Thus far we observed 4 events that made Peter, Peter: A call, a new identity, an unsettling revelation, a refining moment, so here we come to #5 – Faith like a Rock, which sealed Peter’s destiny in history and as a follower of Jesus.

On the Jewish day of Pentecost (Shavuot) marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:1-12.

An “amazed” crowd gathered trying to understand the curious miracle. It’s a spectacular if not bizarre event, a critical moment. But some in the crowd are taunting. They are mocking, having fun. Peter knows better! It is here in the felt presence of a real FOE, Peter is provoked to speak out with conviction. I wonder if Jesus’ words still echoed in his mind: “SATAN has asked to sift you all as wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.” (Lk 22:31)

Peter explained the phenomenon to everyone. And his address that day is a prototype of the gospel and sums up the core of the gospel message. Find it here —https://www.ioutreachinc.org/resources/what-is-the-gospel/

This impactful message brought him into standing as spokesman for all the believers of that era. In truth, Peter was exhibit ‘A’ – from cowardice to bravery!

Then in Acts 3, a lame man at the Temple begs for a donation; In place of a donation, Peter healed him! The resulting stir provided opportunity for Peter to again preach Jesus; then he is arrested. Standing before the legal authorities, Peter issued one of the strongest testimonies; and despite their intimidation, he answered in no uncertain terms: Jesus is the Christ! His Faith was like a rock.

His courage only became greater as he faced questioning, persecution, jail, and more. Yet he continued to declare the gospel, saying “we must obey God, rather than men.” An amazing individual, Peter led the Jerusalem church in its early formation; he guided it through persecution into the transition stage. Then in Acts 15, he preached his last recorded sermon. There, he wisely counselled the Church through yet another transition – the difficult cultural transition from law to grace saying, “God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted [the Gentiles] by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us…Now then why do you try to test God by putting on them a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?”

The church was at a crossroads! Would it be God’s plan or the national culture that would take precedence? Peter marked out the clear distinction.

Those who wanted to preserve the traditions and codify the golden calf resisted, stubbornly insisting on a salvation dependent on rituals. Even so, God’s redemptive plan was fulfilled in that “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ (the Lamb of God) not counting people’s sins against them, and [He] has committed to us (believers everywhere) the message of reconciliation.” (2 Cor 5:19)

Now through Christ, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you (the redeemed) are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28). So it is today. In Him, there are ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE from every land, nationality, language, race, and economic status. And they all worship at Jesus’ feet, calling him Lord. Few if any other major religions in the world have any such evangelizing passion to reach outside their own culture. But as Isaiah prophesied (Isa 9:2) “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

See, God cherry picked the Jewish people through whom He would bless ALL the world (Gen 12:1-3). It was His purpose from the beginning as recorded by faithful Jewish scribes! And in the fullness of time, Jesus came with an inclusive message reaching all nations! Thanks be to God! Peter was immovable. Faith like a rock speaks out with conviction and lives are being changed by it today!   iOi

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PS. On top of all this, the Father pledges to be faithful still to Israel (see Eze 36:22-28; Rom 11)! Amazingly Wonderful! Give Him praise! For questions or comments, email me: [email protected]