Conflicting Views On Peter's
Words And Conduct
Many Christians believe that as Peter was a leading apostle, personally appointed by Yah'shuah the Christ, his conduct and the words that he spoke should be followed by other Christians. A minority of Christians, on the other hand, believe that this isn't necessarily the case. They assert that Peter's conduct and words are just as anyone else's conduct and words, and must first be properly assessed before being followed. The majority think that the minority are disrespectful towards both Peter and Yah'shuah, seeing the minority do not appear to uphold Peter with the honour the majority feel he should be upheld. The minority respond by asserting that they are not dishonouring Peter as such, but are simply obeying Yahweh in properly assessing the conduct and words of a person before following such conduct and words. Which approach should followers of Yah'shuah the Christ adopt?
To answer this question Peter's conduct and words will be examined with a view to ascertaining the approach that followers of Yah'shuah should follow.
Yah'shuah Calls Peter To
Follow Him
Matthew 4:17-22 reads,
4:17From
that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent!
For the
4:18Walking
by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter,
and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 4:19He said to them, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers for men."
4:20They
immediately left their nets and followed him. 4:21Going on from there, he saw two other
brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with
Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. 4:22They immediately left the boat and their
father, and followed him.
Peter followed Yah'shuah in response to Yah'shuah's personal call. He was called to be made a fisher for men.
Peter Housed His Mother-In-Law
In His Own House
Matthew 8:14-15 reads,
8:14When
Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying
sick of a fever. 8:15He touched her
hand, and the fever left her. She got up and served him.
Peter was a married man, who also housed his mother-in-law in his own house. It appears that he saw no wrong in living in the same house with his mother-in-law.
Peter Was The Leading Apostle
Of The Twelve That Yah'shuah Chose
Matthew 10 reads,
10:1He
called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean
spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. 10:2Now the names of the twelve apostles are
these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother;
James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother; 10:3Philip;
Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew, the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; and
Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 10:4Simon
the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
10:5Jesus
sent these twelve out, and charged them, saying, "Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any
city of the Samaritans. 10:6Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of
10:16"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 10:17But beware of men:
for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will
scourge you. 10:18Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for
my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 10:19But when they
deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given
you in that hour what you will say. 10:20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father
who speaks in you.
10:21"Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the
father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be
put to death. 10:22You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who
endures to the end, the same will be saved. 10:23But when they persecute you in
this city, flee into the next, for most assuredly I tell you, you will not have
gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come.
10:24"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant
above his lord. 10:25It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher,
and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house
Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! 10:26Therefore don’t be
afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and
hidden that will not be known. 10:27What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what
you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. 10:28Don’t be afraid of
those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him
who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
10:29"Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your
Father’s will, 10:30but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 10:31Therefore don’t be
afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. 10:32Everyone therefore
who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in
heaven. 10:33But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before
my Father who is in heaven.
10:34"Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I
didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. 10:35For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a
daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 10:36A man’s foes will
be those of his own household. 10:37He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of
me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. 10:38He who doesn’t
take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me. 10:39He who finds his
life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. 10:40He who receives
you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 10:41He who receives a
prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward: and he who
receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a
righteous man’s reward. 10:42Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold
water to drink in the name of a disciple, most assuredly I tell you he will in
no way lose his reward."
Peter was the leading apostle among Yah'shuah's twelve apostles.
Matthew 14:22-33 reads,
14:22Immediately
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead of him to the other
side, while he sent the multitudes away. 14:23After
he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray.
When evening had come, he was there alone. 14:24But
the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind
was contrary. 14:25In the fourth
watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. 14:26When the disciples saw him walking on the
sea, they were troubled, saying, "It’s a ghost!" and they cried out
for fear. 14:27But immediately Jesus
spoke to them, saying "Cheer up! I AM! Don’t be afraid."
14:28Peter
answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on
the waters."
14:29He
said, "Come!"
Peter went down from the boat, and walked
on the waters to come to Jesus. 14:30But
when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he
cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
14:31Immediately
Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
14:32When they got up into the boat,
the wind ceased. 14:33Those who were
in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, "You are truly the Son of
God!"
Peter Tested Unusual
Circumstances For Veracity
When Peter was faced with an unusual situation, one he hadn't faced before, he TESTED the circumstances, to ascertain whether they were in harmony with their master Yah'shuah. Peter didn't fear to test a person who appeared to be Yah'shuah but whom Peter wasn't really sure was Yah'shuah.
