Peter is a model of grace as much as he is a messenger of grace. He verifies what he has witnessed concerning the Lord Jesus and he has been wrought upon by the divine power. The eternal affection of God and the transformative action of God have collaborated to make Simon Johnson, brash and impulsive fisherman, into Simon Peter, the reliable representative of his Lord. From his obvious failings and flaws, outlined with such candour in the Scriptures, his close observations as a disciple, and the discernment granted to him by the revelatory disclosures of God, he crafts a concise theology of salvation from election to eternal glory, and he outlines the marvellous effects of the divine calling in the lives of all true believers.

Peter touches upon all the essential themes of the gospel from the various divinely ordained aspects of his education, and his incredible experiences add authenticity to everything he affirms.

Peter addresses us with such endearing openness of character and with a catalogue of impressive credentials, and from a partial glimpse of his record available to us in the New Testament we can recognise his qualifications to speak to us concerning "the true grace of God" traceable in every episode of his checkered life.

Peter the Convert: 'Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John [the Baptist] had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ), and he brought him to Jesus.' John 1: 40-42. Through the agency of his brother Peter found Christ.

Peter the Confessor: '"But what about you?" he [Jesus] asked [the disciples]. "Who do you say I am?"

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah [variant of John], for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven."' Matthew 16: 15-17. By the decree of the Father and the agency of the Spirit the mind of Peter is specially illuminated to identify the true Person of the Lord Jesus. The grace of conversion expands to the grace of confession. Peter is on his way to realising his utter dependence upon grace.

Peter the Contradictor: 'Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him [Jesus had explained that he must be killed and on the third day raised to life]. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."' Matthew 16: 21-23. Peter falls into the trap of enunciating human sentiment in the face of the word of God. The often seemingly "reasonable" thoughts and things of men are frequently in opposition to the mind and purpose of God. Satan utilises our unguarded and unguided propositions in word and intent to frustrate, as it were, the purposes of God. The careless mind is thrown off course. Peter's lesson in total dependence upon God continues, but slowly. Later he will give full recognition to God's sovereign wisdom in ordaining the crucifixion of the Christ. "This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross" (Acts 2:23).

Peter the Coward: See the whole of Mark's (Peter's) account of his craven behaviour in Ch. 14 vv66-72 (cf. Matthew 26:69-75).

'Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.' Mark 14:72. Peter reaches the nadir of his sinfulness and misery. He arrives at the most shocking point of self-discovery and becomes a broken man. The man of bluster and boastfulness is busted and in a state of collapse. He now knows that without grace he is totally, morally and spiritually, bankrupt. He sees the dimensions of his offence and his confidence in self is destroyed.

Peter the Kept: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31.

Even Peter's very serious lapse is encapsulated within the purpose of the electing love of the Saviour who undertakes to preserve him and restore him. No one could be a better advocate of the keeping power of God and the perseverance of the saints than this apostle of sovereign grace, a grace that persists in spite of our worst tendencies and retrieves us from them. Peter assures believers of "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade away - kept in heaven for you" and he backs up the divine pledge with the guarantee that every saint of God is securely kept for the possession of that inheritance, saints "who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1: 4-5).

Peter knows that the same intercession of the Saviour that prevented his faith from failing is offered for all the children of God (John 17). Peter is so impressed by his reinstatement to the friendship and service of Christ (John 21:15-25) that he can assure even the weakest of his brothers and sisters that all the chosen, every one, will receive the goal of their faith, given and sustained by God: for the promise of the Lord is "the salvation of your souls" (I Peter 1:9).

Hence the grandeur of the language in his introduction to his letter (vv1-2) and his exposition of our "Living Hope" (vv3-12). Can anything surpass the sanctified confidence of the former cocksure braggart wrapped up in the thoughts and things of men? It is a confidence bestowed by God that he bequeaths to us. Experience and education validate the veracity and worth of his assurances. He has proven his proclamation at every point - the facts (he was there), and all the features of the faith he commends. Peter knows first-hand and intimately the realities of redemption through Christ.

He would have us possess a faith of greater worth than gold.

The Rev. Roger Salter is an ordained Church of England minister where he had parishes in the dioceses of Bristol and Portsmouth before coming to Birmingham, Alabama to serve as Rector of St. Matthew's Anglican Church.