Please understand that I am not denying that Peter was a true man of God. It's very clear from the bible that Peter was called and chosen by Jesus and that he was a true follower and disciple and apostle. But he was not perfect. He did have sin, just as any other man. In fact, many sins. Perhaps even the most sinful of the original 12 disciples, other than Judas, who of course was not a true disciple.
The purpose of this article is to help more people to come to understand that true apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and deacons are not perfect and cannot really be expected to be perfect until the last years of their lives. Sanctification is a life time process. It takes time to get rid of all of the carnal nature. Just because you see a person sin, doesn't mean that they are not called or chosen by God. However, of course, true ministers should be good examples of righteous living and holiness. They should be mature people who have already defeated much of their sins. They should have already learned many of life's lessons. They should be a good example to the church/flock. They should not be in a habit of sinning willfully. They should not be in a lifestyle of sin. Nevertheless, they are still human, and you will never find a perfect pastor, no matter how hard you try. This should not be an excuse to not embrace a true man of God as your pastor. Don't condemn him for sin if you yourself are also still in sin, unless of course he is living a lifestyle of habitual, willful sin without confession and without repentance. And of course, he must teach correct, true doctrine. But even concerning doctrine, he must grow over time. No pastor begins his ministry with 100% correct doctrine. We are all humans and it will take time for every human, even pastors, to grow in the truth. But your pastor should have almost all teachings completely correct for the most part. But 1-2 flaws do not prove that he is not a man of God, unless he fits the biblical definition of antichrist, apostate or other major evil.

We first start with the most commonly known sin of St. Peter, which is that he denied knowing Jesus 3 times. However, after these verses, we will look at several other examples, and I encourage you to examine them all.

Matthew 26:69-75 (KJV)
69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Did you read the above scriptures in your personal paperback/hardback bible today or just only on this website?
If only online, I encourage you to please open your bible and read these verses both on our website and in your bible. There is power in reading the real bible. Also, did you pray before beginning to read about this specific subject today? If not, I encourage you to take the time now to pray for understanding of truth.

But now let's back up to some previous verses, where Peter had already sinned even before he denied Christ 3 times.
51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

John 18:10-11
10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

John identifies Peter as the man who cut off the man's ear. And Jesus rebuked him for it. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus did point out people's sins, did condemn people, did judge people and did criticize people and evenly insulted people as we will see later in this article. We see here in these bible verses that Peter was thinking carnally. In the next verses, we will read that Jesus had already taught the disciples that he was going to be killed. Therefore Peter should have expected this arrest and should not have tried to prevent it. The arrest and crucifixion was ordained to occur. Peter had no right to try to stop it. To prevent the crucifixion, would be preventing the salvation of all of mankind! To try to stop the crucifixion, salvation of mankind and the plan of God, was a sin.

Matthew 16:21-24
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Jesus called Peter "Satan", which was a huge insult. Jesus was not talking to Satan.
The New American Standard Bible (NASB) better translates verse 23 as "But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s". Satan would not his mind on mankind's interests. But rather on Satan's interest. Therefore it is clear that Jesus was talking to Peter who had his mind on his own interest, his own carnal desire to keep Jesus alive. Yes, Jesus did insult even his true followers when needed. Recently, by rightfully insulting a member of our local congregation, I discovered that he was antichrist! If I had not insulted him, I would have continued to wrongfully believe that he was a true follower of Jesus. Thank Jesus that I did insult him and discovered the truth! He has now been exposed as what the bible calls "brute beasts" in 2 Peter 2:12. Of course, pastors shouldn't always be insulting everyone! But there is a time and place to insult when needed, even as Jesus, Paul and Peter all did insult people when needed. In 2 Peter 2, Peter is rightfully insulting and declaring that some of the ex-members of the church are wild, dumb animals. Jude said the same thing. And Jesus called some people "dogs, swine/pig, snakes and hypocrites".

