St Peter the Apostle
Peter was born in Bethsaida (John 1:44) son of Jonah (Matthew 16:17). He worked as a fisherman with his brother Andrew out of Capernaum on the sea of Galilee (Mark 1:16,17,18).
Jesus called him as a disciple with the title Cephas (Peter or rock) and this became his personal name replacing Simon (John 1:42; Matthew 16:18).
The synoptic gospels all recount how Peter's mother-in-law was healed by Jesus at their home in Capernaum (Matthew 8:14–17; Mark 1:29–31; Luke 4:38,39) implying that Peter was married.
Matthew and Mark report that while fishing, Peter and Andrew were called by Jesus to be his followers, with the words, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:18–19; Mark 1:16–17). In Luke's account Peter is the owner of a boat that Jesus uses to preach to the multitudes who were pressing on him at the shore of Lake Gennesaret (Luke 5:3). Jesus then amazes Peter and his companions by telling them to lower their nets, whereupon they catch a huge number of fish. Immediately after this, they follow him (Luke 5:4–11).
> Photo - Saint Peter, by Peter Paul Rubens
Peter was present at the transfiguration (Mark 9). At the Last Supper Peter says to Jesus, "I will never desert you" (Matthew 26:33), Jesus replies "you will deny me three times" (Matthew 26:34). Peter denied Jesus three times (matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14: 66-end; Luke22:35-62; John 18:17-27). Jesus shows himself to the disciples and forgives Peter (John 21).
In the Acts of the Apostles Peter is portrayed as an extremely important figure within the early Christian community, with Peter delivering a significant speech during Pentecost (Acts 1:15). He
also preaches to the Jews (Acts 2:14, 3:12), and to the council where he says "the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone." (Acts 4).
Peter was often arrested but in Acts 12,
he is set free by an angel of God.
Peters death is foretold in 2 Peter 1:14 and John 21:18.
Peter was martyred in the year 64AD
St Peter is celebrated on 29th June.