By Elder Spencer W. Kimball
Today I wish to talk about my brother, my colleague, my
fellow apostle-Simon Barjona or Cephas or Peter the Rock.
Some time ago a newspaper in a distant town carried an
Easter Sunday religious editorial by a minister who stated
that the presiding authority of the early-day church fell
because of self-confidence, indecision, evil companions,
failure to pray, lack of humility, and fear of man. He then
concluded:
Let us as people, especially those who are Christians and
claim to abide by the Word of God, not make the same
mistakes and fall as Peter fell.
(Rev. Dorsey E. Dent, "A
Message for This Week.")
As I read this, I had some strange emotions. I was shocked,
then I was chilled, then my blood changed its temperature and began to boil. I
felt I was attacked viciously, for Peter was my brother, my colleague, my
example, my prophet, and God's anointed. I whispered to myself, "That is
not true. He is maligning my brother."
A Man with Vision
Then I opened my New Testament. I could find no such
character as this modern minister described. Instead, I
found a man who had grown perfect through his experi
ences and sufferings-a man with vision, a man of revela
tions, a man fully trusted by his Lord Jesus Christ.
I remember his sad, triple denial of his acquaintance with
the Lord in those terrifying, frustrating moments. I recall
his tearful repentance. Many times he was rebuked by the
Master, but he learned by experience and never seemed to
make the same error twice. I see a lowly fisherman,
untaught and untrained, climb gradually under the tutelage
of the best Teacher to the high pinnacle of great faith, bold leadership,
unwavering testimony, unparalleled courage, and almost limitless understanding.
I see the lay disciple become the chief apostle to preside over the Lord's
church and kingdom. I hear him breathing heavily as he laboriously climbs the
steep Mount of Transfiguration. Here he sees and
hears unspeakable things and has the transcendent experi
ence of being in the presence of his God, Elohim; Jehovah,
his Redeemer; and other heavenly beings.
His eyes had seen, his ears had heard, and his heart had
understood and accepted the wondrous happenings of the
days from the baptism of the Master in the waters of
Jordan to the ascension of his Redeemer from the Mount of
Olives.
I see this great church president assume leadership of the
church. I see the sick and infirm arise and leap to health
and normalcy. I hear his powerful sermons. I see him walk
steadily, unflinchingly to martyrdom and drink of its bitter cup.
But this sectarian minister belittled him, unmercifully
undercut him, and downgraded him.
Much of the criticism of Simon Peter is centered in his
denial of his acquaintance with the Master. This has been
labeled "cowardice." Are we sure of his motive in
that
recorded denial? He had already given up his occupation
and placed all worldly goods on the altar for the cause. If
we admit that he was cowardly and denied the Lord
through timidity, we can still find a great lesson. Has any
one more completely overcome mortal selfishness and
weakness? Has anyone repented more sincerely? Peter has been
accused of being harsh, indiscreet, impetuous, and fearful. If all these were
true, then we still ask, Has any man ever more completely triumphed over his
weaknesses?
The First Apostle
Good men were among the Lord's followers, yet Cephas
was chosen the number one. The Lord knew well the
guilelessness of Nathaniel, the tender love of John, the erudition of
Nicodemus, and the faithfulness and devotion of James and the other brethren.
Christ knew men's inner thoughts and saw their manifestations of faith. In
short, he knew men; yet he chose from all of them this great character who
possessed the virtues, powers, and leadership needed to give stability to the
church and to lead men to accept the gospel and follow truth.
When Christ chose this fisherman for his first and chief
apostle, he was taking no chances. He picked a diamond in
the rough-a diamond that would need to be cut, trimmed, and polished by
correction, chastisement, and trials-but nevertheless a diamond of real
quality. The Savior knew this apostle could be trusted to receive the keys of
the kingdom, the sealing and the loosing power. Like other humans, Peter might
make some errors in his developing process, but he would be solid, trustworthy,
and dependable as a leader of the kingdom of God. Even with so perfect a
teacher, it was difficult to learn the vast gospel plan in three years.
Peter inquired of Jesus:
Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what
shall we have therefore?
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye
which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son
of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve
thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:27-28.)
