lanolin]

Peter denied Jesus because he walked in fear...sin...Jesus acted in a hypociritical fashion trying to please this group when he was with them, and acting differently with another group. sin..You must remember that Peter was just a man. He had to learn and grow just like the rest of us.

This was before he was converted of course.
Does anyone not read their bible in order...?!

 

[B-A-C]

To me... Peter was "converted" before the crucifixion.

Matt 16:15; He *said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Matt 16:16; Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Matt 16:17; And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Matt 16:18; "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

If the church is built on the belief that Jesus is the Son of God. Wouldn't that be when Peter was converted?

 

[Lanolin]

To me... Peter was "converted" before the crucifixion.

Matt 16:15; He *said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Matt 16:16; Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Matt 16:17; And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Matt 16:18; "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

If the church is built on the belief that Jesus is the Son of God. Wouldn't that be when Peter was converted?

To me it was after he was filled with the holy spirit...at pentecost. You cant have the church if its not spirit filled...after the resurrection.

This is when we believers are empowered and given new life, not before. Before that Peter was a disciple, but he didnt have much faith. God did reveal a lot to him though as God does to everyone, whether we believe Him or not.

I will look up some more scriptures about this but am certain Peters conversion wasnt JUST by saying Jesus is the son of God. Anyone can say that...! He was one of the first to know though.

 

[Lanolin]

If you read further down in Matthew...I dont know if you read the bible BAC or you just look up scriptures on a computer...but theres actually more to that conversation. Then Peter makes a faux pas after Jesus reveals to him hes going to be crucified and Peter basically says now way jose God wouldnt allow that. (My paraphrase)

Another thing jesus wanted his messiah/christ title hidden and to NOT tell anyone (before his death)

So anyway chapter 16 of Matthew 19-23 have a read.

 

[Bendito]

To me it was after he was filled with the holy spirit...at pentecost. You cant have the church if its not spirit filled...after the resurrection.

This is when we believers are empowered and given new life, not before. Before that Peter was a disciple, but he didnt have much faith. God did reveal a lot to him though as God does to everyone, whether we believe Him or not.

I will look up some more scriptures about this but am certain Peters conversion wasnt JUST by saying Jesus is the son of God. Anyone can say that...! He was one of the first to know though.

Actually Lanolin, The second thing I mentioned about Peter was after pentecost...He was Spirit filled too... But he feared and acted the hypocrite.

 

[Lanolin]

Ok well this person has already explained it better than I can go read here

Peter's Conversion

 

[Lanolin]

Actually Lanolin, The second thing I mentioned about Peter was after pentecost...He was Spirit filled too... But he feared and acted the hypocrite.

For a moment because of the false brethren leading him and barnabas astray. And then he was bold and rebuked them, didnt he?

You need to remember persecution was so bad that people were being stoned for just preaching Jesus. Have you ever been stoned for preaching Jesus? Or hated? By your own family?

 

[Bendito]

For a moment because of the false brethren leading him and barnabas astray. And then he was bold and rebuked them, didnt he?

You need to remember persecution was so bad that people were being stoned for just preaching Jesus. Have you ever been stoned for preaching Jesus? Or hated? By your own family?

If I remember correctly...It was Paul? who rebuked Peter.
Yeah Read Galatians 2:11-21

Now I'm going to put this little pink body to bed...G'night.

 

[Lanolin]

I will give you an example. My mum she would not willingly ever go to a non chinese restaurant. Why cos to her the food is so awful. Its not that she doesnt like non chinese people. Just their food.

Likewise some people just dont go eat at chinese restaurants. Why because..,I dont know the food isnt awful maybe they just dont like chinese people! Or I dont know Some people think chickens feet is just not delicious. They would never eat it, it would offend them.

Well these false jewish brothers they didnt know that its ok to eat with gentiles! Why where they suddenly wanting everyone to be circumcised? Cos they felt everyone was unclean until they were circumcised.

Peter had the vision, he just needed to be bold enough to share it and he did. See Acts 11 and then again in Acts 15.

 

[Lanolin]

If I remember correctly...It was Paul? who rebuked Peter.
Yeah Read Galatians 2:11-21

Now I'm going to put this little pink body to bed...G'night.

Yea in front of the false brethren. But Paul want actually rebuking him but giving Peter the opportunity to explain. to those who had the wrong idea,

 

[Lanolin]

Paul was already eating with the gentiles at this point...?

Dont worry it was sorted out in the end anyway. There was a lot of contention between believing jews and unbelieving jews not to mention gentiles. If you read book of acts lots of that was going down. Acts 14:1-5

If It was that bad people were being stoned, well you wouldnt want to be caught eating with someone that could stone you for eating with someone. It can happen in todays world...think of apartheid and even race riots in america.

 

[Lanolin]

I dont live in america but apparently it wasnt long ago that african americans were kept separate from everyone else, they couldnt share the same drinking taps or ride on the bus they had to sit at the back...

If you were white and were friends with someone who was black you would be ostracised. Hard to believe but that happened.

When I was growing up people would call me names and one boy even spit at me. Just for having a different skin colour. Nobody sat next to me at lunchtime. I didnt know till later that people were avoiding me cos they thought I was different.

And. It even cos they didnt want to be friends but because their parents taught them you cant be friends with someone who isnt the same as you!