Biography of St. Peter the Apostle

Saint Peter emerges as a central figure in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. Peter’s original name was Simon, and he was a fisherman by trade from the town of Bethsaida in Galilee. He and his brother St. Andrew had been disciples of John the Baptist.  It was Andrew who brought Simon to the first memorable meeting with Christ. From that moment until the end of his life, Peter occupied a place of preeminence among the followers of Christ.

St. Peter was selected by our Lord Himself to be the Chief of Apostles and the Head of His Church. Jesus told him that he would be called Cephas, which means rock. The English form is Peter.

St. Peter was present at all the important events of Christ’s public life, beginning with the marriage feast at Cana. After the initial gathering of the Apostles they went back for a time to their occupations until the final call to be fishers of men.

Throughout the Gospels, Peter is depicted as one of Jesus’s closest companions, often present at significant events such as the Transfiguration and the raising of Jairus’s daughter. Peter’s bold and impulsive personality is evident in his interactions with Jesus, including his famous confession at Caesarea Philippi, where he acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah.

However, Peter also experiences moments of doubt and failure, most notably when he denies Jesus three times during his trial before the crucifixion. Despite this, Peter’s faith is ultimately restored, and he plays a crucial role in the early Christian community. In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter emerges as a leader, preaching boldly on the day of Pentecost and performing miracles in Jesus’s name.

Peter’s journey as recorded in the Bible provides valuable insights into his character, faith, and leadership within the early Christian movement. His experiences serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement for believers throughout the ages, emphasizing the importance of humility, perseverance, and trust in God’s grace.

 

4 Lessons on Faith from St. Peter the Apostle

There are many lessons we could learn about what it means to be Christian from St. Peter, the rock of the church. Below are 4 key lessons to reflect upon to help improve your own faith life and follow the holy example set by Saint Peter:

1) Trust God’s Plan

For Peter, the final call to follow the Lord was a dramatic one. The crowds were pressing about our Lord near the Lake of Genesareth. He saw two boats nearby. He got into the one that was Peter’s and did His preaching from the boat. When He had finished speaking He told Peter and his companions to go out into the deep water and to lower their nets. The astonished Peter said: “Master, the whole night through we have toiled and have taken nothing, but at thy word I will lower the net.” The result was an immense catch that filled both boats so that they were almost sinking.

When Peter saw what had happened he fell at the feet of Jesus and said: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Jesus reassured Peter, saying: “Do not be afraid; henceforth thou shalt catch men.” Peter and his companions – Andrew, James, and John – brought their boats to shore, left all things, and followed Him. Much of Peter’s nature is shown in the words he used on this occasion: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” In these words we find impetuosity, humility, and self-sacrificing love.

The last thing in the world that Peter really wanted was for our Lord to depart, but he was so aware of his own unworthiness that the words just tumbled out.

2) Have courage to profess the truth

As Peter was first among the Apostles in so many other respects, so he was also the first to recognize the divinity of Christ. “But who do you think that I am?” our Lord asked him. Without hesitation, Peter answered: “Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Our Lord replied with these solemn words: “Blessed art thou Simon Bar Jona, because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it: and I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever thou shalt bind on earth, it shall be bound in heaven; and whatever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed in heaven.”

Once when our Lord spoke to the crowd about the Blessed Sacrament He said He would give them His body to eat and His blood to drink. Many in the crowd found this disgusting and unbelievable, and they turned away from Christ. Our Lord then said to Peter: “Will you go also?”

Peter’s faith and his matchless loyalty are seen in his reply: “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” When Jesus foretold His approaching passion, Peter would have home of it. “Lord, be it far from thee,” he exclaimed. “This shall not be to thee.”

Our Lord rebuked Peter for opposing God’s plans. Peter the rebuke, but he was not cured of his impetuosity.

3) Live by faith and not by sight

After a day of hard work, the Apostles had went out to sea at the command of the Lord. A terrible storm came up and seemed that the boat would sink. When they saw Jesus coming to them over the water, the impetuous Peter called out: “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee over the water.” Then he plunged into the overpowering waves in his eagerness to reach his Lord.

After the Transfiguration, the enthusiastic Peter cried out: “Lord let us build here three tabernacles: one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias.” Jesus restrained him with the words: “Tell the vision to no one…”

At the Last Supper when Christ was about to wash the feet of the Apostles, Peter was shocked and said: “Thou shalt never wash my feet.” When our Lord said that this was necessary if they were to continue their companionship, Peter exclaimed: “Not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.”

After the Last Supper, when our Lord sorrowfully announced: “This night all you will be scandalized in me,” Peter was quick with a reply: “Although all should deny thee, I will never deny thee.”

4) Accept Humility

In the Garden of Gethsemane that night, when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, it was the impetuous Peter who drew a sword and struck off the ear of Malchus. Our Lord restored the ear. Later that night, after all his protestations of loyalty, Peter vehemently denied that he knew Jesus. Then he shed such bitter tears of repentance that furrows were worn in his cheeks. Some years later Peter insisted that St. Mark include the story of the denial, with all its humiliating details, in the Gospel that Mark was writing.

This was an act of self-imposed penance on the part of the contrite Apostle. Peter knew he had sinned grievously in denying Christ, but his faith was too great for him to despair of our Lord’s mercy. Our Lord, in turn, loved Peter too much to deprive him of his privileges Peter was the first to enter the empty tomb on Easter morning and he was the first of the Apostles to whom the Lord appeared.

After the descent of the Holy Spirit it was Peter, inspired by the marvels that had just taken place, who preached the first sermon. Three thousand Jews were converted as a result. It was also Peter who performed the first miracle in the newly founded Church; to a cripple who asked alms he said: “Gold and silver, I have none, but what I have I will give you. In the name of Jesus Christ, arise and walk.” And the cripple rose and leaped for joy. After a second sermon, which resulted in the conversion of 5,000 people.

5) Live Courageously in Faith

Peter was arrested, along with John, and was ordered to preach no more. Peter replied: “Whether it is just to obey you rather than God, be yourselves the judges.” The prisoners were dismissed. Peter went to Antioch where he remained as bishop for seven years. Then he went back to Jerusalem where he was arrested, put into prison, and heavily chained.

An angel released Peter from his chains and opened the prison doors for him. It seemed only natural that Peter, the first of the Apostles, should eventually make his headquarters in Rome, the first city of the Empire. For the remainder of his life he was the Bishop of Rome, and ever since then the Bishop of Rome, as the successor of St. Peter, has been the visible head of the Church. He preached as boldly in Rome as he had in Jerusalem, and there were many converts.

A persecution broke out, and the Catholics of Rome begged Peter to leave the city while there was yet time. They told him that he must save himself because the young Church needed his leadership. According to a beautiful legend, Peter halfheartedly directed his steps from the city. He had not gone far when he beheld Christ coming toward him. Peter exclaimed: “Master, where are you going?” Our Lord answered: “To Rome to be crucified again.” Then he disappeared.

Peter realized that Christ was being crucified in His Church and that he should stand by the Church. He turned around and went back into Rome. Peter was captured, put into prison, and sentenced to death. Tradition says that he was sentenced to be crucified and that, at his own request, he was crucified upside down because he was not worthy to die in the same manner as his Savior.

What a welcome to heaven the divine Master must have accorded to this courageous, humble, contrite, devoted Apostle, St. Peter!

 

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Saints Similar to St. Peter the Apostle

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Paul the Apostle. St. Peter and St. Paul, both apostles of Jesus, are often linked together in Christian tradition. They played significant roles in spreading Christianity and are celebrated as important figures in the early Church. Next up: Biography of St. Petronille

 

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