Peter – Three Times

James Weidner III   -   November 5, 2024

Acts 9:32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Acts 9:36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

  1. Peter had come a long way by this point in his life and ministry. 
    1. With the reading of this passage Peter falls into a very small group of men who raised people from the dead within the scriptures.
      1. 1.1.1. Elijah, Elisha, Jesus, Peter, and Paul.
      2. 1.1.2. With only 10 recorded cases. 
      3. 1.1.3. Jesus now says “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” John 14:12 
      4. 1.1.4. Cessationist would say that these type of miracles ended with the last Apostle. 
      5. 1.1.5. We would say that miracles, signs and wonders, began before the Apostles and continues after. 
      6. 1.1.6. Jesus said anyone who believes will do greater works which is not possible without the working of the Holy Spirit. 
    2. Peter made three ministry journeys in the Book of Acts. 
    3. 1.3.The first one is when he and John met Philip in Samaria to pray with the new believers.

Acts 8:14-17 (ESV) 14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

      1. 1.3.1. Samaria was just North of Jerusalem. 
      2. 1.3.2. Peter and John often teamed up to minister together. 
        1. 1.3.2.1. I have no silver of gold, but what I have I give to you. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” Was with John.
      3. 1.3.3. On this first journey the mission was to get these new believers baptized in the Holy Spirit. 
      4. 1.3.4. But before we go any further let’s look back and… 
  1. Remember how far Peter had come.

Matthew 16:21-23 (NKJV) 21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

    1. Peter had a bullseye on his back. 
    2. 2.2. Peter had this thing about being outspoken and right. 
    3. 2.3. Satan used this and influenced him. 
      1. 2.3.1. Peter rebuked Jesus. 
      2. 2.3.2. Ela… Remember that time you were being corrected by someone and you were asking yourself why is this person correcting me? Well in those moments remember Jesus was rebuked by Peter. 
      3. 2.3.3. Satan knows the Word. 
        1. 2.3.3.1. He will attempt use it in any way he can for his own gain. 
        2. 2.3.3.2. What you are saying is not true. 
        3. 2.3.3.3. Jesus told Peter “Get behind me satan”
        4. 2.3.3.4. Don’t get offended if you are ever told get behind me satan. 
        5. 2.3.3.5. Just make it a goal to know the Word better than satan. 
    4. 2.4. Satan demanded to have Peter.

Luke 22:31-34 (ESV) 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

      1. 2.4.1. Jesus prayed. 
      2. 2.4.2. He lives and makes intercession for us.  
    2. 2.5. “Lord, I am ready.”
      1. 2.5.1. When we are young how quick we are to think we are ready.
      2. 2.5.2.We we get older how slow we are to confess being ready for anything. 
      3. 2.5.3. Peter said I am ready and Jesus basically said no you are not but you will be eventually.
    3. 2.6. Peter denied Christ three times. 

Luke 22:60-62 (ESV) 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

      1. 2.6.1. Three times in the year you shall keep a feast. 
      2. 2.6.2. Three times in the year your males appear before me. 
      3. 2.6.3. And here instead Peter is denying Jesus three times. 
    2. Jesus restores Peter three times. 

John 21:15-17 (ESV) 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

      1. 2.7.1. Three times Jesus instructs Peter. 
      2. 2.7.2.Meeting him where he was at Jesus helps Peter to recognize what was happening. 
      3. 2.7.3. Peter was grieved by the third time knowing what the meaning of the instruction was. 
  2. Some things never change. 

Acts 10:9-14 (ESV) 9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 (ESV) And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”

    1. After all these years. 
      1. 3.1.1. After being restored.
      2. 3.1.2. After being used to work mighty miracles. 
      3. 3.1.3. Peter is still putting his foot in his mouth. 
      4. 3.1.4. And still needing to be right. 
      5. 3.1.5. “By no means, Lord” basically No Lord. I have never done that before. 
      6. 3.1.6. Some things never change. 
    2. 3.2. A second instruction then came as a pattern is emerging?

Acts 10:16 (ESV) This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

Acts 10:17 (ESV) Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate

Acts 10:19 (ESV) And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you.

    1. 3.3. The vision happened three times and then ceased.
    2. 3.4. Three men show up at his door.
    3. 3.5. The Lord has a way of meeting us where we are. 
    4. 3.6. The Lord has a way of getting our attention. 
  2. Get confirmation with a witness of the Spirit.
    1. Three times a charm.
    2. 4.2. Three times for confirmation.
    3. 4.3. Gideon ask three times for a sign to confirm the Lord was speaking to him in Judges 6. 
      1. 4.3.1. We ask with humility.
      2. 4.3.2. We listen with open hearts. 
      3. 4.3.3. We compare and line it up with the Word of God. 
      4. 4.3.4. And I personally feel that someone saved and God fearing in your life will get a witness with you.