Sun,
Sep 21
1. THE CHARACTER OF PETER
a. When Simon first came to Jesus, what did the Master say to him? John 1:42. What do we know of Peter’s character prior to his conversion?
“The eye of Christ rested upon [Peter], reading his character and his life history. His impulsive nature, his loving, sympathetic heart, his ambition and self-confidence, the history of his fall, his repentance, his labors, and his martyr death—the Saviour read it all”—The Desire of Ages, p. 139.
“It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ.”—Ibid., p. 382.
b. Despite his defects, what invitation did Jesus offer Peter? Matthew 4:18, 19.
“It was after Isaiah had beheld the holiness of God and his own unworthiness that he was entrusted with the divine message. It was after Peter had been led to self-renunciation and dependence upon divine power that he received the call to his work for Christ.”—Ibid., p. 246.
Mon,
Sep 22
2. THE FALLIBILITY OF PETER
a. What fact reveals that Peter was fallible like any other human, even after the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost? Galatians 2:11–14.
“[Peter] won the confidence of many by his prudent conduct toward the Gentile converts. For a time he acted in accordance with the light given from heaven. He so far overcame his natural prejudice as to sit at table with the Gentile converts. But when certain Jews who were zealous for the ceremonial law, came from Jerusalem, Peter injudiciously changed his deportment toward the converts from paganism. A number of the Jews ‘dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.’ This revelation of weakness on the part of those who had been respected and loved as leaders, left a most painful impression on the minds of the Gentile believers. The church was threatened with division.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 198.
b. What lesson can we learn from the mistakes and the rehabilitation of Peter? Psalm 145:14.
“Peter saw the error into which he had fallen, and immediately set about repairing the evil that had been wrought, so far as was in his power. God, who knows the end from the beginning, permitted Peter to reveal this weakness of character in order that the tried apostle might see that there was nothing in himself whereof he might boast. Even the best of men, if left to themselves, will err in judgment. God also saw that in time to come some would be so deluded as to claim for Peter and his pretended successors the exalted prerogatives that belong to God alone. And this record of the apostle’s weakness was to remain as a proof of his fallibility and of the fact that he stood in no way above the level of the other apostles.
“The history of this departure from right principles stands as a solemn warning to men in positions of trust in the cause of God, that they may not fail in integrity, but firmly adhere to principle. The greater the responsibilities placed upon the human agent, and the larger his opportunities to dictate and control, the more harm he is sure to do if he does not carefully follow the way of the Lord and labor in harmony with the decisions arrived at by the general body of believers in united council.”—Ibid., pp. 198, 199.
Tue,
Sep 23
3. PETER NOT THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH
a. What does Jesus say about the foundation of the church? Matthew 16:16–19.
“The truth which Peter had confessed is the foundation of the believer’s faith. It is that which Christ Himself has declared to be eternal life. But the possession of this knowledge was no ground for self-glorification. Through no wisdom or goodness of his own had it been revealed to Peter. Never can humanity, of itself, attain to a knowledge of the divine. . . .”
“The word Peter signifies a stone—a rolling stone. Peter was not the rock upon which the church was founded. The gates of hell did prevail against him when he denied his Lord with cursing and swearing. The church was built upon One against whom the gates of hell could not prevail.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 412, 413.
b. Like Peter, what did other prophets and apostles declare concerning the true foundation of the church? Isaiah 28:16; 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Peter 2:3–6.
“In the presence of God, and all the heavenly intelligences, in the presence of the unseen army of hell, Christ founded His church upon the living Rock. That Rock is Himself—His own body, for us broken and bruised. Against the church built upon this foundation, the gates of hell shall not prevail. . . .
“For six thousand years, faith has builded upon Christ. For six thousand years the floods and tempests of satanic wrath have beaten upon the Rock of our salvation; but it stands unmoved.
“Peter had expressed the truth which is the foundation of the church’s faith, and Jesus now honored him as the representative of the whole body of believers. He said, ‘I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’
“ ‘The keys of the kingdom of heaven’ are the words of Christ. All the words of Holy Scripture are His, and are here included. These words have power to open and to shut heaven.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 413.
Wed,
Sep 24
4. THE FALL AND REHABILITATION OF PETER
a. Explain Peter’s greatest defect of character. Mark 14:27–29.
“For each of the classes represented by the Pharisee and the publican there is a lesson in the history of the apostle Peter. In his early discipleship Peter thought himself strong. Like the Pharisee, in his own estimation he was ‘not as other men are.’ . . . Peter did not know his own danger. Self-confidence misled him. He thought himself able to withstand temptation; but in a few short hours the test came, and with cursing and swearing he denied his Lord.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 152.
b. How did Jesus deal with this presumptuous disciple? Luke 22:31, 32.
“When the crowing of the cock reminded him of the words of Christ, surprised and shocked at what he had just done he turned and looked at his Master. At that moment Christ looked at Peter, and beneath that grieved look, in which compassion and love for him were blended, Peter understood himself. He went out and wept bitterly. That look of Christ’s broke his heart. Peter had come to the turning point, and bitterly did he repent his sin. He was like the publican in his contrition and repentance, and like the publican he found mercy. The look of Christ assured him of pardon.
“Now his self-confidence was gone. Never again were the old boastful assertions repeated.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 152–154.
c. After His resurrection, what did Jesus ask Peter? John 21:15–17. Why did Jesus repeat this three times—and how did Peter answer? Luke 22:31, 32.
“[Peter] had dishonored Christ, and had incurred the distrust of his brethren. They thought he would not be allowed to take his former position among them, and he himself felt that he had forfeited his trust. Before being called to take up again his apostolic work, he must before them all give evidence of his repentance. Without this, his sin, though repented of, might have destroyed his influence as a minister of Christ. The Saviour gave him opportunity to regain the confidence of his brethren, and, so far as possible, to remove the reproach he had brought upon the gospel.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 811.
Thu,
Sep 25
5. CONFIRMED IN THE MINISTRY
a. Name some key characteristics of discipleship. Colossians 1:10, 11; 3:12–14. What can we learn from the way Christ dealt with Peter?
“The gospel makes no compromise with evil. It cannot excuse sin. Secret sins are to be confessed in secret to God; but, for open sin, open confession is required. The reproach of the disciple’s sin is cast upon Christ. It causes Satan to triumph, and wavering souls to stumble. By giving proof of repentance, the disciple, so far as lies in his power, is to remove this reproach.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 811.
“The Saviour’s manner of dealing with Peter had a lesson for him and for his brethren. It taught them to meet the transgressor with patience, sympathy, and forgiving love. Although Peter had denied his Lord, the love which Jesus bore him never faltered. Just such love should the undershepherd feel for the sheep and lambs committed to his care. Remembering his own weakness and failure, Peter was to deal with his flock as tenderly as Christ had dealt with him.
“The question that Christ had put to Peter was significant. He mentioned only one condition of discipleship and service. ‘Lovest thou Me?’ He said. This is the essential qualification. Though Peter might possess every other, yet without the love of Christ he could not be a faithful shepherd over the Lord’s flock. Knowledge, benevolence, eloquence, gratitude, and zeal are all aids in the good work; but without the love of Jesus in the heart, the work of the Christian minister is a failure.”—Ibid., p. 815.
Fri,
Sep 26
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How might I, like Peter, be misjudging my own character?
2. How can I avoid the defect of character manifested by Peter?
3. What lessons can I learn from Peter’s fall and rehabilitation?
4. After Christ’s resurrection, why did Christ need to ask Peter a pointed question in front of his brethren—and what should we learn from this?
5. Explain the foundation on which Christ built His church, and identify the keys of the kingdom of heaven.