Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia
Peter
Peter is set forth here by name (“Peter”) and by office (“apostle”). He was a pillar of the church (Gal. 2:9).
Peter’s name occurs 210 times in the New Testament. Paul’s name occurs 162 times. Peter is dominate among the persons of the New Testament. We cannot ignore him.
The author of this book is a unique individual indeed. Peter was not celibate. We know this because his mother-in-law lived with him. He was a fisherman by trade and had a partnership with James and John. He did not fish for fun; he fished for money. He was a profane and professional fisherman (John 1:36-44). He was a course man.
Some time later God called him to be a fisher of men (Mt. 4:18,19). He already knew Christ as his Messiah. Now God calls him to discipleship. More time elapsed then Jesus called Peter to be an apostle (Lk. 6:13). This is a promotion.
Peter’s training was in his home and synagogue. He received two calls from the Lord:
1. to discipleship (Jn. 1:41-48)
2. to apostleship (Mk. 3:13-21)
We do not think of Peter as a scholar or literary person. We think of him as a burly fisherman. Yet this erst-while fisherman wrote two of the 27 books of the New Testament. We think of him as a loud-mouthed leader of men. We may even think of him as the preacher of Acts 2 but we do not think of him as an author.
Acts 4:13 describes him as “unlearned and ignorant.” That does not mean he was stupid but it does mean that he did not have a formal education like Paul. Peter’s training was at the feet of the Savior.
PRINCIPLE: God will use us in ways beyond our background if we submit to him.
APPLICATION: Have you put limitations around yourself? Have you put yourself in a box of your own perceptions? Let God stretch you beyond your boundaries. He may use you in a way beyond your imagination. If we step out of our comfort zone, it will demonstrate an act of trust in God’s providence in our lives.
It is said that Peter who was in the inner circle with John&James,being an eyewitness for the words&actions of Jesus Christ ,wanted to bring out the memoirs of the Lord in written form and influenced John Mark whom he called as “my son” in I Peter 5:13,to write the Gospel.Peter discipled Mark.It is encouraging to see that God can use anybody beyond imagination if he submits to the Master.