Yah'shuah Approves Of His
Disciples Testing Those Who Portray Themselves To Be Righteous
Yah'shuah's response was to go by Peter's test - a test of whether Yah'shuah was truly Yah'shuah and not a ghost, as the disciples thought. In other words, Yah'shuah's going by Peter's test shows that he approves of his disciples testing those who portray themselves to be of righteousness, but haven't yet proved that they indeed are of righteousness.
Faith On Peter's Part Was
Necessary For The Successful Conduct Of His Test
Success of Peter's test required faith on Peter's part. When he exercised faith the test succeeded, thereby proving that Yah'shuah indeed was who he said he was.
But when Peter stopped exercising faith - when he doubted the success of the test that he has just applied on Yah'shuah - he began to sink in the water. Yah'shuah immediately stretched out his hand and took hold of Peter and saved Peter from sinking, thereby again proving to Peter that he was indeed Yah'shuah and not a ghost or impostor.
Why Peter Doubted The Success
Of His Test
Why did Peter doubt the success of the test he applied on Yah'shuah?
He allowed fear to creep into his mind and heart.
How did the fear creep into his mind and heart?
He considered the strength of the blowing wind and trusted to the strength of the blowing wind, rather than in the faith by which he had already been walking on water. In other words, trusting in natural forces sometimes counters the faith necessary to ascertain the truth of matters.
Peter should have continued to rely on faith and defy nature, rather than trust in natural forces and defy faith. In other words, the choice before him was simple - reliance on Yahweh's unnatural power to counter natural power, or reliance on natural power thereby making impotent the application of Yahweh's power over one. Yah'shuah's word is that he should have relied on Yahweh's unnatural power to counter natural power.
Peter Readily Asked Yah'shuah
For Explanations Of Difficult Matters
Matthew 15:1-20 reads,
15:1Then
Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying, 15:2"Why do your disciples disobey the
tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat
bread."
15:3He
answered them, "Why do you also disobey the commandment
of God because of your tradition? 15:4For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and,
‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 15:5But you say,
‘Whoever may tell his father or his mother, "Whatever help you might
otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God," 15:6he shall not honor
his father or mother.’ You have made the commandment of God void because of
your tradition. 15:7You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,
15:8‘These people draw near to me with their mouth,
And honor me with their lips;
But their heart is far from me.
15:9But in vain do they worship me,
Teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’"
15:10He
summoned the multitude, and said to them, "Hear, and understand. 15:11That which enters into the mouth doesn’t
defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the
man."
15:12Then
the disciples came, and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were
offended, when they heard this saying?"
15:13But
he answered, "Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be
uprooted. 15:14Leave them alone.
They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will
fall into a pit."
15:15Peter
answered him, "Explain the parable to us."
15:16So
Jesus said, "Do you also still not understand? 15:17Don’t you
understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and then
out of the body? 15:18But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the
heart, and they defile the man. 15:19For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders,
adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. 15:20These are the
things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the
man."
When Peter didn't understand Yah'shuah's words he simply asked Yah'shuah to explain the words not understood. In other words, Peter didn't fear to ask for explanations to aid his knowledge and understanding of Yah'shuah's ways.
Spiritual Communication
Through Peter
Matthew 16:13-23 reads,
16:13Now
when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man,
am?"
16:14They
said, "Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or
one of the prophets."
16:15He
said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16:16Simon
Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
16:17Jesus
answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon
Bar-jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father
who is in heaven. 16:18I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will
build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 16:19I will give to you
the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound
in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 16:20Then
he charged the disciples that they should tell no man that he is Jesus the
Christ. 16:21From that time, Jesus
began to show to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many
things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the
third day be raised up.
16:22Peter
took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you,
Lord! This will never be done to you."
16:23But
he turned, and said to Peter, "Get behind me,
Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me, for you are not setting your mind
on the things of God, but the things of men."
Peter Uttered Some Words By
Yahweh And Other Words By Satan
Yah'shuah, in 16:17, notes that it was his Father in heaven who had revealed to Peter that Yah'shuah is the Christ, the Son of the living Mighty One. But shortly afterwards Satan communicated to Peter's heart and caused him to utter words against Yah'shuah - words against Yahweh's will. And when Yah'shuah rebuked Peter for so uttering those words he spoke directly to Satan while addressing Peter. In other words, it appears that Satan had temporarily come upon Peter to cause him to utter those words, and Yah'shuah dealt directly with Satan!
