Peter and Jesus

Jesus chose Peter as one of his first disciples in initiating the Kingdom of almighty God.  And Peter, no doubt admired Jesus for His sharing of God's Gospel with the poor and repressed, for healing the sick and infirmed, and for declaring that we are His Friend when we listen and obey the Holy One.  No wonder when Jesus asked His followers who He was, Peter declared He was Lord and Christ, our savior in the midst, in other words.

Yet Peter became disappointed when Jesus reminded this ardent disciple that He needed to travel to Jerusalem to be arrested and eventually crucified for obeying His Father, God over all.  Eventually, God resurrected His Son who now serves us as our living Lord.  Eventually, thru the teachings of Christ Jesus, Peter acknowledged the importance of Jesus' spiritual
presence as One who teaches His disciples the meaningfulness of His teachings.  Yes, Christ lives and directs us in all facets of our lives; but we humans are required, as His original disciples were, to listen and fulfill His teachings.

Peter certainly did . . .  During Pentecost, Peter addressing Jesus' followers declared, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)

Like Peter, we need to recognize Jesus' presence - His power to bring us to His Kingdom where, in addition to obeying Him, we have the opportunity to serve in His glorious name.  This message was as vital to first century Christians as it is to us, today.

Peter moreover discerned in the ministry of Christ, that it is not necessary for a minister to be overly eloquent or particularly sagacious but speaks as God leads.  He writes, "if one ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, . . ." (1 Peter 4:11)

No doubt George Fox and other first generation Friends heard a similar message originating from the Lord.  That is why these 17th century ministers evangelized in the everlasting gospel.  Their listeners heard these preachers in the same power of God.

He can speak to us in the love He spoke to Peter. Let us, in turn, listen and obey the same voice.

02-09-2007

Acts 2:36, Peter in his address to the new converts at Pentecost declares most emphatically "That God has made this Jesus . . .  both Lord and Christ."

This refutes the contention that Jesus and Christ are separate beings.  To the contrary Christ Jesus is God's only begotten Son who in the power of His Father conveys the everlasting Truth, provided that we Christians are willing to receive His Ministry.

Some Christians unfortunately wish to question Jesus' love and power by claiming that our Lord and Savior no longer lives.  This contradicts much of the New Testament which speaks so eloquently of His Crucifixion and resurrection.

Along with Peter, may we proclaim that Jesus is our true Lord who, in the  telling words of George Fox "has come to teach His people Himself."  Truly He is the Word of God. 

- Arthur Berk
04-16-2007