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The Conversion and Salvation of Peter

The Conversion and Salvation of Peter

The Bible tells us that as Jesus began His ministry,

As [He] was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him (Matthew 4:18–20 NIV84).

Peter responded to Jesus’ call and, for the next three and half years, studied in the school of the Savior, an intern in Immanuel’s residency, a trainee of the greatest teacher to ever live. He sat on the front row for the Sermon on the Mount; he shared in distributing the multiplied loaves and fishes (twice); he saw the many miraculous healings; he participated in witnessing about Jesus; he saw the raising of Lazarus from the dead; he walked on water; and he was there when Jesus was transfigured. He believed that Jesus is the Son of God. When Jesus asked the disciples who they believed Him to be, it was Peter who said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Mark 16:16 GNT).

Yet, despite Peter’s belief, despite what he knew to be true, despite his choice to follow Jesus, he was still not fully converted. At the end of His ministry, at the Last Supper, Jesus warned Peter—and informs us—that Peter hadn’t fully surrendered to Jesus, that fear and selfishness were still alive in him and battling for supremacy in his heart.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me (Luke 22:31–34 KJV, emphasis mine).

And we know what happened. When, during the trial of Jesus, Peter was confronted about being one of His followers, Peter denied it three times and with cursing. How could this be? Peter knew who Jesus is—he had already testified to the reality that Jesus is Savior and Lord. Peter loved Jesus. But the problem was that Peter still loved self more! Peter was willing to follow Jesus up to a point, but when self was threatened, Peter, in that moment, allowed fear and selfishness to rule his heart and denied his Lord. This exposed to Peter the depth of his own sin-sickness and need for heart transformation, and he went out and wept bitterly, surrendering fully to Jesus, receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit, and was now not only converted in his mind, his mental understanding, in his beliefs about who Jesus is, but also in his heart, his affections, his spirit. He had a new heart and right spirit of love and trust and no longer trusted or depended on self.

Peter was now ready to serve in the fullest capacity, but he still needed reconciliation with Jesus. Therefore, Jesus met Peter on the beach after His resurrection and had the following conversation, which was recorded by John. As you read, consider what is revealed in this discussion. What is evidenced, what truths are contained in this account, what are we seeing, and what are we not seeing?

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21:15–19 NIV84).

What do you understand this conversation to be about? Does it tell us anything about the character of God? Does it tell us anything about God’s methods? Does it tell us anything about our human nature and what we need for salvation?

Perhaps the most obvious lesson and reason this interaction is included in Scripture is to assure the church, the believers, that Jesus had accepted Peter back into full fellowship and recommissioned him as His representative, ambassador, and apostle. Thus, one reason this story is written down is so that all Christians through history can know that Peter was reconciled to Jesus, that his ministry was under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that his writings are inspired and trustworthy.

But this exchange also reveals the grace, mercy, and love of God—that God is forgiving and longs for our reconciliation to Him. When we act selfishly, when we willfully choose what we know is wrong, God is longing to restore us to sonship with Him. As Paul wrote, God is for us—always for us, even when we sin (Romans 8:31).

Have you considered why Peter needed this experience?

What had his denial of His Savior done to him? Did Peter love Jesus less after his denial? No, he still loved Jesus. And do you think that because of that love and the realization of his actions, Peter struggled with self-loathing? Did Peter have guilt and shame? Did Peter’s actions inflame his own fear and insecurity and cause him to doubt whether Jesus and the others would accept him back into fellowship?

Had Jesus become Peter’s enemy? Was Jesus against Peter—angry and resentful of him? Did Jesus need something done to Him in order to accept Peter back? Did Jesus make any legal demands? Did Jesus require something to be done to propitiate or expiate either His or His Father’s anger and wrath before Peter was accepted? Was there anything of a penal/legal nature transpiring in this encounter that restored Peter? No! Jesus, who is God in humanity, required no legal adjustment, no payment, no appeasement! Nothing needed to be done to Jesus or His Father in order for Peter to be reconciled into unity with Them—but something did have to happen in Peter. Peter needed to repent, be reborn, be recreated in his spirit, and be converted from fear and selfishness to love and trust. Peter needed to die to self and be reborn in righteousness.

Peter’s denial of Jesus caused Peter to experience fear, guilt, shame, doubt, worry, dread, apprehension, and inadequacy. These negative emotions caused him to wonder whether Jesus was upset or angry and to doubt whether he could be accepted back.

Peter needed to have his guilt, shame, fears, doubts, and all such consequences of his sin removed from his heart and mind! And Jesus met him on the beach to do just that.

And Jesus longs to meet you on the beach, in the garden, along the sidewalk, in the basement, workshop, or wherever you find yourself struggling with your own guilt, shame, fears, and doubts so that you can experience for yourself His forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love for you. He is longing to remove from you all doubt, fear, insecurity, guilt, and shame; to cleanse your heart and mind; to restore you to full fellowship, friendship, and unity with Him; and to recommission you for His calling in your life.

So, don’t wait! Go to Jesus right now and talk with Him, experience His goodness for yourself, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; [for] blessed is the man who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8 NIV84).

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Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

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Testimony 48

I just want to tell you how blessed I have been reading “The Remedy!” It has become a daily part of my devotional relationship with God. In it I have found a God of love and a God that loves me! The bible has come alive for me! It is the first time that I can say that I have felt hope fill my heart as I have read God’s word. This is good news I can share! Thank you, Dr Jennings! Thank you for your heart for others. I can’t put into words how this has set me free! It has strengthened my trust and love for God.

Jason H.

 

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Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

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I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 73

I have been truly blessed by your blogs and other resources. They have helped me to see things in a much brighter light and to reason things out better. Thank you so much for your ministry. Whenever I have the opportunity I pass along your material to my friends.

R. Noseworthy, Newfoundland, Canada

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA

 

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

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I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.