John Lesson 51

Introduction

For as Peter the first Pope, the Catholic Church claims that he was, and furthermore, the Catholic Church claims to be the one true church because it says that its present Pope is a successor to Peter. Today we’re going to be studying from John chapter 21, and we will be examining one of the passages that the Catholic Church uses to support their claim. I invite you to get your Bibles open and reason together with us. Are they properly using the scripture? Let us let the Bible speak.

We’ve come to John chapter 21, in our verse by verse study of this grand uh account of the life of Jesus Christ. We’ve observed how that John has introduced the message that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. In fact, in our closing lesson last time, in John chapter 20, verses 30 and 31, the apostle described the purpose for the writing of this particular account of the gospel. And he said, Many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you might have life through his name. I hope that you have the New Testament open with you, and until examine together with us now these closing verses in chapter 21 of the book of John.

1. The Proof of the Empty Tomb

We’ve been pointing out how that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is recorded in this gospel, and in fact, his resurrection is confirmed by many different proofs. Whether or not Jesus was raised from the grave is essential to our faith. And how do we go about proving that he was raised? In John chapter 20, we have the proof of the empty tomb. When Mary Magdalene and the other women came to the tomb on the day, the first day of the week to bringing Spices to anoint his body for burial, they found that the stone was removed and that the body was gone. They ran back to be tell the apostles, and Peter and John likewise came. And in John chapter 20, verses 1 through 10 stands a very strong testimony that Jesus was raised, and that is the empty tomb.

Well, you see, if if Jesus were gone, where was his body? Who moved the stone? Jesus certainly was too weak. Some say that he had just fainted, and and yet that theory won’t work because even if Jesus had just fainted on the cross and had been revived, he could not have removed that huge stone. And furthermore, why would the clothes have been left behind as they were neatly folded? Furthermore, uh, if the the enemies had stolen his body, uh why did they leave the clothes behind? Or why did they not wait or produce the body and and put an end to to the story that Christ had arisen from the grave? Surely the enemies of cr of of Jesus Christ uh were perplexed when later Christianity spread so rapidly as it did, and all they would have had to have done to put an end to that would have been to have produced the body of Christ, but the enemies never produced his body.

For that lie, and it would be, and they would have known it had they stolen his body, and yet they gladly testify that Jesus was risen from the grave and that they were witnesses of it, and and they gained no fame, that they gained no money. They even died an unnatural death because of this testimony. I say to you that the empty tomb stands as the Gibraltar rock for the faith of Christians, and it stands as a waterloo for those skeptics who would deny that Jesus was raised from the grave. But not only the empty tomb stands for that. John himself in these closing two chapters has given for us the account of appearances of Jesus Christ. There were many witnesses to his resurrection. In fact, in Acts chapter 1 and verse 3, the scripture says that Jesus Christ, after his passion, showed himself alive by many infallible proofs.

2. Many Infallible Proofs: Jesus Showed Himself Alive

Many times, many infallible, undeniable proofs. Jesus Christ showed himself alive. We really do not have any particular testimony as to all the times that Jesus appeared to his disciples. Probably the most conclusive is in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verses 5 through 8.

But some have fallen asleep. After that he was seen of James, then of all the apostles, and last of all, he was seen in me also as of one born out of due time. Indeed, there were many witnesses on many occasions. In this account of the gospel, John really tells us about uh four different times that Jesus appeared. It tells us of the time where he appeared to Mary Magdalene, and then it tells us three times that he appeared to the apostles when they were gathered together. In our study of chapter 20, for example, we noted how that on the very same day that he rose from the grave. The apostles were gathered together in a place out of in secrecy, out of fear of what the Jews might do, because the Jews had crucified Christ, and they feared for themselves, no doubt.

