Peter: Failure to Faith: Bible Character Series

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PETER: Failure to Faith  

2023 July 7

Written by Robert Lloyd Russell

Copyright © 2023 Robert Lloyd Russell

Website: BOOKSrlr (https:// www.booksrlr. com/)

All Rights Reserved Worldwide ~ Permission granted to quote small portions in any Christian assembly such as for use in preaching, small groups, bulletins, newsletters, and teaching materials when attribution included.

Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from:

NKJV ~ All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Other Scripture portions as noted are from:

AMP ~ Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP), Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987, 2015 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission.

NIV ~ The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission.

TLB ~ The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. The Living Bible, TLB, and the The Living Bible logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers.

MSG ~ Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

NLT ~ Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.

ESV ~ Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

NOTES: [1] For consistency and clarity, names and pronouns of God have been capitalized throughout including in Bible versions which do not follow that practice. [2] The author capitalizes three other words: Word when speaking of God’s Word; Church when speaking of the Church universal; and Cross when referring to the Cross of Calvary. [3] Italicized words and [bracketed words] in Scripture have been added by the author. [4] The author does not abbreviate the names of Bible books since abbreviations can be unknown to some readers. [5] The author chooses to use a lot of Scripture quotations based on his belief that the Word of God and the Spirit of God are the two dominant factors in changing lives and growing the lives of Christians.

We hope you enjoy this book. Robert Lloyd Russell’s goal is to provide high-quality, thought-provoking books that connect truth to real life needs and challenges. For more information on his other books based on Biblical interpretation and application, please visit his author’s website BOOKSrlr.

If you find value in this book, please consider writing an online review. The author would be grateful.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you

1 Peter 1:3-4 esv

Examples of Reader Responses

The writings of Robert Lloyd Russell have received a warm reception by a wide variety of people as seen in the quotes below. His books have received 11 national and international literary awards.

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☆☆☆☆☆ He writes clearly so that the material is easily understood by both clergy and laity... Very edifying to read. —William J. Petersen: Emeritus Senior Acquisitions Editor for Baker Book House and Fleming H. Revell.

☆☆☆☆☆ I loved the book... It is very well written and very understandable. —Bob G., inmate

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☆☆☆☆☆ First there was Tozer with The Knowledge of the Holy, and then Packer gave us Knowing God, and now Russell has taken us further. —Dr. Earl D. Radmacher, General Editor, Nelson Study Bible/New King James Study Bible [regarding eBook "GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight / print book GOD LIGHT: Sunlight Sonlight"]

☆☆☆☆☆ The definitive work on Psalm 1:3. Mr. Russell has a tremendous gift for analogy. The most impressive thing is the way he has built off of existing undeniable Scriptural concepts. I am very impressed with his use of certain Scriptures, such as with regard to trees being deceptive in appearance... His work is very interesting, very clear, and intensely practical. —Ronald B. Allen, Senior Professor of Bible Exposition, Dallas Theological Seminary [regarding eBook "GOD’S CHILD: Like a Tree"]

To

All God’s Children

Who Acknowledge

Their Inconsistent

Spiritual Walk

PART 1

PETER’S

IMPORTANCE

Overview

1

Peter, Paul, & Mary

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This book can easily be a fast read. Due to small segments, it can also be used for daily devotions or in short segments by busy individuals. For scholars it can be the basis for a lengthy personal study. Small groups use it as a spur to discussions. Whatever your choice, enjoy as you read and reflect!

Approximately half of this book covers the life of Peter as seen in the four Gospels while the second half is about his ministry as recorded in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.

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The music group Peter, Paul, and Mary holds a special place in American culture.

In the Bible, Peter, Paul, and Mary hold special places in the Biblical record.

The apostles Peter and Paul, along with Mary, are arguably the most influential characters in the New Testament. Each was chosen for very specific tasks at divinely appointed times.

Mary

Chosen to be the virgin mother of Jesus Christ. How would you like to be scandalized at the same time you are given the task of raising the Son of God?

"To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a Son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus (Luke 1:27-31, Douay-Rheims).

"And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy (Luke 1:41-44 Douay-Rheims).

A key to understanding Mary’s role is the twice-repeated phrase "blessed art thou among women." There is no place in Scripture that elevates Mary to being above other women. Yes, she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus Christ—The Messiah, but she is never elevated above other women.

Mary was chosen by God for a very important specific task at a divinely appointed time.

Paul

Saul (later Paul) was the most notorious persecutor of the early Christians. But one day his life of evil was reversed.

"Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord...

"As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’ ...

"And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

"And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized...

So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus (Acts 9:1-19).

Saul made a miraculous and complete turnabout: from persecuting Christians to soon preaching Jesus Christ.

His initial ministry was to his fellow Jews and the resulting Jewish Christians. Later he was an extremely significant part of the early Gentile Christian churches. His three missionary journeys are well studied throughout Christendom today.

