“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1).
Many authors typically place their names near the end of a written message in most forms of modern-day correspondence. However, first-century authors generally reversed that practice. So, in keeping with that custom, Peter identified himself as the author of this letter at the beginning of his epistle. This brief introduction also provides us with an opportunity to examine some intriguing aspects of Peter’s name, a name that was given to him by Jesus Himself.
In responding to Peter’s confession of His deity, Jesus said to him, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). That message to Peter features some wordplay that sheds light upon his calling.
In the original language of this passage, Peter’s name is Petros, a word that refers to a rock or stone. However, the reference to “this rock” features a different word (petra) that is associated with a large rocky mass. In light of this, we can say that Peter is a stone that is set upon the rock that is Christ…
“It is as if Jesus said to Peter: ‘Peter, you are the first man to grasp who I am; you are therefore the first stone, the foundation stone, the very beginning of the Church which I am founding.’ And in ages to come, everyone who makes the same discovery as Peter is another stone added into the edifice of the Church of Christ.” (1)
Having thus identified himself to his audience, Peter next established his authority by virtue of his title: “…an apostle of Jesus Christ.” The term “apostle” designates someone who is a “commissioned representative,” much like an ambassador or spokesperson. While every follower of Jesus is an “apostle” in the sense that he or she is an ambassador for Christ, the Biblical apostles held several important qualifications that set them apart from everyone else. For example…
- They were first-century eyewitnesses of Jesus following His resurrection (1 Corinthians 9:1).
- Jesus personally selected them for service in their roles (Matthew 10:1-4, Acts 9:10-16).
- They possessed the God-given ability to perform miracles (Acts 2:43).
These qualifications are important to remember if we should encounter those who self-identify as apostles today. Finally, we should also consider Jesus’ message to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:2: “…you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.” If counterfeit apostles were active in the Biblical era, then we should be equally alert to their presence today.
(1) Barclay, William. “Commentary on Matthew 16”. “William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb/matthew-16.html. 1956-1959.