What characterized Peter from the rest of the apostles?

Author: BibleAsk Team


The Actions that characterized Peter

Simon Peter, the apostle of Jesus, was characterized by a courageous and also impulsive nature. These characteristics were especially demonstrated in the following instances:

  1. Being a natural-born leader, Peter became the spokesman for the disciples of Jesus (Matthew 15:15, 18:21, 19:27; Mark 11:21; Luke 8:45, 12:41; John 6:68, 13:6-9, 36).
  2. During the sea storm, he asked the Lord Jesus to bid him walk on the water (Matthew 14:28-29)—and when he took his eyes off Jesus he began to sink (verse 30) and later was rescued by the Lord.
  3. He first confessed Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” a truth which Jesus said was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 16:16-17).
  4. He attempted to rebuke Jesus for speaking of His death (Matthew 16:22) and was rebuked by the Lord (verse 23).
  5. At the transfiguration, he suggested building three tabernacles to honor Moses, Elijah, and Jesus (Matthew 17:4) as he saw God’s glory (verses 5-6).
  6. To defend Jesus, He drew his sword and attacked the servant of the high priest (John 18:10) and was immediately asked by the Lord to hide his weapon (verse 11).
  7. He boasted that he would never forsake the Lord, even if everyone else did (Matthew 26:33) but later denied that he even knew the Lord 3 times (verses 70-74) of this, he repented with tears.
  8. On the day of Pentecost, Peter was the main speaker to the crowd in Jerusalem (Acts 2:14).
  9. He preached boldly before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4) and was not afraid of the threats, beatings, and imprisonment (Acts 5).
  10. He didn’t wish to share the gospel with the gentiles (Cornelius) at first but the Holy Spirit showed him his mistake and he then understood that “God does not show favoritism” (Acts 10:34). After that, he defended the Gentiles’ position as believers and taught that they did not need to conform to Jewish laws (Acts 15:7-11).
  11. Peter wrote two epistles, 1 and 2 Peter.
  12. Jesus predicted that Peter would die a martyr’s death (John 21:18-19). This prophecy was fulfilled during Nero’s reign.

Check out our Bible Answers page for more information on a variety of topics.

In His service,
BibleAsk Team

Leave a Comment