Peter was one to speak. A chart of his life shows his ups and downs. Even at the beginning, he made strong statements. After having fished all night and caught nothing, Jesus told them to cast their nets out again into the deep. Peter said Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. Peter agreed just because Jesus said it. They caught so many fish that the net broke. Peter fell at Jesus’ feet and said depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. Jesus said Simon fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Peter, James and John followed the Lord.
In the first lesson, Jesus and the disciples were at Caesarea Philippi. Jesus asked whom do men say that I the Son of man am? Peter was the one to speak up and said thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Here in John he says just about the same thing, but he adds a little; he’s a step higher. A little while later, Jesus told them he’d be crucified and rise on the third day. Peter declared that it wouldn’t happen. Jesus responded by saying get thee behind me, Satan. At the Last Supper, Jesus said they would all forsake him. Peter vowed he never would; he said he’d die for Jesus. After this declaration, Jesus told Peter that before the cock crowed he would deny him three times.
Up and down Peter went. In a matter of hours he huddled with the servants of the High Priest. He bottomed out. After the resurrection, one of the first people Jesus appeared to was Peter. In Acts 1, Jesus ascended. The people gathered, about 120 of them, and Peter was the one who stood and asked for the position of Judas to be filled. He quoted the Psalms. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Peter reasoned it out. Then at Pentecost, it was Peter who stood before the people.
John 6: 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Peter did have his ups and downs, but he did voice his persuasion. On occasion he spoke when he shouldn’t. Doesn’t his life seem familiar? He’s bold on occasion, but on occasion he’s ashamed. He was human and had his weak moments just like we do. He even clashed with Paul now and then. The early church was not perfect, but it was not God’s fault. People are not perfect. In Matthew, Peter spoke from his heart and soul. He was persuaded that Jesus was the Son of God. With this belief came a life-long commitment. They left their nets and followed the Lord. This is what we need—faith that produces commitment. No doubt the disciples heard Jesus teach the same things many times as he traveled from town to town. It should have taken them deeper in their faith and trust. That’s what happens when we read the Word time and time it again. It constantly speaks to us.
In John 6, Jesus fed 5,000 and taught a lesson about being fed. He likened himself and what he would do to the manna which came down from heaven. He told them he was the Bread of Life and that unless they ate of his flesh and drank of his blood they didn’t have life. At this teaching, many gave it up. Being a Christian means we must deny ourselves. It’s not always an easy path. Trials are meant to make us stronger. These couldn’t take it. After so many left, Peter spoke again.
They were in Jesus’ home area. He looked at the ones who stayed and asked if they were going to leave too? We need to stick with Jesus now more than ever. Others may leave, but that doesn’t mean we have to. Jesus let the disciples know they had a choice to stay or leave. We must remember that if we cave in or get slack, we may leave the Lord.
Peter spoke from an already made-up mind. He had already made his decision. When Jesus asked if they were going to leave, Peter said to whom shall we go. His voice spoke his decision. Let’s have this attitude. Don’t wait until tested to decide. Decide now before hard times come. Peter used logic. There was no one else to go to. That’s the kind of persuasion we need. In Matthew, it was personal. In John, it was encouraging; it was exemplary. The others didn’t say anything. Peter spoke for himself and them. We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. He stepped out for them. WE are sure. His testimony had grown. He was an encourager and example. I have a responsibility to be so persuaded that you can be strengthened by my faith. It’s one reason we come together. We draw strength from each other. We can be a blessing. Our persuasion helps others. Our faithfulness encourages others.
Thousands gathered at Pentecost. The gospel was heard in every language. In Acts 2:14 it was Peter who stood. His message was as clear as the gospel gets. God used the same Jesus and made him Lord and Christ.
Acts 2: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
The people were willing to believe. Peter told them to repent. His persuasion came through. It became the guiding light of the gospel. His voice—the same voice that spoke personally, then spoke for the disciples—spoke out and explained how salvation works. He was able to speak the gospel because he was persuaded. When we pray for the Lord to make us a better witness, we should anchor ourselves in the Word. The more solid we are spiritually, the more able we are to lead others to the Lord.
Is there hope for people today? Yes! The gospel is still here. It’s still the same. The medium to get it out is you and me. Our voices are needed. The only way our voices will work is if we’re persuaded. Our goal should be to say the right thing from a right heart at the right time.
People will only be as persuaded as we are. Let’s be fully persuaded.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 