Stop Beating up Peter!

Stop Beating Up Peter! Somewhere in America on almost any Sunday one can hear about the failures of The Apostle Peter. We can hear how Peter started sinking when he was walking to meet Jesus on the water. We can also hear how it was Peter who denied the Lord Jesus in public three times. Somebody give me a break!

Look at The Facts 1. Peter did start sinking while walking to meet Jesus on the water; but where were the rest of the disciples? (Still in the boat, they did not even try!)

2. Peter did deny Jesus Three times after boasting how he would follow Jesus. The other disciples were boasting too and where were the rest of the disciples? (Missing in action, they had all left during His trial!)

Yes, when it came time to fail it seems Peter was the only one around to fail. Is there something in humanity that gets pleasure from standing afar off and pointing out the failures of others? (You know it is true) The fact is until I have tried my best at something then what gives me the right to criticize someone who is actually trying!

1. The fact is that Peter is the only person besides Jesus who has walked on water. (Have You?)

2. The fact is that Peter was the only disciple near Jesus during His trial. Jesus must have seen more in Peter than most do today. Jesus knew it would take a missing ingredient to make this person a strong witness for God.

The missing ingredient is God’s Holy Spirit because on the day of Pentecost Peter was transformed from failure to success for God. Yes, we should look at Peter as an example but not as one for ridicule. Peter was always there trying though sometimes unsuccessfully. How about me? Am I too quick to find others faults instead of understanding my weaknesses and failures? It is the Power of God that makes us a success and not our own fleshly actions.

Keep on trying with God’s direction and His power to help and do not be afraid to get out of the boat.

by — Gary Davidson
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Let me add my rejoinder to Gary’s in defense of the apostle Peter. Simon Peter is one of the most maligned personalities and persons of the New Testament. Peter was a very bold man of simple faith and profound loyalties. What many tend to see as failures are frailties, pure and simple. We all have them. We can all identify with Peter in them.

I think that maybe one of the reasons he is so often attacked by well-meaning preachers. One preacher, speaking of Peter’s impetuousness, said, “Peter never opened his mouth except to change feet”. In those early days Peter spoke first and thought later. On many occasions, that has been me. One of the reasons I like Simon Peter so much is that I can personally identify with him. He was human not a cardboard cutout nor a plaster saint. Maybe we like to speak about his failings because we are afraid (or ashamed) to speak about our own. And if we condemn his shortcomings we don’t have to be condemned for our own. But Peter sought and received forgiveness for his human weaknesses and we must continually do the same.

But while we are addressing his personal failures, let’s remember, in balance, the tremendous successes he had. This the man who walked on the water to meet the Lord. This is the one who preached that mighty sermon at Pentecost to thousands and saw thousands saved. This man Peter saw the gospel opened up to the Gentile world and ministered feverishly to Cornelius and his household, seeing them saved, baptized and following the Lord Jesus. According to Paul Peter was one of the principal “pillars” of the Christian church in Jerusalem. He was called by Jesus to be a disciple, chosen as an apostle and entrusted to write Scripture. And it was this Peter, according to tradition, who was crucified up-side-down on an “x” shaped cross because he said he wasn’t worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

If we could stand half as surely as this weak, faltering man Peter we would be “steady as a rock”. If we were one-tenth as faithful in evangelism as this “timid” spectator of the crucifixion we’d win our world to Christ. If we possessed one modicum of the zeal of this impetuous man the gospel of Jesus Christ would be completely unstoppable. Oh, for the strength of faith of such a spiritual weakling as Peter!

Gary’s pages, too, are a ministry testifying to the power of God and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let him know you liked his article at garyedavidson@aol.com

Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999.

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