Question: #
Hi bro… who exactly was Peter though? Was he an apostle, preacher, pastor, shepherd, elder, or overseer? Or all of the above? (Paraphrased)
—Cajeton, Naigaon
Answer: #
Hi bro,
Thanks for this loaded and lovely question — it’s like asking, “Was Peter the Swiss Army knife of the early Church?” Short answer? Pretty much.
Let’s unpack this fisherman-turned-rock.
1. An Apostle #
Peter was handpicked by Jesus. That’s what makes him an apostle — the Greek word apostolos means “sent one.” He was sent with divine authority to lay foundations, not just plant churches.
Matthew 10:2 — Now these are the names of the twelve [special] apostles: The first, Simon, who is called Peter…
2. A Preacher #
On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell, who stood up to preach the first official “Kingdom sermon” in Church history? Peter. Bold and blazing.
Acts 2:14 — But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them…
Three thousand got saved in one go. Not bad for his first sermon, right?
3. A Pastor / Shepherd #
Jesus gave Peter a personal charge after His resurrection — not just to lead but to feed.
John 21:17 — “Jesus said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’… ‘Feed My sheep.’”
That’s pastoral work. Not just leadership, but love. Not just managing, but mending.
4. An Elder #
Peter called himself a “fellow elder” — meaning he didn’t consider himself above the other elders, just among them. Humility, much?
1 Peter 5:1 — Therefore, I strongly urge the elders among you, as a fellow elder and an eyewitness of the sufferings of Christ…
5. An Overseer #
Though “overseer” (“episkopos” in Greek) isn’t a title Peter explicitly takes, he fulfilled the role. He guarded doctrine, nurtured the flock, and gave spiritual direction — all overseer work.
6. A Witness #
Peter didn’t preach what he heard from others. He preached what he saw.
Acts 10:39 — We are eyewitnesses of everything that He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
He stood in the thick of it all — from the Mount of Transfiguration to the Garden of Gethsemane to the empty tomb.
7. A Servant (Doulos) #
Peter never introduced himself with titles. Instead, he called himself a servant of Christ.
2 Peter 1:1 — Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ…
The Greek word doulos means slave — someone owned, someone all-in. Peter wore it like a badge of honour.
8. A Foundation Stone — But Not The Rock #
Jesus gave Simon a new name — Cephas (Aramaic), or Petros (Greek), meaning stone. But make no mistake, Jesus is the Rock.
Ephesians 2:20 — …built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
Peter was a building block, not the architect.
Not Simon Anymore #
This change of name was no small thing. “Simon” meant “reed” — shaky, bendy, unstable. But Jesus called him “Cephas” — stone, stable, dependable. Jesus didn’t just see who Peter was. He saw who he’d become.
John 1:42 — Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas”…
His identity changed the day he met the Word-made flesh.
Peter was a man of many hats — but only because he wore one yoke: Christ’s.
Thanks again for the question, bro. Keep digging. The Kingdom’s full of treasure!
Grace and peace!
Shaliach.