Is it conceivable that the omniscient Lord would give all
these powers and keys to one who was a failure or un
worthy?
If Peter was cowardly, how brave he became in so short a
time. Ifhe was weak and vacillating, how strong and posi
tive he became in weeks and months. If he was unkind, how
tender and sympathetic he became almost immediately. Responsibility as a refiner
and a purger usually takes time.
If Peter was frightened in the court when he denied his
association with the Lord, how brave he was hours earlier
when he drew his sword against an overpowering enemy,
the night mob. Later defying the people and state and
church officials, he boldly charged, "Him [the Christ]
... ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain." (Acts
2:23.) To the astounded populace at
the healing of the cripple at the Gate Beautiful, he .
exclaimed, "Ye men of Israel ... the God of our
fathers,
hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and
denied him in the presence of Pilate .... ye denied the Holy
One .... And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead;
whereof we are witnesses." (Acts 3:12-15.)
Does this portray cowardice? Quite a bold assertion for a
timid one. Remember that Peter never denied the divinity
of Christ. He only denied his association or acquaintance
with the Christ, which is quite a different matter.
Could it have been confusion and frustration that caused
Peter's denial? Could there still have been some lack of
understanding concerning the total unfolding of the plan?
Being a leader, Peter was a special target of the adversary.
As the Lord said:
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you,
that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not.
(Luke 22:31-32.)
Peter was under fire; all the hosts of hell were against
him. The die had been cast for the Savior's crucifixion. If Satan could destroy
Simon now, what a victory he would score. Here was the greatest of all living
men. Lucifer wanted to confuse him, frustrate him, limit his prestige, and
totally destroy him. However, this was not to be, for he was chosen for and ordained
to a high purpose in heaven, as was Abraham.
Peter followed the Savior to his trial and sat in the outer
court. What else could he do? He knew that many times the
Savior himself had escaped from the crowd by slipping out of their clutches.
Would he again do so?
Though the Lord taught of the coming crucifixion and
resurrection, neither Simon nor anyone else fully compre
hended his meaning. Was this so strange? Never before had
there been such a person or such an occurrence on the
earth. Millions today cannot understand the resurrection,
even though it has been preached for nineteen hundred
years as a reality with many infallible proofs. Could these
men, then, be criticized for not fully understanding this
frustrating situation?
Is it possible that there might have been some other reason
for Peter's triple denial? Could he have felt that circumstances justified
expediency? When he bore a strong testimony in Caesarea Philippi, he had been
told that "they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ."
(Matthew 16:20.)
When the three apostles came down from the Mount of
Transfiguration, they were again charged implicitly,
"Tell
the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again
from the dead." (Matthew 17:9.) Could Peter have felt
this was not the time to tell of Christ? He had been with his Lord in Nazareth
when the Savior was taken by his own people to the brow of the hill,
"whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But
he passing through the midst of them went his way." (Luke 4:29-30.) Surely
Peter did not think of this escape as cowardice but as wise expediency.
Christ's time was not come.
The Approaching
Crucifixion
When the Lord had spend some energy in attempting to
explain the coming crisis-"how that he must go unto
Jeru
salem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief
priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day"
-Peter attempted to dissuade the Savior from thinking of such calamity. (See
Matthew 16:21.) He was promptly chastised for suggesting escape from the
tragedy. Perhaps he should have understood that it was the Lord's will that the
dire happenings occur.
What this meant-that the hour was now come-Peter may
not have fully realized, but he was prohibited from
resisting the coming crucifixion by the Redeemer himself. Was he frustrated?
Perhaps for the moment, but how many of us in a hostile camp, totally helpless
to save, would champion the Lord under such circumstances, especially when
previous
efforts had been repulsed? Had not Peter single-handly
already raised his sword against a "great multitude
with
swords and staves"? (Matthew 26:47.) Had he not
attempted to defend the Lord from all the mob's manhand
ling and kidnapping, and was he not stopped by his Lord?
The Savior had walked calmly from Gethsemane's garden,
seemingly resigned to the inevitable sacrifice of himself. Simon had
courageously manifested his willingness to alone fight the great mob to protect
his Master. At the risk of death he had struck the contemptible Malthus and
sliced off his ear. But this act of bravery and personal disregard was stopped
by the Lord, who said to his loyal apostle:
Rut up again thy sword into his place: for all they that
take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he
shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:52-53.)