It should therefore be noted that just as Yahweh caused Peter to utter words, so also did Satan cause Peter to utter words. When Peter uttered words that Yahweh caused him to utter Yah'shuah acknowledged the source of those words and uttered a blessing for Peter. When Peter uttered words that Satan caused him to utter Yah'shuah acknowledged the source of those words and uttered a rebuke against both Peter and Satan.
Note The Source By Which Peter
Uttered Words
It was therefore important to note the source by which Peter uttered various words, whether Yahweh or Satan. For at certain times he uttered words by Yahweh and at other times he uttered words by Satan.
Peter And Other Apostles Were
To Be Given The Keys Of The Kingdom Of Heaven
16:19 notes that Peter and the other apostles were to be given the keys of the kingdom of heaven, being given authority to bind and loose things on earth, with the various things bound and loosed being so ratified in heaven.
Peter Was Part Of Yah'shuah's
Inner Core Of Disciples
Matthew 17:1-13 reads,
17:1After
six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and
brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. 17:2He was transfigured before them. His
face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. 17:3Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to
them talking with him.
17:4Peter
answered, and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you
want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for
Elijah."
17:5While
he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a
voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased. Listen to him."
17:6When
the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid. 17:7Jesus came and touched them and said, "Get up, and don’t be afraid." 17:8Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one,
except Jesus alone. 17:9As they were
coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man
has risen from the dead."
17:10His
disciples asked him, saying, "Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must
come first?
17:11Jesus
answered them, "Elijah indeed comes first, and
will restore all things, 17:12but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t
recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so will the Son of
Man also suffer by them." 17:13Then
the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.
Yah'shuah included Peter in a small group of three of his disciples whom he gave information that he did not give to the rest of his 12 apostles.
Peter Took The Lead Among
Yah'shuah's Inner Core Of Disciples
17:4 shows that Peter, among Yah'shuah's disciples, took the lead in various matters. For just as he took the lead in the matter of testing Yah'shuah when he saw Yah'shuah walking on water, so also he took the lead in uttering words to Yah'shuah as he was transfigured before this small group of Yah'shuah's disciples. Peter demonstrated, through his conduct in various situations, that he was indeed the leader among Yah'shuah's apostles and disciples.
Peter Sought Clarification Of
Scriptural Matters From Yah'shuah
Peter, together with the other two disciples in this small group of Yah'shuah's disciples, asked Yah'shuah to clarify scriptural matters that they didn't have understanding of. In other words, it was Peter's nature to seek understanding from Yah'shuah when he didn't have understanding about a particular matter.
What Peter Learned From
Yah'shuah Concerning Paying Taxes
Matthew 17:24-27 reads,
17:24When
they had come to
When he came into the house, Jesus
anticipated him, saying, "What do you think,
Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their
sons, or from strangers?"
17:26Peter
said to him, "From strangers."
Jesus said to him, "Therefore
the sons are exempt. 17:27But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, and cast a
hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened his mouth,
you will find a stater. Take that, and give it to them for me and you."
Yah'shuah taught Peter that even though, technically, the sons of Father Yahweh are exempt from paying taxes, to avoid causing tax collectors to stumble they should still pay taxes to human authorities. In other words, there are situations that Yahweh's children do not need to abide by, but they do in order not to cause those around them to stumble.
How would tax collectors stumble on account of the children of Yahweh not paying taxes to human authorities? By not collecting taxes from those their superiors commanded them to collect taxes from, thereby violating the word of their superiors?
Peter Was Obedient To
Yah'shuah's Instructions
When Yah'shuah gave Peter instructions concerning what to do Peter proved obedient, following Yah'shuah's instructions as given to him.
Matthew 18:21-35 reads,
18:21Then
Peter came and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against
me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?"
18:22Jesus
said to him, "I don’t tell you until
seven times, but, until seventy times seven. 18:23Therefore the
Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with
his servants. 18:24When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who
owed him ten thousand talents. 18:25But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be
sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
18:26The
servant therefore fell down and kneeled before him, saying, ‘Lord, have
patience with me, and I will repay you all.’ 18:27The lord of that
servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
18:28"But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow
servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying,
‘Pay me what you owe!’
18:29"So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged
him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you.’ 18:30He would not, but
went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due. 18:31So when his fellow
servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told to
their lord all that was done. 18:32Then his lord called him in, and said to him, ‘You wicked
servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me. 18:33Shouldn’t you also
have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’ 18:34His lord was
angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was
due to him. 18:35So will my heavenly Father also do to you, if you don’t each
forgive his brother from your hearts for his misdeeds."
