Why did Jesus choose Peter as the leader?
Jesus went further and promised to give Peter the “keys to the Kingdom of Heaven,” that is, authority to shepherd the Church. Jesus also promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church.
At the head of the Twelve, Jesus placed Peter. From Jesus, the Twelve received the mandate to preach the Gospel to all nations. Peter ultimately made his way to Rome, where he died as a martyr. In establishing the Twelve Apostles with Peter at their head, Jesus gave the Church the basic structure of its leadership.
From Jesus, the Twelve received the mandate to preach the Gospel to all nations. Peter ultimately made his way to Rome, where he died as a martyr. In establishing the Twelve Apostles with Peter at their head, Jesus gave the Church the basic structure of its leadership.
Jesus gave Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” not the keys to heaven. 1 A key was a badge of authority ( Luke 11:52 ), and then as now was used to open doors. Peter used the keys Christ gave him to open the door to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost ( Acts 2 ),…
Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples. He saw the healings Jesus did, and heard him preach, and became his disciple. After the disciples and Jesus ate their last supper together, Peter promised Jesus that he would never desert him. But Jesus told Peter that three times before morning Peter would deny that he knew Jesus.
Peter was one of the closest disciples of Jesus Christ. The Lord knew all his disciples even before he chose them. He even knew Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him, thoroughly. The Lord knew that Peter would eventually deny him, three times.
Peter was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus. Roman Catholic tradition holds that Jesus established St. Peter as the first pope (Matthew 16:18). Jesus also gave him “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:19), which is why he is often depicted at the gates of heaven in art and popular culture.
Day of Pentecost and message On the day of Pentecost, Peter, in the presence of the other 11 disciples, speaks a message to the Jews from all over the known world, metaphorically using the keys to open the kingdom, inviting hearers in, building the church.
The gates of heaven are said to be guarded by Saint Peter, one of the founders of the Christian Church. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gave Simeon the name Peter and, with the words “upon this rock I will build my church,” he placed upon Peter the responsibility of leading the apostles after Jesus’ death.
In Catholicism According to Catholic teaching, Jesus promised the keys to heaven to Saint Peter, empowering him to take binding actions.
But Jesus chose Peter. The main reason could not be Peter’s character of his strength, but rather the strength of his faith. Deep down he knew himself to be weak and imperfect, hence he was convinced that his total security and strength could only come from a power greater than his own.
