Topical Bible: Swearing Falsely: Peter

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Introduction:
Swearing falsely, or making a false oath, is a serious offense in biblical teaching, as it involves invoking God's name to support a lie. The Apostle Peter's denial of Jesus Christ is a notable instance of swearing falsely, which is recorded in the New Testament. This event highlights human frailty and the potential for repentance and redemption.

Biblical Account:
The incident of Peter swearing falsely is documented in the Gospels, particularly in the context of Jesus' arrest and trial. Jesus had foretold Peter's denial, saying, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times" (Matthew 26:34). Despite Peter's initial protestations of loyalty, the prophecy was fulfilled.

Peter's Denial:
As Jesus was being tried by the Sanhedrin, Peter followed at a distance and entered the courtyard of the high priest. There, he was recognized by several individuals as a follower of Jesus. In response to their accusations, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. The Gospel of Matthew records the third denial: "Then he began to curse and swear, 'I do not know the man!' And immediately a rooster crowed" (Matthew 26:74). This act of swearing falsely was a desperate attempt to distance himself from Jesus and avoid persecution.

Theological Implications:
Peter's denial is a poignant example of human weakness and the pressure to conform under duress. Swearing falsely, especially in the context of denying Christ, is a grave sin as it involves a deliberate rejection of truth and a breach of faith. The act of invoking curses and oaths to support a lie further compounds the sin, as it misuses the sacredness of God's name.

Repentance and Restoration:
Despite his failure, Peter's account does not end with his denial. The Gospels recount his deep remorse and repentance. "And Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.' And he went outside and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:75). This moment of contrition marks the beginning of Peter's restoration.

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to Peter and the other disciples, offering forgiveness and reinstating Peter's role as a leader among the apostles. In a moving exchange recorded in the Gospel of John, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, mirroring the three denials. Each time, Peter affirmed his love, and Jesus commissioned him to "Feed My sheep" (John 21:17). This restoration underscores the possibility of redemption and the transformative power of Christ's forgiveness.

Conclusion:
Peter's experience serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of swearing falsely and the importance of standing firm in one's faith. It also illustrates the mercy and grace available through repentance and the enduring love of Christ, who restores and empowers those who turn back to Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 26:72,74
And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Heinous Sin of Profane Cursing and Swearing
... take his name in vain," or to swear falsely by his ... Thirdly, what makes the sin of
profane swearing appear yet ... It is the Apostle Peter's advice to the married ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the heinous sin of profane.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... Against these Gentiles the Apostle Paul often wrote, and when Peter was carried
away by ... For one who never swears is less in danger of swearing falsely than one ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... the dawn of the present dispensation"the Redeemer addressed Peter in terms ... When,
therefore, as in many passages, swearing falsely is denounced with a heavy ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

The Jews Make all Ready for the War; and Simon, the Son of Gioras ...
... do they explain it elsewhere, by avoiding to swear falsely, and to ... ch.2:36; and again,
by "not swearing at all ... made mention of in the preaching of Peter, Authent ...
/.../chapter 22 the jews make.htm

The Third Commandment
... say they, that the Pope, who is Peter's successor, shall ... That which makes swearing
yet more heinous, is, that ... shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 3 the third commandment.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... is condemned in the commandment is, swearing to what is ... that we should not slander
falsely or accuse ... and were charged with drunkenness, Peter openly maintained ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

Article xii (V): of Repentance.
... They falsely assert that the Sacrament itself confers grace ex opere operato ... For
Peter clearly cites ... in order that we may believe the one swearing, and be ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 15 article xii v .htm

Matt. v. 27, 28
... it may be said, "is not swearing of the ... And Peter too wrought a twofold slaughter,
nevertheless what he ... from shunning oaths, they even swear falsely; so far ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xvii matt v 27.htm

On Prayer and The Contemplative Life
... Chrysostom, St.: the Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum falsely attributed to him, 24;
on prayer as ... Lombard, Peter, 25. ... Origen on sanctity, 47; on not swearing, 148. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/on prayer and the contemplative life/index 2.htm

A Treatise on Re-Baptism by an Anonymous Writer.
... are of men." Which rebuke against Peter became more ... and for the third time, cursing
and swearing, he affirmed ... to do certain miracles, and to prophesy falsely. ...
/.../a treatise of novatian concerning the trinity/a treatise on re-baptism by.htm