This naming is one part of the first step in organizing the church that after Christ's departure was to be His representative on earth, by calling and setting apart the twelve to the apostolate for sacred responsibility in the gospel work. In this choice He brought together disciples of diverse character to work together, giving a place among the twelve to those who joined Him while multitudes were following. Those set apart were to stay with Him, learn from His teaching and work, witness His deeds, and afterward continue the work and help lay the foundation of the Christian church, trusted to do the work of an evangelist and endowed with power to heal the sick and to cast out devils.
Judas illustrates who was admitted, for he was moved by Christ's words spoken in the synagogue, by the seaside, and upon the mount. He was moved also by seeing the sick, the lame, and the blind flock to Jesus from towns and cities, the dying laid at His feet, and His mighty works in healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead. He felt in himself the evidence of Christ's power, recognized His teaching as superior to all he had heard, loved the great Teacher, desired to be with Him, desired to be changed in character and life, and hoped to experience this through connecting himself with Jesus. Though admitted, he did not surrender himself fully to Christ, did not give up worldly ambition or love of money, did not come under the divine moulding, felt he could retain his own judgment and opinions, and cultivated a disposition to criticize and accuse.
The naming took place with no costly sanctuary, under the sheltering trees on a mountainside a little distance from the Sea of Galilee, in the retreat Jesus loved where the sermon on the mount was also given, and the beauty of mountain and vale and sea was forever linked with the sacred experiences of that day. Jesus withdrew from the confusion of the city to the quiet of the fields and hills as more in harmony with the lessons of self-abnegation He desired to teach. The fields and hills were His favorite resorts and much of His teaching was given under the open sky rather than in the temple or the synagogues. No synagogue could have received the throngs that followed Him, but He chose the fields and groves not for this reason only, because He loved the scenes of nature and to Him each quiet retreat was a sacred temple. This account gives no further explanation of Simon's surname Peter.
This naming is one part of the first step in organizing the church that after Christ's departure was to be His representative on earth, by calling and setting apart the twelve to the apostolate for sacred responsibility in the gospel work. In this choice He brought together disciples of diverse character to work together, giving a place among the twelve to those who joined Him while multitudes were following. Those set apart were to stay with Him, learn from His teaching and work, witness His deeds, and afterward continue the work and help lay the foundation of the Christian church, trusted to do the work of an evangelist and endowed with power to heal the sick and to cast out devils.
Judas illustrates who was admitted, for he was moved by Christ's words spoken in the synagogue, by the seaside, and upon the mount. He was moved also by seeing the sick, the lame, and the blind flock to Jesus from towns and cities, the dying laid at His feet, and His mighty works in healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead. He felt in himself the evidence of Christ's power, recognized His teaching as superior to all he had heard, loved the great Teacher, desired to be with Him, desired to be changed in character and life, and hoped to experience this through connecting himself with Jesus. Though admitted, he did not surrender himself fully to Christ, did not give up worldly ambition or love of money, did not come under the divine moulding, felt he could retain his own judgment and opinions, and cultivated a disposition to criticize and accuse.
The naming took place with no costly sanctuary, under the sheltering trees on a mountainside a little distance from the Sea of Galilee, in the retreat Jesus loved where the sermon on the mount was also given, and the beauty of mountain and vale and sea was forever linked with the sacred experiences of that day. Jesus withdrew from the confusion of the city to the quiet of the fields and hills as more in harmony with the lessons of self-abnegation He desired to teach. The fields and hills were His favorite resorts and much of His teaching was given under the open sky rather than in the temple or the synagogues. No synagogue could have received the throngs that followed Him, but He chose the fields and groves not for this reason only, because He loved the scenes of nature and to Him each quiet retreat was a sacred temple. This account gives no further explanation of Simon's surname Peter.