Now, let's expose some more of Peter's sins:

John 21:1-22
1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved (John) saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, for he was naked, and did cast himself into the sea.
(Peter did not need to hide his nakedness from Jesus. Surely, Jesus would have already seen Peter naked repeatedly. In that day and time, people didn't have indoor plumbing and showers. Peter had lived with and followed Jesus 24/7 for probably 3-3.5 years. Jesus and all of his male disciples would have probably bathed in the rivers and seen each other naked. Also, in that day and time, everyone got baptized nude. That is historical and well documented fact. God sees all of us naked anyways. Hebrews 4:13. God sees you when you are changing clothes, and when you are in the bathroom and when you are taking a shower or bath. When Peter tried to hide his nakedness from God Jesus, he showed his carnal way of thinking.)
8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits, dragging the net with fishes.
9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
(It's important to notice that this was the 3rd time that Jesus had appeared to them after the resurrection. There is a theme of 3 in the sins of Peter. Peter had denied Christ 3 times. We will continue to notice this theme of 3.)
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

In the above bible verses, Jesus used the Greek word "agape/agapo" for "love". This specific Greek word means a true, deep, sincere godly love. But Peter responded with the Greek word "phileo", which only means "brotherly love" as in "just a friend". Jesus was hoping to find the same kind of deep love in Peter, as he had found in John who laid his head on Jesus' chest. Jesus was looking for true intimate love. Of course, this was not homosexual love. You can have very deep, sincere, intimate love between men, or between women, without sex! Contrary to the wicked modern culture, you don't have to have sex with someone just because you love them. But Peter could not yet say that he deeply loved Jesus. In this way, he denied Jesus another 3 times. In addition to this, Jesus also said to Peter 3 times, "feed my sheep". Peter's carnal mind could not understand what Jesus was truly saying. Jesus was not just telling Peter to shepherd the church. But rather, also to literally, physically feed the people, even as Jesus was literally, physically feeding the disciples fish at that very moment! To understand this, we must also read Acts 10, where Jesus tells Peter to eat!

Acts 10:5-17
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
(A tanner is a person who worked with the skins of animals. It was a job that required touching both clean and unclean animals for customers. The Jews refused to associate themselves with tanners. But here, Peter was doing staying with such a tanner, who was probably a gentile.)
7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
(It's very important to realize and remember that Peter was hungry. It doesn't say this for no reason. It's not written in vain. It's important.)
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
(The Alpha & Omega Bible {AOB} more correctly translates "vessel" as "fishing net". Peter was a professional fisherman. God would have used something that Peter could relate to. It doesn't make any sense to display the animals in a sheet or bed blanket. If it was a table cloth, he would not have been able to see the animals inside of it. It would only make sense to display the animals in a net.)
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
(Peter was hungry. God told Peter to rise, kill and eat! It was a command.)
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
(God rebuked Peter. Peter had done wrong by calling these animals "common", which means "unclean". God says here that he had cleansed these animals. You don't have to take my word for it. Instead, listen to what God himself said! The Jews and Hebrew roots people claim that God only cleansed the Gentiles. But why would God display unclean animals, which had never been cleansed, and would never be cleansed, to represent Gentiles who had been cleansed. That doesn't make any sense at all. You cannot use something unclean to represent the clean. It's irrational. Click here to see more proof that Jesus cleansed all animal meats to be acceptable for food.)
16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
(Notice it was done 3 times!)
17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

Many Jews and Hebrew roots people teach that Peter himself explained the meaning of the vision/dream, which is that God had cleansed the Gentiles. And that is true that that was one of the meanings. But many things in the bible have more than one meaning, especially dreams, visions and prophecies. It's very clear that Jesus did cleanse the animals that were previously considered symbolically and ceremonially unclean. And it even says in verse 17 that Peter doubted the meaning of the vision! He was not sure! We cannot teach that Peter was sure, when the bible says that he was not sure! Especially when we have so many bible verses that display how carnal and sinful that Peter was!

Peter's Mistake of Prophecy

Did the sun and moon become dark and red like blood on this day of Pentecost in Acts 2? No! Was it the end time fulfillment of Joel 2-3? No! Was it the opening of the 6th seal? No!
Peter made a mistake in prophecy. Therefore, it's easy to also understand that he also partly misinterpreted the vision of the animals in Acts 10.

James and Paul also wrongly thought that they were living in the end times and that Jesus would return in their lifetime.