What more could Peter do? How else could he show his
loyalty and courage? Could it be that in these last hours
Peter realized that he should stop protecting his Lord, that
the crucifixion was inevitable, and that regardless of all
his acts, the Lord was moving toward his destiny? I do not know. I only know
that this apostle was brave and fearless.
Events followed each other in rapid succession. At
Gethsemane Peter was futilely trying to defend his Lord
one hour; in the next he was following the mob.
Apparently the Savior was voluntarily suffering men to
heap monumental indignities upon him. What should Peter do?
He boldly and meaningfully postulated to the Savior,
"Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet
will I never be offended." (Matthew 26:33.) To which the Lord replied,
"This night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice."
(Matthew 26:34.)
This was a critical moment. Peter's act of protection with
his sword-slashing had been after this prediction was made.
He had tried. He had seen one apostle betray his Master with a kiss, and his
Master had not repulsed him. Peter had been reminded that angels could be
summoned if protection was needed; he had been commanded to put away his sword.
Even now he did not desert his Master but followed sorrowfully behind the
jeering crowd. He would remain to the end. He likely heard every accusation,
saw every indignity heaped upon his Lord, felt all the injustice of the mock
trial, and noted the perfidy of false witnesses perjuring their souls. He saw
them foully expectorate in the face of the Holy One; he saw them buffet,
strike, slap, and taunt him. He observed the Lord making no resistance, calling
for no protective legions of angels, asking for no mercy. What was Peter to
think now?
His Denial
A smart aleck damsel accused Peter, "Thou also wast
with Jesus of Galilee." (Matthew 26:69.) What would his further defense of
the Lord accomplish in this situation? Would it displease Jesus? Would it only
destroy Peter himself without beneficial effect? Would Christ want him to fight
now, when he had denied him that privilege earlier that evening?
Then another maid announced to the bystanders and
villains, "This fellow was also with Jesus of
Nazareth."
(Matthew 26:71.) Peter replied, "I do not know the
man."
(Matthew 26:72.) And others, recognizing his Galilean
accent, declared, "Surely thou also art one of them;
for thy speech bewrayeth thee." (Matthew 26:73.)
What was he to do? Could he do more? What would have
been the result had he admitted his connection? Would he
have lived to preside over the church? Peter had seen the
Savior escape from crowds many times and hide from
assassins. Is it conceivable that Peter also saw advisable
advantage to the cause in his denial? Had Peter come to
fully realize the hidden meaning in the oft-repeated phrase
"Mine hour is not yet come" (John 2:4), and did he now understand
that "now is the Son of man glorified" (John 13:31)?
I do not pretend to know what Peter's mental reactions
were nor what compelled him to say what he did that
terrible night. But in light of his proven bravery, courage,
great devotion, and limitless love for the Master, could we
not give him the benefit of the doubt and at least forgive him as his Savior
seems to have done so fully. Almost immediately Christ elevated him to the
highest position in his church and endowed him with the complete keys of that
kingdom.
Simon Barjona did not have long to consider the matter or
change his decisions, for he now heard the cock crow twice and was reminded of
Christ's prediction. He was humbled to the dust. Hearing the bird's announcement
of the dawn reminded him not only that he had denied the Lord but also that all
the Lord had said would be fulfilled, even to the crucifixion. He went out and
wept bitterly. Were his tears for personal repentance only, or were they
mingled with sorrowful tears in realization of the fate of his Lord and Master
and his own great loss?
Only hours passed until he was among the first at the tomb
as the head of the group of believers. Only weeks passed until he was
assembling the saints and organizing them into a compact, strong, and unified
community. It was not long before he was languishing in prison, being beaten,
abused, and "sifted as wheat" as Christ had predicted. (See Luke
22:31.)
