Saint Peter
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Mt 16.18-19)
St. Peter’s original name was Simon. He lived in Capharnaum, was married and, according to Clement of Alexandria, had children. He was a fisherman and owned his own boat.
After being called by Christ to become a disciple, his prominence among them grew through the particular attention Christ gave to him. Christ made Peter the head of the apostles and promised him that he would be the head of his flock. Christ also said that he would build his church upon Peter as the head, and gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Peter was rash in word and act, and full of enthusiasm and zeal. Earliest portraits of him show a strong, roundish head, prominent jaw-bones, a receding forehead and thick, curly hair and beard.
1 Peter
Chapter
2 Peter
Chapter