But Jesus came in their midst and made himself known. He even ate with them. But Thomas, one of the apostles, was not present at that time. And that’s recorded in John chapter 20, verses 19 through 23. And so later when they told Thomas that Christ had come, Thomas said, I will not believe until I’ve seen for myself and felt for myself the wounds and seen, thrust my hand to his side. And so one week later, again on the first of the week, and this is recorded in chapter 20 of John, verses 24 through 29. Jesus again appeared to his disciples and told Thomas, reach hither thy finger and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not faithless but believe him.

Thomas said, My Lord and my God. Indeed, Christ made himself known in such a way that they would not and could not deny. And Thomas called him Lord and God. The book of John began with the declaration that he was with God, that he was God. John 1, verses 1 through 3. And then it concludes with the exclamation of Thomas, my Lord and my God. Yes, the book was written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you might have life in his name. Well, in chapter twenty-one, we have what many regard to be an appendix to the book. Really, when you close chapter 20, it seems as though John intended to conclude it at that point, as he gave us these last two verses that it indeed told us the purpose for its writing.

3. The Third Time Jesus Showed Himself

But in chapter twenty-one he gives us supplementary material and it is not something different than in fact it simply enlarges upon and and tells us and supports in fact what has come before. So chapter twenty one really starts off with a third appearance of Jesus to his disciples. But at this point in time they have moved north, they’ve gone up into the area of Galilee, a region where Jesus had told them to go even before he died. If you have your testament open read with me the first fourteen verses John chapter twenty one verses one through fourteen after these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberius and on this wise showed himself. There were together Simon Peter and Thomas called Didymus and Nathaniel of Canaan Galilee and the sons of Zebedee and two other of his disciples.

Simon Peter saith unto them I go a fishing they say unto him we also go with thee they went forth and entered into a ship immediately and that night they caught nothing but when the morning was now come Jesus stood on the shore but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them Children have ye any meat and they answered him No. And he said unto them Cast the med on the right side of the ship and ye shall find they cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore, that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he gave his fisher’s coat unto him, for he was naked, and did cast himself into the sea.

And the other disciples came in a little ship, for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits, dragging the net the fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid there on and bread. And Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land full of great fishes, and hundred and fifty and three, and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And one of the disciples just asked him, Who art thou, knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh and taketh bread and give it them and fish likewise.

This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. Verse one comments that it was after these things. And that expression really doesn’t tell us how long it had been since Jesus had appeared to his disciples, requoted in John chapter twenty, from the time that time until now in this in the in the region of Galilee, he appears again. Actually we we only know that it was sometime after the eight days after his resurrection, and before the time of his ascension, and he was on earth only for forty days between the time of resurrection until his ascension, according to Acts 1 and 3, so sometime between the eighth day after his resurrection and before the fortieth day.

That’s about the the closest we can get. But he appears to his disciples, seven of them have gone fishing. Five of them are named for us in in verse two. But they’ve gone out fishing, and they fished all night, and they’ve caught nothing. Perhaps uh as the early morning and the dawn begins to arise, uh this one standing ashore, it was Jesus, but they didn’t recognize him. Maybe it was because of the dimness of the wide and and two, the fact that they were not expecting him. But when he calls to them, had you any meat, or had you caught anything? They said no. And Jesus tells the men to drop the net on the white side, and when they did, the net was so full of fish.

In fact, uh, in in verse um eleven says uh that they were something like a 153 large fish. And and another astounding fact was that it didn’t break the net. There were so many and so many large fish. Perhaps it reminded them of another instance and incident in their life, uh back recorded in Luke chapter five, you may read, where where when Jesus first uh made himself known to these men about three years earlier, in fact was that story, he told them to drop the net and they did, and they brought up some men, but they had the help had to have help from other boats that were nearby. But now again Jesus performed this miracle in effect to tell them to drop the net and they did, and at this point in time the disciple whom Jesus loved, which was John, recognized it’s Jesus.