Of Humble Origin
Simon Peter, son of Jonas, began his matchless career under
most humble circumstances. A common operator of boats, a fisher of fish, and a
man once rated as "ignorant and unlearned," he climbed the ladder of
knowledge until he knew, as perhaps no other living person, his Father, Elohim;
the Son, Jehovah; and Christ's program and relationship with men. He was
spiritual and devout. He came without persuasion, probably walking every step
of the length of the major Jordan to hear the powerful sermons of the fearless
John the Baptist. Little did he know the great things in store for him. Here he
heard the voice of the prophet and may have been baptized by him.
Peter's brother, Andrew, declared, "We have found the
Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ."
(John
1:41.) They had undoubtedly heard John the Baptist de
clare, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the
sin of the world." (John 1 :29.) But to hear the voice of the living
Father, God, now acknowledge Jesus as his Begotten Son must have stirred this
humble fisherman to his foundations.
Simon Peter was ill prepared at this time to assume great
responsibility, but the Master knew his potential. On the
day of his call began the intensive training that was to
bring this humble man and his associates to great leadership, immortality, and
eternal life .
Simon Peter's education, both secular and spiritual, had
been limited, but now he followed the Master Teacher. He
heard the Sermon on the Mount; he stood with the
Redeemer in the boat and heard the masterful sermons to
the congregated people. He sat in the synagogues, listening
to the convincing and powerful statements of the Creator. The Scriptures were
unfolded as they traveled the dusty or rocky paths of Galilee. Surely, his
innumerable questions were answered by the Lord as they ate together,slept
together, and walked together. The hours were precious as rare jewels. He heard
the parables given to the people and learned the rich lessons therein.
Peter heard the constant flow of divinity in the ceaseless
unfolding of the way of life. He grasped many lessons
readily but had difficulty in understanding the experiences that had never
before occurred on earth. He perceived the darkening shadow and the lowering
clouds but could not fully comprehend their meaning. No personage in his experience
had ever given his life in this manner. No soul on earth had ever been
resurrected. It took time for these awesome truths to penetrate his mind. It
was hard for him to think of spiritual leadership only. Peter expected Christ
to take the sword and redeem Israel. But when Gethsemane was passed, when
Golgotha was a hard nightmare, when the Lord had risen and ascended, and when
the Comforter had come, the great compelling truth burst forth and was
impressed upon his mind. The miscellaneous tiles were now set into a beautiful
pattern. The mosaic was a glorious reality; and Peter, James and John and their
associates went forth to convert a hard, resisting world.
Peter was full of faith. He never faltered. From the day he
forsook his nets and boats, his feet never turned away. Even
in his moment of denial, he was as near to his Lord as he could be. Let him who
would be critical of this apostle put himself in the same place-among the
bitterest enemies, persecutors, and assassins-with a growing knowledge of the
futility of defending his Lord, whose hour had come. He who had forgiven his
crucifiers also forgave Peter who had denied him.
Peter was a man of faith. He healed the sick by their merely
passing through his shadow. Prison walls could not hold him. Because of him,
the dead came back to life. He walked upon the water. Though this was not a
total triumph, has any other human soul succeeded? Let him who would scoff at
Peter's momentary wavering try such a feat himself.
Simon Peter was humble. He recognized James and John,
who were with him on the Holy Mount and who shared
with him the sorrows of Gethsemane. Perhaps his first
official act, as presiding authority, was to call a
conference at which the saints were to have voice in filling the vacancy in the
Quorum of the Twelve. A new witness was chosen.
When the lame walked under the administration of Peter
and John and when the awestricken multitude gaped and
wondered, Peter gave credit to the God of Israel, saying,
"Why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our power
or holiness we had made this man to walk?" (Acts 3:
12.)
When Dorcas Tabitha lay dead, there was no display nor
ostentation. He simply "put them all forth, and kneeled
down, and prayed," and presented the living Tabitha
back
to her friends. (See Acts 9:40-41.)
He accepted threats, beatings, and calumny. He defied
those who condemned his Lord, saying, "We ought to obey
God rather than men." (Acts 5:29.) He charged them with the slaughter of
the Redeemer, then stood before them without flinching. He chastised the
sorcerer Simon, saying, "Thy money perish with thee." (Acts 8:20.) He
stood before his brethren and announced a major policy change in the church
whereby gentiles might be accepted.
