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     Even a cursory reading of the four Gospel accounts in the New Testament (NT), reveals that Peter, James and John were Jesus’ closest disciples.  When Jesus called them to follow Him, all three quit their fishing business immediately (Matthew 4:18-22).  They did not know what their future would be, nor their livelihood or what would happen to them.  It is evident they put their faith (deep trust) in Jesus.  It appears Jesus was selecting men who had a spark of greatness.  Paul states Peter and John were pillars in the new church (Galatians 2:9).  Only these three had the great privilege of being with Jesus during some of the most dramatic events, such as witnessing the transfiguration of Jesus and just hours before His crucifixion they went with Him to an isolated part of the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.
     Jesus loved John (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20) and entrusted his mother, Mary, to his care (John 19:26-27).  John wrote five books of the NT.  Surely, he must have been the greatest disciple.  A couple years after joining Jesus, James and John wanted to destroy a Samaritan village because the folks did not extend hospitality to Jesus (Luke 9:52-54).  What an extreme and merciless attitude toward their fellow man!  Their hot tempers garnered them the name “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17).  Later James and John wanted Jesus to give them important positions in His kingdom (Mark 10:35-37,42-43).  Undoubtedly this reflects their selfish ambition to exercise authority over others, having a sense of worldly self importance.  What kind of spiritual leaders are these?
     Jesus promised Peter the keys to open His kingdom to the world (Matthew 16:18-19).  Peter’s greatness is evident by his sermon on Pentecost when 3000 Jews were baptized, thereby becoming Christians (Acts 2:14-41).  He was the first to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10-11).  About 15 years later he was the leader of the Jerusalem conference to resolve the doctrinal problems between Gentile and Jewish Christians (Acts 15:6-11).  When Paul became a Christian, he went to Peter, recognizing his leadership in the Jerusalem church (Galatians 1:18).  Days after the New Testament church began, Peter was arrested, prompting his declaration that he would obey God rather than men.  He and John were beaten and warned to stop preaching about Jesus.  They boldly continued to tell people that Jesus was the Messiah (Acts 5:29, 40- 41).  On the night before Jesus was crucified, Peter swore his allegiance to Jesus, being willing to die for Him (Mark 14:31; John 13:37).  Yet just hours later, he denied even knowing Jesus (Matthew 26:74; Mark 14:71).  About 15 years later Paul rebuked Peter for his hypocrisy when he would not associate with the Gentile Christians while leading Jewish Christians were present (Galatians 2:11-13) — a divisive attitude that God abhors (Proverbs 6:16,19).  This is Peter, the leading apostle?
     Men generally present their stalwart leaders by emphasizing their greatness and minimizing, if not entirely glossing over, their faults.  Not God!  No coverup in His book!  What you read is just what these men were — mere sinful men, but given tremendous responsibility.  This objectivity and impartiality points to the divine inspiration of the Bible.

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