723. JOH 21:18, JOH 21:19. HISTORY OF PETER[NO. III.]

Joh_21:18, Joh_21:19. History of Peter

[No. III.]

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldst; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldst not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me."’97Joh_21:18, Joh_21:19.

We now enter on that part of the history of Peter, subsequent to the resurrection of our blessed Lord. We have had him reinstated in his office and work. His commission is renewed, and he is called upon by Christ, to "feed both his sheep and lambs." It is not certain whether Christ intended more by the commission he gave Peter, than that he should supply the flock of believers with spiritual aliment, or whether he was specially designated as the apostle to the Jews, as Paul afterwards was to the Gentiles, or uncircumcision. But we purpose in this lecture to consider the apostle Peter, in the various striking spheres in which Divine providence placed him, in connection with his labors in the cause of Jesus.

Observe him, then,

I. As acting ecclesiastically in calling the brethren to fill up the number of the apostleship.

By the apostasy and awful end of Judas, a deficiency was made in the number of the apostles; Act_1:15, &c. Here the qualifications of the apostle are distinctly stated; verges 21 and 22. We then find that by lot, in connection with solemn prayer, this important matter was settled.

Observe Peter,

II. As opening the kingdom of heaven to the Jews on the day of pentecost, and also to the Gentiles.

Pentecost signifies "fifty;" and this day was the fiftieth from the passover, and also from the death of Jesus.

Now Christ’s promise of the Holy. Spirit is ratified; Act_1:4 to Act_1:8. Now for the first time was the gospel emphatically proclaimed. Now the declaration of Jesus is fulfilled. "Thus it was written," &c.: Luk_24:46, Luk_24:47. Also the predictions of the Psalmist; 110th Ps. The preacher was Peter. The substance of his sermon is recorded in the 2nd of Acts. The sermon was most powerful and convincing. It excited in their hearts a deep sense of guilt, remorse, and intense anxiety, what they should do. Peter then proclaimed Christ;. Luk_24:37, Luk_24:38. The door of the kingdom of heaven was now thrown wide open, and three thousand were the firstfruits gathered into it on this occasion.

Shortly after this we see Peter confirming his ministry by restoring, in connection with John, the lame man at the gate of the temple; Act_3:1-6, &c.; and in connection with the miracle, again preaching Christ to the people, from the 8th verse to the end of the chapter. See the opening of the Divine kingdom to the Gentiles, by Peter: Act_10:44.

Observe Peter,

III. In, the presence of the high priest, and when nobly vindicating the character and work of Jesus.

He had as yet been preaching to the mass; but now the ecclesiastical powers became aroused, and Peter and John were seized, and confined, and brought before them; Act_4:1, &c. Peter arises to defend himself, the brethren, and the work in which they were engaged: chap. Act_4:7-8, &c. How truthful, plain, searching, and telling, the address of Peter on this occasion. Observe Peter.

IV. As pronouncing the divine sentence upon two avaricious professors.

The grace of God was so mighty and constraining in its effects, that men became indifferent to their worldly goods and riches. Hence the account given; Act_4:33 to the end. There were two who desired to act thus with the rest, but whom love of lucre evidently rendered incapable of doing so. They only brought, therefore, a part of the produce, and kept back the rest. Here was gross and wicked hypocrisy, and lying to the Holy Ghost; Act_5:1, &c. Peter, therefore, had to deliver the will of God, and pronounce the Divine malediction upon the guilty parties’97first on Ananias, and then on Sapphira, who were both smitten with death, on this solemn and affecting occasion. Thus Peter, while proclaiming the blessings of salvation to the most guilty and atrocious sinners on their repentance and faith in Christ’97had to declare the just displeasure of heaven, on the avarice and hypocrisy of vain professors. Observe Peter,

V. Again, twice imprisoned for his master and the gospel’s sake.

There is one especial circumstance connected with these imprisonments. In each case the angel of the Lord delivered the apostles; Act_5:17, &c. Hence Peter and his brethren were set at liberty, and were found early in the morning preaching the words of eternal life; Act_5:19, &c. Peter’s defence, on this occasion, presents a wondrous specimen of sound and truthful eloquence; and again he preached to the rulers, the doctrines of life and salvation, through Jesus Christ; Act_5:29, &c.

The second imprisonment was effected by Herod, and refers to Peter alone. James the brother of John, and one of the most favored of. the apostles, he had slain with the sword; and now Peter’s death was determined upon also; Act_12:1, &c. But God had still more work for Peter to do. He put the state of Peter into the hearts of the saints, and prayer was made for him continually. The next day was resolved upon as the day of his execution. Peter is bound with two chains, &c., yet observe, he is sleeping. Act_12:6. The angel of the Lord awoke him, &c. He is led out of prison, and conducted in safety to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered together praying; Act_12:12, &c. We now contemplate Peter,

VI. In his final labors and death. Peter labored in the gospel in most of the provinces of lesser Asia, and at length reached Babylon; and there wrote his first epistle to the converted Jews, who had been scattered abroad by persecution. It is supposed in the year 64 or 65, Peter wrote his second epistle’97a short time only before his death. As our text seemed to indicate, Peter was to die a violent death. Hence it is generally supposed Peter was cast into prison by Nero, at Rome; and that he was put to death in the year 67, by crucifixion. It is said when the executioner came to fulfil his work, that Peter desired to be crucified with his head downwards; as not being worthy to die in the same manner with his blessed Lord. It is also generally taught that Peter and Paul died by the same sentence, and at the same time’97only Paul being a Roman citizen, was beheaded. Peter must have been upwards of eighty years of age when he sealed the doctrines of the gospel with his blood’97having been a disciple and apostle thirty-seven years.

Application

His diligence, devotedness, zeal, magnanimity, all deserve our admiration and imitation.

His infirmities and errors were, like his Christian virtues and excellences, of a marked and distinguished character. But he was greatly honored of the Saviour, and one of the greatest teachers and benefactors the world ever had. He lived’97he labored’97he died, to the honor of divine grace, and the glory of his Lord. Just behold the aged believer in prison! awaiting a public and ignominious execution’97writing his second Epistle to the saints of Jesus, and thus concluding his dying testimony; 2Pe_3:18.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS