Editorial June 21, 1930 Issue

Peter's Concept of Jesus

Clifford P. Smith

Until after Paul became a Christian, Peter was the foremost follower of Jesus. Apparently, also, it was Jesus who gave him this position. For these reasons, and because Peter continued until he was martyred to be one of the two most prominent Christians of that time, his concept of Jesus is particularly important.

A brief digression here can discuss why the Master preferred Peter among all of his disciples. Why did he not give the first position to Andrew, his first follower, or to John, whom he particularly loved, or to Matthew, who was comparatively prominent as a former collector of public revenue? The answer to these questions is indicated by John 21:15–19. Peter loved Jesus as the Christ, and gave promise of ability to carry on the Christly work during the difficult time which was to follow the Master's crucifixion and his ascension above human life. Surely, the love and the promise thus manifested by Peter must have resulted from his comprehension of Jesus and of the latter's relation to God.

So what comprehension of Jesus did this distinguished disciple commit to history? For one point, Peter regarded him as a man and not as God. "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God" (Acts 2:22)—these are the words of Peter, chosen when he must have intended to speak with careful precision. Of course, "a man approved of God" is not God; hence, there is no barrier between Jesus and other men. Mrs. Eddy has declared his status as "the highest human corporeal concept of the divine idea, rebuking and destroying error and bringing to light man's immortality" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 589).

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