Peter, also known as Simon Peter, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is considered to be one of the most prominent and influential figures in Christianity. However, before he met Jesus, Peter’s life was quite different.
Early Life and Profession
Peter was born in Bethsaida, a small fishing village on the Sea of Galilee. He was the son of Jonah and had a brother named Andrew who was also a fisherman.
Peter followed in his father’s footsteps and became a fisherman himself. He worked with his brother Andrew, as well as with James and John (the sons of Zebedee). They were partners in a fishing business.
Religious Background
Peter grew up in a Jewish family and followed the Jewish faith. He would have been familiar with the laws and traditions of Judaism, including the Torah and other religious texts.
Character Traits
Peter is often described as impulsive, passionate, and sometimes even rash. In the Gospels, he is portrayed as someone who speaks his mind without thinking first. For example, when Jesus asked his disciples who they thought he was, Peter declared that he believed Jesus to be “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).
However, later on when Jesus told his disciples that he would suffer and die, Peter rebuked him saying “Never Lord! This shall never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22).
Encounter with Jesus
Peter’s life changed dramatically when he met Jesus for the first time. According to John’s Gospel account (John 1:35-42), Andrew initially introduced Peter to Jesus by saying “We have found the Messiah.”
When Jesus saw him, he said “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).
The Calling of Peter
Jesus’ encounter with Peter marked the beginning of a transformational journey for him. Later on, Jesus called Peter to follow him and become one of his disciples.
In Matthew’s Gospel account (Matthew 4:18-20), Jesus saw Peter and Andrew fishing and said to them “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
Conclusion
In conclusion, before he met Jesus, Peter was a simple fisherman who followed the Jewish faith. He had his own strengths and weaknesses like anyone else.
However, after he met Jesus, his life changed completely. He became a disciple of Jesus Christ and went on to play a major role in spreading the message of Christianity throughout the world. The story of Peter’s life is a testament to the power of transformation that can occur when someone encounters Jesus Christ.