It is a fact that Peter, with James and John, was present to see and hear what Jesus said, and did, and suffered, on several occasions when the other disciples were not present. One of these occasions was when he raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead. Another occasion was when Jesus appeared in such wondrous glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. And, in striking contrast to this, when he sank to the earth, amidst the gloomy shades of Gethsemane, overwhelmed by the “agony and bloody sweat,” Peter was one of the three chosen witnesses of that awful scene.
It is a fact that when he saw his Master walking on the water, he asked permission to come and meet him, by walking over the surface of the sea. Jesus gave him leave to come. He got out of the ship, and began that watery walk. But, when he saw the rough waves rising and swelling against him, his heart sank, his faith failed, and he was beginning to sink, when Jesus stretched forth his hand and saved him.
It is a fact that, on one occasion, Jesus sent Peter to the seaside with a fishing-line to catch a fish, in whose mouth he was to find the money required to pay the taxes due to the government for himself and his Master.
It is a fact that the night before the crucifixion of our Lord, Peter solemnly declared that he would never forsake his Master, though all the rest of his followers should do so; and, even though he should have to die for clinging to him. It is a fact, nevertheless, that he did forsake him that very night, and three times deny that he knew him; yea, even with oaths and curses. It is a fact that, notwithstanding this, Peter was freely forgiven, on the morning of the resurrection, and restored to the place which he had forfeited, as one of the twelve apostles.
It is a fact that after the ascension of Jesus into heaven, Peter was the first to propose the election of another apostle to fill the place which had been left vacant by the death of the traitor Judas.
It is a fact that when the Holy Ghost came down on the day of Pentecost, Peter was the first of all the apostles to preach the gospel; and that three thousand souls were converted, as the result of one day’s labor; and that, in all the work done in the earliest history of the new church, he was the principal preacher.
It is a fact that the first miracle of which we read in the history of the new church was performed by Peter. It was the miracle of healing the lame man, who was sitting at “the gate of the temple called Beautiful,” when Peter and John were entering the temple, at the hour for evening prayer. Acts iii: 1-9.
It is a fact that when the apostles were forbidden by the Jewish rulers to preach in the name of Jesus, Peter was the first boldly to tell them to their faces, that they must “obey God, rather than men”; and that, in spite of all that might be said, or done, to hinder them, they would go on, and preach “Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” Acts iv: 13-23.
It is a fact that as the first miracle of mercy in the early church was performed by this apostle, so was the first miracle of judgment. We read about this in Acts v: 1-10. It was before him that Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead for the sin of lying and cheating.
It is a fact that the miraculous power of Peter was so great and so well-known that people laid their sick friends down in the streets along which he was walking, that his shadow might fall upon them, and heal them. Acts v:15.