What The Church Needs: Peter

What The Church Needs: Peter

     There are many examples in Scripture of godly men fulfilling their call and glorifying God. They serve as models; albeit, they are imperfect ones. However, they can teach us many truths both by their positive and even their negative actions. We look to these men only in an effort to project their emulative characteristics back onto us, realizing all the time that they are mere men, and sinful men at that (except, of course, Christ Jesus). We can learn; we must learn from those who have gone before. We look at these men and examples of the past in order to reform the present. Ultimately, however, we must look to Christ. We know looking back throughout the Bible that Christ was active within his people. As we look back on them, we are actually focused on Christ and his work then to better our now. So, what do we need?

Peter (Acts 3:12-26)

We need a Peter-like boldness, repentance, and proclamation saturated with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Peter was far from being perfect. In fact, before the resurrection of Christ, there is not much about him worth emulating. Christ changed that; he changed him. A glimpse with the risen Savior changes everything. Peter did not just have a glimpse; he had days and weeks with the Lord of Glory. The early chapters in the book of Acts reflect this. Peter is a changed man. The man who previously denied the Savior began to preach him openly. The man who exhibited cowardice was transformed and grew bold in his mission.

     Peter serves as an example to the church today. He was an egregious sinner (not unlike us). He denied knowing the God Man. He repented, Christ restored him, and then he was commissioned and sent to preach the gospel. Thousands were converted at the preaching of Peter. God was gracious in forgiving and using him. We need to ask ourselves if our lives are characterized by repentance and godly sorrow for sin. Leaders need to pray for broken and contrite hearts. Beg God for repentance. Ask him for conviction.

      Not only was Peter repentant, but he was bold as well. When Peter preached, he proclaimed the truth. He condemned men of their sins. He was honest and confronted the people in his hearing with the reality of their iniquity. Early in Acts, he told his listeners that they crucified God's servant, Jesus (Acts 3:13). Peter certainly did not hold back; he did not believe in sugar-coating the gospel message. He put the blame squarely on the shoulders of the guilty. Peter spoke of God glorifying himself through the life and atoning death of Jesus (Acts 3:13). He mentioned how they rejected Jesus and asked for a murderer in his place (Acts 3:14). Repentance was urged upon the audience; they were told to turn from their sin and return to God (Acts 3:19). Peter was bold, forthright, honest, and truthful. These traits are not very common in pulpits today. Where are the preachers that will call sin by its name, exhort their people to repent, not be fearful, and preach Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and his coming again? These traits are not very common in the pews either. Where are the believers who live repentantly before the Lord and share their faith? Where are the Christians whose lives reflect being with the Lord? Where indeed. Have mercy on us, oh Lord!