Peter the Apostle:
Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (Gal. 4:4); Titus 1:3, Matt. 3:2; 4:17
As Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. Jesus said, “Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” Those who were fishing, forsook their nets and followed Jesus. They continued to walk and as they had journeyed a little farther, Jesus saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also mending their nets in their ship. (Mark 1:15 – 19)
Jesus called to them, and they left their father Zebedee and followed Jesus. They all went into Capernaum; and on the Sabbath they went to the synagogue, and Jesus taught them. All the people were astonished at Jesus’ doctrine because Jesus taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. In the synagogue a man who had an unclean spirit cried out. Saying, “Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit from the man and he was cleansed and set free. (Mark 1:20 – 26)
Jesus’ fame spread abroad and throughout all the region round about Galilee. When Jesus and his followers came out of the synagogue, they went to the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. The house was located in the Galilean seaside fishing village of Capernaum, with his wife and mother-in-law. Simon’s mother-in-law was ill. Jesus took her hand, and lifted her up; and her fever departed from her. Jesus went about through the area and he healed the sick; cast out devils and other ailments. (Mark 1:29 – 31)
As morning approached, Jesus went out into a solitary place and prayed. Simon and those who were with him followed after Jesus. He continued to preach and to heal in synagogues throughout Galilee. (Mark 1:35 – 36)
Jesus ask Simon, “Whom say ye that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 6:69; Matt. 16:16) Jesus answered, “Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jo-na: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven: and whatsoever shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matt.16:17 – 19; John 1:42; Ps. 9:13, 107:18; John 20:23)
With very few exceptions, Peter proved himself rock-solid in his devotion to Jesus, and he is looked on as the first, and perhaps most important, of all the Apostles.
Peter once jumped out of a boat to walk on the water with Jesus, and he cut off the ear of an officer at Jesus’ arrest. Peter was also first to recognize Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” This expression of faith led Jesus to see him as part of the foundation of his emerging church. Jesus declared, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:16 – 18)
Jesus’ prediction came true that Peter would become an important leader in the new Christian church. He preached the first sermon after Jesus ascended to heaven, and he defended the Christians before Jewish leaders.
According to some early no biblical tales, Peter was crucified upside down on what is now Vatican Hill in Rome when Nero began persecuting Christians in A.D. 64.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that by entrusting Peter with heading the church, Jesus made him the first pope.
References:
1) King James Version of the Bible New Testament
2) Grolier Inc. MCMXCVI