What a thrill for us! We just love The Acts of The Apostles and are so happy to be back teaching our classes. This great book could also be called "The Book of Luke - Part II" since Luke is the author, writing a beautiful discourse to an acquaintance, Theophilus. I have given it a subtitle - "The Gospel in Action."
Acts is just that - a book of action. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ in action. It begins with organizing, calling new leaders, spreading, teaching, baptizing, training, caring, ordaining, feeding the poor, healing and vast missionary travels to "the uttermost parts of the earth." Acts feels much like the Church today...as well it should.
We read Peter's first powerful public discourse and testimony of the risen Lord, and of his skilled direction of the apostles, and of the healing of the sick and other miracles. We found Peter's leadership as president and prophet of the Church to be nothing short of spectacular - preaching with such a Spirit as to bring 3,000 souls to repentance and baptism in one day shortly after his call.This is that same Peter who obediently denied knowing the Savior three times when the Savior gave him the command... "thou shalt deny me thrice." Had Peter not done so, his life, along with that of Jesus, would have been taken and the Church would have all but withered and died shortly after the Savior's crucifixion. Our lesson manual suggests that we bear our testimony about Peter. It was an honor to do so!
We readily agree with President Kimball who refers to Peter as "Peter, My Brother" and asks the question "Do we understand the circumstances of Peter's denial as well as we think we do?" Additionally, we were thrilled when Dr. Andrew C. Skinner's article from the 2002 Sidney B. Sperry Symposium later appeared in the Church News where he maintains that everything he knew to be true about Peter indicates that "when Jesus told Peter he would deny Him thrice before the cock crowed twice, it was not a prediction; it was a command."
My interpretation of Peter going out and "weeping bitterly" afterward was because of his sorrow in having to obey a difficult command from the Lord - one he would never have chosen to do. This is the Peter I have known and admired for over 30 years. How wonderful it is to be teaching our students the Lord's teachings through Peter and the other great apostles' dedicated service.
3 comments:
Wow, what a thought-provoking post about Peter. I understand the idea of the Lord's statement to Peter being a command. That idea answers some difficult questions but it raises other, even more difficult questions.
Regardless, Acts is a powerful, wonderful book, and yes you are privileged to be able to teach its stories and concepts.
Can I just steal this whole post for my blog, and would you come guest instruct in Jamaica, Richmond Hill and Astoria this week? May your students know how blessed they are to have you both for teachers. Thanks for a great P-day...and we look forward to our meeting together Monday. Love you!
I still remember where you and I were when you taught me from the scriptures about Peter's difficult decision to deny Jesus Christ. I felt your love for the scriptures...I love your testimony of the Savior...oh, and I love you:)
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