Simon Peter was spiritual and prophetic. He received the
revelations concerning the church. Angels accompanied him in
and released him from the prison, and a great vision opened the door to
millions of honest souls.
His testimony was as the rock, his faith lUlwavering. The
Savior, abandoned by others, asked Peter, "Will ye also
go away?" (John 6:67.) Peter replied, "Lord, to whom shall we go?
thou hast the words of eternal life." (John 6:68.) Shortly before the
crucifixion, the Lord asked, "But whom say ye that I am?" (Matthew
16: 15.) The answer revealed from God expressed the power and character of
Peter: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew
16:16.) The Savior replied, "Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto
thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 16: 17.) Heavenly
messengers he had seen; martyrs he had accompanied; with the Son of God he had
lived. The Comforter had come, and never was there faltering or questioning in
his mind again.
Peter's Teachings
The teachings of Simon Peter are to all people, even to the
latest generation. He bore testimony constantly of the
divinity of the Christ. As he had been forgiven of his
weaknesses, he now urged all men to forgive. He urged the chaste and virtuous
life. He taught honesty and urged that members live in peace with the gentiles.
This apostle taught his people to honor kings, governments, and laws; to endure
grief, suffering, and buffeting patiently; and to consider revilement and
suffering for the Lord's sake a blessing. Perhaps he had seen much marital
unhappiness; for he commanded wives to be subject to and convert their
unbelieving husbands through their own goodness and meekness. He commanded the
husbands to honor their wives as partners, to love them, to be compassionate to
them, and to treasure them. He urged parents to be kind to children and the
posterity to honor and obey the parents. He urged employers to be honorable and
just with their workers and employees to give service willingly. He urged the
clean and constructive life and forbade company with rioters, winebibbers,
revelers, banqueters; idolaters, and lustful ones. He urged service in the
church, the sober life, a vigilant faith, and works leading toward perfection.
The great leader frequently repeated his testimony as an
eyewitness and an ear witness to spectacular and eventful
happenings. Foreshadowing the apostasy, he testified that
false teachers with damnable heresies would come after his
departing to deny the Lord and to make merchandise of the souls of men. (See 2
Peter 2: 1-3.) He placed the divine stamp of approval on the writings of the
O1d Testament and unfolded the history of the world, which covered the flood,
the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and other important events. Again and
again, he preached the law of
chastity and cleanliness and denounced the evils of sporting, feasting,
adultery, incontinence, and covetousness.
As he neared martyrdom, drinking a bitter cup somewhat
like his Master and Teacher, he made sure that the world
would know his witness and sureness. Sitting figuratively on
the brink of his grave, he made a solemn declaration which has been read by
countless millions. To the members of the church, he prayed that they might
have a "knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." (2 Peter I :2.) He
gloried in the "exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye
might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is
in the world through lust." (2 Peter 1:4.)
Peter continued:
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make
your calling and election sure ....
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle.
to
stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle,
even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my
decease to have these things always in remembrance.
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when
we made known unto you the power and coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received from God the Father honour and glory,
when there came such a voice to him from the excellent
glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we
were with him in the holy mount.
(2 Peter I: 10, 13-18.)
When his work was done, his testimony borne, his witness
delivered, his numbered days run out, Satan who had long desired him was now
permitted to take him in martyrdom. His testimony came from his dying lips.
But Simon Peter was not dead. Important changes came to
him-the dissolution of his body, but also the resurrection of his soul. With
his loyal associates, James and John, Simon Peter returned to the earth,
bridging the gap of darkened centuries. Together they appeared on the banks of
the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, where Peter delivered to the young
prophets the keys of the kingdom, which the apostles possessed from the Lord
Jesus Christ.
The apostle lives. The weak things of the world confounded
the wise. Millions have read his testimony. His powerful witness has stirred
multitudes. Through the countless ages of eternity, he will live and extend his
influence over the children of this earth. With his brethren, the Twelve, he
will judge the nations.
My young brothers and sisters, I hope that you can love and
accept the great prophet, Peter, as I feel in my heart to do. In the name of
Jesus Christ. Amen. (Speeches of the Year [Provo, Utah: Brigham Young
University Press, 1971], pp. 1-8.)
Article found in the New Testament Institute Manuel "The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles.