More of the New Testament was written by the Apostle Paul than by any other writer.

Paul was chosen by God for a very important specific task at a divinely appointed time.

Peter

Peter, like Paul, was well known for denying the truth of who Jesus Christ is. Yet later he became the first leader of the Gentile Christian Church.

Arguably his greatest moment was his important great confession:

"And Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and He asked His disciples, saying: ‘Whom do men say that the Son of Man is?’

"But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them: ‘But whom do you say that I am?’

"Simon Peter answered and said: ‘Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.’

"And Jesus answering, said to him: ‘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" (Matthew 16:13-18 Douay-Rheims).

The phrase upon this rock I will build My Church is very important. The Church would be and is being built upon the rock-solid truth that Jesus Christ is "the Son of the living God."

Late in his life Peter wrote two epistles which are part of the canon of Scripture.

Peter was chosen by God for a very important specific task at a divinely appointed time.

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THINK AND GROW

~1~ If you are a Christian, you have been chosen by God for a very specific purpose while you live your earthly life.

~2~ Do you understand your God-given specific role?

~3~ If not, are you willing to regularly read the Scripture and earnestly seek God’s direction in prayer?

~4~ If you do know your God-given mission, how well are you doing?

2

Peter & Paul

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The apostles Peter and Paul were the two primary leaders of the early Church.

We find that while Peter and Paul were contemporaries, their spiritual journeys were very different in many ways. This is true today as each believer’s life will be significantly different from each other – but with similarities.

The recordings in Scripture of Peter’s and Paul’s lives and ministries show many remarkable similarities and clear differences. In this chapter we look at twenty parallels and a few clear differences.

Then and now, believers share common goals of spreading the Gospel to others and doing everything (in all parts of their lives) in a way that brings glory to God.

Similarities

[1] Both Peter and Paul were Jews.

~ Peter ~

Peter was a Jewish commercial fisherman from the town of Capernaum on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen (Matthew 4:18, also see 8:5-14).

~ Paul ~

Paul was not only a Jew but also a Roman citizen by birth. He was from the town of Tarsus in Cilicia.

Paul said to them, ‘They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.’ And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans (Acts 16:37-38).

Paul said, ‘I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people’ (Acts 21:39).

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[2] Both Peter and Paul were known by additional names.

~ Peter ~

"He brought him [Peter] to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, ‘You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas’ (which is translated, A Stone)" (John 1:42).

~ Paul ~

"Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him" (Acts 13:9).

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[3] Both Peter and Paul were chosen by God for His service.

~ Peter ~

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him (Matthew 4:18-20).

~ Paul ~

But the Lord said to him [Paul], ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:6).

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[4] Both Peter and Paul were Apostles.

~ Peter ~

"Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter" (Matthew 10:2a).

~ Paul ~

"For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my [Paul] ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles" (Galatians 2:8 niv).

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[5] Both Peter and Paul were commissioned by the Lord Himself.

~ Peter ~

"So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’

"He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’

"He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’

"Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.’ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me’" (John 21:15-19).

~ Paul ~

"But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he [Paul] is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake’" (Acts 9:15-16).

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[6] Both Peter and Paul had dark times in their lives.

~ Peter ~

Towards the end of the record of Peter’s three denials we read:

"But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are saying!’ Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Word of the Lord, how He had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ So Peter went out and wept bitterly" (Luke 22:60-62).

~ Paul ~

As for Saul, he made havoc of the Church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison (Acts 8:3).

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[7] Both Peter and Paul were filled with the Spirit at times.

~ Peter ~

"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:1-4a).

~ Paul ~

"And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17).

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[8] Both Peter and Paul proclaimed that Jesus was their Messiah.

~ Peter ~

Therefore let the whole house of Israel recognize beyond all doubt and acknowledge assuredly that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (the Messiah) — this Jesus Whom you crucified (Acts 2:36 amp).

Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’ (Matthew 16:15).

~ Paul ~

Explaining and setting forth and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, This Jesus, Whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ (the Messiah) (Acts 17:3 amp).

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[9] Both Peter and Paul were hesitant to minister to Gentiles.

~ Peter ~

"The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean’" (Acts 10:9-14). As we will see, this was a call for Peter to go to the Gentiles.

~ Paul ~

"Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ So I said, 'Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles’" (Acts 22:17-21).

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[10] Both Peter and Paul performed miracles.

~ Peter ~

"Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed" (Acts 5:16).

~ Paul ~

"And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, ‘Stand up straight on your feet!’ And he leaped and walked" (Acts 14:8-11).

"Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them" (Acts 19:11-13).

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[11] Both Peter and Paul healed men that were lame from birth.

~ Peter ~

"Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, ‘Look at us.’ So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them — walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who