The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 521
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A FAITHFUL UNDER-SHEPHERD 515 It was after Peter had been led to self-rennnciation and entire reliance upon divine power, that he received his call to act as an nnder-shepherd. Christ had said to Peter, before his denial of Him, ''When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. ' ' ' These words were significant of the wide and effectual work which this apostle was to do in the future for those who should come to the faith. For this work, Peter's own experience of sin and suffering and repentance had prepared him. Not until he had learned his weakness, could he know the believer's need of dependence on Christ. Amid the storm of temptation he had come to understand that man can walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he relies upon the Saviour. At the last meeting of Christ with His disciples by the sea, Peter, tested by the thrice-repeated question, "Lovest thou Me?"' had been restored to his place among the twelve. His work had been appointed him: he was to feed the Lord's flock. Now, converted and accepted, he was not only to seek to save those without the fold, but was to be a shepherd of the sheep. Christ mentioned to Peter only one condition of service — "Lovest thou Me!" This is the essential qualification. Though Peter might possess every other, yet without the love of Christ he could not be a faithful shepherd over the flock of God. Knowledge, benevolence, eloquence, zeal, — all are essential in the good work; but without the love of Christ in the heart, the work of the Christian minister is a failure. ^Luke 22:32. -John 21:15-17.