3. Promise to Peter

Mt 16:18 Jesus said: You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church ...

a. CHANGE of NAME

Peter is to be the solid rock foundation
-build the community in solid rock

all four evangelists record the chaneg of name
Mt 10:2
Mk 3:16
Lk 6:14
Jn 11:42

b. PETER's SPECIAL ROLE
- in NT it is clearly recognized by the apostles
- eminence in the NT
-114 times mentioned in NT
-present in the special occasions when Jesus reveals a more intimate message
e.g. transfiguration, first to enter the tomb
-first witness of resurrection
-in Acts, he is the spokes person for the apostles
Acts 14:41, 43:12-16
- special role in decison making Council of Jerusalem
eremiah 15:7 ff


c. SPECIAL POWER AND AUTHORITY

- following the name change
Mt 16:19 - I will give you the key...
Mt 18:18
-power of binding and loosing

-all of tehse moves towards an organized forming community in the service of the kingdom
-Peter will have that role

HISTORICAL CAREER of PETER
* Simon ... Ministry of Jesus
-one of the disciples
-very prominent, closely companion of Jesus
-he probably made a confession of Jesus' identity
-he failed partially to understand Jesus

Simon in the Early Church
-become popular as Cephas
-recorded in the appearance of Risen Christ 1Cor 15:5
-he had a missionary career
-shown taking a theological position Acts 15

IMAGES OF PETER in NT Thought

- he is the great Christian fishermen, a missionary
-he is Shepherd of the sheep
-he is the Christian MArtyr
-he is the receiver of Special Revelation
-the confessor of the true Christian Faith
-guardian of Faith against false teaching
-scriptures have a clear image - a WEAK AND SINFUL MAN
-Peter and the Rooster (Early Church)

-this is a good background to understand the role of the PAPACY
-the pope is the ...... (some with Peter)
-if we understand the role of Peter's images, it offers better relation with other Christians