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When Simon joined the [[apostles]], he was thirty years of age. He was [[married]], had three children, and lived at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethsaida Bethsaida], near [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capernaum Capernaum]. His brother, [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_apostles#139:1._ANDREW.2C_THE_FIRST_CHOSEN Andrew], and his [[wife]]'s [[mother]] lived with him. Both Peter and Andrew were [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisherman fisher] [[partners]] of the sons of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebedee Zebedee].

When Simon joined the [[apostles]], he was thirty years of age. He was [[married]], had three children, and lived at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethsaida Bethsaida], near [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capernaum Capernaum]. His brother, [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_apostles#139:1._ANDREW.2C_THE_FIRST_CHOSEN Andrew], and his [[wife]]'s [[mother]] lived with him. Both Peter and Andrew were [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisherman fisher] [[partners]] of the sons of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebedee Zebedee].

[[The Master]] had known Simon for some time before [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_apostles#139:1._ANDREW.2C_THE_FIRST_CHOSEN Andrew] presented him as the second of the [[apostles]]. When [[Jesus]] gave Simon the name Peter, he did it with a smile; it was to be a sort of nickname. Simon was well known to all his [[friends]] as an erratic and [[impulsive]] fellow. True, later on, [[Jesus]] did attach a new and significant import to this lightly bestowed nickname.

[[The Master]] had known Simon for some time before [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_apostles#139:1._ANDREW.2C_THE_FIRST_CHOSEN Andrew] presented him as the second of the [[apostles]]. When [[Jesus]] gave Simon the name Peter, he did it with a smile; it was to be a sort of nickname. Simon was well known to all his [[friends]] as an erratic and [[impulsive]] fellow. True, later on, [[Jesus]] did attach a new and significant import to this lightly bestowed nickname.

<center>For lessons attributed to the '''''Apostle Peter''''', follow [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Peter,_the_Apostle this link].</center>

<center>For lessons attributed to the '''''Apostle Peter''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Peter,_the_Apostle this link].</center>

Simon Peter was a man of [[impulse]], an [[optimist]]. He had grown up permitting himself freely to indulge strong [[feelings]]; he was constantly getting into [[difficulties]] because he [[persisted]] in [[speaking]] without [[thinking]]. This sort of thoughtlessness also made incessant trouble for all of his [[friends]] and associates and was the cause of his receiving many mild [[rebuke]]s from his Master. The only reason Peter did not get into more trouble because of his thoughtless [[speaking]] was that he very early learned to talk over many of his [[plans]] and [[schemes]] with his [[brother]], [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]], before he ventured to make [[public]] [[proposals]].

Simon Peter was a man of [[impulse]], an [[optimist]]. He had grown up permitting himself freely to indulge strong [[feelings]]; he was constantly getting into [[difficulties]] because he [[persisted]] in [[speaking]] without [[thinking]]. This sort of thoughtlessness also made incessant trouble for all of his [[friends]] and associates and was the cause of his receiving many mild [[rebuke]]s from his Master. The only reason Peter did not get into more trouble because of his thoughtless [[speaking]] was that he very early learned to talk over many of his [[plans]] and [[schemes]] with his [[brother]], [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]], before he ventured to make [[public]] [[proposals]].

Peter was a fluent [[speaker]], [[eloquent]] and [[dramatic]]. He was also a [[natural]] and [[inspirational]] [[leader]] of men, a quick [[thinker]] but not a deep reasoner. He asked many questions, more than all the [[apostles]] put together, and while the [[majority]] of these questions were good and relevant, many of them were thoughtless and [[foolish]]. Peter did not have a deep [[mind]], but he knew his mind fairly well. He was therefore a man of quick [[decision]] and sudden [[action]]. While others talked in their astonishment at seeing [[Jesus]] on the beach, Peter jumped in and swam ashore to meet [[the Master]].

Peter was a fluent [[speaker]], [[eloquent]] and [[dramatic]]. He was also a [[natural]] and [[inspirational]] [[leader]] of men, a quick [[thinker]] but not a deep reasoner. He asked many questions, more than all the [[apostles]] put together, and while the [[majority]] of these questions were good and relevant, many of them were thoughtless and [[foolish]]. Peter did not have a deep [[mind]], but he knew his mind fairly well. He was therefore a man of quick [[decision]] and sudden [[action]]. While others talked in their astonishment at seeing [[Jesus]] on the beach, Peter jumped in and swam ashore to meet [[the Master]].

