Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Capadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
1 Peter 1:1 (NIV)
There is courage which can only sprout from truth in Peter’s introduction in his first canonical epistle. Peter declares himself an apostle of Jesus Christ as well as assumes a place of authority over God’s elect. Although Peter addresses those elect in a handful of provinces, his words have authority over the believer both near and far to his time and geographical location.
The reason I find this especially courageous is because I know Peter’s view of himself from other Scripture. He is acutely aware of his failings of his Lord Jesus. He documents in the gospel of Mark his failure to stay awake in the garden of Gethsemane, his outburst in the garden in striking the priest’s servant (sans Jesus healing said servant), as well as his denial of the Lord in the courtyard. After these events, we know from the Gospel of John that Peter rushes to the empty tomb after the resurrection and also has a redemptive conversation with Jesus at breakfast. Mark, which is believed to be Peter’s Gospel, gives us neither of these stories.
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