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Peter: Eyewitness of His Majesty
'Ted Donnelly's handling of biblical teaching is always marked by faithfulness, insight, wisdom and warmth. All of these qualities abound in this splendid exposition of Simon Peter's life and ministry. It provides the rare combination of helpful, and at times, searching, instruction with the genuine Christian pleasure of discovering more about the grace of Jesus Christ.' — SINCLAIR B. FERGUSON
Discipleship.
Preaching.
Pastoral.
The Apostle Peter was a major New Testament personality - a vivid, complex and well-rounded character. His leadership was decisive in the history of the church, and his teaching remains profound and compellingly up-to-date. So why is it that he has been undervalued by evangelicals for so long?
Christians, and Christian leaders in particular, can learn much from this man. Ted Donnelly's portrait of the Apostle Peter lets us see him from three distinct angles. Firstly we see him discovering what it means to follow Jesus as a disciple. Then we see him as a powerful preacher, from whom we can learn important lessons about communicating the gospel to others. Lastly, we view him as a faithful pastor and observe what it is to be a true shepherd of the people of God.
Discipleship.
Preaching.
Pastoral.
The Apostle Peter was a major New Testament personality - a vivid, complex and well-rounded character. His leadership was decisive in the history of the church, and his teaching remains profound and compellingly up-to-date. So why is it that he has been undervalued by evangelicals for so long?
Christians, and Christian leaders in particular, can learn much from this man. Ted Donnelly's portrait of the Apostle Peter lets us see him from three distinct angles. Firstly we see him discovering what it means to follow Jesus as a disciple. Then we see him as a powerful preacher, from whom we can learn important lessons about communicating the gospel to others. Lastly, we view him as a faithful pastor and observe what it is to be a true shepherd of the people of God.
- GenresChristian
168 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1998
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October 30, 2019
I really liked this book; Donnelly's style and good development of his theme about Peter's growth and maturity was solid; it's a good book to re-read.
"Ted Donnelly's handling of biblical teaching is always marked by faithfulness, insight, wisdom and warmth. All of these qualities abound in this splendid exposition of Simon Peter's life and ministry. It provides the rare combination of helpful, and at times, searching, instruction with the genuine Christian pleasure of discovering more about the grace of Jesus Christ. Ted Donnelly's handling of biblical teaching is always marked by faithfulness, insight, wisdom and warmth. All of these qualities abound in this splendid exposition of Simon Peter's life and ministry. It provides the rare combination of helpful, and at times, searching, instruction with the genuine Christian pleasure of discovering more about the grace of Jesus Christ."
-- Sinclair B. Ferguson
In his consideration of Peter the Disciple, Ted Donnelly helps us to see the omnipotent and manifold grace of God at work, fashioning the rough-hewn Galilean fisherman into a polished instrument in the hands of the Master. In the contemplation of Peter the Preacher we are helped to see those principles which validate and illustrate the centrality of preaching in the purpose of God, and to consider the kind of preaching owned of God to the accomplishment of his saving purposes. Finally, in the examination of the biblical witness to Peter the Pastor we are led to consider what is involved in being a shepherd after God's own heart.
-- Albert N. Martin, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church, Montville, NJ
PETER: EYE WITNESS TO HIS MAJESTY
A PASTOR'S PASTOR
MINISTRY PERCEIVED NOT AS PROFESSIONAL, RESPECTED
GOD, BIBLE OBSOLETE
PETER A GOOD EXAMPLE TO TEACH PASTORS
WROTE LETTERS TO CHRISTIANS UNDER PRESSURE & BEING PERSECUTED
LETTERS ARE A TREASURE HOUSE OF GOD-CENTERED COUNSEL; WISE, TENDER
ELDERS: SHEPHERD FLOCK!
