GODLY MEN OF THE BIBLE

7. PETER

Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. When Jesus called to Peter one day when he was fishing, Peter left his nets and followed Jesus. Peter first confessed that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” in Matthew 16:16. Peter was known to be brash and impulsive, but he loved Jesus with great devotion and was one of the three disciples present at the transfiguration, along with John and James (Matthew 17:1–8). Peter declared that he would never leave Jesus (Matthew 26:33); but later, out of fear for his life, he denied three times that he even knew Jesus.

Peter wept bitterly over his denial of Jesus, but Jesus forgave him. Peter went on to become a bold preacher for Christ, giving the first public sermon at Pentecost where thousands were filled with the Holy Spirit and confessed faith in Christ as their saviour (Acts 2:14–41).