Over the time in which the New Israel (the kingdom of heaven or church of Christ) was being established, there were many wonderful preachers such as the twelve apostles, as well as Stephen, Philip, Paul, Apollos, Timothy, and many others.
These men are to the new testament and the new Israel what the prophets were to the old. Indeed, the majority of these preachers were prophets, being inspired by God just as the old testament prophets had been. In a sense they were "more inspired" than the prophets of old, because their message made clear much that was previously shrouded in mystery (Col 1:25-26 Heb 1:1-2 2Pe 3:2).
These great men were obeying the great commission to take the gospel into all the world to "every creature". They accomplished this task within a period of 40 years (Col 1:23).
Among these apostles and evangelists was Peter, one of "the twelve", that special group whom Jesus chose and trained during his own personal ministry of the gospel. This lesson is about Peter, a fisherman from Galilee whom Jesus made a very special fisher of men.
The Main Point
Jesus Christ did not choose from among the rich, the wise, and the powerful to help establish his kingdom, but from among the poor, lowly and sometimes weak. This was true of most of the old testament patriarchs. It is even more evident in the spiritual Israel. Peter is a fine example of this principle. So, possibly, are you and I.
Bible Summary (Gospels and Acts )
Peter chosen as an apostle (Mtt 4:18-22 Mrk 1:16-20 Jhn 1:42)
Peter amazed and awe-struck follows Christ(Lke 5:1-11)
Peter walks on the water (Mtt 14:22-33)
Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ (Mtt 16:13-20 Lke 9:18-27)
Peter rebukes Jesus (Mtt 16:21-28 Mrk 8:31-38 Lke 9:22-27)
Tax from a fish’s mouth (Mtt 17:24-27)
Seventy times seven (Mtt 18:21-35)
The transfiguration (Mtt 17:1-8 Mrk 9:2-8 Lke 9:28 2Pe 1:18)
Peter enters the empty tomb after Christ has been crucified and buried (Mtt 28:1-8 Mrk 16:1-8 Lke 24:1-10 Jhn 20:1-9)
The catch of fish (Jhn 21:1-14)
Simon son of John, do you love me? (Jhn 21:15-23)
The ascension (Acts 1:1-14)
Peter leads the choosing of Matthias (Acts 1:15-26)
Peter preaches on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41)
Miracle at the temple gate (Acts 3:1-11)
Peter preaches again (Acts 3:12-26)
Arrested, tried, and released (Acts 4:1-22)
Peter judges Ananias and Saphira (Acts 5:1-16)
Jailed, but released by an angel (Acts 5:17-42)
Peter rebukes Simon the erstwhile sorcerer (Acts 8:14-25)
Peter raises Tabitha to life (Acts 9:32-43)
Peter sent to Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48)
Peter reports to the other apostles (Acts 11:1-18)
Jailed, but released by an angel again (Acts 12:1-17)
Peter’s leadership at the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-11)
A few facts about Peter
One of the Twelve Apostles of Christ
A fisherman of Galilee
Saw Christ transfigured on the mountain
Denied Christ but repented
Saw Christ’s ascension into heaven
Preached in Jerusalem on Day of Pentecost
Preached on other important occasions
Was the messenger sent to Cornelius
His name was Simon. Jesus called him Cephas. In Greek that name is Petros, which we say as Peter. The name means a rock.
One of the strong leaders of the early church, the new Israel.
Although a great apostle, Peter was not without fault. Paul challenged him on one occasion because he could see that Peter was behaving hypocritically(Gal 2:11-14)
Peter respected the wisdom given to his "beloved brother Paul"(2Pe 3:15-16)
Peter wrote two letters in the New Testament to people "of like precious faith".