THE PASTOR'S IDENTITY
i. FELLOW ELDER
PETER AN EQUAL
HUMBLE, NO PECKING ORDER
ii. A WITNESS TO THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST
iii. A PARTAKER OF THE GLORY THAT WILL BE REVEALED
SUFFERING WAS CHRIST'S PATH TO GLORY
SUCH IS AN ELDER'S PATH TO GLORY
THE PASTOR'S DUTY
i. SPECIALIZED NATURE: "SHEPHERD THE FLOCK"
PREACHING & PASTORING GO TOGETHER
BE REASONABLY VISIBLE
ii. OF IMMENSE RESPONSIBILITY: "THE FLOCK OF GOD"
THEY ARE GOD'S OWN SHEEP
WE ARE ENTRUSTED WITH THEM
WE ARE TO NEVER DESPISE OR HANDLE WITH IMPATIENCE OR DISTASTE
NEVER FORGET WHO THEY ARE OR HOW GREAT OUR RESPONSIBILITY
OUR LOVE FOR JESUS MOTIVATES US TO SERVE THE SHEEP
iii. REQUIRES INTIMATE CONTACT: "WHICH IS AMONG YOU"
NOT TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM SHEEP
WORK IS TO BE 'HANDS ON', CLOSE RANGE
CLOSE, PENETRATING SCRUTINY OF WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING
RESPONSIBLE FOR EXAMINING, REGARDING CAREFULLY, LOOKING DILIGENTLY HEB 12:14,15
KEEP INFORMED OF PEOPLE'S LIVES BUT NOT INTRUSIVELY P. 118
iv. GIVEN TO HIM BY GOD'S SOVEREIGN DISPOSING: "THOSE ENTRUSTED TO YOU"
GOD 'ALLOTS' A GROUP TO A SHEPHERD
COULD BE BIG, SMALL, HEALTHY, UNHEALTHY .... DEPENDING ON WHO HE ALLOTS
HE APPOINTS OUR SPHERE OF LABOR, WE ARE TO BE FAITHFUL
1PE 5:2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
THE PASTOR'S HEART
i. "NOT BY CONSTRAINT BUT WILLINGLY, ACCORDING TO GOD"
INNER COMPULSION, POWERFUL SENSE OF DIVINE CALLING 1COR 9:16
POWERFULLY CONSTRAINED YET FREELY WILLING TO SERVE
WILLINGLY = JOYFUL CONSENT
ii. "NOT FOR DISHONEST GAIN BUT EAGERLY"
LAVISH LIFESTYLES, EXORBITANT FEES
PRESTIGE OR POWER JUST AS BAD
BUT FREELY WITH PASSION AND ENTHUSIASM, DISPENSING THE GRACE OF GOD!
iii. "NOR AS BEING LORDS OVER THOSE ENTRUSTED TO YOU, BUT BEING EXAMPLES TO THE FLOCK"
PASTORS IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY HEB 13:17
NOT TO BROW BEAT BY FORCE OF PERSONALITY, AUTHORITARIAN MANNER, OR DISMISSIVE, SARCASTIC, ARROGANT
EXAMPLES: LIVES ENFORCE WHAT LIPS PROFESS
GODLY MEN EXERT A POWERFUL & LASTING INFLUENCE IN A CHURCH
1PE 5:2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
THE PASTOR'S REWARD
THIS PASTOR LOVES & TEACHES IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY
PRECIOUS TO HIM, PRACTICAL TO HIS READERS
WE HAVE A MENTOR TO WHOM WE CAN GO
REWARD IS CROWN: GLORY, EVERLASTING LIFE, JESUS HIMSELF, PERMANENT POSSESSION OF A SHARE IN THE BLESSEDNESS OF HEAVEN
MT 25:21 "His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
EPILOGUE
PETER THE PASTOR
1PE 5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
1PE 5: 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
"Ted Donnelly's handling of biblical teaching is always marked by faithfulness, insight, wisdom and warmth. All of these qualities abound in this splendid exposition of Simon Peter's life and ministry. It provides the rare combination of helpful, and at times, searching, instruction with the genuine Christian pleasure of discovering more about the grace of Jesus Christ. Ted Donnelly's handling of biblical teaching is always marked by faithfulness, insight, wisdom and warmth. All of these qualities abound in this splendid exposition of Simon Peter's life and ministry. It provides the rare combination of helpful, and at times, searching, instruction with the genuine Christian pleasure of discovering more about the grace of Jesus Christ."
-- Sinclair B. Ferguson
In his consideration of Peter the Disciple, Ted Donnelly helps us to see the omnipotent and manifold grace of God at work, fashioning the rough-hewn Galilean fisherman into a polished instrument in the hands of the Master. In the contemplation of Peter the Preacher we are helped to see those principles which validate and illustrate the centrality of preaching in the purpose of God, and to consider the kind of preaching owned of God to the accomplishment of his saving purposes. Finally, in the examination of the biblical witness to Peter the Pastor we are led to consider what is involved in being a shepherd after God's own heart.
-- Albert N. Martin, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church, Montville, NJ
PETER: EYE WITNESS TO HIS MAJESTY
A PASTOR'S PASTOR
MINISTRY PERCEIVED NOT AS PROFESSIONAL, RESPECTED
GOD, BIBLE OBSOLETE
PETER A GOOD EXAMPLE TO TEACH PASTORS
WROTE LETTERS TO CHRISTIANS UNDER PRESSURE & BEING PERSECUTED
LETTERS ARE A TREASURE HOUSE OF GOD-CENTERED COUNSEL; WISE, TENDER
ELDERS: SHEPHERD FLOCK!
