Jesus Washing St. Peter's Feetby Ford Madox Brown

Simon of Bethsaida

• St.Peter's original name was Simon, sometimes occurring in the form Symeon.

• He was the son of Jona (Johannes) and was born in Bethsaida a town on Lake Genesareth, it is usually thought at the northern end of the lake.

• The Apostle Andrew was his brother, and the Apostle Philip came from the same town.

• Simon settled in Capharnaum, where he was living with his mother-in-law in his own house at the beginning of Christ's public ministry (about A.D. 26-28).

• Simon was married and had children.

Peter becomes a disciple• After their first meeting Peter, with the other early

disciples remained with Jesus for some time, accompanying Him to Galilee, Judaea, and Jerusalem, and through to Samaria and back to Galilee.

• Here Peter resumed his occupation of fisherman for a short time, but soon received the definitive call of the Saviour to become one of His permanent disciples.

"Come ye after me, and I will make you to be fishers of men". On the same occasion the sons of Zebedee were called (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20;

Luke 5:1-11). • After preaching the Sermon on the Mount and curing the

son of the centurion in Capharnaum, Jesus came to Peter's house and cured his wife's mother, who was sick of a fever (Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:29-31).

Growing prominence among the Twelve

• Among the Twelve Peter soon became conspicuous. Though of irresolute character, he clings with the greatest fidelity, firmness of faith, and inward love to the Saviour; rash alike in word and act, he is full of zeal and enthusiasm, though momentarily easily accessible to external influences and intimidated by difficulties.

While journeying along with His Apostles, Jesus asks them: "Whom do men say that the Son of man is?" The Apostles

answered: "Some John the Baptist, and other some Elijah, and others Jeremiah,

or one of the prophets". Jesus said to them: "But whom do you say that I

am?" Simon 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 [Kipha, a rock], and upon

this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will

give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind

upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it

shall be loosed also in heaven".

Peter becomes Head of the Apostles

• In especially solemn fashion Christ accentuated Peter's precedence among the Apostles. After Peter had recognised Him as the Messiah, He promised that he would be head of His flock.

• Jesus was then dwelling with His Apostles in the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi, engaged on His work of salvation.

The Leadership of Peter

• Peter undoubtedly leads the first Jerusalem church.

• He is the first witness of the resurrection (I Cor. 15:5; cf. Mark 16:7).

• He leads in the gathered community before Pentecost (Acts 1:15ff.), and is the first preacher thereafter (Acts 2:14ff.)

• The representative preacher of the early chapters of Acts (3:11ff.; 4:8ff.).

• He presides in judgment (Acts 5:1ff.; 8:20ff.).

• Paul regards him as a "pillar" of the early church (Gal. 2:9).

Understanding that Christ believes and love us despite our weak but sincere faith and frailty. That is why

Peter would write to the Christians of his community, and he says it also to us:

“Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe

in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you

obtain the salvation of your souls.”

(1 Peter 1:8-9)

• The First Pope.

• Martyred

• Crucified head downward because he claimed he was not worthy to die in the same manner as Christ.

• Against frenzy• Bakers• Butchers• Clock makers• Cobblers• feet problems• Fever• Fishermen• Longevity

• People named Peter• Popes/Papacy• Foot problems • Harvesters• Poznan Poland • Rome• Shoemakers• Universal Church• Watch makers • Locksmiths

• A man holding a key or keys

• A man crucified head downwards

• A man robed as a pope and bearing keys and a double-barred cross

• Keys or a book

• A bald man, often with a fringe of hair on the sides and a tuft on top