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In addition to the reminiscences from Peter that we studied in Part I, please consider the following additional statements from Peter in his epistles that have a correlation to some saying, person, or event in the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Redeemed…With the Precious Blood of Christ.  I Pet. 1:18-19
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”  Peter first learned from his brother Andrew that Jesus was the Messiah.  Andrew was present when John the baptist said, “Behold, the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29,36).  Andrew first finds Peter and brings him to Jesus.  Peter is immediately drawn to Christ and becomes a follower of Jesus (John 1:40-42).  Peter was persuaded that forgiveness of sins was found in Jesus Christ.  Peter associates baptism into Christ with salvation for this very reason. “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Pet. 3:21).  On the day of Pentecost, Peter stated the same requirement, baptism into Christ, for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  Forgiveness is achieved through the atoning power of the blood of Christ.  We are redeemed by the blood of Christ when we are baptized into Christ and our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16).
Clothed With Humility.  I Pet. 5:5,6 and 3:4.
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder, Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”  Peter learned humility at the feet of Jesus (John 13:1-17).  In the upper room, Jesus taught His disciples that the servant is not greater than his lord (John 13:16).  In Peter’s statement, the word ‘clothed’ is singular.  Why associate clothing with humility?  When Jesus prepared to wash His disciples’ feet (including Peter’s), He girded Himself with a towel.  Jesus left them an example.  In the memory of this example, Peter remembered, “clothed with humility” (he can see His Lord girded with a towel).  How much more powerful Peter’s words become in the Epistle, when we see the correlation with the lesson taught by the Lord on humility in the upper room discourses.  Humility is lowliness of mind.  It is the grace of the human heart tuned to God’s greatness and goodness and overwhelmed thereby.
The End of All Things is At Hand.  I Pet. 4:7.
“The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore, sober, and watch unto prayer.”  Peter, Andrew, James and John once sat with the Lord on the Mount of Olives over against Jerusalem.  The Lord prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem (Matt. 24).  The end of the outward aspects of the Jewish religion was in view.  The temple would be destroyed.  The city of Jerusalem would be destroyed. Jesus told His disciples to ‘watch’ and ‘pray’ (Matt. 24:42; Luke 21:36).  Peter could not possibly forget such an occasion and the sayings of Jesus.  Now, regarding the destruction of Jerusalem (the end of all things), he warns his readers to watch and pray.  Jesus brought an end to the Mosaical Law at His death (Col. 2:14; Heb. 8; 9:16-17).   An end to the outward aspects of the Jewish religion occurred as Jesus predicted in 70 A.D.   This is a significant prophecy by the Lord and confirms that He is truly a prophet of God.  Peter’s own veracity must be included in the analysis.
Living Stone.  I Pet. 2:4-10.
“To whom as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious.” Peter states that Jesus is a living stone chosen by God.  Jesus is also the stone of stumbling and rock of offense rejected by the builders, but made the head of the corner by God.  Peter’s words are reminiscent of Jesus’ statement in Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  The rock was not Peter.  The rock was Christ (Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Christ the Son of God–Matt. 16:16).  Jesus Christ is the foundation of the church and no other (I Cor. 3:11).  Jesus also said, “Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” (Matt. 21:42).  Jesus was quoting from Psa. 118:22-23. He applies this Old Testament passage to Himself. Peter’s words are reminiscent of the teaching of Jesus.  Notice, the Old Testament Scripture and its fulfillment is readily seen by Peter and becomes a part of his preaching.  In Acts 4:11, Peter speaking of Jesus says, “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders which is become the head of the corner.” The corner stone was the most important stone in the construction of a building.  Peter knows who the rock is, yes, “the chief corner stone” and it is not him. It is Jesus Christ!
Ye Were As Sheep Going Astray.  I Pet. 2:25.
Peter is keenly aware of the imagery of a lost sheep.  When Peter denied the Lord three times, he was the lost sheep who had gone astray.  Later, he was reconciled to Jesus when he affirmed his love for the Lord three times (John 21:15-23).  Peter had heard the parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7).  He had heard the discourse of Jesus on the Good Shepherd (John 10).  These images and lessons from Jesus were firmly fixed in his mind.  Peter knows who the sheep are and who the Shepherd and Bishop of souls is.  In I Pet. 5:2-4, Peter uses the imagery again.  “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”  In the process of reconciling Peter, Jesus told him three times, “feed my sheep,” “feed my sheep,” “feed my lambs.”  Peter, in his position as an apostle and elder in the Lord’s church had the opportunity to fulfill this imperative.  As an elder, he put himself in the proper relation to Jesus, the chief Shepherd.  He speaks as an elder to other elders simply, lowly, and affectionately.
Suffering For Christ’s Sake.
Jesus taught repeatedly that the apostles would suffer for His name’s sake (Matt. 10:21-31; Matt. 5:11-12).  Peter also taught repeatedly that Christians would suffer for righteousness’ sake.  Peter was an eyewitness to the sufferings of Jesus Christ (I Pet. 5:1).  Peter spoke of manifold temptations (I Pet. 1:5-6).  He speaks eloquently of the example of Jesus in facing suffering (I Pet. 2:19-20; 21-25).  He speaks of the joy in knowing that we are suffering for righteousness’ sake which reflects closely the words of Jesus in Matt. 5:11-12 (I Pet. 3:14-15).  He warns against suffering for sinful conduct (I Pet. 4:13-16).  He encourages Christians to face suffering with stability and strength (I Pet. 5:10) because it produces spiritual depth and maturity.  The crown of glory follows those who suffer for Christ’s sake.  Peter learned to walk in the footsteps of Jesus  with regard to personal suffering and so must we.
We Were Eyewitnesses of His Majesty.  II Pet. 1:16-18.
Peter was an eyewitness of the majesty of the Lord at the Mt. of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-5).  Peter relates the impression made upon his heart when present with the Lord at this significant moment and he beheld the splendor of the glory of the Lord shine through His flesh.  Peter’s faith was grounded in historical fact.  He indicates that Jesus received glory and honor from God when God confessed His Son from the heavens: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him.”  Peter, James and John were present along with Moses and Elijah who spoke to Jesus of His coming sufferings and death (Luke 9:31).  How could Peter forget this scene?  Now, he magnifies the name of Jesus by testifying to the truthfulness of His majesty!
Peter’s reminiscences give us many sacred connections to his personal contact and experiences with the Lord.  These often are interconnected with the Old Testament Scriptures and help to assure us of the truthfulness of that which is written.  Since faith is dependent upon the veracity of God’s word, we can be fortified in our own personal faith by studying these examples and what some have deemed to be undesigned coincidences.