James 5:1-9
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth eaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

Many people wrongfully use bible scriptures in their blasphemous attacks against God's true servants. Yes the bible does tell us that if a prophet's prophecies do not come true, that we are not to listen to that false prophet, and in some cases, that prophet was to be stoned, and in some cases that prophet was not sent by God. But what most people do not understand is that those verses were written to be used against false prophets who were not truly called of God, and that they were not simply making a mistake, but were not called. Whereas Peter, Paul and James simply made a mistake. There is a huge difference.
All prophets and pastors are humans and make mistakes. They do not begin their ministries in complete perfection. It takes time for them to grow in truth and understanding.
In many cases, the verses of condemnation against false prophets, were in relation to false prophets who were either speaking in the name of a false god, or they were proclaiming false peace. They were claiming that the invasions were not going to happen and that the people did not need to repent. Those verses of condemnation against false prophets were never meant to be used against the true prophets of God who are truthfully telling people to repent and warning of the truly coming judgments, yet make a honest mistake on some specifics.
Of course, if a person repeatedly give false prophecies, which are not biblical, such as bible codes, and such as pre-tribulation rapture dates, and they do not repent, but continue in their deceptions, then that is real false prophet who has not been called by God. There is no such thing a pre-tribulation rapture! Click here to see solid, undeniable biblical proof against the extremely dangerous pre-tribulation rapture theory. Please do not use this article as an excuse to follow false prophets and false teachers whose doctrines are not biblically sound!

Paul Rebuked Peter, Called Him a Hypocrite

Yes, Paul rebuked Peter to his face, and afterward continued to tell the entire church that Peter as a hypocrite! Peter ate with the Gentiles, as we also saw in Acts 10 when the Gentile tanner was preparing food for Peter. There was nothing wrong with that. God told Peter to rise, kill and eat whatever the Gentile tanner would have available. But then, Peter abstained from eating with the Gentiles when certain people was looking. This again shows Peter's flaws, faults, sins and hypocrisy.

Luke 22
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, (Peter) behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted (repented), strengthen thy brethren.

Jesus declared that Peter would repent. Despite all of Peter's problems, he was a true man of God. He was truly called and chosen. He was a true follower of Jesus. And his writings of the volumes of 1 Peter and 2 Peter are a great and wonderful edification to the entire church.

This article should not be used as an excuse for sin. Peter had to repent, and did repent. The bible is extremely clear that repentance is required of all of us. And that we must live a life of holiness.

1 Peter 1
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
(Not "perfect" in the sense of always having correct spelling and being able to walk through walls, but rather sinless. Most people would say that this is impossible. But the bible would not tell us to become sinless if it was impossible.)

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Acts 2:37-38
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

2 Cor.7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

No sinful person will enter Heaven or the fullness of the Kingdom!
We all must repent! "Repent" doesn't mean just to confess. But also to permanently change our actions. Peter's sins shouldn't be our excuse. Even Peter tells us that we must become holy. Becoming holy (perfecting holiness) is a lifelong process. We should strive to eventually become sin free. We will not be turned into spirit until we do. Sinful people will not be allowed into the paradise of new heaven and new Earth of Rev.21-22.

A lesson that we can learn from the sins of Peter, is that we should not worship him, nor think of him as perfect, nor think of him as flawless. He was only a man. But he was a man of God. True pastors and true prophets are not always perfect.

Concerning the usage of the word "Saint" as in St. Peter
Most of us understand that "St. Peter" is a Catholic expression. However, it's not sinful or wrong to use the word "saint". The bible calls us saints. Becoming a saint is something that is required of every true follower of Jesus. There's nothing wrong with that. Sainthood is not controlled by the Catholic Church. In fact, the Catholic Church has no power to declare anyone as a saint, or to declare sainthood, since they are a very major demonic part of Babylon. Click here to see undeniable proof that the Catholic Church, as well as the Orthodox Church, Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Jehovah Witness, 7th Day Adventist, Mormon, Church of God and all other denominations are part of Mystery Babylon. Since Peter did repent, and was a true follower of Jesus, he was a saint, and there is nothing wrong with calling him a saint, and it's not really just a Catholic thing. Peter was never a member of the Catholic Church. But rather, he was a member of the congregation of called out ones, a follower of Jesus, a Christian. He wasn't a member of any denomination of mankind.

I encourage you to read more of this ministry website, to grow in the truth of Jesus Christ and come out of man's denominations. Don't follow the pastors of Babylon. Although all pastors are humans, there is no excuse to blindly follow a pastor who teaches the false doctrines of Babylon.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

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