Peter, impetuous Peter, girded his coat about him and jumped in the water and came quickly to shore. Scripture says that uh it was about two hundred cubits, and that would be approximately about a hundred yards away from shore. Peter rushes to shore. Of course the others then come in a in a small ship as they get to shore. They find Jesus already having a fire burning and fish and bread cooking their own, and he asked them to dine with them. The significant verse in this is that none needed to ask, was it Jesus? They knew that it was.

In Luke chapter 24 and verses 36 through 43, the scripture there speaks how that Jesus came in their midst, and he said unto them, Why are you troubled? How do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, but it is I myself, handle me and see. For a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet, and while they yet believed not for joy and wondered, he said unto them, Have you here any meat? And he gave them the piece of a broilfish and of a honeycomb, and he took it and did eat before them. Jesus arose, bodily resurrection. There were some who deny that, but the scriptures clearly describe Jesus as being in his body, the same body that was crucified, and a body that hungered and did eat, and a body that they knew that it was Jesus.

4. Lovest Thou Me?

What do you believe about Jesus Christ? Do you believe that he was raised from the dead? If so, you’re willing to obey him as your Lord. You then have life and that everlasting. We’ll be back in just a moment as we continue our study in John chapter 21. Of Peter the first Pope, the Catholic Church makes that claim, and in fact, the Catholic Church also claims to be the one true church, because it says that its present Pope is a successor to Peter. One of the passages that the Catholic Church uses to support their claim is the scripture found in John chapter 21 in verses 15 through 19, where it is scene in Galilee when at the Sea of Galilee, when Jesus appears for the third time to his apostles in a group, and having prepared breakfast for them, and this occasion he says some special words, special encouragement to Peter.

Here’s what he says. I’m reading now John 21, verse 15. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these.

Peter was grieved, because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me. And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things. Thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily I say unto thee, when thou was young, thou girdest thyself and walkest whither thou wouldst. But when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldst not. This spake he signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Now, in this touching scene, Simon Peter is asked three times, Lovest thou me and three times he affirms, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. It reminds us perhaps first of all that it was Peter who had denied the Lord three times on the night that he was arrested, betrayed by Judas.

And now three times Simon affirms, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. In the near reading in English language, this text, we do not see a distinction that is made in two different words that Greek words that are translated love. There is this word Agapao, the ver verb form, that Jesus used when he asked Peter, Lovest thou me, the first two times, Jesus used that word. And this word Agapao is is a strong, it’s the higher form of love. It is the same word that describes the kind of love that God had for us, Romans five and verse eight, he commended love his love toward us, that even while we were enemies, he he Christ died for us. Uh also in first John chapter four and verses nine and ten, when it says, And this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son of the world that we might live through him here in his love.

Not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. This love, Agapal, is a kind of love that does not depend upon response from another, for its active goodwill toward the other. God loved us while we were his enemies, while we were sinners, uh while we had done things against him, and that proved his love, the highest form of love possible, active goodwill extended toward us. Jesus asked Peter, Lovest thou me? But Peter’s response was with a different word. It was from the Greek form phileo. And the word phileo is a kind of love that is more the emotional aspect of love. And it’s more a responsive kind of love. But here are two individuals that have a feeling, a warm, intense feeling one for the other.

And Peter, rather than responding with a higher form, like a Paul love, he says, with the Phileo, yes, Lord, Phileo, indeed I love thee. Thou knowest. The third time Jesus asked the question, he used this same word, Phileo. Lovest thou me. And with this time, perhaps it’s as though to say, Do you really have that warm emotional, tender affection that you’re claiming, Peter? Peter responded again with the same words with one addition. Thou knowest, but I love thee. But with this addition, he said, Thou knowest all things. Yes, Peter was the one who had earlier claimed that he would never deny the Lord. Mark chapter 14. In fact, he had said, Even if all be offended in thee, I will not. But it was Jesus who told him even beforehand.

