The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
Written by Blake Plympton
If you were to read through the New Testament, Peter and Paul are two of the most prominent people you will see in scripture. Of course, Jesus has the most prominent place in the Bible, but the disciples and others show the importance of how God uses everyday people as well. As we consider this feast day, I want to recognize the importance of these two men and the importance they have to the church.
In the United States, we have a very interesting obsession with Paul. It would not surprise me at all if we did a survey of Christian churches’ sermons and talked about how many of them were on a Pauline passage or mentioned Paul in one way or another. Now, this could be because Paul reminds us of the “American dream”: a man on a mission who travels around the globe starting up “businesses,” gaining a “following,” and eventually “retiring” in Rome to live his “best life”. Now, I say this all tongue in cheek of course, but if you think about it, it kind of fits.
The reality though is that Paul’s life was of service to Jesus. He makes this very clear in his writings and in his life. We know that after his conversion, he went from being the greatest opposition to the Christians as more and more people started to believe in Jesus, to be one of the greatest missionaries that we see in scripture and the second largest (word for word) contributor to the New Testament. Even in Rome, we see him imprisoned and still proclaiming the gospel to those who would see him or through his letters to the cities where he had started churches.
In a similar vein, we have Peter. If Paul is the most preached-on person in the United States, Peter would have to be the one that gets the worst wrap of all the Apostles. On the other hand, we see in scripture that Peter is the one who has one of the greatest beliefs in Jesus. Sure, Peter begins falling into the water once his faith begins to waiver, but he still began to walk on Water with Jesus. Let’s not also forget that there was that one time that he chopped off the guard’s ear with his sword. But Peter believed the Kingdom of God was at hand and was willing to fight for it! Of all the moments of faith and belief I see in Peter, nothing sticks out to me more than Matthew 16:17 when after his profession to Jesus that he is “Christ, Son of the Living God,” Jesus says “And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
Both these men show us great examples of what it means to follow Jesus for all their lives. Paul continues to sacrifice his own comfort and well-being for the gospel. This man was imprisoned several times, beaten within an inch of his life, and eventually went before Caesar himself to proclaim Christ as his Lord and not Caesar. Peter went on to lead the church and the ever-growing community in the first century. He lived a life of courage and faithfulness going from church to church and defending the faith for Jews and for the Gentiles to come.
Although we could continue writing almost endlessly about these two men and their character, I want to take a step back and remember one of their more priestly works we see them do: equipping the saints. Throughout their ministries, you see both Paul and Peter taking opportunities to pour into people and equip them for ministry.
For centuries, the church has been appointing spiritual leaders and stewarding those roles for some time. Each new iteration of a bishop, elder, or deacon would be for the church to grow into maturity and to preserve the gospel for the next generation to come till Christ came back. A good American businessman would say that this is great succession planning, but as we see it, this is the way the gospel could go to the ends of the earth. Appointing leaders in the church, equipping them to share the gospel, and sending them out to the places they would work, play, eat, and travel would allow for the gospel to be spread.
Today, we still have this same practice. We are always looking to raise leaders up in the church, not for the sake of the individual church to grow, but for the world to see and hear the gospel. And every believer has been called into this same reality. We have all been called by Christ to proclaim the good news, to serve the church, and to love our neighbor. The church is not just a place where we train and pump out strictly clergy to do the work in the church. Although this work is important, the church is also a place “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:12)
The Bride of Christ, the church, is a beautiful thing that we all share a part of. A place of teaching, serving, love, and worship that is meant for the world to see and join. Each of us plays a part in this very thing and fulfills the image of Christ in us as we live like Christ. Each of us also benefits greatly from the work of our clergy. We come to receive the eucharist almost every week. We listen to sermons that have been prayerfully crafted so that we can learn more about Christ and the encounter of the gospel with our culture. Some of us have probably even been blessed by the hospital visits, weekly programs, special events, and weddings, that have all been able to be put on in our local church.
All these things, however, could not be done by one person. It is often the body of Christ that is taking on the burden alongside those who lead us so they can continue to live out their calling in the church. Our pastoral care team helps make visits and calls to the broader church to help share the burden from our pastors. The Worship service teams assist us with all the areas of our worship that the priest cannot do. Our Hospitality team ensures that people are hosted well in the fellowship hall and feel welcome when they arrive. Every aspect of the church is supported by those who serve our church.
So, I might not have any more incredible insights about Paul or Peter. There might not be much more to say about their ministry and lives that has not already been said and that many people know about. However, I give thanks to these two faithful men who gave their lives in service of Christ, so that, one day, I might know Jesus myself and claim him as my Lord and Savior. Therefore, may we not grumble, complain, and do nothing to serve Christ’s bride. Rather, through our service, worship, gathering, praying, evangelizing, and our whole being, pour out into one another so that we might give glory to Christ and honor to those who have started to work of the church as we see it today.
A Prayer for Saint Peter and Saint Paul (BCP 2019, p.629)
Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified you by their martyrdom: Grant that your Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
1. How would you describe the Church to someone?
a. Is it a building? A Place? A people? Is it bound by time?
2. How has this made you view your own church a little differently?
3. What part are you playing in the “equipping of the saints” in your own context?
4. Is there a place you have been serving that you need to invite someone into?
5. If you are not serving, where can you begin serving the church?
a. Is there a need in your church you can meet?
b. Are there organizations that you know need help?
c. Do you have a passion for the homeless, disabled, poor, and needy?