Peter was a humble man. Whenever he needed knowledge or understanding about a matter he simply went to his teacher, Yah'shuah, and sought that knowledge and understanding from him. His humility was just as that of a child dealing with his parents.
Yah'shuah's Promise To Peter
And The Other Apostles
Matthew 19:16-30 reads,
19:16Behold,
one came to him and said, "Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that
I may have eternal life?"
19:17He
said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is
good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the
commandments."
19:18He
said to him, "Which ones?"
Jesus said, "‘You
shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You
shall not offer false testimony.’ 19:19‘Honor your father and mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.’"
19:20The
young man said to him, "All these things I have observed from my youth.
What do I still lack?"
19:21Jesus
said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell
what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and
come, follow me." 19:22But
when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had
great possessions. 19:23Jesus said
to his disciples, "Most assuredly I say to you, a
rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. 19:24Again I tell you,
it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to
enter into the kingdom of God."
19:25When
the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who
then can be saved?"
19:26Looking
at them, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible,
but with God all things are possible."
19:27Then
Peter answered, "Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What
then will we have?"
19:28Jesus
said to them, "Most assuredly I tell
you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man
will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 19:29Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or
father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will
receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life. 19:30But many will be
last who are first; and first who are last.
Yah'shuah promised Peter and his fellow disciples that they would, in the regeneration, be kings or judges, ruling over the twelve tribes of Israel. This is to be their reward on account of their following Yah'shuah.
It therefore appears that those who follow Yah'shuah are rewarded, in the regeneration, with rulership positions over whatever domains that Yahweh allots for them.
Peter Thought That He Was
Unshakeably Devoted To Yah'shuah
Matthew 26:31-35 reads,
26:31Then
Jesus said to them, "All of you will be offended
by me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of
the flock will be scattered abroad.’ 26:32But after I am raised up, I will go before you into
Galilee."
26:33But
Peter answered him, "Even if all will be offended by you, I will never be
offended."
26:34Jesus
said to him, "Most assuredly I tell you, that
tonight, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times."
26:35Peter
said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you."
All of the disciples also said likewise.
Peter thought that his devotion to Yah'shuah was so great that he wouldn't deny Yah'shuah no matter what, even if it meant that he had to die with Yah'shuah. In other words, Peter thought that his devotion to Yah'shuah was so great that even Yahweh's words in the Prophets would have to fall to the ground before he denied Yah'shuah.
Yah'shuah Relied On Yahweh's
Word Rather Than On Peter Strong Reassurance
Yah'shuah, relying on Yahweh's word, reaffirmed what he had said, for no word of Yahweh falls to the ground. What he says is what comes to pass. In other words, Yah'shuah told Peter that he was wrong - his devotion to Yah'shuah wasn't as great as he thought it was, and certainly wasn't greater than causing Yahweh's words to fall to the ground! In this case it appears that Peter overestimated his abilities or devotion to Yah'shuah.
Peter Accompanied Yah'shuah To
Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-46 reads,
26:36Then
Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go there and pray." 26:37He took with him Peter and the two sons of
Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled. 26:38Then he said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay
here, and watch with me."
26:39He
went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away
from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire."
26:40He
came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour? 26:41Watch and pray,
that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the
flesh is weak."
26:42Again,
a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, "My
Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be
done." 26:43He came
again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 26:44He left them again, went away, and prayed
a third time, saying the same words. 26:45Then
he came to his disciples, and said to them, "Sleep
on now, and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is
betrayed into the hands of sinners. 26:46Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at
hand."
Again, when Yah'shuah wanted only a small group of his disciples to accompany him, it was Peter and the two sons of Zebedee that he took with him. Peter was indeed close to Yah'shuah.
Yah'shuah Treated Peter As The
Leader Of His Inner Core Of Disciples
26:40 shows that Yah'shuah treated Peter as the leader of even the small group of disciples. For when he came to address them, it is Peter, in particular, that he addressed, suggesting that greater responsibility lay with Peter, even as it does on a leader.
Peter Desired To Obey
Yah'shuah Even When He Didn't Succeed In So Doing
Yah'shuah's words show that even though Peter desired to obey Yah'shuah's words he didn't succeed on this occasion. For his flesh was weak, even though his spirit was willing.
[Previous Section] [Contents] [Next Section]
Click here to inform a friend about this article
Return to Servants of Yahweh Site Contents page.
© 2000, Isaac Aluochier, All rights reserved. Published by Servants of
Yahweh,