But Peter, you will deny me before the cocks were crowded twice. You’ll deny me though to say Peter was throwing the Lord, Lord, you do know all things. It was the Lord who knew Peter and his impetuous nature. The Lord did know Peter and his weaknesses. The Lord did know Peter, but this same Peter would probably sin again. And indeed, in Galatians chapter 2 and verse 11, the scriptures speak of a time when Paul said Paul had to withstand into his face because Peter stood condemned. Peter was a fallible man. And yet, with tender calm and of love and mercy, the Lord responds to Peter as though to reassure him that Peter, even though you’ve denied me before, and though Peter you may have thoughts in the future, yet you have work to do.

Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep.

And there’s some controversy over this word bees in verse 15. To what does it refer? Well, Jesus said to Peter, Do you love me more than the things of this fishing profession, this boat and fish and all? Or was he saying, Peter, do you love me more than these other disciples who are gathered? I really believe that the latter fits the context better. Understanding that it was Peter who said, If everybody is offended in you, I wouldn’t be. It’s the same Peter that’s being tested, do you really love me more than others? You said you did, and now you’ve fallen, but you would come back to me. And do you really love me more than these? And Peter strongly affirms, Yea, Lord, I love thee. Well that warm, tender affection, yea, Lord, I love thee.

5. Feed My Sheep: Was Peter a Pope?

Indeed, it is a touching scene. But now, the passage where Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. Tend to uh feed my sheep, as twice said, and the first time, feed my lambs, verse 15. The lamb being the young, the sheep being the older, it’s as though to say, Peter, you have a responsibility. You have a commission as an apostle to tend to or to feed, to pastor, to be the shepherd of both the young and the old, both the immature and the mature. And Peter wants you to be busy about doing that which is your calling, which is your work. But now the question is, does that mean that the Lord was assigning Peter some kind of special superior position over the other apostles? Was the Lord assigning Peter a role of Pope as head over the church on earth?

If he were, it would seem a very appropriate time for John to have so indicated. This book was written about thirty years after the death of Peter. And yet John says nothing in this text about Peter being a pope. And one of the other writers of the New Testament ever referred to him as a pope. Peter himself never referred to himself as having some superior position over the others. What Peter was exhorted here to do was to feed or to tend to the flock of God. And it’s interesting that Peter himself exhorted elders of the church to do that. If you read in 1 Peter chapter 5 and verses 1 through 3, Peter said, The elders which are among you, I exhort him also an elder and a and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also partake of the glory that shall be revealed, feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly, not for fither lucre, but of a ready man and so forth.

Would that make elders, little popes, uh popes? It no more makes elders popes when they are exhorted to feed the flock of God than it made Peter a pope when he was exalted with that commission. And furthermore, in Acts chapter 20 and verse 28, the elders at Ephesus were exhorted to take care or tend to the flock or feed the flock of God, which he had purchased with his own blood. So others are exhorted to feed the flock of God. Peter never claimed to be the Pope, nor is there any successor ever named after him in the New Testament. That’s tradition, that’s claims of men. In fact, listen to what the Lord said about himself and what the apostles said about who the head of the church on earth really is.

6. Christ Is Head Over All Things of the Church

In Matthew chapter 28 and verses 18 through 20, shortly before Jesus ascended into heaven, Jesus said, All power or all authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whichever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Chapter 1, in verses 22 and 23, the scripture speaks about how that God hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things of the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. That scripture is talking about Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

He is head over all things of the church. No man, no board of men, council, synod, or convention, have the right to make any religious loss. The only place to know what is the will of Christ is to be found in the inspired word of God, the New Testament. And Christ has all authority, both in heaven and in earth. Peter never claimed to be a pope. Peter was not a pope. Peter was an apostle, commissioned to attend to the flock of God, to preach the gospel, to exhort, to reprove, and to and even to to bring back those sheep who may stray. Indeed, Peter was a great man, but so were the other apostles. Jesus the Christ is the one in whom is salvation. Are you following him?

We hope that you’ll study with us again, and until then, may the Lord bless and be with you.