Simon Peter (or simply Peter) is one of the most known and beloved apostles of Jesus Christ. His ups and downs showed us a flawed human being, but Jesus still wanted to use Him.

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Peter denied Jesus three times the night He was captured, tortured and later crucified. After Jesus was resurrected, He talked to Peter and asked him to feed and take care of His sheep (that’s how He referred to His followers). Jesus Himself said that a good shepherd needs to be willing to give his life for his sheep. Would Peter be bold enough to do it?

Up until now, He had never showed the courage to risk his life. Could Peter change so much that he could be the man that Jesus wanted him to be?

I am positive that the old Peter could never do it. He needed to change, and God took care of it. It happened the day when they celebrated the Pentecost: Peter and the other followers were filled with the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:4), the Counselor promised by Jesus (see John 14:16).

The Holy Spirit made such a change in Peter that just a few moments later he spoke to the large crowd about Jesus. The fisherman was preaching! See what happened:

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:41)

Three thousand people got converted at once! And that was his first sermon! And he didn’t stop there…

Shortly after that, he and John were going to the temple, and they met a beggar who asked them for money. The new Peter took action again:

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. (Acts 3:4-8)

And that’s not all. The people who witnessed the miracle recognized Peter and John. The same Peter that denied Jesus when people asked him about it, now boldly preached again about Him.

The religious authorities got Peter and John arrested, and brought them for questioning. Can you imagine how the old Peter would react? Well, this is how the new Peter reacted:

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” (Acts 4:8-10).

He didn’t hesitate! Even the authorities were astonished:

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

The authorities decided to order Peter and John not to mention Jesus’ name anymore. They knew that this threat could mean a death sentence if they didn’t obey. Were they willing to risk their lives?

But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19,20)

The fear was gone! They knew what was the right thing to do: to follow God’s will no matter what. And the Holy Spirit gave them the courage, the boldness and the wisdom to preach about their faith and face the consequences.

This is one of my favorite episodes of the Bible, because it is something that I can relate to. Peter was a coward who was transformed into one of the major leaders of the Church. It shows that the Holy Spirit can do anything to shape us into the people God needs us to be. We just have to be willing to be changed.