10.19

The Ministry of Peter in the Book of Acts

The principal events involving Peter in Acts seem to parallel key events in the life and ministry of Jesus as related in the Gospel of Luke.

Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit while praying (2:1–13; cf. 1:14).

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit while praying (3:21–22).

Peter preaches a sermon explaining why he and others have been filled with the Holy Spirit (2:14–40).

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus preaches a (short) sermon that explains why the Spirit of the Lord has come upon him (4:16–30). He claims that what has happened is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (from the book of Isaiah), just as Peter claims that the Spirit’s descent on the apostles is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (from the book of Joel).

Peter heals a lame man in the name of Jesus and encounters trouble with the religious leaders (3:1–4:22).

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus gets in trouble with the religious leaders of Israel for the first time when he heals a man who cannot walk (5:17–26).

Peter raises a widow from the dead (9:36–43).

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus raises a widow’s son from the dead (7:11–17).

Peter ministers to a gentile centurion (10:1–48).

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus ministers to a gentile centurion by healing his servant (7:1–10). Note that in both stories the question of whether it is appropriate for a Jewish man to enter the house of a gentile poses an obstacle that must be overcome.

Peter is criticized for associating with the wrong sort of people (11:1–18; 15:5).

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is criticized by Pharisees for associating with the wrong sort of people (5:30; 7:39; 15:2). In the case of Jesus, the issue is eating with sinners; in the case of Peter, it is eating with Gentiles.

Peter is delivered from prison by an angel (12:1–9).

There is no exact parallel to this regarding Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, but if the tomb of Jesus is understood to be something like a prison, then there is an account of Jesus being freed from that prison (24:1–12). Note that both stories involve an angel who opens the enclosed space.