The one trait which Peter most admired in [[Jesus]] was his [[supernal]] [[tenderness]]. Peter never grew weary of [[contemplating]] [[Jesus]]' forbearance. He never forgot the lesson about forgiving the wrongdoer, not only seven times but seventy times and seven. He [[thought]] much about these impressions of [[the Master]]'s forgiving [[character]] during those [[dark]] and dismal days [[immediately]] following his thoughtless and unintended [[denial]] of [[Jesus]] in the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_184#184:2._PETER_IN_THE_COURTYARD high priest's courtyard].

The one trait which Peter most admired in [[Jesus]] was his [[supernal]] [[tenderness]]. Peter never grew weary of [[contemplating]] [[Jesus]]' forbearance. He never forgot the lesson about forgiving the wrongdoer, not only seven times but seventy times and seven. He [[thought]] much about these impressions of [[the Master]]'s forgiving [[character]] during those [[dark]] and dismal days [[immediately]] following his thoughtless and unintended [[denial]] of [[Jesus]] in the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_184#184:2._PETER_IN_THE_COURTYARD high priest's courtyard].

Simon Peter was distressingly vacillating; he would suddenly swing from one [[extreme]] to the other. First he refused to let [[Jesus]] [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_179#179:3._WASHING_THE_APOSTLES.27_FEET wash his feet] and then, on hearing the Master's reply, begged to be washed all over. But, after all, [[Jesus]] knew that Peter's faults were of the head and not of the [[heart]]. He was one of the most inexplicable combinations of [[courage]] and cowardice that ever lived on [[earth]]. His great [[strength]] of [[character]] was [[loyalty]], [[friendship]]. Peter really and truly [[love]]d [[Jesus]]. And yet despite this towering [[strength]] of [[devotion]] he was so unstable and inconstant that he [[permitted]] a servant girl to tease him into denying his Lord and Master. Peter could withstand [[persecution]] and any other form of direct [[assault]], but he withered and shrank before [[ridicule]]. He was a [[brave]] soldier when facing a frontal [[attack]], but he was a fear-cringing coward when [[surprised]] with an assault from the rear.

Simon Peter was distressingly vacillating; he would suddenly swing from one [[extreme]] to the other. First he refused to let [[Jesus]] [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_179#179:3._WASHING_THE_APOSTLES.27_FEET wash his feet] and then, on hearing the Master's reply, begged to be washed all over. But, after all, [[Jesus]] knew that Peter's faults were of the head and not of the [[heart]]. He was one of the most inexplicable combinations of [[courage]] and cowardice that ever lived on [[earth]]. His great [[strength]] of [[character]] was [[loyalty]], [[friendship]]. Peter really and truly [[love]]d [[Jesus]]. And yet despite this towering [[strength]] of [[devotion]] he was so unstable and inconstant that he [[permitted]] a servant girl to tease him into denying his Lord and Master. Peter could withstand [[persecution]] and any other form of direct [[assault]], but he withered and shrank before [[ridicule]]. He was a [[brave]] soldier when facing a frontal [[attack]], but he was a fear-cringing coward when [[surprised]] with an assault from the rear.

Peter was the first of [[Jesus]]' [[apostles]] to come forward to defend the [[work]] of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_apostles#139:5._PHILIP_THE_CURIOUS Philip] among the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaritan Samaritans] and [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]] among the [[gentiles]]; yet later on at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioch Antioch] he reversed himself when [[confronted]] by ridiculing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaritan#Rejection_by_Judeans Judaizers], temporarily withdrawing from the [[gentiles]] only to bring down upon his head the fearless denunciation of [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]].

Peter was the first of [[Jesus]]' [[apostles]] to come forward to defend the [[work]] of [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_apostles#139:5._PHILIP_THE_CURIOUS Philip] among the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaritan Samaritans] and [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]] among the [[gentiles]]; yet later on at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioch Antioch] he reversed himself when [[confronted]] by ridiculing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaritan#Rejection_by_Judeans Judaizers], temporarily withdrawing from the [[gentiles]] only to bring down upon his head the fearless denunciation of [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]].

He was the first one of the [[apostles]] to make wholehearted [[confession]] of [[Jesus]]' combined [[humanity]] and [[divinity]] and the first—save [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_apostles#139:12._JUDAS_ISCARIOT Judas]—to deny him. Peter was not so much of a [[dreamer]], but he disliked to [[descend]] from the clouds of [[ecstasy]] and the [[enthusiasm]] of [[dramatic]] indulgence to the plain and matter-of-[[fact]] world of [[reality]].

He was the first one of the [[apostles]] to make wholehearted [[confession]] of [[Jesus]]' combined [[humanity]] and [[divinity]] and the first—save [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_apostles#139:12._JUDAS_ISCARIOT Judas]—to deny him. Peter was not so much of a [[dreamer]], but he disliked to [[descend]] from the clouds of [[ecstasy]] and the [[enthusiasm]] of [[dramatic]] indulgence to the plain and matter-of-[[fact]] world of [[reality]].

