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I have been given this opportunity tonight as a follow up on your lesson on [[self]] [[forgiveness]], for I am the perfect example of that great need which every person, to some extent or another, has within himself: the need to [[understand]] how God's love both [[transcends]] and uplifts our own self love and consequent self forgiveness.

I have been given this opportunity tonight as a follow up on your lesson on [[self]] [[forgiveness]], for I am the perfect example of that great need which every person, to some extent or another, has within himself: the need to [[understand]] how God's love both [[transcends]] and uplifts our own self love and consequent self forgiveness.

Without going on at great length I would simply remind you of some key points in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter my own history]. The first point was, I never [[expected]] to err as I did! Even though [[Jesus]] told me that before the cock crowed I would deny him three times,([[181:2|181:2.29]]) those words did not enter my [[soul]]! They barely entered my mind. I was sure, with all the [[enthusiasm]] of my impetuous nature, than nothing could bring me to deny my Master! We were all in [[shock]] that night when Jesus said there was a [[betrayer]] in our midst. But we didn't [[understand]], then, who it was and our self [[doubt]] manifested as we each said, "Is it I, Lord?" Yet, when it came my turn to question I really couldn't [[conceive]] that I would deny our Lord Jesus and [[shamefully]] deny either knowing him, his message, or my fellow [[apostles]].

Without going on at great length I would simply remind you of some key points in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter my own history]. The first point was, I never [[expected]] to err as I did! Even though [[Jesus]] told me that before the cock crowed I would deny him three times,([[181:2|181:2.29]]) those words did not enter my [[soul]]! They barely entered my mind. I was sure, with all the [[enthusiasm]] of my impetuous nature, than nothing could bring me to deny my Master! We were all in [[shock]] that night when Jesus said there was a [[betrayer]] in our midst. But we didn't [[understand]], then, who it was and our self [[doubt]] manifested as we each said, "Is it I, Lord?" Yet, when it came my turn to question I really couldn't [[conceive]] that I would deny our Lord Jesus and [[shamefully]] deny either knowing him, his message, or my fellow [[apostles]].

Consider the [[irony]] of it, my friends! Was I in front of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilate Pilate], being [[accused]] of being a follower of this man? Was I in front of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caiaphas Caiaphas] when I made my [[denial]]? Oh, no, a teasing servant girl was sufficient stimulus to bring my instinctive, animalistic desire for self preservation to the point that, without thinking, the words came out of my mouth...the first time! Then, having heard myself say it, the second time I had [[knowledge]] aforethought; and yet I still continued to profess non-involvement with this one charged as a [[criminal]], as a [[blasphemer]] against [[Israel]]. It was a horrible time, for at the same moment that my [[animal nature]] asserted itself my [[conscience]] and probably my [[Thought Adjuster]] were speaking too. The final, conclusive, [[conviction]] of sin came as I saw the face of my Master, whom I had denied, look upon me, not with [[anger]], but with great and profound [[pity]] and [[understanding]]. [Editor's note: The UB says "Pity, co-mingled with love"] I, Peter, the Rock, the chief spokesman, tumbled from my self appointed [[pedestal]] of spiritual [[pride]] to the depths of despair and [[humiliation]]!

Consider the [[irony]] of it, my friends! Was I in front of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilate Pilate], being [[accused]] of being a follower of this man? Was I in front of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caiaphas Caiaphas] when I made my [[denial]]? Oh, no, a teasing servant girl was sufficient stimulus to bring my instinctive, animalistic desire for self preservation to the point that, without thinking, the words came out of my mouth...the first time! Then, having heard myself say it, the second time I had [[knowledge]] aforethought; and yet I still continued to profess non-involvement with this one charged as a [[criminal]], as a [[blasphemer]] against [[Israel]]. It was a horrible time, for at the same moment that my [[animal nature]] asserted itself my [[conscience]] and probably my [[Thought Adjuster]] were speaking too. The final, conclusive, [[conviction]] of sin came as I saw the face of my Master, whom I had denied, look upon me, not with [[anger]], but with great and profound [[pity]] and [[understanding]]. [Editor's note: The UB says "Pity, co-mingled with love"] I, Peter, the Rock, the chief spokesman, tumbled from my self appointed [[pedestal]] of spiritual [[pride]] to the depths of despair and [[humiliation]]!

