> [!WARNING] Rough Draft > I have not confirmed all the references in this note One of the twelve [[Apostle]]s and the leader among them. Also known as [[Simon]], [[Simon Peter]], and Cephas (which means "rock" in Aramaic). Originally a fisherman from [[Bethsaida]] on the [[Sea of Galilee]], brother of [[Andrew]]. Called by [[Jesus]] to be a "fisher of men" in [[Matthew 4]]:18-20, [[Mark 1]]:16-18, and [[Luke 5]]:1-11. [[Peter]] was part of [[Jesus]]'s inner circle along with [[James]] and [[John]], witnessing key moments like the raising of Jairus's daughter ([[Mark 5]]:37-43), the transfiguration ([[Matthew 17]]:1-9, [[Mark 9]]:2-8, [[Luke 9]]:28-36), and [[Jesus]]'s agony in [[Gethsemane]] ([[Matthew 26]]:36-46). He famously walked on water to [[Jesus]] but began to sink when he doubted ([[Matthew 14]]:28-31). At [[Caesarea Philippi]], [[Peter]] made the great confession, "You are the [[Christ]], the Son of the living God," and [[Jesus]] responded by calling him the rock upon which He would build His church ([[Matthew 16]]:13-20). [[Jesus]] gave him "the keys of the kingdom of heaven" and declared that the gates of [[Hades]] would not overcome the church. Despite his devotion, [[Peter]] denied knowing [[Jesus]] three times on the night of His arrest, just as [[Jesus]] had predicted ([[Matthew 26]]:69-75, [[Mark 14]]:66-72, [[Luke 22]]:54-62, [[John 13]]:38, [[John 18]]:15-27). After weeping bitterly over his betrayal, he was later restored by the risen [[Jesus]] at the [[Sea of Galilee]], where [[Jesus]] asked him three times, "Do you love me?" and commissioned him to "feed my sheep" ([[John 21]]:15-19). [[Peter]] emerged as the primary leader of the early church in [[Jerusalem]]. On the day of [[Pentecost]], he preached the first gospel sermon, resulting in about 3,000 people being baptized ([[Acts 2]]:14-41). He performed many miracles, including healing a lame beggar at the temple gate ([[Acts 3]]:1-10) and raising [[Tabitha]] from the dead in [[Joppa]] ([[Acts 9]]:36-43). Through a vision of clean and unclean animals in [[Joppa]], God prepared [[Peter]] to bring the gospel to the [[Gentile]]s, leading to the conversion of [[Cornelius]] and his household in [[Caesarea]] ([[Acts 10]]). This pivotal moment opened the door for [[Gentile]] inclusion in the church. [[Peter]] later defended this ministry at the [[Jerusalem]] council ([[Acts 15]]:7-11), though [[Paul]] confronted him in [[Antioch]] for inconsistency regarding fellowship with [[Gentile]] believers ([[Galatians 2]]:11-14). [[Peter]] wrote two epistles. [[1 Peter]] was written to encourage persecuted Christians scattered throughout [[Asia Minor]], emphasizing hope, holiness, and submission to authority even in suffering. [[2 Peter]] warns against false teachers and reminds believers of the certainty of [[Christ]]'s return, encouraging spiritual growth and godly living. Church tradition holds that [[Peter]] was martyred in [[Rome]] during [[Nero]]'s persecution, crucified upside down at his own request.