In following [[Jesus]], [[literally]] and figuratively, he was either [[leading]] the [[procession]] or else trailing behind—" following afar off. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Mark#Chapter_14] But he was the outstanding [[preacher]] of the twelve; he did more than any other one man, aside from [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]], to [[establish]] [[the kingdom]] and send its [[messengers]] to the four corners of the [[earth]] in one [[generation]].

In following [[Jesus]], [[literally]] and figuratively, he was either [[leading]] the [[procession]] or else trailing behind—" following afar off. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Mark#Chapter_14] But he was the outstanding [[preacher]] of the twelve; he did more than any other one man, aside from [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]], to [[establish]] [[the kingdom]] and send its [[messengers]] to the four corners of the [[earth]] in one [[generation]].

After his rash denials of [[the Master]] he found himself, and with [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_apostles#139:1._ANDREW.2C_THE_FIRST_CHOSEN Andrew]'s [[sympathetic]] and [[understanding]] [[guidance]] he again led the way back to the fish nets while the [[apostles]] tarried to find out what was to happen after the [[crucifixion]]. When he was fully [[assured]] that [[Jesus]] had [[forgiven]] him and knew he had been received back into [[the Master]]'s fold, the fires of [[the kingdom]] burned so brightly within his [[soul]] that he became a great and saving light to thousands who sat in [[darkness]].

After his rash denials of [[the Master]] he found himself, and with [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_apostles#139:1._ANDREW.2C_THE_FIRST_CHOSEN Andrew]'s [[sympathetic]] and [[understanding]] [[guidance]] he again led the way back to the fish nets while the [[apostles]] tarried to find out what was to happen after the [[crucifixion]]. When he was fully [[assured]] that [[Jesus]] had [[forgiven]] him and knew he had been received back into [[the Master]]'s fold, the fires of [[the kingdom]] burned so brightly within his [[soul]] that he became a great and saving light to thousands who sat in [[darkness]].

After leaving [[Jerusalem]] and before [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]] became the [[leading]] spirit among the [[gentile]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Christianity Christian churches], Peter traveled extensively, visiting all the churches from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon Babylon] to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinth Corinth]. He even visited and ministered to many of the churches which had been raised up by [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]]. Although Peter and [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]] differed much in [[temperament]] and [[education]], even in [[theology]], they worked together [[harmoniously]] for the upbuilding of the churches during their later years.

After leaving [[Jerusalem]] and before [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]] became the [[leading]] spirit among the [[gentile]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Christianity Christian churches], Peter traveled extensively, visiting all the churches from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon Babylon] to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinth Corinth]. He even visited and ministered to many of the churches which had been raised up by [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]]. Although Peter and [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]] differed much in [[temperament]] and [[education]], even in [[theology]], they worked together [[harmoniously]] for the upbuilding of the churches during their later years.

Something of Peter's style and teaching is shown in the [[sermons]] partially recorded by [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Acts_of_the_Apostles Luke] and in the [[Gospel of Mark]]. His vigorous style was better shown in his letter known as the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=1st_Letter_of_Peter First Epistle of Peter]; at least this was true before it was subsequently altered by a [[disciple]] of [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]].

Something of Peter's style and teaching is shown in the [[sermons]] partially recorded by [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Acts_of_the_Apostles Luke] and in the [[Gospel of Mark]]. His vigorous style was better shown in his letter known as the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=1st_Letter_of_Peter First Epistle of Peter]; at least this was true before it was subsequently altered by a [[disciple]] of [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]].

But Peter [[persisted]] in making the mistake of trying to convince the [[Jews]] that [[Jesus]] was, after all, really and truly the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism Jewish Messiah]. Right up to the day of his [[death]], Simon Peter continued to suffer [[confusion]] in his [[mind]] between the [[concepts]] of [[Jesus]] as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism Jewish Messiah], [[Christ]] as the world's redeemer, and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] as the [[revelation]] of [[God]], the loving [[Father]] of all [[mankind]].

But Peter [[persisted]] in making the mistake of trying to convince the [[Jews]] that [[Jesus]] was, after all, really and truly the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism Jewish Messiah]. Right up to the day of his [[death]], Simon Peter continued to suffer [[confusion]] in his [[mind]] between the [[concepts]] of [[Jesus]] as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism Jewish Messiah], [[Christ]] as the world's redeemer, and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] as the [[revelation]] of [[God]], the loving [[Father]] of all [[mankind]].