As a disciple, Peter was not the kind of guy you'd go to in the clutch, to use sports terminology. In his early years, whenever he opened his mouth, it was usually to change feet. He was the one who, when the spotlight pointed his way, ended up embarrassing himself.

On the day of Pentecost, a holy and historic moment in front of a large crowd, Peter had something to say-of course. But would it be something appropriate or totally off target? His track record wasn't good. Peter didn't have a history of rising to the occasion.

If I'd been there as Peter stood, I'd have cringed. Oh, no! What's he going to say now? But Peter said exactly what was needed. His powerful words pierced the hearts of the crowd, and Acts 2:41 says that "those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."

It was the high-water mark of his ministry.

On the other hand, consider the man named Stephen, whom the Bible describes as "full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom." ...