Born in Bethsaida about a year after Jesus, Simon was the brother of St. Andrew and he grew up to be a professional fisherman whose boldness in speech and action is captured throughout the Gospels. When Jesus called Simon and Andrew, they dropped their nets and followed him. It is clear that Simon was regarded as the leader of the disciples, as he is always listed first in the Gospels. Though Simon denied him three times, Jesus changed his name to Peter when instituting the Church and gave Peter “the keys”. From then on, St. Peter led the Church in its infancy, preached, performed miracles, wrote epistles, and named bishops. When martyred in Rome, he requested that his crucifix would be upside down because he was not worthy to die as Christ did.
CHALLENGE
St. Peter is the first Pope of the Catholic Church, though many Protestants deny his authority as well as the concept of apostolic succession that ensures that the Church will have one leader—the Vicar of Christ—until Christ returns. Understanding what Jesus meant and what his Jewish audience would understand by “the keys” is important to be able to defend this teaching. Today, read Isaiah 22:19-25, which the Jews would have known. Then compare it to Matthew 16:11-19.
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Have you ever wondered: “How did society get so messed up?” Recipient of a Catholic Writer’s Guild 2022 Seal of Approval, Rebellion answers that question using fast-paced storytelling style, telling you the riveting true story of the war between good and evil that started in the Garden of Eden, and continues to affect marriages, families, and society to this day.
