Peter the Intellectual

Are you surprised at me calling the “unlearned and ignorant” fisherman an intellectual? This scriptural term (unlearned and ignorant), is in reference to a formal education only, not to his intelligence. The same was true in the case our Lord, His critics asked, “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? “ One can be highly intelligent without an education. The opposite is also true.

A.W. Tozer did not have what the world would consider a proper education; his schooling extended merely to the ninth-grade. But this self-taught man (he would say, “Spirit-taught”) was considered by his peers a remarkable “wordsmith.”

Peter wrote two letters (epistles), his purpose being to “stir up” God’s people. Paul uses the same phrase to Timothy. Notice in Peter’s statement how he intended to accomplish this. ““This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in [both] which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets (Old Testament), and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour (New Testament).”

He did not directly approach their heart first, the seat of the emotions. But rather engaged their minds, the intellect. Martyn Lloyd-Jones encourages Christians when dealing with any and all life’s problems, to approach them in this order: mind, heart, will. This is how Peter handled the biggest test of his life. “And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him.... And when he thought thereon, he wept.” Peter worked his repentance out in his mind first. The heart and will followed closely. To have done it any other way would have made his tears a waste of water.