Saint Peter

===Position among the apostles===
[[File:JanStyka-SaintPeter.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|''St. Peter Preaching the Gospel in the Catacombs'' by [[Jan Styka]]]]

Peter is always listed first among the [[Twelve Apostles]] in the [[Gospel]]s<ref>{{Bibleref2|Matt.|10:2–4}}, {{Bibleref2|Mk.|3:16–19}}, {{Bibleref2|Lk.|6:14–16}}</ref> and in the [[Book of Acts]].<ref>{{bibleverse|Acts|1:13|KJV}}</ref> Along with [[James, son of Zebedee|James the Elder]] and [[John the Apostle|John]] he formed an informal [[triumvirate]] within the Twelve Apostles. Jesus allowed them to be the only apostles present at three particular occasions during his public ministry, the [[Raising of Jairus' daughter]],<ref>{{bibleverse|Mark|5:37}}</ref> [[Transfiguration of Jesus]]<ref>{{bibleverse|Matthew|17:1}}</ref> and [[Agony in the Garden|Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane]].<ref>{{bibleverse|Matthew|26:37}}</ref> Peter often confesses his faith in Jesus as the Messiah.

Peter is often depicted in the gospels as spokesman of all the Apostles.<ref>{{bibleverse|Matthew|15:15|KJV}}; {{bibleverse-nb|Matthew|19:27|KJV}}; {{bibleverse|Luke|12:41|KJV}}; {{bibleverse|John|6:67–68|KJV}}</ref> [[John Vidmar]], a Catholic scholar, writes: "Catholic scholars agree that Peter had an authority that superseded that of the other apostles. Peter is their spokesman at several events, he conducts the election of Matthias, his opinion in the debate over converting Gentiles was crucial, etc."<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zENJHwQqSy0C |title=John Vidmar, The Catholic Church through the ages: a history. pp. 39–40 |year=2005|access-date=12 September 2010|isbn=978-0-8091-4234-7|last1=Vidmar |first1=John |publisher=Paulist Press }}</ref>

The author of the [[Acts of the Apostles]] portrays Peter as the central figure within the early Christian community.{{refn|group=note|Peter delivering a significant [[Open-air preaching|open-air sermon]] during [[Pentecost]]. According to the same book, Peter took the lead in selecting a replacement for [[Judas Iscariot]].<ref>{{bibleverse|Acts|1:15}}</ref> Following this appointment, we see Peter establish the conditions for being an apostle as those who have spent time with Jesus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+1&version=NRSV|title=Bible Gateway passage: Acts 1 – New Revised Standard Version|website=Bible Gateway|access-date=30 November 2017}}</ref>

Peter's authority lent to his role as an adjudicator in conflicts and moral matters. He takes on this role in the case of Ananias and Sapphira and holds them accountable for lying about their alms-giving. Peter passes judgement upon them and they are individually struck dead over the infraction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+5&version=NRSV|title=Bible Gateway passage: Acts 5 – New Revised Standard Version|website=Bible Gateway|access-date=30 November 2017}}</ref>

Peter's role wasn't always leadership, since he also employed his gifts for taking care of those in need. We see Peter establish these trends by reaching out to the sick and lame. Peter heals two individuals who cannot walk or are paralyzed<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+3&version=NRSV|title=Bible Gateway passage: Acts 3 – New Revised Standard Version|website=Bible Gateway|access-date=30 November 2017}}</ref><ref name="Acts9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9&version=NRSV|title=Bible Gateway passage: Acts 9 – New Revised Standard Version|website=Bible Gateway|access-date=30 November 2017}}</ref> as well as raising Tabitha from the dead.<ref name="Acts9" /> While these acts were miracles of compassion, they also contributed to the number of believers in the early Church.}}