Peter: From denial to bold proclamation
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Searching the Scriptures
Preacher Eugene Jenkins
Rockford Church of Christ
Today’s Scripture: Acts 2:14-40
Practical Application: Growth leads to action.
Action Statement: Today I will strive to grow in knowledge and understanding, and thereby boldly speak and act as Jesus expects!
GROWTH – NOT OPTIONAL: Spiritual growth is not optional if we are to be pleasing to God! We have seen this very clearly in our study of Peter. His being impulsive, outspoken, bold, enthusiastic, and energetic did him little good until he grew to understand his Master’s message and plan.
Having understood this, and thus having overcome so much, he stressed the great need for such growth in both of his inspired letters. In his first Peter said, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (I Peter 2:2).
In his second letter he pointed to our personal responsibility to grow to the point that we can be sure of our salvation; “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (II Peter 1:10-11).
BOLD PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD: “In the early days of the Church (Acts 1-2), Peter appeared as the spokesman of the apostolic group, but there is no hint that he assumed any authority not also exercised by the other apostles.” (“The Zondervan Pictorial Dictionary,” Merrill C. Tenney, Zondervan)
“But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said unto them…” (Acts 2:14)! The people needed to be convicted of their guilt of putting to death the Son of God. Finally Peter’s boldness, enthusiasm and energy, combined with his understanding, were in their proper place, and he declared the crucified Christ and their guilt unto them (Acts 2:14-40)!
He had overcome Satan and had become the servant Jesus expected him to be, feeding His sheep as he had been instructed (John 21:15-17)! About 3,000 obeyed the gospel that day, and the Lord added them to His church (Acts 2:38).
Throughout the ages many more have been added by heeding Peter’s recorded sermon. Have you obeyed his divine teaching? If you will do so, Christ will add you to His church, too! Why don’t you obey today?
HIS WRITING: He was well qualified to write on the subjects of perseverance, patience and hope, for time and again he was mistreated, threatened, imprisoned, and beaten, but never again did he deny the Lord.
HIS LAST DAYS: “Tradition uniformly asserts that Peter went to Rome, that he labored there, and there in his old age suffered martyrdom under Nero. The embellished tradition that he was bishop of Rome for 25 years is contrary to all NT evidence” (Ibid).
The Bible reveals nothing of his last years and death, other than the implication by Jesus, in John 21:18-19, that he would die a violent death.
Eugene Jenkins is the preacher at Rockford Church of Christ, located on U.S. Hwy. 231 south of Dollar General. He invites you to worship with us on Sundays, with Bible study at 9 a.m. and worship at 10 a.m. Study with us as we continue to Search the Scriptures!