I so loathed what I had done that I was almost completely sure I could not be [[forgiven]]! Yes, I became fairly convinced that the appearances of Jesus that we were told about after [[his resurrection]] were real and that he didn't [[visit]] us because of me. ([[191:1]]) What minuscule [[understanding]] I had then of [[our Master]]'s love! How limited was my [[experience]] of his love that I could think that he would restrict [[communication]] with the others because of some problem with me! How self centered in my [[guilt]] and [[shame]]!

I so loathed what I had done that I was almost completely sure I could not be [[forgiven]]! Yes, I became fairly convinced that the appearances of Jesus that we were told about after [[his resurrection]] were real and that he didn't [[visit]] us because of me. ([[191:1]]) What minuscule [[understanding]] I had then of [[our Master]]'s love! How limited was my [[experience]] of his love that I could think that he would restrict [[communication]] with the others because of some problem with me! How self centered in my [[guilt]] and [[shame]]!

Ken: We are delighted, Daniel, Peter, that Peter was here to talk to us, to [[share]] his love for [[the Father]], and to share with us, show us an example of true [[freedom]]. Thank you, Peter, for being here. It was our delight to have you.

Ken: We are delighted, Daniel, Peter, that Peter was here to talk to us, to [[share]] his love for [[the Father]], and to share with us, show us an example of true [[freedom]]. Thank you, Peter, for being here. It was our delight to have you.

Peter(Bill): Thank you, Ken, for your welcome. You heard [[words]] which others had heard when I was still walking on [[this planet]], for I often told this to my friends and helped [[strengthen]] them, especially in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_centers_of_Christianity#Jerusalem Jerusalem church]. But those conversations have, of course, not been recorded. So, in the spirit of common [[apostleship]], I came tonight. Are there other comments that you want to address to me or to Daniel? Very well, Daniel will conclude our meeting. He requests that Bob transmit, if he wishes to.

Peter(Bill): Thank you, Ken, for your welcome. You heard [[words]] which others had heard when I was still walking on [[this planet]], for I often told this to my friends and helped [[strengthen]] them, especially in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_centers_of_Christianity#Jerusalem Jerusalem church]. But those conversations have, of course, not been recorded. So, in the spirit of common [[apostleship]], I came tonight. Are there other comments that you want to address to me or to Daniel? Very well, Daniel will conclude our meeting. He requests that Bob transmit, if he wishes to.

Daniel(Bob S.) I am Daniel, with you still. My friends, how [[awe]] struck we all are by the [[story]] of our brother, Peter. The story of his [[colleague]], Paul, is equally worthy of [[study]]. You, my friends, can learn from your [[elder]] brothers and hopefully not have to [[endure]] what they had to experience in order for [[the Master]] to get their [[attention]]. I suggest, as an assignment for the week, that you review what [[our textbook]] has to say regarding our brothers [[Paper 194|Peter and Paul]] and refresh your [[memories]] as much as necessary; but do it from your advantage of years and lessons and superior understanding. Yes, I say superior, for you are the product of 2,000 years of [[experience]] which Peter and Paul did not have. This puts us in a position of historical significance and greater understanding. Learn what you can from your brothers for their [[story]] is timeless. I will now close tonight's meeting. Will you stand and take each other's hands. Our brother Paul wishes to conclude with a word of [[prayer]].

Daniel(Bob S.) I am Daniel, with you still. My friends, how [[awe]] struck we all are by the [[story]] of our brother, Peter. The story of his [[colleague]], Paul, is equally worthy of [[study]]. You, my friends, can learn from your [[elder]] brothers and hopefully not have to [[endure]] what they had to experience in order for [[the Master]] to get their [[attention]]. I suggest, as an assignment for the week, that you review what [[our textbook]] has to say regarding our brothers [[Paper 194|Peter and Paul]] and refresh your [[memories]] as much as necessary; but do it from your advantage of years and lessons and superior understanding. Yes, I say superior, for you are the product of 2,000 years of [[experience]] which Peter and Paul did not have. This puts us in a position of historical significance and greater understanding. Learn what you can from your brothers for their [[story]] is timeless. I will now close tonight's meeting. Will you stand and take each other's hands. Our brother Paul wishes to conclude with a word of [[prayer]].