THE PASTOR'S IDENTITY
i. FELLOW ELDER
PETER AN EQUAL
HUMBLE, NO PECKING ORDER
ii. A WITNESS TO THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST
iii. A PARTAKER OF THE GLORY THAT WILL BE REVEALED
SUFFERING WAS CHRIST'S PATH TO GLORY
SUCH IS AN ELDER'S PATH TO GLORY
THE PASTOR'S DUTY
i. SPECIALIZED NATURE: "SHEPHERD THE FLOCK"
PREACHING & PASTORING GO TOGETHER
BE REASONABLY VISIBLE
ii. OF IMMENSE RESPONSIBILITY: "THE FLOCK OF GOD"
THEY ARE GOD'S OWN SHEEP
WE ARE ENTRUSTED WITH THEM
WE ARE TO NEVER DESPISE OR HANDLE WITH IMPATIENCE OR DISTASTE
NEVER FORGET WHO THEY ARE OR HOW GREAT OUR RESPONSIBILITY
OUR LOVE FOR JESUS MOTIVATES US TO SERVE THE SHEEP
iii. REQUIRES INTIMATE CONTACT: "WHICH IS AMONG YOU"
NOT TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM SHEEP
WORK IS TO BE 'HANDS ON', CLOSE RANGE
CLOSE, PENETRATING SCRUTINY OF WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING
RESPONSIBLE FOR EXAMINING, REGARDING CAREFULLY, LOOKING DILIGENTLY HEB 12:14,15
KEEP INFORMED OF PEOPLE'S LIVES BUT NOT INTRUSIVELY P. 118
iv. GIVEN TO HIM BY GOD'S SOVEREIGN DISPOSING: "THOSE ENTRUSTED TO YOU"
GOD 'ALLOTS' A GROUP TO A SHEPHERD
COULD BE BIG, SMALL, HEALTHY, UNHEALTHY .... DEPENDING ON WHO HE ALLOTS
HE APPOINTS OUR SPHERE OF LABOR, WE ARE TO BE FAITHFUL
1PE 5:2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
THE PASTOR'S HEART
i. "NOT BY CONSTRAINT BUT WILLINGLY, ACCORDING TO GOD"
INNER COMPULSION, POWERFUL SENSE OF DIVINE CALLING 1COR 9:16
POWERFULLY CONSTRAINED YET FREELY WILLING TO SERVE
WILLINGLY = JOYFUL CONSENT
ii. "NOT FOR DISHONEST GAIN BUT EAGERLY"
LAVISH LIFESTYLES, EXORBITANT FEES
PRESTIGE OR POWER JUST AS BAD
BUT FREELY WITH PASSION AND ENTHUSIASM, DISPENSING THE GRACE OF GOD!
iii. "NOR AS BEING LORDS OVER THOSE ENTRUSTED TO YOU, BUT BEING EXAMPLES TO THE FLOCK"
PASTORS IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY HEB 13:17
NOT TO BROW BEAT BY FORCE OF PERSONALITY, AUTHORITARIAN MANNER, OR DISMISSIVE, SARCASTIC, ARROGANT
EXAMPLES: LIVES ENFORCE WHAT LIPS PROFESS
GODLY MEN EXERT A POWERFUL & LASTING INFLUENCE IN A CHURCH
1PE 5:2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
THE PASTOR'S REWARD
THIS PASTOR LOVES & TEACHES IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY
PRECIOUS TO HIM, PRACTICAL TO HIS READERS
WE HAVE A MENTOR TO WHOM WE CAN GO
REWARD IS CROWN: GLORY, EVERLASTING LIFE, JESUS HIMSELF, PERMANENT POSSESSION OF A SHARE IN THE BLESSEDNESS OF HEAVEN
MT 25:21 "His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
EPILOGUE
PETER THE PASTOR
1PE 5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
1PE 5: 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
March 29, 2020
Donnelly is a wise and balanced teacher and pastor. I was expecting a bio of the life of Peter and the book was good, but it had much more teaching for men in the ministry - based on the life and teaching of Peter than I expected. It would be a great read for young men entering the pastoral ministry, and it doesn't hurt a lay woman to read such things once in awhile, but I definitely plan to pass this one on. Donnelly is exceptionally good at pointing out tendencies to spiritual imbalance in the church, based on his years of pastoring and studying the Bible - good food for thought.
July 31, 2016
Excellent biography of the Apostle Peter.
It would be a good source for a series of sermons entitled "A Man Called Peter -- the Apostle."
This book points out his shortcomings and the evangelic message he preached which is so missing in many evangelical pulpits today.
Ted Donnelly's book should be in the must read category for any pastor preaching a series on Peter
It would be a good source for a series of sermons entitled "A Man Called Peter -- the Apostle."
This book points out his shortcomings and the evangelic message he preached which is so missing in many evangelical pulpits today.
Ted Donnelly's book should be in the must read category for any pastor preaching a series on Peter
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews