The famous apostle Peter played a vital role in the spread of early Christianity. He was one of the first apostles of Jesus and was personally chosen by Jesus to take the message of the gospel to the world. Peter was initially an ordinary fisherman but rose to become one of Jesus’ closet disciples and later became leader of the early church. His evangelism was at the heart of the Jesus movement and helped propel the fledgling message of Jesus and set it on the path of global reach.
Peter’s impact on the spread of early Christianity is considerable. His ministry began when he witnessed the miracles of Jesus and accepted his role as a disciple. He then went on to evangelize and proclaim the gospel message across Palestine and the Mediterranean. At Pentecost, confirmed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter was the first to preach a sermon that led to the baptism of 3,000 converts (Acts 2:41). He therefore proved to be an incredibly effective evangelist and was instrumental in spreading the word of Jesus.
Peter also selected and trained up leaders to continue in the work of evangelism and church planting, most notably the Apostle Barnabas. This was vital for the establishment of the early church, which became the foundation for the world-wide growth of Christianity. Peter was, therefore, both a major figure in the early church and a key figure in the spread of Christianity across the centuries.
The mission of Jesus was made sustainable by the lasting legacy of Peter and his close colleagues. Immediately after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, the apostles met in prayer and devotion to prepare for their journey of witness. Peter gave leadership in the decisions taken at the Council of Jerusalem, which laid the groundwork for the diplomatic acceptance of Jewish believers by the broader Church (Acts 15:5-29). This breakthrough laid the foundations for a Church that was multinational and diverse.
The missionary journeys of Paul, also supported by Peter, were aimed at furthering the gospel message to distant lands. Paul was given the official blessing by Peter to take the Gospel to the marginalized and forgotten people in the Roman Empire. Peter’s journey to Rome was itself a major achievement, given its strategic role in the world of that day. Rome was the centre for the Empire, and the gospel message was spread there and beyond.
Impact of Peter’s missionary work
The far-reaching impact of Peter’s missionary work is evident in the growth of the Church, both inside and outside of the Roman Empire. For example, the church in Antioch was founded by Peter (Acts 11:19-30), proving to be a major centre that inspired numerous other churches in the region. Peter’s influence was clearly felt beyond the confines of Palestine, manifesting itself in the changing status of the Church from a province within the Roman Empire to later become known as ‘The Roman Catholic Church’.
The rapid growth of the early Church was no doubt aided by men such as Peter, whose tireless work in bringing the gospel to the Nations helped to expedite its global spread. In India, Syria and Egypt, Churches were formed which embraced both Jewish and Gentile believers. As a result of the ministry of Peter and Paul their theology gained acceptance throughout the Roman Empire. This provided the foundation for the development of Christian doctrine and enabled the spread of Christian ideas and beliefs interfacing with the wider world.
Peter’s influence in the early Church also inspired numerous literary works such as the Gospel of Mark, an exaltation of his spiritual legacy. The Epistles of Clement and Ignatius, written with the assistance of Peter, explained the centrality of the Christian Church to the Roman Empire. Through their letters, Peter and Paul brought the faith of the early church to everyone who would read them.
In conclusion, Peter is seen as the greatest evangelist in the early Church. It was his efforts that spread the good news of Jesus to the world and propelled the Church into a period of immense growth. He not only evangelized but trained leaders, planted churches and wrote letters that helped bring the fledgling message of Jesus to all four corners of the world.
Peter’s Letters
Two of Peter’s letters, 1 Peter (1:1) and 2 Peter (1:1) are included in the Bible. 1 Peter was written during Peter’s later years and is a reflection of his advanced wisdom and maturity. His letters spoke of faith, integrity and humility and helped to shape the tone and language of future writers of the New Testament.
Peter devoted much of his time to writing his letters. He wrote his letters in simple yet powerful language, with his main message being: be of one mind, accept each other, and love each other. He reminded Christians that they are all members of God’s building, and that none of them can be left out. This inclusivity encouraged Christians to remain unified in their faith.
Furthermore, Peter reminded believers that the suffering endured in this life will be rewarded in the life to come. He reminded them to not be afraid of suffering, to remain faithful, to live right and to look ahead with hope and anticipation. These messages of hope continue to be relevant today and Peter’s letters have rightly earned a place amongst the greatest works of the early church.
Peter’s letters also touched on themes of holiness, humility and the idea of self-denial. He exhorts believers to ‘be holy as God is holy’ and to not focus on the temporary things of this world. His letter also serves to reassure believers that if they remain humble and selfless, and stick to the path of righteousness, then their ultimate reward in the life to come will be great.
Peter’s Discipleship
Peter was also a great teacher within the early Church, many of the most influential leaders and figures within the Church were typically the disciples of Peter. He, alongside other leading figures such as Paul, gave leadership to the early church and shaped it’s doctrine with an approach that was both theological and pragmatic.
Peter’s missionary work was not done alone. He was instrumental in teaching other influential new converts, missions such as Simon Magus, and figures such as John Mark. As such, Peter had a major influence in the development of other leading figures in the early church, with many of their letters and writings reflecting his teachings.
The influence of Peter can still be felt today. Much of his teachings have been preserved through the words of both Paul and Barnabas, and through the writings of the early church fathers. Peter’s teaching is still studied today and has contributed to the development of Christian theology and doctrine.
Peter was a man of action, of passion and of courage in the early Church. His evangelism, letters and loyalty to Jesus laid the foundations for a movement that would eventually reach billions of people in the world today.
Peter’s Legacy
Peter’s legacy has been inspiring for centuries. His life and example of obedience and faithfulness were used to encourage and energize others. His writing and teachings have also been used to inform and enlighten new generations of believers.
Today Peter’s legacy stands as a reminder of what it means to faithfully follow Jesus. His message to love one another, reach out to the margins and extend hospitality to strangers continues to inspire countless people in the modern era.
Peter’s leadership in the early church enabled vital movement in the spread of Christianity across the Greco-Roman world. His devotion to the mission of Jesus led to a period of explosive growth for the Church. His spirit of inclusivity, passion for evangelism and inspirational writings have been instrumental in propelling the Church forward, and in so-doing has played a major role in the history of Christianity.
At the heart of Peter’s mission was a message of grace and hope. It is this mission that continues to motivate and challenge people to this day. The legacy of Peter stands as a model example of how a simple fisherman was used by God to not only preach the gospel but to help shape the future of the Church.
