Peter was one of the first to be called into discipleship by the Lord when he began His ministry in Galilee. Jesus called Andrew first and Andrew further introduced Simon Peter to Christ. They were fishermen, but Jesus asked them to leave their boats and nets behind so that He would make them fishers of men. Peter became a spokesperson for the entire disciple community (twelve of them). He was quick to speak (foot in mouth), quick to act, and quick to trace back and withdraw – such was his personality that at one point Peter became a mouthpiece for even Satan himself and Jesus had to rebuke Satan in Peter, “Get behind me, Satan”.

Peter was one of the three disciples that formed the inner circle of Jesus. He was there in every special occasion that Jesus was in – even at the mount of Transfiguration. Peter was so excited that he said inadvertently, “Let us make three tabernacles – one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”. God silenced Peter interrupting his words announcing publicly, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him”- clarifying thus that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets and people did not have to keep the old testament requirements anymore. It was the ushering in of a new era – an age of grace that encompassed all mankind, not exclusively the people of Israel.

Peter was a timid person, denied thrice that he knew Jesus just before He was crucified, and went into hiding soon after Jesus was crucified. But he was also among the first to reach His tomb to witness his resurrection. He was also the first to rise and speak boldly to the three-thousand-plus strong crowd that had gathered around them on the day of Pentecost (fifty days after the Paschal Lamb was slain). So great was the power of the Holy Spirit that filled Him that most of them were convicted in their hearts, repented, and received Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.

Peter kept ministering in Jerusalem and faced a lot of hardships for his bold confession, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” – Acts 4:12. He faced severe persecution by the Jews – his own people, especially the ruling class that influenced the corrupt Roman government. They refused to accept Jesus as the Christ even when God confirmed the genuine nature of his ministry through many signs and wonders – the healing of a lame man, the rising of dead Dorcas, the healing of many sick folks, and those possessed by unclean spirits. There were several attempts by these Jewish leaders to put Peter to death. They beat him and his companions severely in the open forbidding them to preach the gospel. Peter defied the authorities throwing back to them a challenge “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye” – Acts 4:19. God even delivered Peter from prison at least on two occasions while he was awaiting death as plotted by the Jews.

Peter was the first apostle to witness the recognition and inclusion of Gentiles in the Church of Jesus Christ. He was invited to Cornelius’s house where he preached the gospel and the whole household was baptized. The Holy Spirit fell upon them as He did on the day of Pentecost, showing openly to Peter that the Gentiles were an integral part of the plan of God, not just the Jews alone (as was supposed by the disciples till that time).

Peter’s confession about Jesus became the foundational doctrine of the New Testament Church – “You are Christ, the Son of the Living God”. It was upon Himself, the Living Stone Christ that Jesus said He would build His church; it was not on Peter, the man. Roman Catholics (RCs are not Christians) believe that Jesus promised to build His church upon Peter and that the Pope is the descendent of this Peter – all humbug.

There were four official Popes at one given time in history – all instituted by rival European emperors – each one to attain to his ends. And a few of the Popes were not celibates – they had sons by stealth which was exposed by their rivals later in life. And Popes sold indulgences – Roman Catholic church-imposed punishments for a price – as compensations for sins committed; some even sold indulgences for sins to be committed in the future – a license to kill! Even now (at the time of writing of this book), there are two Popes – one resigned from being the descendant of Peter a few years back (!) and was replaced by the current one. And none with a colored skin can become a Pope, only an Aryan can become one – a totally racist system!
Peter was also a man of vile passions – he had his time of weaknesses even while being an apostle. Paul had to rebuke Peter for his hypocritical conduct (he ate with Gentiles until Jewish false brethren joined him).

Sure, the Lord would have pardoned him because he was used as His powerful instrument to pen two valuable epistles that contain details about what the believer should look forward to – a new heaven and a new earth – not an earthly kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. He called them strangers because they belonged not to this world and were not born of a corruptible seed – they were born again of incorruptible seed, the word of God. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”. – 1Pet 2:9. He also spoke about the time when the Lord would return: “And God shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. – Act 3:20.

Secular history says that Peter was crucified probably around AD 66 at Rome by the Roman government for his missionary work predominantly among the Jews. He preferred to be crucified with his head facing down as he did not want to be crucified in the same manner as His Master. Peter mentions his death approaching him in his second epistle (letter). “Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me”. – 2Pet 1:14.