Simon Peter's Strengths And Weaknesses

Simon Peter, a noble leader of the twelve apostles and author of two well known epistles in the New testament, was not so magnificent in his earlier life. Peter was a fisherman who was called by Jesus to be a disciple of his, but not just any disciple, but was called "a rock " by Jesus. However he had his weaknesses, but that would not stop Jesus from transforming him into the amazing "rock" seen in Acts and the pillar of the early church he would soon become.

Before he was called Peter, he was known as Simon. Simon was from Bethsaida, and made a prosperous living in the fishing industry just outside of Capernaum along with his brother Andrew. Andrew told him if Jesus Christ and brought Simon to see Jesus in person at his baptism. When

they met, Jesus called Simon to be a disciple and named him Peter which means "a rock", Peter at the time was not aware of the great plans Jesus had in store for him. Not long after, Jesus came over to Peter and his brother as they were washing their nets and asked them to let out their nets over the boats. The occupation of a fisherman was long and hard and required a lot of perseverance, but when they did what Jesus had asked, their nets filled with so many fish the boats started to sink, and peter at the sight of this great miracle, fell down at Jesus' knees and said " depart from me, for I am a sinful man, o lord." but Jesus told them to not be afraid and that he would make them fishers of men, after that peter left everything and followed him.

Although he was called “a rock”, Peter had his weaknesses, he was very emotional, proud, impetuous in his actions and very unstable. All of which are shown after the betrayal of Jesus when he boasted that even when all the apostles would deny Jesus, he himself would never do such a thing, But Jesus humbled him when he foretold his denial. After he had done exactly what Jesus foretold he would do, Peter realized what he had done and he wept, showing his emotional and unstable side. When Jesus was crucified, peter like the other apostles fled, and hid. But despite Peter’s weaknesses, Jesus saw in him great courage, conviction and affection. Although Peter did not quite possess these strengths in himself, the Holy Spirit would soon transform him.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he commanded Peter to feed his sheep, and peter received the holy spirit, empowering him with the ability to perform miracles, not only did he receive power from the holy spirit but it also transformed him giving him new strength and courage and a complete change of heart.

Peter was not lazy to fill out the great instructions given to him. His growth is shown in acts, where Peter was a leader and spokesman among 120 believers on Pentecost, went on several missions alongside Paul where he performed miracles and converted thousands of souls. Although he had the Holy spirit, peter's job was not an easy one, but for his preaching of the word, he was put on trial, arrested and beaten for his works, but despite the suffering he went through, god put to use his perseverance from being a fisherman. Peter not only preached alongside his fellow apostles, but became a predominant leader, they often looked to Peter when it came to decision making. He was not just a leader of the apostles, but is also considered a pillar of the early church, and wrote two epistles by his own name in the New Testament.

Although Simon Peter had his weaknesses, Jesus called him to do great things for his church, and though Peter was not during Jesus' time on earth, the lord transformed him giving him strength to fill out his great commission. Jesus worked many miracles, he made blind men see, lame men walk, even rose people from the dead, but the miracle the Lord

worked in Peter is a perfect example of the kind of worked in our lives.